Dolphins are Smarter than George W. Bush

A fascinating new study has shown that dolphins, like some humans, are capable of naming each other and recognizing the names of relatives. Dolphin names (made up of the bottlenose dolphin's signature chirps and whistles) were played synthetically through an underwater speaker, without any intonation or other vocal cues outside of the sound itself. In most cases, the sound was recognized by relatives of the dolphin named. This would indicate a very sophisticated sense of self and other in bottlenose dolphins, and while not exactly a language, does indicate the use of 'proper nouns' so to speak.

In a similar experiment, synthetic human names were played through a speaker in the White House to gauge reactions by members of the Bush administration. Names such as "Jack Abramoff", "Jeff Gannon", "Scooter Libby", and "Harriet Meyers" were repeatedly spoken in a neutral, passive voice through loudspeakers throughout the administration offices. Surprisingly, members of the senior administration seemed not to recognize the names at all, and though some appeared uncomfortable, there was no outward indication that anyone in the White House understood the meanings of the names or who they represented.

I think the conclusion for the Republican party is obvious.