Rick Santelli to Tom Friedman: 'You're idiotic'

That was in direct response: NYT’s Friedman Lashes Out at Santelli: ‘Your Question is Idiotic’

New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman rarely appears in a media setting where he is challenged by a conservative. Yesterday on CNBC, Rick Santelli asked him to explain why Social Security is not a "Ponzi Scheme". When he had trouble answering the challenge he resorted to name-calling.

The video:

The transcript from The Daily Caller via memeorandum: Rick Santelli to Tom Friedman: 'You're idiotic'

FRIEDMAN: No, I don’t think it’s a Ponzi scheme.
SANTELLI: Earlier in the show you said that we’re putting a burden on our kids that’s unsustainable. What’s the definition of a Ponzi scheme?
FRIEDMAN: It’s a program that made promises that it cannot keep in full and it needs to be fixed and reformed.
SANTELLI: Isn’t that exactly what a Ponzi pyramid is?
FRIEDMAN: I don’t think it is a Ponzi scheme as a criminal endeavor.
SANTELLI: No, no — forget the criminal side. You need more people to perpetuate a myth because if the people stop the myth is known to all. That’s my definition of a Ponzi scheme. Let’s call at it chain letter, a pyramid scheme. Isn’t that by definition what Social Security is? Take the legalities and fraud out.
STEVE LIESMAN: Why is it a Ponzi scheme, Rick?
FRIEDMAN: It is pay as we go. Ronald Reagan fixed it. Why can’t we fix it?
SANTELLI: What does Ronald Reagan have to do with my question?
FRIEDMAN: What does your question have to do with reality?
MICHELLE CARUSO CABRERA: We brought it up.
SANTELLI: You can’t decide that more people is the only thing made Social Security work. We have a real issue because many people in government seem to like to read your work.
FRIEDMAN: What makes Social Security work is fixing Social Security in terms of the population demands.
SANTELLI: I didn’t ask if we should fix it or not. I asked if it’s a pyramid scheme.
FRIEDMAN: Your question is idiotic. That’s what you asked.
SANTELLI: You’re idiotic. I’m done. I feel good.
FRIEDMAN: So do I.

There's a logical response to a fair question! More from Hot Air, Pajamas Media, Freedom's Lighthouse, National Review and Verum Serum. And by the way: Video of Chris Matthews: Rick Perry's Right About Social Security "Ponzi Scheme"