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Ignorance in America

Back to School Duncecap By Selwyn Duke

If ignorance really were bliss, anti-depressants would not be popped
like M&M’s today. This is the conclusion we have to draw if a
recent ABC News article entitled
“Are We Becoming A Nation of Know-Nothings?” (ironically, ABC erred in
capitalizing “a” in their title) is any indication of the true state of
America.

The piece reports on interviews conducted by New Left Media, in
which two of its reporters asked attendees at an Ohio Sarah Palin book
signing simple questions on the day’s issues. Reporting on the answers,
ABC writes:

Read the rest here.

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19 responses to “Ignorance in America”

  1. Philip France Avatar
    Philip France

    Selwyn Duke makes some excellent points in another terrific article.
    A question I would like to ask (not to Selwyn, but to society at large) is can there be anything more oxymoronic (or plain old moronic) as “reality” television?
    Another point that I would like to add vís á vís education is this: When will we do a better job of vetting our educators on their mental health. I read this astonishing article earlier today: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=39783.
    God help us.

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  2. Walt Avatar
    Walt

    Ignorance is a key ingredient to morphing a democratic republic into a dictatorship all while retaining the facade of a democracy. With an ignorant populous, no longer are policy and philosophical discussions on the direction of a nation needed. A clever marketing strategy and the money to execute it, is all it takes to gain total power when the mind is incapable of reason, or if the people lack the character to care. You see in absence of reason, perception trumps reality. This is what the culture shapers of today count on.
    Decade after decade we have watched our school system slip in comparative performance. We are told the reason for this failure is money. Of course this excuse is a brilliant marketing ploy. They can always make that claim since you can never spend all of the money and it is a simplistic deliverable massage. However to the left, our schools are not a failure, they are an unmitigated success! They have turned these once academic institutes into cultural conditioning camps that promote the religions of environmentalism, atheism, multiculturalism and relativism. The religion of relativism is the most important of these because if the drum major changes the beat of the other religions it will not be questioned (eg. ’70s global cooling oops, ,90s global warming…oops ’00s climate change/global cooling). Relitivism gives the culture shapers a Pope like power to change the rules. The left is rife with examples but this is a post and not the book “Dictatorships for Dummies” so I will stop there; save one last thought. Ignorance and atheism are fundamental to the success of a relatively bloodless transition from freedom to tyranny-free marketism to communism- humanity to animal.

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  3. Dan Avatar
    Dan

    I really wouldn’t say people are “ignorant” in the general sense. But they are certainly ignorant of truth and things that matter. In one video, a person didn’t know who we won our independence from. From the English of course. But I suspect this is by design that people don’t know these things. If she knew who we won our independence from, she might inquire as to the WHY we fought for our independence. Then shed learn things like, an oppressive government that doesn’t listen to the needs of the people, high taxes, corruption, and so on. And she might make the connection, “Hey, wait a minute, thats happening here, right now!”
    So, they conveniently leave out certain things. And the things they do teach, they twist for their own purposes. They’ll teach a bit about the founding fathers……how they were a bunch of racist, slave owning, atheists (or at the worst, deists). Of course, them being atheists their only saving grace in the eyes of the liberal.
    And Walt, you are correct. The public schools aren’t failures. They are resounding success stories. The kids may be “smart” in a sense. They can read, write, and do complex math problems. But they are completely ignorant about many of lifes important truths. Just like the slaves were, they are kept ignorant of truth and are told what to know and believe. Educated juuuuust enough to be productive, but not enough to be a threat to their white masters power. Exactly the way they wanted it.

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  4. Sondra in Arkansas Avatar
    Sondra in Arkansas

    I still think sports has contributed to the dumbing-down of both children and adults. The focus in schools now is Sports. The last time I heard a friend say that her child made an “A” in mathematics or English was …well, the truth is, I haven’t heard any parent say that. But I’ve heard them talk plenty about THE GAMES…soccer, football, basketball,on and on, endlessly. That’s all I hear parents talking about — how their son scored a touchdown or how their daughter was a 2nd year cheerleader. What’s happened? Why are they so reluctant to brag about little Johnny’s grades or his latest show-and-tell? But sports talk just rolls off their tongues. Listen to sports fans. Their talk is cheap, it’s stupid, and it’s meaningless. Listen to them sometimes…I mean really listen.

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  5. EdB Avatar
    EdB

    A GOOD thought! Demanding and encouraging parents are worth more than extra $$ in elhi education today. One does not pump “education” into a care less student; real “students” educate themselves through interested, consistent application. But I do agree, a good teacher helps. But don’t disparage sports. Games are one of the few ways we find “finality” today. For me, that explains their popularity. Our politics never seem to yield finality, acceptance of “decisions.” Strange, from those who speak of final decisions or final settlements, exit strategies, etc. Regardless of the law, the approach, the decision … we always seem to have to go back for more.

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  6. Robert Berger Avatar
    Robert Berger

    Ignorance has nothing to do with wehether one is a liberal or conservative, Democrat or Republican.
    Many gullible conservatives blindly support some one like Sarah Palin, who about as qualified to be US President as Mickey Rooney is to be an NBA basketball player, because she tells them what they want to hear.
    They are pitifully ignorant of how destructive conservative economic social and economic policies are. They’ve been mislead into thinking that if we just keep reducing taxes, end all goverment help for those in need, make abortion illegal,pass a
    law making it illegal for gays to marry,
    get rid of all the Mixicans in America,
    deregulate business as much as possible,
    start censoring Television and Films for
    “indecency” and allow school prayer, etc,and all that garbage, everything will
    be hunky dory in America.
    In reality, this is a recipe for catastrophe in America infinitely worse than anything that might happen under president Obama.

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  7. Larry Rivera Avatar
    Larry Rivera

    Robert,
    The Right always talks about reducing taxes. I don’t know if they actually do for the middle American or not. Seems like they spend though like they print money…Oh, I guess they do. But I’m telling you, the left will have to give ground on some of these social issues which the Right uses to conceal the real agenda. (Come on guys you know what it is – Re-election, power control, money, and holding on to it.) They say they want a 1950’s America. I can understand why. The 1950’s decency/morality was a sham. But there was a larger push to conformity then. You had kids with no religious conviction at all, lowering their gaze and reciting the Lord’s Prayer. And the homosexuals in government hid out more. Look if they want to put women in burkas as a trade off for health care, it won’t be as nice on the beach, but it beats dying young.

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  8. John Avatar
    John

    Robert, you disprove your opening statement with your examples. You mentioned reducing taxes, deregulation, homos not marrying, prayer in school, illegal abortion, indecency laws, and few Mexicans. What do all these things have in common? They were all NORMS for most of American history. They were the WAY THINGS WERE when America rose to be a great country. So there is no logic to your blabber. You prove the point that liberals are ignorant.

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  9. Philip France Avatar
    Philip France

    Should we take pity on Robert and Larry whose worldview is formed on their acceptance of lies that are put forth by the most evil and wicked men and women in history?
    History, facts and evidence have proven that this worldview is discredited and that leftist policies have unanimously resulted in misery, human suffering and mass murder.
    Are Robert and Larry this wicked or are they useful idiots ignorantly applauding such horrors?

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  10. Larry Rivera Avatar
    Larry Rivera

    Philip,
    What’s with this “useful idiots” stuff. Unless you’re one of the economic shot callers in this country, I’m supporting your social agenda in the culture war. So take it back, before my feelings get hurt.

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  11. Philip France Avatar
    Philip France

    Dear Larry,
    The term “useful idiot(s)” is not being used capriciously. No, this term was coined by none other than V.I. Lenin to describe those that unwittingly went along with egalitarian, collectivist tyranny. Unless you are one of the very few elite oligarchs that stand to gain power, wealth and influence through leftist policies, this is what you are. I encourage you to track back in the commentary and observe that I do not use these words to be derogatory or insulting. I use these words in their historical and accurate context.
    You are an avowed leftist. You have admitted so in previous posts on this very site. As such, you are an enemy of this Constitutional Republic. Your views are an affront to the dignity of human life and an offense to Patriotic Americans, especially those who have served in our armed forces or have loved ones who have so served.
    If you are merely an advocate of this worldview, let’s here your case. Give us your best shot at explaining how Americans would be better served by your worldview and its abysmal historical record of failure and cause of indescribable suffering, misery and death.
    Should you act on this worldview by attempting to usurp the original language of the United States Constitution you are guilty of treason. You have a Hispanic surname (presuming this is truly your surname, of course). South American nations, rich in natural resources, continue to be and become banana republics due to advances of leftist Marxists who prey on a grossly undereducated populace.
    Let me be clear: You have a constitutional right to your worldview and the free expression thereof; however, if you are a true believer in these failed and evil policies, you would be more intellectually honest were you to relocate to North Korea, Zimbabwe, Cuba and/or Venezuela. If this is so, you do not deserve our purple mountain’s majesty that looms above our fruited plain.

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  12. Larry Rivera Avatar
    Larry Rivera

    Okay, Philip you hurt my feelings…Happy?

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  13. Walt Avatar
    Walt

    I will bet Philip is happy knowing that. Probably so much so he may not need to kick a puppy or trip an old person tonight…ya know all the usual conservative stuff.

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  14. Philip France Avatar
    Philip France

    Dear Larry,
    Feelings come and go. The Word of God liveth and abideth <bforever/b>. Come join the fun.

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  15. Philip France Avatar
    Philip France

    Dear Larry,
    I highly recommend that you read this article that was composed by one of America’s most outstanding intellectual minds:
    http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=102691

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  16. yoyo Avatar
    yoyo

    Dear Phil, you better hope there is no tax on hyperbole or you’re bound to be a poor man. I’ve had a bunch of flight this last fortnight so excuse me if I’ve missed part of the debate. PS for some reason some of my responses just disapear into the ether which depresses a poor young woman with limited time (LOL). Phil my dear sweet older (I’m assuming) boy, there is a difference between wanting a measure of social justice and some restraint on the robber barrons and setting up gulags.
    For this reaon I’m giving you the benefit of doubt that this quote “Should you act on this worldview by attempting to usurp the original language of the United States Constitution you are guilty of treason. You have a Hispanic surname (presuming this is truly your surname, of course). South American nations, rich in natural resources, continue to be and become banana republics due to advances of leftist Marxists who prey on a grossly undereducated populace.”
    Is not the truly rascist and blanket foolishness it reads like. It would be the same as me saying that because you are an American you believe you are better than people from all other countries, and the outrageous low standard of health and welfare in corners of your country are your personal fault.
    Let’s try and get the conversation a bit more practical.

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  17. Philip France Avatar
    Philip France

    Darling yoyo.
    This is what you said: “Is not the truly rascist and blanket foolishness it reads like.”
    Please know that it is extremely tiresome and, frankly, disingenuous that when modern “liberals” cannot debate on the merits that are based on sound fact and abundant evidence that the childish, check that: infantile epithets begin. “Racist-sexist-homophobe”.
    Do you have any idea how such suggestions make you lefties sound like a petulant three year-old?
    My reply to Larry had nothing to do with race but with a region of the earth in which Socialism and Marxism has taken deep root. The fact that this occurs in a woefully undereducated community has nothing to do with race but with the priorities of those that have gained power who repeatedly compress their Marxist boots on the necks of the populace of those that they suppress and oppress.
    Now, please explain how Socialist/Marxist regimes in Cuba, Venezuela, Argentina and most recently in Honduras has been of benefit to their respective societies and cultures? Answer: You can’t.
    No equate the facts to my protests and explain to us how anything that might be construed as “rascist” ? Answer: You can’t.
    I would dearly love to know your age-range. If you are 30 years of age or under, I can easily forgive and understand your ignorance. If not, you need the wise counsel of older, wiser and more learned and experienced men and women like Selwyn, me, Walt, Shaun (Shaun is young, but his understanding of issues and events are quite mature) and Dan (among others) to remove the scales from your eyes so that you may see reality as it , rather than how it .
    Love,
    Philip

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  18. Philip France Avatar
    Philip France

    My apologies to all. I am experimenting with HTML tags and do not have the hang of it. My final and closing statement should read:
    … so that you may see reality as it IS, rather than how it SEEMS.

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  19. Larry Rivera Avatar
    Larry Rivera

    Walt take it easy and don’t be so literal; what’s the matter with you?
    You think he could hurt my feelings even if he was trying? He’s so weird, I actually kind of like the guy.
    So, no foul there Philip; no hurt feelings and I don’t think that was your intent anyway.

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