Jim Inhofe is a daredevil…

We already knew the Jim Inhofe was kind of crazy.  I mean he is the man who leads the charge against environmental protection and claims that global warming is a just silly myth conjured up by thousands upon thousands of the world's scientists.

Well, maybe now it's time we certify him is officially crazy...or senile.  From the Smoking Gun:

Newly released Federal Aviation Administration documents and audiotapes shed a scary new light on a bizarre incident late last year during which U.S. Senator James Inhofe landed his Cessna on a closed runway at a south Texas airport, scattering construction workers who ran for their lives as the politician’s plane hopscotched over them and six vehicles.

The FAA material, provided in response to a TSG Freedom of Information Act request, details how Inhofe, 76, chose to land on the main runway at the Cameron County Airport on October 21 despite being aware that it was closed and had a large ‘X’ on its threshold.

The politician, the FAA investigation determined, “still elected to land avoiding the men and the equipment on the runway.” In a bid to avoid “legal enforcement action,” Inhofe, who has a commercial pilot’s license, agreed to “complete a program of remedial training,” according to an FAA letter sent in January to Inhofe, a third-term Republican senator from Oklahoma. Inhofe is pictured at right.

Shortly after Inhofe landed, Sidney Boyd, who was supervising construction on the closed runway, called the FAA to report that Inhofe’s plane, a twin-engine six-seater, initially touched down on the runway and then “'sky hopped' over the six vehicles and personnel working on the runway, and then landed.”

During the call, which was recorded by the FAA, Boyd said Inhofe’s antics “scared the crap out of” workers, adding that the Cessna “damn near hit” a red truck. Referring to the vehicle’s driver, Boyd added, “I think he actually wet his britches, he was scared to death. I mean, hell, he started trying to head for the side of the runway. The pilot could see him, or he should have been able to, he was right on him.”

Boyd also said that Inhofe showed little contrition following the close call. “He come over here and started being like, 'What the hell is this? I was supposed to have unlimited airspace.'”

Geeze, how in the world is the guy still our Senator?  The guy's a 77-years old, says things that are more embarrassing than a paid subscription to the Oklahoman, and now makes construction workers think they are going to die and piss their pants.  What's next?  Tapping shoes at an airport?  Wearing a cape in public?  Who knows.

What's really sad about this is that even though Inhofe is transitioning from a right-wing wacko to a senile fossil, he still has high approval ratings in our state.  That's why I say we go ahead and start the "Draft Brad Henry for US Senator" website.  He's probably the only normal guy who can beat Inhofe in 2014 — when Inhofe will 80-years old, mind you — so we need to try to convince him to run.  Plus, it will be kind of cool to hear "Brad Henry, Brad Henry" commercials with Barry Switzer again.