The New Scientology?

Michele Bachmann has been displaying that proud disdain for history (and knowledge in general) that is the hallmark of the teabagger movement. At the "Code Red" rally against the health care bill yesterday, Bachmann pep-talked the faithful with a fun historical and literacy reference: "It's the charge of the light brigade!"

Most people know the charge of the light brigade as a textbook example of bravery and futility. Most of the light brigade got blown to pieces after getting faulty orders to ride the wrong way into Russian cannons during this disastrous battle of the Crimean War. So what next for Bachmann? Maybe "It's the Little Bighorn!" Or "I'm Napoleon, let's invade Russia!"?

My favorite comment by jsdc007 at TPM:

"Does this woman ever do any real work besides ladling on a pound of clown makeup every morning and screaming nonsense before her posse of morons?"

The teabagging movement often irresistibly reminds me of Scientology. Specifically this:

"Allegedly, L. Ron Hubbard, a former therapist, and Arthur C. Clarke, the noted author, were friends, and Hubbard bet Clarke that he could start a new religion. The anecdote concludes with him creating Scientology as a result."

Did someone once bet Bachmann and the other crazies in charge that they couldn't start an equally outrageous, reality-defying political movement? If so, like Hubbard, they found truth in the old principle that no-one ever went broke overestimating the stupidity of the public.