Israeli MPs 'cheated on IQ test'

Herald Sun ^ | 31dec03 | From correspondents in Jerusalem

[gd124]

MEMBERS of the Israeli parliament finished in the middle of the pack in a televised IQ test against groups like models and lawyers - and that was after they cheated.

Yesterday's segment of the reality-TV series Test of the Nation had the groups taking the IQ test simultaneously, as viewers joined in from their homes.

High school students, tax collectors and lawyers finished first, models and bodybuilders near the bottom and the members of parliament in between.

But today, Haim Katz, a member of parliament from the ruling Likud Party, admitted that his six-person team cheated, sharing answers with each other.

"Like children, we want to succeed, (because) the whole country is watching," he told Army Radio.

Katz likened the behaviour to tests in Israeli schools, where such cheating is endemic.

The image of Israel's parliament has suffered in recent years because of scandals, investigations and questionable election practices, added to the decades-long practice of conducting shouting matches, complete with curses and epithets, during floor debates.

The present group, elected this year, has scaled new heights, with several members facing police inquiries for voting twice on a budget bill, another for bribery during a primary campaign, and prime minister and his son - also a member of parliament - under investigation for election irregularities.

Members of parliament who did not take part in the TV show scoffed at the affair.

"These days it appears that you have to add the IQs of all the members of parliament together to get a good result," quipped Ronni Bar-On of Likud.

[TrueBeliever9]

How soon can we get the US Congress tested?

[Support Free Republic]

Got a minute?

I'd really like you to scratch my ears,
or help out FR.

[meenie]

It would be interesting to give them an opportunity to predict their IQ before taking the test. The fall from genius to imbecile would be embarassing.

[Jabba the Nutt]

This sounds like typical politicos to me. They cheat and still come out average.

[rface]

don't you gotta be real smart to cheat in an IQ test?

[freedom44]

I probably know more about US history, our constitution, and foreign policy than the majority of US congress.

Plus, Kennedy's IQ after years of alcoholism can't be more than 60.

[KarlInOhio]

Kennedy has the highest IQ in the Congress.

Just to make sure, you are referring to the Intoxication Quotient, right?

[freedom44]

Kennedy has the highest IQ in the Congress.


Are you kidding? Where did you read this? How can one have a high IQ after decades of heavy intoxication.. it destroys the brain.

[KarlInOhio]

Reread my message. IQ = intoxication quotient.

[WackyKat]

models and bodybuilders near the bottom

Now that's a shocker

[BradyLS]

models and bodybuilders near the bottom

Ah, don't worry. Arnold won't let us down!

[Doctor Stochastic]

How can one have a high IQ after decades of heavy intoxication.. it destroys the brain.

Only the weak cells.

[freedom44]

Really? So a person can retain brain capacity after decades of nightly intoxication?

I read an article in New England Journal that said a person who drinks nightly for 30 years loses up to 33% of his short-term capacity.

[Doctor Stochastic]

It's an old joke; attributed to Hemingway, Paige, etc.

[Prodigal Son]

don't you gotta be real smart to cheat in an IQ test?

LOL, yeah, it would seem like a good idea. What good is copying your buddy's answer when he is an imbecile as well?

[Thinkin' Gal]

Those clever Jews, it's always somethin'.

High school students, tax collectors and lawyers finished first, models and bodybuilders near the bottom and the members of parliament in between.

And at the absolute rock bottom, are suicide bombers and assorted jihadists.