Forum Post: Here's your daily dose of misinformation, fear, hate, and racism
Posted 12 years ago on Oct. 23, 2012, 10:13 p.m. EST by Underdog
(2971)
from Clermont, FL
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
This video shows the depth of white misinformation, fear and hatred in America. Very powerful (and disturbing) for anyone who is not of the mindset of those in the video.
And here is a short article that attempts to explain the behavior shown in the above video.
The Bell Curve is commonly used to show many things having to do with general population statistics, including IQ scores. If IQ score 100 is the top-dead-center (TDC) of the curve, and represents the mean average intelligence of the population, 50% of the population to the right of TDC represents above-average intelligence and 50% to the left of TDC represents below-average intelligence.
One does not normally think in terms of half of the country's population being possessed of below-average intelligence. One especially does not normally think in terms of the possibility that a person's worldview of hate, bigotry, and ignorance could be indicative of mental deficiency. In a population of 300 million people, statistically 150 million are to the left of the TDC. 34% have IQ scores between 85 and 100, 14% have IQ scores between 70 and 85, and 2% have IQ scores between 55 and 70. If one ignores the 34% with IQ scores between 85 and 100, then the 16% that fall below IQ score 85 represent about 48 million people. That is a LOT of stupid people. Is there a correlation between the behavior in the above video and intelligence? If the above article is correct, this revealed fact does NOT portend well for humanity. After all, what can be done about low intelligence? One could hope for a medical treatment breakthrough of some kind in the future but, beyond that, what other options are there?
It looks very likely that ignorance, bigotry, hatred, racism, and all other "stupidity traits" might plague humanity for a very, very long time indeed. Given this knowledge, what method(s) can be employed to lessen the impact of stupidity upon the future of humanity which, it must surely be admitted, needs as much intelligence as it can muster in the coming decades ahead to deal with extremely complex and difficult problems that we know exist?
Teach children the rules of reasoning early. Let them ask the darndest questions they have about anything and everything, no god(s) barred -- the young ones are usually extremely good at doing that. Try one's best to help them answer the questions themselves by following the rules. Show examples of propaganda materials and methods of persuasion, distortion, and manipulation. Demonstrate different ways of looking at the materials so as not to fall into the traps set up. Come up with counter-examples. Teach how to use research resources and Bayesian inferences to deduce probabilities of truthfulness. Seldom use "black and white" clearcut case studies and present guiding questions.
Yes, agree that early education is probably the only way. I guess I was very lucky in that I came from a home that was very open-minded and tolerant of others, regardless of race, religion, creed, color, etc. I find it interesting, as I look back, that I was also indoctrinated with Christianity by my mother who dragged me off to church for many years (a very fundamentalist church btw...Church of Christ), but eventually I was able to use methods of reason that I was taught from my environment (my dad was an agnostic) and self-taught through various books to free myself from religious programming and become my own person. Fundamentalist Christianity in America bears no resemblance whatsoever to the teachings of Jesus. How can people be so full of fear, hate, and prejudice and yet claim to be Christian? It is beyond human comprehension. They know nothing of what Jesus was talking about. If they did, they would not even assemble in public and conduct their hate rallies and white supremacist bullshit. It is absolutely reprehensible, and I am completely ashamed that I am of the same race as them.
Diversity has its payoffs for me because I had experienced some very amusing arguments between people of different faiths. I took the position of fundamentalism (not a bad word for me in my sense of digging in) and dug into the books that they held as holy and came to my own conclusions.
If they claim to be Christians, urge them to read their Bible firsthand and try to understand it in multifaceted ways. Maybe they will truly come to know God and Jesus better. The monotheistic religions claim that there is only one God so all versions must be one and the same if they are correct. There are trappings of religions that cause division of people but we should take these as what they are, historical and cultural relics that need to be transcended. Simple-minded people tend to fixate on the mechanics of religious observances and forget about attending to the true essence of the religions. That is not good.
I am convinced that these people come under the influence of their preachers/pastors/priests more than the influence of biblical teachings. And those PPPs may be KKKs informally (in their attitudes) if not formally (in their white sheets). Some of these unfortunate people could be quasi-illiterate, and thus VERY dependant on what they hear in church and hear on Fox. Even if they are literate, they might be marginally so and thus not inclined to read much. So the problem is very complicated and difficult to properly assess in terms of how much they glean from actual bible study versus how much they get from other sources.
Let them resolve the following dispute. I overheard exchanges among the faithful young ones. To the Muslim one, you do NOT have Allah, we NEVER saw your Allah so Allah does not exist. To the Christian one, why do you kneel down in front of that gruesome bloodied man pinned to the wooden cross? To the Buddhist one, NO, my God is more powerful than your God because your God is made of clay. Hey, but YOUR God is made of the bloodied wood! And both of you are engaging in idolatry. Okay, okay, we need a truce here!
Oh yes, you are so right. OUR God is always right, and their God is not to be respected, and they are all religious fanatics. But we aren't fanatics. We are just zealous to follow our God's commandments. It is obvious that we worship the true God because our God has blessed us so much in this country, so they obviously worship a false god.
That shit has been going on forever, and is one of the more peculiar forms of insanity on this planet. That line of thinking is quite fallacious with only a little bit of applied informal logic to expose it.
Simple minds seek simple solutions.
"Solutions" simpler than the minimal complexity required are not solutions but traps. Unfortunately, many people fall into them after failing to grasp and understand the complexity. Religions offer a ready-made instant structure for "understanding" and interacting with the world. Therein lie their promises and perils.
I think there are true followers and then there are faux "christians" who are modern day Pharisees. Jesus referred to them as a pit of vipers. But how do you educate kids whose parents want nothing more than to turn their children into little mini- mes.
Don't have the answer to that. Wish I did. Would sure help the world along quite a bit. Perhaps alternative media like the Internet will slowly help to change things for the better. One can only hope.
Given this knowledge, what method(s) can be employed to lessen the impact of stupidity upon the future of humanity
You sure that you want me to answer that?
Yes go for it, we're not helping much
lol. No, you don't really want me to answer that.
I know this is your area of expertise and I think its a great question.
The depth and detail of being outside stimulates our brain, yet most of us spend all of our time inside a box. Also TV will dumb you down and commercials will replace your soul.
Consider TV, telling us what to think and our brain gets no actual exercise. Especially now that everything is so fast paced, we just soak it in. Like a radio commercial.
We have become more antisocial with inventions like automated check out, but lab rats who are deprived of bonding play end up being much slower at puzzle solving.
The food we are forced to eat is building our body and brains out of some pretty weird stuff. Chemicals in the water we drink don't help. And are they really spraying us with heavy metals?
They put lead in cigarettes, just to name one. A lot of things are being put into the pot just because it can dumb us down, the consumer sheeple we are to them.
The educational system is mostly a circus of brainwashing. They teach people what to learn and not how to learn. I had some great teachers who really tried, but our system is not good.
I'm probably forgetting a lot of other things.
So we have taken advantage of our own addictiveness to comfort and maybe this is part of that result. We do really need to stand up to this monopoly who are reinforcing and capitalizing it... Like, now.
Good observations. People don't realize how they are being programmed and what is happening to them. Most are just too busy with their hectic lives to take time to reflect on what is happening. They are trapped with no easy way out. Mentally imprisoned. Shackled and owned by their overlords. What can the masses do to free themselves?
Lesbian couple kisses in front of an anti-gay protest.
http://imgur.com/Vz11Y
I haven't had a laugh that felt this good in a long time.
What can the masses do? I think we have to start by standing up to the people making it worse, capitalizing and reinforcing it. After that we can actually start solving our problems and the whole thing can evolve. It's stuck right now because of this iron grip on monopoly, that money is only catering to itself. There is no decision based on life.
That's a pretty funny picture alright. Thanks. People of good conscience must always resist tyranny, this is true, even if that tyranny comes in the form of entrenched, institutionalized stupidity.
So true. I have often wondered if there is a connection between mental illness and no exposure to nature. Some people disagree with me on this, saying they were raised in the city and barely ever went to a park, but I don't know. I just can't imagine having no chance to be connected to nature, how that would shape a person. When I was a kid, it was everything.
They have no way of knowing how they would have been different, so they can't really disagree based on what they are ;)
I've been homeless for a long time now and sleeping outside is wonderful. I never felt so healthy and grounded before.
Nature evolves slowly. I think the shorter amount of time something is done to it the bigger of a problem it is bound to cause.
There is an excellent series on cable TV AMC that addresses this very problem and reveals an excellent means for dealing with the problem to lessen the impact on society. It's called Walking Dead.
I'm very sure...
Thanks. I'll see if I can pick that up on our cable.
Come on GF. We can take it. We're all adults here (I think).
Ok, give me a minute. When I wrote that original post, I had just gotten off the interstate and I had a bad case of the giggles when I read your op. In my head I kept thinking that if the words have to come out of my mouth, "Get your license from a cracker jack box?" then BOOM! NO BREEDING FOR YOU! Problem solved.
But, I will be serious now. Or in a minute.
Looking forward to it. Always enjoy your insights. Btw, did you watch the video I posted in the OP? Kinda long at 15 minutes, but I was really struck by it. Guess I'm just a bit shocked by people like that. So hard for me to relate to.
At the complete opposite end of the spectrum, this comment points to one of the greatest speeches ever put on film (imho).
http://occupywallst.org/forum/heres-your-daily-dose-of-misinformation-fear-hate-/#comment-862965
I watched a few minutes of the first one and all of Charlie Chaplin's speech.
We are always going to have a small percentage of our population with a very low IQ. So, I would like to remove them from my post. They have a different set of needs that cannot be addressed here.This group of people does not have the capacity to put themselves in another's shoes which is a type of reasoning skill that children acquire between ages 7-9.
I am also not a fan of IQ tests unless we are looking for someone's limitations. Is this an intellectual disability that we are dealing with? When you are looking at 80-100 IQ's then usually there is no limitation in potential.I am in favor of Gardner's multiple intelligence theory. It works splendidly.
We need to protect our public space. What many people do not grasp is that the establishment clause means is that we as a society are protected from a religion. This means that it is inherently important that we not publically fund it or it's "charities". Essentially, as a society we say, you have a religion and that is great. You have all of these items that you consider wrong. Don't do them. But recognize that only works in your domain in your private life. You can be a homophobic racist jack off in your own home but bring it to the public sphere and we have a problem. Stand firm in this arena because it will influence all others.
I think that one can go so far left that they hit right and we need to be careful of that. So, we need to focus on critical thinking skills in our public education. We need well thought out points in any debate from those right of center. The only way to achieve an educated class of people is to allow them to come to their own conclusions through their own research. In about fourth grade, everyone in the public education system has a section on propaganda. We need to bring that up again in some of the later grades........a little refresher there.
We need to remove the pledge from the schools. It is brainwashing. When a kid turns 18 they win all of the same rights and responsibilities as other citizens. Except for alcohol use. Brainwashing isn't necessary.
We can't force people to have other experiences. We can't force people to chuck their religious antiquated bs. We can't force people to not listen to political commentary that is .......bs. We can't force people to do anything. And do we really want to? Again, there is a point where one goes so far left that they become right.
So, I suggest that we keep, defend and (in some cases) bring back our secular public sphere.
As usual, absolutely excellent comment from you GF. I agree with almost all of what you said. I'm still in the minority on IQ tests. Most people think the value of them is questionable at best, but I'd rather have something that researchers can use than nothing at all. Whether or not they are a true indicator of intelligence is certainly up for debate, but the statistical reliability of the data as applied to the population as a whole is quite consistent over many decades and millions of tests, so this supports the belief that, at least in a very generalized way, that they are reliable statistically (not necessarily accurate as measures of intelligence however). But I understand the controversy about them and agree that ultimately intelligence is probably too complex a subject to expect 100% accuracy from the tests.
Your comments about "protecting our public space" are spot on and perfectly expressed. That is one of my greatest concerns. Here in Florida we have a proposed state constitutional amendment (referendum 8) on the Nov ballot that would allow state public funds to be used to support churches. Can you believe it? I nearly fell out of my chair when I read it. There is also an anti-abortion referendum on the ballot, and several anti-tax referendums. All of these were put there by the Florida legislature, which is overwhelmingly Republican. There is even a referendum to allow the legislature to overturn state supreme court rulings by simple majority, instead of 2/3 majority as is now the case. I hope the voting public has enough common sense to vote all of these down, but we shall see. The ACLU will have their work cut out for them if some of these pass, particularly referendum # 8.
Thanks for your great observations and input.
Thank you. When IQ testing is used in combination with behavioral and personality assessment, then I find them useful.
You do referendum 8 currently. It started under Clinton (Charitable Choice Act-I think) and was renamed. FBO's. 2/3 of funding for Catholic Charities comes from tax dollars. There are others. I don't think that is a fight that the ACLU can win. This is what I mean by getting it out of the public arena. What they want is to get a check and not be held to the same standards as secular organizations. When you say, no, you have to comply then they cry that it is interference in their religion. Don't like the rules? Don't take the money. It is insane that these groups think that it is fine to just write a check to them and it's all love, peace and chicken grease. It is not.
What???? I am outraged!!! I had no idea. How can this be? I thought the Church/State wall was coming down, not that it was already down. Why hasn't this had greater attention and focus by groups oppossed to this cowpie?
Well, you really made my day now GF...thanks a lot...:-(
I'm sorry. It's known as the Faith Based Initiative. There needs to be a targeted focus on compliance. Does it work? Ask the Catholic foster care agencies that shut themselves down.
Edited for: that should be Catholic adoption agencies.
I have a problem with IQ testing and results. I think the testing shows how well some people did with the test - I do not believe that it accurately shows a persons IQ or potential. What it may point out is how many people are doing OK with the education that they are getting - pointing out individuals who need a different approach in teaching then what they are currently getting - as well as pointing out the individuals who are excelling under the system of teaching that they are receiving.
Yes, IQ tests have always been somewhat controversial. I have taken at least two of them. The first one was when I was about 6 or 7 as part of the state school system practice at that time. The second was as an adult as an "entrance exam" to try to get into Mensa. I would say that the second one was such that I don't see how "culture bias" or educational background could have entered into it, as I recall it mostly being abstract reasoning using pictograms and "A is to B as C is to __" (D,E,F,G multiple choice), and these were not pictures of real-world objects that could introduce culture bias, but abstract shapes of subtle variation. As I seem to recall (but this was at least 20-30 years ago) there were also some logic questions that were also suppossedly culture-neutral. In all, about 4 or 5 sections of various problem-solving scenarios using mostly abstract symbols. From my experience, I don't think that IQ tests reflect anything having to do with education. People are not taught the things in educational settings that they will see on a IQ test. At any rate, you are correct that there will always be controversy surrounding any kind of IQ evaluation because of the obvious implications associated with lower-than-average test scores. My own personal belief is that the tests are statistically valid, regardless of whether or not they accurately measure "intelligence" (whatever that is), because after many millions of tests given over so many decades, the results are consistent in the sense that they match-up extremely closely with general population statistics (the famous Bell Curve), and this is a good indicator of long-term consistency and reliability of data. If there were variation with the data such as would produce different plot curves (indicating inconsistency in test results above or below average norms), then one could rightly call into question the validity of the results. But such is not observed. The test results follow the general population statistical plot (allowing for standard deviation) very consistently over a long period of time.
It is a very complex issue as I also replied to Marlow:
[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (19472) from Coon Rapids, MN 0 minutes ago
It is a very complex thing as to why some apparently can not learn - as I believe that everyone has the same potential - some are crippled due to birth defects or brain injury ( through illness or some other physical trauma ). But I believe that there are also those who do not get engaged by the system that they are placed into. This all needs much more study and application of findings = brain mapping stimuli/response. I also believe that there are many undiagnosed individuals that are being affected in their ability to learn by organic/inorganic substances in their diet. Food additives that have no nutritional value ( unless perhaps negative ) like synthetic food colorings , sweeteners artificial , genetically enhanced ( like wheat and the resulting indigestible for many gluten ) , hormone steroid antibiotic injected food sources , etc. pollution also enters this organic/inorganic substance problem/issue. ↥twinkle ↧stinkle reply edit delete permalink
Why do you believe we all have the same potential? If anything, it should be the opposite. We all have individual genes creating differences between all of us. Some have better eyes, some jump higher, some have bigger bones, some think faster. I don't see why thinking should escape this. We don't all have the exact same hardware and software because of genes.
U kinda prove my point - we all have the same essential equipment ( biological hardware ) to operate off of.
Now you apparently disagree that we then all have the possibility for the same potential.
[-] 1 points by MikeMcKeel (-54) 15 minutes ago
Why do you believe we all have the same potential? If anything, it should be the opposite. We all have individual genes creating differences between all of us. Some have better eyes, some jump higher, some have bigger bones, some think faster. I don't see why thinking should escape this. We don't all have the exact same hardware and software because of genes. ↥twinkle ↧stinkle reply permalink
You state factors of limitation - but you go beyond the area under discussion "Intelligence". Thus part of your limitation shows up in lack of comprehension and inability to follow-up on topic. Is this in you a matter of failed education(?) an inability to learn(?) an organic/inorganic metabolic problem(?) physical birth defect or Drain Bammage(?)
Read my comment again. I say that we don't have the same biological equipment because of our genes which are unique to each individual. Genes affect all our physical attributes, including our intelligence. You seem to have been unlucky in that department, or it could be old age bringing your IQ to it's knees.
Or is your problem the lack of comprehending what you read and then following up on topic.
It is a very complex thing as to why some apparently can not learn - as I believe that everyone has the same potential - some are crippled due to birth defects or brain injury ( through illness or some other physical trauma ). But I believe that there are also those who do not get engaged by the system that they are placed into. This all needs much more study and application of findings = brain mapping stimuli/response. I also believe that there are many undiagnosed individuals that are being affected in their ability to learn by organic/inorganic substances in their diet. Food additives that have no nutritional value ( unless perhaps negative ) like synthetic food colorings , sweeteners artificial , genetically enhanced ( like wheat and the resulting indigestible for many gluten ) , hormone steroid antibiotic injected food sources , etc. pollution also enters this organic/inorganic substance problem/issue. ↥twinkle ↧stinkle reply edit delete permalink
The idea is to study and understand the reasons for differenceAS BIOLOGICALLY SPEAKING - WE ARE ALL ESSENTIALLY THE SAME.
COMPRENDE???
No, biologically speaking we are not the same. We can be very different in that area. This is my point.
Comprendre old man???
The best IQ test i ever took, was the Xerox Physics Test for potential Techs. ... It could have been revised for any grade level, which can keep some area of poor education, inclusive.
IQ tests have a low rating in accuracy, However.. it is accurate when the Intelligence Levels are scored in reading and Comprehension. When one cannot Learn, it is scored low. ..
.. those without the ability to maintain mid level School scores are in fact, unable to judge accurately due to the inability to understand simple data.
.. We can use geography as well. Area's where the drop out average is 8th grade, .. is another factor in lower IQ scores.
(historically, education wasnt prime, as kids had to maintain Farms and Lifestyles..)
Now, when IQ is equated, it's about those who cannot learn, not dropped out early.
.. so, if one assumes the lower Intelligent Levels are Voting, one may also assume.. they dont know Krap about the system.
.. and that's where Mensa, PHD's, and all highly educated one's ... Lose, too.
(scary, and heartbreaking, at the same time)
It is a very complex thing as to why some apparently can not learn - as I believe that everyone has the same potential - some are crippled due to birth defects or brain injury ( through illness or some other physical trauma ). But I believe that there are also those who do not get engaged by the system that they are placed into. This all needs much more study and application of findings = brain mapping stimuli/response. I also believe that there are many undiagnosed individuals that are being affected in their ability to learn by organic/inorganic substances in their diet. Food additives that have no nutritional value ( unless perhaps negative ) like synthetic food colorings , sweeteners artificial , genetically enhanced ( like wheat and the resulting indigestible for many gluten ) , hormone steroid antibiotic injected food sources , etc. pollution also enters this organic/inorganic substance problem/issue.
of course DK.. all those factors are highly important. And the later part of your comment has been researched in the 1980's to cause a majority of Autism cases. Ie,. Foster Grant Co. in PA.. let chemicals into streams that lead to water reservoirs. One in FIVE children in nearby areas were born with Autism. An incredibly huge average in a single locality.
.. Since the 1950's, DDT was used for nearly 3 generations, b4 it was banned, but we all ate the food, and the land still contains it. .. ( and i get asked to put my cigarette out !)
.. In Nevada, 1947 to 1960's.. Nuclear Testing went on. Matter of fact, 'Genghis Kann', a John Wayne movie was filming not 5 mil from much of the Testing, and 14 of the Company's Talent and Production workers, died of some form of Cancer within 6 years of one another. ..( and they wont allow smoking in some casino's)
.. Point: We already began our slow decent into Health Hell, and we have less outrage now, than we had then.. At least we had enough to stop it.. .. Not enough now to allow the CURE to be processed. We have the Cure for Cancer.. Dont believe for a Second that we dont.
This is the problem ( thank you very much ). We as a society need to address the ills of society. Are we truly creating advanced civilization or a civilization with a facade of advancement ( shiny objects that dazzle the eye )? This is what I love about the present protests - they are not limited to one aspect ( illness ) but to many aspects that need correcting.
BTW - you might find this interesting - it is a campaign that I need to follow-up on:
http://occupywallst.org/forum/on-cancer-and-its-causes-an-open-letter-7302012/
Excellent!
Thanks - I just figured that all groups out there should get together and join forces. Address things that can be changed - Right Now - to eliminate identified causes of illnesses while they continue to find cures for illnesses. Reduce ( Drastically Reduce ) numbers of incidence right from the start.
Here's the issue for me.. In 1970 i was dating a young Cancer Research Resident at NIH. He called me one evening to meet him in Georgetown to celebrate that they had found a Cure for a kind of malignant Tumor. The Whole Team was excited.... .. The Next Morning.. ... ... When they all went back to the Research Lab.. Everything was gone! .. Every Log, Every Record.. nothing on the Tables.. Even the Black Board was erased.. No animals, NOTHING! .. Just the Military at the Door.. They were debriefed, " Interviewed".. and my friend said that was all he could tell me.
He became depressed for years after that.. and i cant blame him.
It haunts to this day, as i know it's worse for him.
..20 years later, i met a Doctor on a coast to coast flight.. While we chatted, i learned he was Honored at the Mayo, and lectured around the world.. (Pathology).. When i spoke of the 'Incident' in 1970.. He stopped me.. said he and many others have heard of this, have worked tirelessly to get the Truth out. He even knew my Friend's name, and i hadnt told him. .. So, What happened at the NIH in 1970 is a Fact that has been kept in Secret all these years.. Why? Cancer is a Big Money Well. .. and too many have died of an illness there has been a cure for for 40 years..
This is just One reason i Fight everyday for the Truth to be in the Daylight!
Scary fucking incident. Profits over people - worse Profits from peoples Death and Dying. This is also why I am here - why I speak out against every wrong I see - and advocate for alternatives - reach out to the public in whatever way I can and educate. Advocate for common individuals ( the people ) to band together and make the difference this world needs to be set on a path of health and prosperity for ALL.
Greed kills - there will always be enough and more then enough people who will need health care services ( Naturally ) we do not need to manufacture additional patients.
TY 'D'.. have a Wonder-Filled Week end
You also - till we meet again - be well! {:-])
Racist bastards!
It is very, very sad and not a little frightening. It amazes me that these TP rightwing Fundamentalists cannot see that they are behaving just as fanatically (well...almost) as the Muslim fanatics that they fear and loathe. Fanaticism in any form represents a type of insanity. Sadly, the more one chooses to live in that world of fanatical insanity the harder it is to break free of that mindset. So it is a vicious cycle of hate feeding on hate and fear and being propagandized by Limbaugh, Hannity, O'Reilly, Savage, etc... to sustain it, and the REAL criminals are those media goons that keep those guys on the air all for the sake of making a buck. THEY are the ones who are exercising the mind-control over the rightwing sheeple.
And they know better. Mostly, some media guys (Beck) might believe their hate, but otherwise they are doing it forratings.
Something needs to be done. We could start by breaking up the media conglomerates. All of 'em!
That might improve things.
Yeah, but a really hard thing to do because you are up against the 1st Amendment free-speech thing. They can get away with their hate-spew because those shows are really nothing more than a broadcast soapbox protected under free speech. The sad thing is that in less-insane times these "people" would not have near the impact that they are having now. People used to have better critical thinking skills than they do today and were not as inclined to believe things so easily just because somebody happened to have a radio/TV show. People have given themselves over to the media and allowed it to become their "surrogate brain" to do their thinking for them. Ultimately, I blame the general public themselves, for they have the power to ignore these idiots, but they refuse to exercise that power. They are sheeple to be lead to intellectual slaughter.
Yeah I agree. I suppose it goes back to the change in our education system that focused less on critical thinking and more on rote memorization.
We need to start there.
Agreed.
I submit progressives will address the education issues far better than conservatives whose only goal appears to be getting govt out of education, & put schools squarely in private profit making industry.
Yep. The cons/Rs would p(r)ivatize everything if they could because private = profit. They are the P(r)ofit party. The S(r)ooge party. The Mise(r) party. They would get rid of all government if they could...
Except for the MIC $pending, and lobbying to invade a woman's private parts and to keep regulation out of business operation like Ayn (R)and's Galt hero. They're all for government "interference" then. They don't want any regulation except, of course, thei(r) regulation.
Why can't people understand what these maniacs are all about? It is so obvious it borders on the absurd.
Slowly people see their extremism. Doesn't seem fast enough but we shall see.
"repubs want govt small enough to fit in a vagina" unknown source.
Haha...that's a great quote. Funny, sad, and true all at the same time.
Their time is gonna come! Misogynist religious extremists
Right. Especially since we don't know when too late would be.
"There is nothing in the desert, and no man needs nothing."
Indeed.
Racism?
Of course it is. there should be no doubt.
This guy ran for president and no one complained about HIS place of birth.
https://www.google.com/search?q=george+romny&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-beta
No one said a word, or questioned HIS eligibility.
Very good point there. So much bullshit associated with hate and racism. Really hard to understand why they can't see themselves objectively the way everyone else does. A very sad commentary on humanity. It's a wonder we've managed to survive this long.
Mexicans for president is OK!!!!
The precedent has been set!!!
As long as you have a "white" sounding last name..............
In stark contrast to the "man on the street" video of stupidity in the original post, one of the most important speeches in recorded history was given by Charlie Chaplin aka, the Silent Comedian at the end of his film "The Great Dictator". Please share this video and pass the message on. The Great Dictator [Oct 1940] Written, Produced, & Directed by Charlie Chaplin
It bothered me when my kids were growing up that these religious extremists would not let simple values be taught in school. (ironic considering they're supposed to be all about values). I'm talking about topics like bullying, racism, just the basics of how to treat other humans but these people go bat shit crazy if they think someone is going to influence their children. It may be true that some teachers take advantage and step over the line but the benefits would far outweigh the risk. ( just an example of when it doesn't work well, my daughter decided to become vegan because of a high school teacher and I didn't particularly care for that - to teach healthy nutrition is fine but that goes a bit beyond IMO). But ultimately I would have welcomed values teaching as part of the curriculum. Why are people so unreasonable about this? And students need to be taught critical thinking skills so they can learn to recognize propaganda. I think this generation of parents are going to have to insist on these changes in curriculum and fight for it. And it will be a fight.
I have a very difficult time relating to the people in the video. We did not move to Florida until I was 12, and that is when I got transplanted into what is essentially a northern culture (although Florida is geographically located in the south and does have some southern influences). Prior to that we lived in a small Texas town of about 5000 people. I remember growing up with Mexican-Americans and African-Americans, and there was no racism and hatred that I could tell anywhere back then (or at least if there was any I was not aware of it...that is to say, it was not readily apparent). But nowadays it seems like the white radical extremist pro-nazi nutjobs are out in full force. I don't know what percentage of the white population they represent, but it is getting more and more media attention, and this definitely started up in a big way after Obama was elected. If he is re-elected I fear for his life. The Secret Service better double/triple down on their protection of him.
Yeah yeah - Billy Graham always bothered me too.
I don't know about Billy but the ones who come to mind are James Dobson, Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson but there is a new breed much crazier than those guys. People who believe you should kill your kid if they're disobedient or gay.
OMG - 1 of those guys attacked the telitubbies for being gay!!!!!
Well see thats what I mean. What's a tellitubbie?
They are teletubbies. Search online to find Jerry Falwell attacked Tinky Winky (a teletubbie) as a gay role model for kids.
Falwell was a freak for sure. Dont want to think about him right before sleep; could induce nightmares!
I cannot blame you. "Moral Majority" surely sounds very jihadish!
Children's programming like sesame-street.
Another program that Mitt wants to cut because it's such a drain on the economy.?
Yes - PBS - non-corpoRAT.
Anyone can be smart IQ doesn't lock you its a measure of potential smartness since the test is actually based on common sense items.
IQs are not regularly measured in the united states for good reason it puts a damper on those who can still achieve greatness with low IQs
good post overall
Yes. IQ is a measure of the "power of the engine". Some have a big V8 and some have a lawnmower engine. But it's what a person does with their engine that matters most, not how powerful it is. There have been lots of people with powerful engines that have driven their cars off the cliff.
yes you are right
I always advocate letting individuals know who they are in order for then to understand their rightful place in society and as citizens. Nothing good will ever come of a country that continues to hold on to names and degrading labels that were given to slaves by slaveholders, while being stripped of their rightful heritage and history and birthrights..
People here belonged to a nation, had a flag, and an ancestry that reached beyond the stars. How can you educate a society where the same "said" society continues to maintain mental slavery of its own people? Educate, and elevate the race!
Yes, education is probably the only hope that I can see. But how can you break the cycle of fear, hate, and prejudice that is handed down generationally from parent to child in a seemingly never-ending cycle? Those children don't have a chance of breaking free because they are surrounded by it in the home. Their only hope is that when they are grown and leave home that they might somehow, if they are very, very lucky, gain some objectivity and capability to reflect on what they were taught by mommy/daddy and come to realize that those beliefs/attitudes are wrong. But most can't break free of that damaging programming and carry such views around all of their lives. So humanity is stuck with this shit apparently with no end in sight. So what's the solution? We need to find one, because stupidity is holding humanity back from its full potential like a swimmer with a lead weight around his/her neck.
Well, here's one way my family started.....first of all stop looking to the pale skin nations and/or their cohorts here in America to help people of color out of this mess. If they were going to help, they would have done so by now, without marching or the need to create additional laws that are only out of pretense. Their interests lies only in their own survival...and I am stating this not out of hatred or fear, but with the purest of understanding of human nature, since that is only natural for mankind.
Read, read, and read more.
My family from way back spoke of many things on these shores. I was given the history of people of color who ran this government before the Europeans arrived, before civil war and afterwards. Do research, look on line for the history of the dark-skinned race here in America and go beyond that which was placed in the Texas monitored propaganda filled school books...that we all came from Africa on slave ships.....Bull shyt! There were too many of us for that to happen! WE WERE ALREADY HERE!! We must begin to teach the children how to love themselves and realize how strong the race is, due to the fact that we are still here, have a President that looks like us, and we are still recovering from our traumas and have many more miles to go.. That is a start....research, research, research, learn, learn, learn.
Read "BEFORE COLUMBUS" pass it on to your families and children. Read about the artifacts found in California, New York and along the black river in Mississippi of our people!. Read the writings of Benjamin Franklin and how he stated that this country could become much whiter after the pale skin nations of Europe arrive and settle here, since Europe was the only continent where the pale skins were at that time.
Keep an open mind, and after you have researched and studied, research and study some more....You'll find it! We are not negros, blacks or colored people.....we are the creators of civilizations throughout the world. Let go of the past shoveled propaganda given to people of color and find the truth about yourselves!. .
Well said. And science has now revealed that there is virtually no difference whatsoever in the DNA of humans, regardless of race or skin color. Racism is the most stupid thing in the world because it is founded in ignorance of the scientific facts regarding the only race that exists on this planet -- the human race. Yet people still persist in their stupidity even when you present the scientific evidence to them. So wtf can be done about that? Eugenics? Sterilization? (I joke of course).
Thank you 'Nwo'! Healthy & positive advice that all of humanity can grow from. So much has been done by the ruling elite to damage our knowledge of humanity's history, that I often wonder if our future generations will ever have a 'broad' access to it...or, if we as adults have to tell our youngsters via oral histories because that may be the only available option, if the oligarchs have their way permanently with the internet and other forms of documented history.
Thank you both....it is apparent that logical thinking is not par for the course on this forum and only a few possess it (i.e yourselves) . Your responses as well as those of others who have the ability to look beyond the mundane illusionary world created by the elite for their own survival, gives us the hope to continue our humanitarian journey.. No matter how crazy it seems to those who will never understand it!
^.~
You just keep thinking that.
Didn't Margaret Sanger start Planned Parenthood to "lessen the impact of stupidity upon the future of humanity "?
I don't know. I really don't know anything about the history of Planned Parenthood. I actually always thought it was a reaction to the obvious concerns about the Malthusian nightmare of overpopulation.
"As an advocate of birth control I wish ... to point out that the unbalance between the birth rate of the 'unfit' and the 'fit,' admittedly the greatest present menace to civilization, can never be rectified by the inauguration of a cradle competition between these two classes. In this matter, the example of the inferior classes, the fertility of the feebleminded, the mentally defective, the poverty-stricken classes, should not be held up for emulation. "On the contrary, the most urgent problem today is how to limit and discourage the over-fertility of the mentally and physically defective." -- Margaret Sanger. "The Eugenic Value of Birth Control Propaganda." Birth Control Review , October 1921, page 5.
Good thing we have rightly disregarded those misguided thoughts. PP does not support these outdated concepts.
To focus on these unfortunate mistakes is a weak attempt to take away from the valuable accomplishments of the great Margaret Sanger.
I support PP, but "If the hood fits. you gotta wear it!"
but you feel the need to unfairly repeat the one concept Margaret Sanger was wrong about.
Great supported!
LOL
only to point out the potential dangers of people thinking "what method(s) can be employed to lessen the impact of stupidity upon the future of humanity "
Sorry Underdog. No offense. Just needed the quote.
Wow!
Yeah I know. I support PP and I'm pro choice, but there was some messed up ideology involved back in the day. I'm also with you on increasing intelligence and understanding, but you have to be careful. When some people say "stupid people shouldn't breed" they aren't joking.
I think to free women from the enslavement of pregnancy to men. No?
To allow women to perhaps pursue happiness and self sufficiency, not be dependent on men.
Right?
Those two reasons, sure. Also, because she thought black people were having too many babies.
Not likely. Sounds kinda racist of you.
Are you a racist?
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The reality though as related to IQ tests is that today the average individual with all that he is she is daily inundated with should test in the 100 IQ range. So your statistics are too low and there are far more stupid people relative to survivability than you imagine.
I don't understand what you mean. You said
...the average individual with all that he is she is daily inundated with should test in the 100 IQ range.
But that is what I said, and it is in fact the actual definition of average IQ. The result of millions of IQ scores that have been given for many, many decades now consistently reveals that the greatest number of people in the general population achieve an average score of 100 (34% will be between IQ score 85 and 100, and 34% will be between IQ score 100 and 115). So 68% make up the bulk of the bell curve which peaks at IQ score 100. Just Google "bell curve IQ" or "normal distribution IQ" and study one of the graphs and you'll see what I mean.
I think I missed part of your statement in the above. But in any case, I think there has been an overall dumbing down with a very significant number of people possessed with less than even an elementary level of education. Pouring money into the problem only promotes those of the establishment; we need to give these people an incentive to improve - starvation can be a huge incentive - and to accomplish this we must remove all other unproductive sources of income - welfare, profit from drug trade, etc.
Removing welfare and such only forces people to either be homeless or play the game, and most homeless people can't get back in the game without some kind of welfare because nobody will hire a starving person who hasn't had a bath in two months. I had a hell of a time finding work just by not having a phone.
But also there's this problem that we are being told this is what life is, and this is the only game we can play. But this is not what life is and this is only the game they want us to play. Life can be anything, and we are limiting ourselves and our minds by following along with this single, consumer/overlord fantasy.
I like what the native americans said, "We don't want power, we don't want to be congressmen, or bankers....we want to be ourselves."