Is Texas Representative Rick Noriega (D) really this 1) paranoid, 2) stupid, or 3) both — or is he simply making another one of his in-artful “jokes“?

Rep. Noriega is trying (desperately, as it turns out) to unseat popular Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) in the US Senate.

I have the highest respect for Rep. Noriega for his continued service to our nation in the US Army National Guard. But his latest comments, where he alleges that our own government is using FISA to spy on our own military men and women are, well, a bit unhinged.

From a press release by Sen. John Cornyn’s campaign:

Austin, TX – As the U.S. Senate prepares to debate bipartisan legislation updating the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, U.S. Senate candidate Rick Noriega is attempting to kill the compromise. He opposes monitoring communications between terrorists, Noriega explains, because national security agencies are misusing their authority to eavesdrop on personal communication made by U.S. troops abroad! In a video released recently on his website Noriega explains:

“When we got on the computers to wake up our families on that Christmas Day, I suspect that the government probably listened in on my and Melissa’s conversation because it was communication between two countries.”

Noriega apparently believes the National Security Agency (NSA) was eavesdropping on his conversation via the Terrorist Surveillance Program. It is a comment that, at best, reveals an unpardonable misunderstanding of the FISA program. At worst, it is a reckless charge levied in an attempt to mislead Texas voters. No mainstream news outlet has reported a similar charge made by any other serviceman. It appears Noriega is the only federal candidate, Republican or Democrat, to throw this wild idea into the political mix.

And unless he can offer proof, it’s pretty damned contemptible slander of his superiors.

I hate seeing a good military man forget the lessons of “duty, honor, country” in exchange for his own personal political gains.

Much like the despicable Gen. Wesley Clark.