One of my friends said something profound yesterday, regarding the birthers: “Remember, Tim, 50% of the people who live in the United States are below average IQ." True dat.
There is no birth certificate that will show Barack Obama is white, so perhaps Herr Trump and his ilk should decide to get over it, and move on to such topics as whether or not we really landed on the moon. But, of course, they won’t. Get over it, that is.
Trump will next lead his followers down the path of pretending to “examine” the birth certificate; then, move on to what the hair-man trumpeted to the NY Post, an examination of Obama’s academic records. Who knows? Maybe Obama never really went to college.
I have ranted many times that today, facts are no longer facts. They’re merely assertions, to be disproved by continual assault and deliberately disingenuous questions, repeated endlessly. Because so many people have lost – or never had – the ability of critical thinking, they’re easily led down an intellectually vacant path by people like Donald Trump, Glenn Boeck, and scores of others.
To attempt discourse with these shallow thinkers is a fool’s errand. But don’t assume that the leaders and followers of such groups as the birthers are cut from the same cloth. Trump is a calculating man, better described as clever than smart. He knows exactly what he’s doing with this birther crap, and knows damn well Obama was born in Hawaii. Glen Boeck is…was…a master at playing a role, but his inability to reinvent himself, as Limbaugh has done so many times, has put a huge dent in his career as a national talk-show host.
People like Trump and Boeck see opportunities where many others don’t, and have a unique ability to exploit these opportunities. Boeck is more often close to bat-shit crazy than clever, an emotional cripple whose professional life the last few months has been like watching a slow-motion train wreck.
And Trump? Too bad he doesn’t have a Board of Directors that would tell him to drink a big, tall glass of STFU and get back to running his real estate and TV empire.
I have ranted many times that today, facts are no longer facts. They’re merely assertions, to be disproved by continual assault and deliberately disingenuous questions, repeated endlessly. Because so many people have lost – or never had – the ability of critical thinking, they’re easily led down an intellectually vacant path by people.....who belive that Gay Marriage is possible.
ReplyDeleteSee where it came from?
Dad, nobody erects straw men or changes the subject without addressing it better than you do.
ReplyDeleteAnalogical thinking get you down, JB?
ReplyDeleteI can't argue the OBL. It's an uncomfortable immoral position. However to change the subject to a previous topic....
ReplyDeleteI Must Be Stoopid
Koch Brother Buys the Right to Interfere in Faculty Hiring at Florida State University
Kris Hundley, The St. Petersburg Times: "A conservative billionaire who opposes government meddling in business has bought a rare commodity: the right to interfere in faculty hiring at a publicly funded university. A foundation bankrolled by Libertarian businessman Charles G. Koch has pledged $1.5 million for positions in Florida State University's economics department. In return, his representatives get to screen and sign off on any hires for a new program promoting 'political economy and free enterprise.'"
Read the Article
antpoppa said...
It has been remarkable the state has shown so much self –restraint in University matters. Will The Foundation for Independent Private Colleges with donors such as:
Corporate and Foundation
UPS
HSBC – North America
Coca-Cola Company
BP North America
TIAA-CREF
Kellogg Company
Kellogg Foundation
Chubb Group
Liberty Mutual Group
American Family Insurance
State Farm Insurance
CIA
The Sherwick Fund
Will these corporations allow the academic freedom that has been tolerated by the people of Wisconsin? Or will the university enter into collaborative projects with its sponsors?
Or do we think that funds will come with no strings attached.
April 28, 2011 1:37 PM