Conservative economist Ben Stein joined in a joyful disparaging on Saturday of the opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline, telling Fox News host Neil Cavuto that the protests are a sign of psychological issues.

“This isn’t really about any policy issues,” Stein said. “it’s about attracting attention to the protesters, giving them something to do, making them feel as if they’re morally superior to their parents. Protests of this kind are a psychological issue, they’re not about an economic or political issue, they’re about a psychological or mental disease or defect.”

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While panelist Charlie Gasparino called the anti-Keystone forces “the same loons who are in Occupy Wall Street,” Fox contributor Charles Payne said demonstrations against the pipeline, which has been opposed by both activists and scientists, would backfire, since coal production is increasing.

“What would you like, environmentalists, coal or natural gas?” Payne asked mockingly. “Would you like to see jobs? Would you like to see higher tax revenue? Something’s gotta break. These guys are nuts.”

Watch the discussion, posted by MediaMatters on Saturday, below.