Wondering whether or not Guam might capsize is something that the Democratic Representative from Georgia recently asked during a committee meeting. Hank Johnson—the representative who offered the comment—wanted to know if the additional inhabitants who are scheduled to move to the United States territory of Guam might add so much weight that Guam would capsize. Johnson's question and concern about the chance of Guam capsizing was directed at Admiral Robert Willard. Willard is currently in charge of the U.S. Pacific fleet.http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20001567-503544.html

• It is unclear whether Johnson was asking whether Guam might capsize in a literal or figurative manner.
• In a comment from Johnson's spokesperson, the Representative of Georgia offered the comments out of "[concern for] the influx of military personnel [that] will overwhelm the island's infrastructure and ecosystem."http://washingtonscene.thehill.com/in-the-know/36-news/3169-rep-hank-johnson-guam-could-tip-over-and-capsize

Hank Johnson, during the meeting expressed his concern, saying, "My fear is that the whole island will become so overly populated that it will tip over and capsize." Admiral Robert Willard, who was answering the question, responded after a few seconds' pause: "We don't anticipate that." The representative's comment can clearly be heard in the video clip (posted above and below).http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNZczIgVXjg

In the video of the meeting, Representative Johnson stated that his concern of Guam capsizing stems from his worry that the island would become too heavy after more and more people continue to inhabit the island. It's not clear what the representative was thinking when he asked the question, as islands have never been known to capsize in the same way that a ship might capsize.

The mainstream media has focused some of its attention on Representative Johnson in the days immediately following his unusual question to the Admiral about Guam. CBS News reports on their website that some believe that the question was a waste of time for Admiral Willard to bother hearing in the first place.http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20001567-503544.html Mark Steyn—a writer for the National Review Online—stated that:

• "Presumably, when you're the head guy of a major fleet for a big-time navy, you've got plenty of other ways of filling your time other than reassuring congressmen on whether miscellaneous land masses are likely to tip over and sink."http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=N2FjZjU4Zjg4YWUwOWNjYTUwOTkxODg5YzYyODE1NGY=

Online reporters also were covering the story shortly after the video surfaced of the Representative's questions at the hearing. Left Coast Rebel—an online political blog—apparently tried to make light of the situation, stating:

• "Call it a new low, a new 'tipping point' - even in the halls of Congress, if you will"http://www.leftcoastrebel.com/2010/04/democratic-rep-hank-johnson-thinks-that.html

When a person describes something as "capsizing", most often what is being described is a ship, boat, or other water-based craft. So, if a ship were to tip over to the point that it is no longer in sufficient condition to move about the body of water normally, it has capsized. When such a ship is later turned back to its original, upright position the vessel is said to have been "righted". This process would be called "righting" the vessel.