Ben Carson is Nuts

[swake]

The Pyramids were built by the biblical Joseph to store grain, not as tombs for the Pharaohs. No seriously, that's what he believes:

Republican front-runner Ben Carson reinforced his longstanding belief that Egyptian pyramids were built by the biblical figure Joseph to store grain. Archaeologists have long asserted that these tombs were constructed for pharaohs.

"It's still my belief, yes," the retired neurosurgeon told reporters Wednesday at a book tour stop in Naples, Fla. "Well, the pyramids were made in a way that they had hermetically sealed compartments. You would need that if you were trying to preserve grain for a long period of time."

Carson first articulated his theory at a 1998 commencement speech at Andrews University, a school founded by Seventh-day Adventists.

In the commencement video, Carson laid out his theory that the pyramids were constructed for grain storage.

"My own personal theory is that Joseph built the pyramids to store grain," Carson said in the video. "Now all the archaeologists think that they were made for the pharaohs' graves. But, you know, it would have to be something awfully big if you stop and think about it. And I don't think it'd just disappear over the course of time to store that much grain."

He continued: "And when you look at the way that the pyramids are made, with many chambers that are hermetically sealed, they'd have to be that way for various reasons. And various scientists have said 'Well you know there were alien beings that came down and they have special knowledge' and that's how —- you know, it doesn't require an alien being when God is with you."

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/ben-carsons-unusual-theory-egyptian-pyramids/story?id=34989643
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/05/ben-carson-egyptian-pyramids-were-grain-stores-not-pharoahs-tombs

[cannon_fodder]

He isn't nuts. He is just a religious fundamentalist. I'd guess he is no more nuts than most legislators in Oklahoma.

Of course, his theory on the pyramids is stupid. The amount of cavity (storage) space in relation to the total mass of the pyramids would make them the worlds momst inefficient storage facility. Add in the fact that getting grain in and out of the pyramids would have been nearly impossible and that there is no need to adorn the walls of grain silos with engravings and artwork, and his theory is merely a Bible based fantasy with zero logical or archaeological support.  

Luckily, as a fundamentalist you don't need logic or evidence to support your beliefs. That's why the system is so great.

Of course, he also seems to think:

- The Big Bang Theory and Evolution is the work of Satan trying to destroy our faith in Jesus.

- Only a Christian (and certainly no Muslims!) should be allowed to be president of the United States

- Homosexuality is a choice, because many men go into prison straight, and come out gay. God only creates Heterosexuals, ergo, being gay is a choice to stray from God.

- Some rambled about Obama allowed Bengazhi to happen on purpose because it would hep legalize marijuana as evidence by the William's Song "Happy" and therefore help bring about a communist revolution in the USA -- or something. Or maybe the President is racking up debt in order to force a Leninist overthrow of the government as planned by communist elements already positioned in the government and parent teacher associations.  He then backed down and said he was "just asking questions..." but this could be part of the bigger plot by the US government to imprison and murder Seventh Day Adventists for observing the Sabbath on Saturday, instead of Sunday, which is a precursor to the end times (a prophecy from a founder of that sect apparently).

- Obamacare "is like slavery..." Say what you want about Obamacare, it isn't slavery.

- The Executive Branch (the President) is free under the Constitution to ignore Orders of the Supreme Court which they believe are morally wrong.

- everyone should be force to tithe 10% to the government. A flat tax is a way to align the tax code with biblical principles.  it is "condescending" to say some people can not afford to pay the same percent in taxes as wealthy people and wants to make them feel better about themselves by taxing them more. He didn't seem to understand that the tax plan would reduce taxes on the wealthiest and raise taxes on the poorest. Say what you want about tax policy, but understand and be able to defend the implications (also, please don't argue for policy based on the Bible)

- He has said on multiple occasions that Obama might decide not to leave office and "We the People" would be forced to rise up and depose him.

- "We'd be Cuba if it wasn't for Fox News." Seriously, that's a quote.


Many conservatives like him because he was a non-politician that spoke his mind, others because he was an unapologetic religious fundamentalist. I say "was" because since he has gained some traction and risen in the polls he has hired a team who have now reigned in his free-willing rhetoric and fundamentalism. Unfortunately, the interviews from early on are already out there. The same thing that makes him popular with 25% of Republicans will turn off 50% of Republicans, as well as most independents and Democrats. I think he is a straight shooter with good intentions, but almost all of his statements indicate he would govern as a theocracy - evidence and logic be damned, the Bible says...

[swake]

Ben Carson Raps!

http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/05/politics/ben-carson-rap-ad-freedom/