News & Politics

Rant

How Stupid Are Americans Anyway?

Posted 8 months ago|8 comments|322 views
Written by
As I sit and do my business on my home computer, I do take time out to check out the news. Yahoo is my home page so that's where I get a sample of the headlines.

I click on when I see something of interest, and being a curious person there's much that does interest me. Especially U.S. Politics. Of course I have to read up on what is going on in the bizarre world of U.S. Politics and the opinions of the American people. And, of course after I do so sometimes I could just regurgitate whatever it is that I've last eaten.

The articles themselves are really not the problem. It's the comments. And it's damn scary. These are the words, the opinions uncensored of the American people in response to real news. The fear in me is unmatched by almost anything else that I read, especially since yes, I am a U.S. citizen.

Examples? Have you ever read through some comments to news articles? By and large it seems that so many Americans can barely speak and write English as a first language yet are incredibly judgmental of any and all things the least bit 'foreign' to them. Especially any kind of criticism. To criticize, whether constructively or not is a bold insult it seems.

Okay, now some examples...oh my head.

"Doh-Bama on Lybia - "This is not over" Doh-Bama on Irene "This is not over"
Lets vote for Homer Simpson next. He will do a better job!" (in response to an article about the President's remarks on Hurricane Irene)

"Glean beck is a true american. he pays taxes. tries to do what is right, loves God.----- Liberals on the other hand, Hate God.... pay no taxes And do all they can to destroy America." (in response to an article about Glenn Beck saying that Hurricane Irene is a 'blessing')

"Hell of a role model. Have you no pride or self respect let alone for your family's? You are disgusting. You should enlist with Farve." (in response to an article about redistricting in New York and a special election regarding Anthony Weiner's seat)

"CHEAP SHOTS? YOU MEAN LIKE WHAT YOU DID POWELL????? AS A VETERAN I THOUGHT YOU SUCKED WHEN YOU SUCKERPUNCHED MCCAIN FOR THIS STAIN OF A PRESIDENT......" (in response to an article about Colin Powell's opinion about Dick Cheney's book)

"And to think that Powell was in charge in our military at one time. He's a trader and a lier. He now supports Obama showing his true color. He was nothing but a disgrace to the republician party." (again in response to Colin Powell's remarks)

Like I said, oh my aching head. And to think that this is an incredibly infinitesimal amount of examples. To do many more would most probably make my head explode, as Dick Cheney claims his book is going to do just that to the people in Washington D. C. upon publication.

Dick, I see your point.

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COMMENTS
Out Of The Box
Out Of The Box
 Moderator
8 months ago: Welcome aboard, Libby Redd.

We all see our fair share of idiotic comments to stories on the internet, and that, to me, is one of the great things about this medium. You can get a feel for how other people respond, and instead of just being "instructed", you can interact.

Like you, I'm surprised with the vehemence and rancor that comes from all portions of the population and political spectrum.
Altruist
Altruist
Eugene, OR
8 months ago: I think the vehemence and the rancor is a direct imitation of hate radio and the right wing bloviators like Rush and Beck.

There also seems to be a direct correlation between the lack of knowledge of the commentator and amount of rancor. The people who cannot make a rational well thought out response to something, resort to name calling and invective.

Those with the least between their ears think volume and name calling equal dialogue.

There is also a correlation between the vituperative and those who prefer to believe their opinionated right wing hate monger over the facts, science, and experts.
Out Of The Box
Out Of The Box
 Moderator
8 months ago: Those with their own axe to grind have selective cognizance. They seem to single out comments that don't agree with their own views, and focus on the less intelligent sounding strings to highlight their sense of superiority. In truth, there is no correlation between political or social policy and the ability to draw lucid conclusions.

From the HuffPo article concerning Beck's comments:

"May there be many such blessings for Mr. Beck, that his fellow citizens might be spared. "

"Oh ggod grief. This guy is attention seeking in any way possible."

"Can we send that TV show Hoarders over to Rev Becks home. wanna see if he has been hoarding anything other than hate "

"This guy is sooooooooo­oo lame, has NO education to speak of, but yet he has something to say about everything­..........­. Please keep in mind Glen, that when most Americans who can THINK FOR THEM SELF, When WE want to hear from an A.HOLE we will all FART!! "

Out Of The Box
Out Of The Box
 Moderator
8 months ago: From a HuffPo article on Virginia's pending abortion clinic regulations:

"Conservati­ves **** and Moan about small Government but there the ones that want to stick there heads and noses where it doesn't belong"

"Oh come on. They only want to stick there heads and noses in a vajayjay cause the little wife at home won't let them "

"To bad most republican­'s parents didn't use birth control... "

"You know, I think is why they're so passionate about embryos and fetuses and Terry Schiavos: they don't have viewpoints of their own (cuz they're not conscious people). Folk like that are SO very lovable! "

"What is the rational thought process for any young women that has the where-with­all and capability to NOT move from the Red States.
The government­s in these states HATES you, Old White Evangelica­l Christians clearly view you as second class citizens at best and biblical chattel at worst.
Move now, get out of those places. Let them die the death of old age and no population­. "

8 months ago: Sin and rancor fall equally on both sides of the fence.

We have a Left wing that has left God out and a Right wing that thinks they have Him in their pocket. Seems to me there is enough hate to go around from both sides of the political court.

Utopia sure ain't comin' from that mix.

Fix this? And some folks still don't believe in miracles. We do our part, but that's exactly what it's going to take.
8 months ago: I like starting egg fights.
Altruist
Altruist
Eugene, OR
8 months ago: The reason there is so much name calling (OK some on my side too) is that politics has become warfare. Politics used to be the art of compromise. Now there is no compromise on the right. There used to be civility in politics and political enemies like Ronald Reagan and Tip Oneal would have dinner after hours.

Now there is nothing but demonization of the other side. This all started when the fairness doctrine was abolished, and talking heads were free to just make up outrageous stuff, and the hate mongers compete with each other to be even more outrageous than the next.

The political system is broken but if Congress would be required to have at least three proposals for every bill (left, right, and independent) and then preference voting was used, the centrist plans would always win unless both sides cooperated to form policies that appealed to the majority instead of playing to the radical base.

With cooperation would come civility.

8 months ago: In actual fact, neither Lybia nor Irene's aftermath were over when Obama said they were not over. He stated an actual situation in the simple terms. At a time when the media and public attention was ready to move on to more exciting things.

Powell actually saved America a very great embarassment. Bush would have marched us into Iraq with no other country's support and deposed Saddam. Powell manged to get Bush to first ask at the U.N. and then create a coalition of willing countries, and then march into Iraq. The situation has since proven to be an enbarassment. It would have been 100s of times worse, if not for Powell. And Cheney does make cheap shots, including mis-stating what actually happened in preference to his own narrow view.

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