Life Imitates The Simpsons

I'd read elsewhere how anti-science Republicans succeeded in killing a House bill to increase funding for scientific research, and for math and science education, by forcing Democrats supporting the bill to vote in favor of letting federal employees watch pornography.

It really struck me as the worst kind of cynical obstructionism, especially considering the bill should not be controversial in the slightest. (Really, it should have been a slam-dunk, don't you think? If America doesn't keep its lead in science, what do you think will become of our country?)

But it was Jonathan Chait who pointed out how life imitates art, by posting this excerpt from The Simpsons:

The Simpsons, 1995:

Kent Brockman: With our utter annihilation imminent, our federal government has snapped into action. We go live now via satellite to the floor of the United States congress.

Speaker: Then it is unanimous, we are going to approve the bill to evacuate the town of Springfield in the great state of --

Congressman: Wait a minute, I want to tack on a rider to that bill: $30 million of taxpayer money to support the perverted arts.

Speaker: All in favor of the amended Springfield-slash-pervert bill?

[everyone boos]

Speaker: Bill defeated. [bangs gavel]

Kent Brockman: I've said it before and I'll say it again: democracy simply doesn't work.