“Imagine the Iowa hog farmer cracking open Assault on Reason, and meeting Abraham Lincoln,

[IndyOp]

Thomas Paine, John Kenneth Galbraith, Walter Lippmann, Johannes Gutenberg, John Stuart Mill, Thomas Jefferson and Marshall McLuhan – all before finishing the introduction,” (Dana) Milbank wrote.

“Reading Gore’s book, or listening to his speeches, may remind some supporters what they liked least about him the first time he ran, in 2000. Gore is usually smart and sometimes prophetic – but, all too frequently, pedantic,” Milbank wrote.


Just in case anyone lurking around DU had any doubts about which party is full of elitists - look no further than Dana Milbank, mouthpiece of the GOP.


Robert Parry goes on to comment in "Gore attacks media complicity. Media proves him right - again." that...

Of course, The Assault on Reason might not remind Gore supporters of any such thing. Indeed, many Americans might be in the mood for a leader who actually knows stuff after six-plus years of listening to Bush speak in his trademark ill-informed didactic prose – and watching, in horror, the consequences.

But Milbank, like many Washington insiders, sees average Americans as stupid know-nothings who would be offended by know-it-all Gore.

In that line, Milbank reflected the elitist disdain toward the “Iowa hog farmer” and other common folk. But who knows? Maybe the great unwashed masses are smart enough to find Gore’s commentaries not only reasonable and engaging but respectful of their own intellects, that Gore is speaking up to them, not down to them.


The key point in Parry's article: "It turns out that the written word can be as irrational as the content of any TV show."

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[deadmessengers]

1. and WE'RE the elitists?!?!

:wtf:

[maxsolomon]

2. the GOP is a party that doesn't want to think

about anything but money.

they are AFRAID of finding out that they are ignorant.

[malaise]

3. I know farmers with way more intelligence than the ever so

superior Mr. Milbank.

[hobbit709]

4. There are hogs with way more intelligence

[blm]

6. THANKYOU!!!! I loathe that asshat, Milbank.

.

[IndyOp]

5. I went to college with kids from farms that raised hogs in Missouri -

I wish I knew someone who raised farms in Iowa so I could send them a copy of "Assault on Reason" and have them explain it to Mr. Milbank if he finds it so overwhelming.

:eyes:

[malaise]

7. The Beltway Elites really have contempt

for the rest of society. Assault on Reason is probably above his 'talking points' head.

Bring it on Milbank you fucker, Al Gore's ready for you.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

8. Milbank is stupid and has no freakin' place to judge others' intelligence.

AS IF money denotes one's level of intellect!!! Hey, Milbank,...there are a number of things MONEY CAN'T BUY!!!

That is all!

[Bake]

9. Jed Bartlett could be a bit pedantic at times, too!

But damn I wish he was for real!!!!!!!

Bake

[hootinholler]

10. Especially when handing Dr Laura her ass..

Or who ever that character based on Dr Laura was.

Or maybe the J'Accuse! soliloquy

-Hoot

[knitter4democracy]

11. What a moran.

:eyes:

I know pig farmers (well, former pig farmers since the prices dropped so badly in the late 80's/early 90's). One of their sons was a Rhodes scholar, and the other kids were all in the top of their class. Hubby's roommate in med school was the son of a pig farmer, an amazing artist, and one of the most interesting people I've known. He's now a surgeon.

Secondly, I'm enjoying the book. The pace is a bit slow, but it's a fairly standard essay format, and that's why. He's building a case and strengthening it. I like it.

[EstimatedProphet]

12. Milbank, you jerk

He must think that anyone other than urbanites has only a 6th grade education, and actually resents the work of great thinkers like he mentioned.

[AlCzervik]

13. hmm, i bet somewhere in Iowa there is a hog farmer that would dislike Milbank immediately

upon making his acquaintance.

When was the last time Milbank or any of his ilk actually stepped outside of the protective bubble and talked to actual people?

[Brigid]

14. "Pedantic?"

Why, because Gore wants to seriously take a look at the state of this country's public discourse? This country always has had an anti-intellectual streak to it, and it shows.

[mulsh]

15. Milbank -why bother?

He and that smarmy limey guy from newsweek are the low points for me on Countdown. To Keith's credit he hasn't strangled either of them, perhaps because they're in separate studios? anyway why on earth would any one give a tinker's damn about what that oleagenous talking head thinks?

[eNeko]

16. talk about projection

I get pissed off when politicians talk down to the public. I haven't picked up Gore's book yet, but now I think I will.

[IndyOp]

17. Welcome to DU eNeko!

Glad to hear you are going to pick up Gore's book -- it is excellent. More important that reading this one particular book is demonstrating that all KINDS of citizens are really desperate for a serious conversation about the important issues that we face.

:hi:

[dsc]

18. and what was Jefferson again?

Oh wait, I know, a farmer. Possibly the most intelligent President we ever had.

[IndyOp]

19. Really? I thought he was the short black guy who was married to Louise!

Jefferson was a President - of the United States? Was he before or after Nixon?

:shrug:

:sarcasm: