OMFG! Are Americans really this stupid?

[populistmom]

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article4562.htm

This appeared on CNN International. God, help us!

[GOPisEvil]

1. Remember...

...no one ever went broke underestimating the stupidity of the American people.

[toddzilla]

6. i'd bet if you asked them about sports they'd be amazing

people need to pull their head out of their ass...

[populistmom]

9. Or who's on American Idol or Survivor or fill-in-whatever-stupid show. nt

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

56. That's MISunderestimating.... Sheesh. Stupid peeple.

:evilgrin:

[Solly Mack]

2. 'fraid so....

not all Americans...but a good many.

[Gloria]

3. How embarrassing for our country...they are as stupid as Bush!

And they make the ones that Leno interviews look almost intelligent!!

[FlashHarry]

4. Leno does this all the time. It's kind of unfair.

Now, having lived here and in Europe, you'll get no argument from me regarding the lack of world knowledge here in the US. However, it's easy to edit together a series of shots of people being stupid.

[Pobeka]

5. Not stupid, ignorant

There's a difference. Now, may I say that choosing to be this ignorant, well, that's pretty stupid! :crazy:

[FloridaJudy]

21. Stupidity is forevever, Ignorance can be fixed

Unfortunately, there's very little money in correcting ignorance. I should know; I've made my living doing that for the past thirty years, and I'm still no more than one pay-check away from welfare.

But cultivating ignorance is a cash cow! It's how the owners of the mainstream media make big bucks ("Buy our product! It'll make you happy and admired, as well as improving your sex life"*)

We're only as "stupid" as Fox, CNN, Warner Brothers, MTV, MSNTV, and Channel One have decided to make us.



*For raw pandering to the worst human desires, nothing beats ads for "The Hummer". I'd give a "hummer" to a "Hummer" owner the day they hold snow-man building contests in Miami in August!

[trogdor]

47. As much as we both hate the goddam things...

...you have to admit the "Happy Jack" H2 commercial is brilliant.

[MadHound]

51. Sure is, nothing like pandering to the inner cheater

Glorify cutting corners and cheating, yep that is now what is in vogue, hell look at the current pResident.

[Ivory_Tower]

7. This could explain the Republican Congress.

[GregW]

8. There's a whole bunch of Aussies a tinnie short of a six-pack, too

Doesn't take much to interview a bunch of people and selectively only include the low brows.

[Fovea]

10. Watching that clip

makes me want to end it all.

[Nomad559]

11. Direct Link

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/video1/liberty_questions.rm

[Room101]

26. I know in my heart that I will move out this country

when my son turns 18.:) That video proves without a shadow of a doubt that Aldous Huxley’s vision beat out George Orwell’s vision of the future.

[laconicsax]

31. I wouldn't say so...

although I could seriously use some soma after seeing that. After all, half a gramme is better than a damn.

The key part of Huxley's vision was the control of society through a caste system and mental conditioning--not apathetic stupididty.

The thing is, if these people were in public school, then they were taught most if not all of the history questions. The current events part is just the fact that people don't care--they think they know, so they don't bother to learn.

That's pretty different from "history is bunk" and halting religion and science for happiness.

Actually--these days, it's religion that's hindering science.

[Room101]

32. laconicsax - Have you read BNW revisited?

What you said is partly right, but Huxley talks in-depth (BNW revisited) about apathy and man's lust for distraction's to keep them out of political and social situations. Orwell was afraid that there would be no books to read. Huxley was afraid that no one would care to read them.

[laconicsax]

64. I haven't read BNW revisited

I think I'll pick up a copy the next time I'm in a bookstore.

[pretzel4gore]

12. 2 generations ago...

the US put men on the moon......and the Kennedy haters have never forgiven her (re the 'moon landing hoax' thing that was pushed by Faux last year) just like they never forgave the 'hippies' for DOUBTING the bullshit that the cotton mathers/father coughlins/rush limpaughs insist that Americans believe w/out question or hesitation...
in bush yawl trust...

[scucci]

13. Not to misunderestimate the stupidity of Americans but...

I've been all around the world and people in Ireland, the U.K., Japan, Germany, Australia, and Norway have given similar silly answers to simple questions. Are they morons too?

I'm rather sick of this holier than thou attitude on this site. Who are YOU to presume that the majority of Americans are stupid people?
Un-informed for the most part but stupid? I think not.
Calling people idiots is not the best way to get the "stupid" majority on your side. Just a little advice.

[BiggJawn]

15. Stow it, Mate...

What would YOU call somebody, whom you just sent a link to Snopes after they sent to you for the 3rd time that day some stupid "Urban Legend" about how Hillary likes to roast babies in her kitchen, who mails you back and say "Well, it OUGHT to be true!"?

Hmmmm?

I don't consider that "ignorant" or "un-informed", hell, I just INFORMED them, and they REJECTED it!

I call that pretty stupid.
And I run into plenty in the course of a week.

[scucci]

19. I would call that person an absolute idiot....

But would not condemn the entire U.S. populace as idiotic because of that lone loon. There are over 300 hundred million people in this country. My point was that this is a very public message board. There are people of all stripes who visit but do not post. They see the same nastiness here that is also wrought on extreme right wing boards.
What's the difference and why bother voting?

[BiggJawn]

41. You wanna put on your "company manners", you go right ahead.

It pisses me off, you folks who come around admonishing us to "Be more like Joe" in order not to scare off the mythical swing voters. That's the whole damn problem with the Democratic Party today, they think the way to woo votes away from the ReTHUGlicans is to be more like them.

Yeah, sure, there's more than 300 million in this country, and that "lone loon" you referred to is the RULE, NOT the exception. Maybe you are blessed to be in an area where more people watch BBC America instead of "Reality TV", but I don't.

I gotta ask you, what's more dihonest, to be open in my contempt for the stupid Murkan Sheeple who love Dumbya and think that by buying the latest magical 911 teddy bear that our troops will be safe, or to hide it like the ReTHUGlicans do, woo them, court them, wine them, dine them, "69" them to get what I want, all the while in private laughing my ass off over their stupidity?

Fuck it. If they're so fragile that they can't take somebody telling them that their precious jewel is a turd, or their beloved emperor is buck-ass-naked, them I don't have much patience for them.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

58. If voting REALLY made a difference...

It would be against the law.


Naw, I'm not cynical.

[BlueJazz]

16. Well, scucci ...

It depends on what you (or anybody) means by "stupid"

If it defines a group of people who elect other people who do not have the best intentions to uplift the masses then Yes, they are stupid.

If we were a smart populace, we would have a great health care plan, a well liked and respected country(around the world.
We would all strive to make life as fair as possible for all beings on the planet.
We would have elected officials who were wise, compassionate, caring and all the other attributes that define a great society....
...instead we have what we have.

Sounds stupid to me.

[scucci]

20. It sounds good but I'm a realist.

We're not going to have a leader who isn't after the vote. Democratic or Rethug.
If you think the American populace didn't bother voting in the past two elections because they are stupid then I got news for you.

I'm a typical democrat. I've voted democrat since I turned 18.
This is where we diverge and is what is sending a lot of democrats to the dark side. I do not care if I'm liked by France. I do not care if ILLEGAL aliens are sent home.
I DO care that my American children are not (black, white, brown or translucent) being educated, fed and given medical help because of Mexican immigration. You've got to be an absolute fool if you can't project what is going to happen in the next 15 years if something is not done. No, I am NOT a racist in any manner but I believe this influx of illegals is going to impact this country far more than the Civil War. Please dispute me. I know you will.

[BlueJazz]

25. It's late and I'm going to bed but a part of me does .....

....agree with you.
My Swedish wife often says "Why do you think (part of the reason) Sweden is so nice?......We don't let every Tom, Dick and Mary move their asses in here. (Sweden)

I find her discussion of the subject sometimes very hard to argue with!

[BiggJawn]

46. Oh, well, then, that explains it...

In over 2 years on this board, I have never put anyone on "ignore".
But you, sir, tempt me sorely.

Yes, those pesky Mexicans are sure taking food and schoolbooks away from good deserving American kids all over the country, aren't they?

Guess you find my POV as disgusting as I find yours.

[BlueJazz]

54. Oh, I don't think that's what folks mean at all when they talk about

immigration.
I think they feel (as I do)that it's not fair to those who go through the process to become America citizen, to watch other people
just walk across the border and receive the same benefits.

[BiggJawn]

61. Well, then, how about us who just "dropped down the chute"?

I was BORN here, an act that took less effort on my part that wading across the Rio Grande or paying a smuggler.
So I guess I'm even LESS deserving than a naturalized citizen?

[BlueJazz]

62. I don't entirely understand your point but ....

...my feelings are that anybody born here IS an American Citizen.

My parents moved from Australia and had to go through the "Hoops" for 2 years to become citizens.

I don't feel it's fair to allow others to bypass the laws that govern immigration.

The ones that are here already: Fine ....stay and become Americans...have children or whatever.....
but part of being a citizen is obeying the laws.

I get the feeling that you are hostile to me because you think I have
this feeling that we should "Ship them all back if they didn't come here legally"
That's not the way I feel at all.
I DO feel that illegal immigration should stop Now...today.

[BiggJawn]

63. Not feeling "hostile" towards you at all....

when you start playing that "*I* played by the Rules and *THEY* didn't" song I feel its only fair to mention those of us who didn't do squat to "earn" our citizenship.

Perhaps I'd have a diferent feeling about it if I lived in the Southwest, but up here in Northern Indiana, I don't feel the impact of illegal immigration that much.

The ORIGINAL POV was that "...I DO care that my American children are not (black, white, brown or translucent) being educated, fed and given medical help because of Mexican immigration. You've got to be an absolute fool if you can't project what is going to happen in the next 15 years if something is not done."

In other words, the "Brown Hoards" are gonna come north and take over from us (good decent white) folks...

Note that the original utterer of that crap said NOTHING about "illegal" immigration. the illegal part was your projection. the original poster just said "Mexican immigation"

And goes on to further explain that they are "NOT a racist in any manner..." and only then mentions illegals, possibly to defuse the racism of their first statement.

And if you look at it closely, Mexican immigrants have nothing to do with other American children being unable to have food, health care, or education. that is just plain old ReTHUGlican "Conservative" policies at work, brought to you by the same people who wave Mexicans in your face to get your attention off them stealing the school's tomatoes and substituting ketchup instead.

[BlueJazz]

65. As to your latest post.....

...You'll get no argument from me...I agree.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

57. Sounds as if you identify with the people questioned....

If that were the case, I'd be upset as well.

[arcane1]

14. lol, that one older guy..

said al Qaeda is a wing of the Masonic Order

:evilgrin:

he's closer to it than any of those other morAns, though!

[LynneSin]

17. So where is the Berlin wall???

:eyes:

[BlueJazz]

18. Yeah really...Like who's buried in Grant's Tomb.

N/T

[bif]

43. When I was in college

A professor was going over a test with our class. He said, "These are giveaway questions, like who's buiied in Grant's Tomb." From the back of the class came the response, "You mean cary Grant?"

[U2Fanatic]

22. This is exactly the reason why bush is president.

[skewthat]

23. ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why God Why!!

[JackDragna]

24. Without even reading the article..

..I can say the answer is "yes."

[lazarus]

27. let's all remember

That the majority of American elected Clinton. Twice. And the majority of Americans voted for Gore.

[ikojo]

37. A majority of Americans did NOT elect Clinton

Clinton won by a PLURALITY of the vote. Most people decided to stay home and not vote at all. This is the trend..people not bothering to vote.

Of course look at the number of votes on American Idol.

[Seneca]

50. fallacy

A plurality of VOTERS, not Americans, voted for Clinton. Perot got nearly 20% of the vote, leaving Bush and Clinton to divvy the rest. In the next election, Perot got a smaller piece of the pie, but again, it was a plurality, not a majority, that got Clinton in there. He did get the electoral majority, FWIW.

I wouldn't nitpick, if only that often, not little more than half of eligible voters, let alone Americans, even bother to vote, which is sadder than anything in that video clip. :-)

[Pert_UK]

28. I can't see anything on that page....

Anybody care to give me an overview or tips why I can't see it?

Ta.

P.

[WillParkinson]

29. Oh, good...

I thought it was just me. I see where the pictures should go and I can see the point where they'll be but the pictures never load.

[SOteric]

30. For me as well. I hope it isn't

the Chimperor's new link.

[FlaGranny]

44. It's a RealPlayer clip.

Probably why it wouldn't load for you.

[salmonhorse]

33. Graphics wouldn't load but I'll say this,

"Americans are far more twisted than they can handle."

[VermontDem2004]

34. It's true

if 70% of Americans have no idea who is running on the democratic field, or 70% of Americans believe Saddam was the mastermind behind September 11th, it's true. Plus I remember Fox News were interviewing people in Bagdad, Kentucky shortly after the war and alot didn't even know who we were at war with, of course there was freeper love all over the place, I looked up Bagdad Kentucky and I think around 60 to 70% of the voters in that Area voted for G W.

[Silk]

35. Great way to win the american people to vote Democrat

Your doing a good job, keep it up. :thumbsup:

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

60. The majority of Americans have no interest in what this board is about...

Hell, there's no T&A or salacious sex gossip and issues are discussed in a non-sound-bite format.

[ikojo]

36. I'll bet these same people

knew J Lo and Ben got married. This is the result of news being turned into infotainment...Oy vey!

[radfringe]

38. saw something similar about CA recall

reporter asked a woman if she was in favor of or against the recall

woman said she was in favor of it

reporter: who will you vote for to replace Gov. Davis?

woman: I'm definitely going to vote Republican

reporter: which republican will you vote for?

woman: Bustamante

:dunce:

[baldguy]

39. Yes, they are.

And the 'pukes COUNT on them being stupid. How else do you explain the constant GOP attempts to gut education funding, eliminate public schools and cut out the Dept of Education?


The quotes from the site are perfect:

Is This The Reason Bush Is Our President?

Is This The Reason The American People Supported The Illegal Invasion Of Iraq?

Liberty can not be preserved without general knowledge among people." (1765) John Adams

[Brewman_Jax]

40. Sure are

The reason that the people I know who voted for Bush was because, they thought, that he was an alright guy you could hang out with. To make matters worse, they said that he wasn't very smart, but he'd hire smart people. They even admitted that Gore was smart, but wasn't cool.

In an ironic twist, quite a few of them are no longer employed, or are VERY worried about their jobs.

Go figure. :dunce:

[Japhy_Ryder]

42. yes, but keep in mind

that was like that Leno bit. They edit out the people who actually give correct answers. Go anywhere in the world and interview people for 3 days and you're going to get a lot of stupid answers. It would be interesting how many correct answers weren't shown there.

[FlaGranny]

45. That's very true,

the clip wouldn't be funny/pathetic at all if the great majority of folks who would see it were also so ill-informed.

[Skittles]

48. what is everyone seeing in this link?

all I see is empty boxes

[FlaGranny]

49. It's a RealPlayer clip.

x

[Skittles]

52. Let me try this again

please, what is ON the clip???

[FlaGranny]

53. It's a bunch of people being asked questions

about current affairs. The same as Leno does on the tonight show.

[ProfessorGAC]

55. UNBELIEVABLE!

This is so tragic, i am now depressed on my birthday.
The Professor

[underpants]

59. alQaeda is a wing of the Masonic Order -KFC?

Ah not Jaywalking but UKwalking