Is Intelligence a Political Liability?

Not at all.
~Dan Quayle

Is Intelligence a Political Liability?

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It seems, nowadays, intelligence is a social liability too.

How will calling Republicans ignorant persuade many to switch sides to Obama? Maybe I'm just not smart enough to figure it all out.

Given their adoration of Reagan and Bush2, you'd think so. Remember though, their base is anti-science, creation believing and suspicious of anyone with more than an 8th grade edumacation.

Ignorant,incipit, delusional, xenophobic, idiots.

And damn proud of that fact.

SHAWN/NG-
Look, both sides have their share of loons and knuckle-draggers.

To the degree you denigrade my side... my side looks at yours as pointy-headed elitists who think they're the smartest guy in the room. Neither stereotype works. It only serves to alienate.

So we shout at each other and little gets accomplished.

Not that I expect things to change anytime soon, but it would be a welcomed change if the rhetoric volume could be turned down a bit at times.

pointy head elitist = smart enough to tell shit from shine

Don't be so sure, SHAWN. Like I said, both parties have their share of oddballs... and stereotypes don't really work.

For a long time now I have stated and believed that most right wingers are either stupid or seem to value stupidity.
There has definitely been a Know-Nothing pride among the GOP ever since the rise of Reagan. It has reached its apex with GWB and the connivings of Rove. Ignorance seems to have been transformed into a right wing virtue. Along with baseless attacks and general obnoxiousness. As has been said before, a lot of stupid Americans voted for the guy they would rather have a beer with rather than the guy who could best lead this nation.
In fact, looking at the attitudes of many of the right wing posters on this site (from Cookfish to Johnson and everyone in between) we see perfect examples of this.

reagan made it ok to be a moron again.

A large portion of Americans believe the earth is less than 10,000 years old, they reject evolution, and don't support stem cell research. That eventually hurts the US economically as it limits our science skills. Many believe dinosaurs walked with man. Ignorance hurts our global competition.

question: what is their party affiliation?

I think Rove is one of the most intelligent people out there...He just to pursue maxium power this lifetime as as vocation & love as sideline when convenient and/or when he's open to its heartsong call:>/

ps we all have made those type of decisions in past lives whether we are aware of them or not. We wouldn't be on this planet today otherwise learning about the differences between love & power...& what really matters as higher beings strive for kinship with all life if possible

ps2 yes, I'm sitting & typing by the beach today by Medicine Lake, Minnesota

"ps we all have made those type of decisions in past lives whether we are aware of them or not."

Yes, which is one of many reasons I highly value your input on a multitude of topics, Bani...

Ignorant assed liberals calling conservatives ignorant so they may feel good about themselves. Nothing new here.

"Many believe dinosaurs walked with man. Ignorance hurts our global competition."

KBM-
You are deflecting the question. Do you believe that dinosaurs walked with man, and if so, when?

Because a "giant kangaroo" is the same as a Apatosaurus?

"Prehistoric giant animals killed by man, not climate: study"

what's a giant Kangaroo got to do with "Dinosaurs walking with man", what is your party affliation?

KBM-
You are deflecting the question. Do you believe that dinosaurs walked with man, and if so, when?

Posted by BetelG

According to creationist Bible thumpers wasn't it about 6000 years ago?

Yes, which is one of many reasons I highly value your input on a multitude of topics, Bani...

Posted by BetelG

lol...FF

Next up for the reichwing: mi grampapy rod er stegusorus tu werk...

Imbecility is a affliction, not a badge of honor.

I will never hear church bells ringing again without smiling...

Upon hearing that her elderly grandfather had just passed way,
Katie went straight to her grandparent's house to visit her 95-
year-old grandmother and comfort her. When she asked how her
grandfather had died, her grandmother replied,

'He had a heart attack while we were making love on Sunday
morning. '

Horrified, Katie told her grandmother that 2 people nearly 100
years old having sex would surely be asking for trouble.

'Oh no, my dear,' replied granny. 'Many years ago, realizing our
advanced age, we figured the best time to do it was when the
church bells would start to ring. It was just the right rhythm.

Nice and slow and even. Nothing too strenuous, simply in on the
Ding and out on the Dong.'

She paused to wipe away a tear, and continued, 'He'd still be
alive if the ice cream truck hadn't come along.'

Is Intelligence a Political Liability?

Depends how you define intelligence. Are we talking about ivy tower highly educated school boys with no real experience in making decisions except in theory, or someone who can look at a real world situation and be capable of making an intelligent decision as to how to handle it -- two very different things.

Posted by KBM at 2008-08-16 04:00 PM

I see KBM has proven the point of the thread quite nicely.

McCain big decision:

Write and push through legislation deregulating the Savings and Loan industry.

Result:

$250,000,000,000 bill for the taxpayers and a near prison term for McCain's quid pro quo for his mentor Charles Keating

What are those 'big decisions' of McCain's you're referring to MSGT?

NOT releasing 95% of the testimony surrounding Jack Abramoff? Changing positions on 63 issues in the last year for political expediency? ??????

I guess the simple fact the Republicans would want you to WORK for what you're paid would lead them to be thought stupid, huh? If you're physically or mentally unable to do this, or, have difficulty meeting the end of the month with the money earned, ok, we'll HELP provide!

Seems a logical way to me to resolve some of the problem in the US. I can't help but wonder who, after the taxes reach their limit, all business and commercial activities have ceased, will then pay the freight for those of us who took 'early' retirement on someone elses dime?

We can tax til the last rich guy/gal is empty, no more jobs are available, then we can all sit back cause it's to difficult to stand anymore. Why do we insist someone who 'Has made it' must pay for two or three who haven't, irregardless of their abilities, or lack thereof? Seems to disincentivize work ethic.

If you get paid almost the same amount not to work as you get if you do work, why work, except for the feeling of self pride in your accomplishments!

FF for BANI.
That ice cream truck will get you every time.

The record is out there on McCain, NOT on Obama. McCain attempted to help a constituent when he was asked, when he saw what was happening with Keating, he stepped aside and challenged him to correct the problem.

The passage of the bill to help the Saving and Loan Industry WAS instrumental in keeping that Industry sound after the looting done by Keating and a few others. Same with the bill earlier, to save Chrysler Corp., a precedent setter in itself

McCain's guilt was by association only, not as a participant. He was fully investigated by the Senate and except for a hand slap, exonerated of ANY wrong! He stepped AWAY from his friend of 20 -25 years when he determined what may be construed as illegal activities being conducted.

McCain may have changed his mind on 63 different things, however Obama has changed his mind on EVERY ONE of his ideas and thoughts since he initiated his candidacy for this office!

McCain explains why he changes his mind, Obama argues he never has changed his!

Who IS Mr Obama and what, actually, does he stand for, anyway?

If you get paid almost the same amount not to work as you get if you do work, why work, except for the feeling of self pride in your accomplishments!

Posted by dogen

So you think the people who are on disability get the same pay as working??? Boy are you out of touch with todays world. NO one gets the same pay as when they work. How about going from 1500 a week to 800 a month. Thats if the government will even give you the disability.

As for welfare, you've got to be kidding. It's the bare necessities for those who can't find a job. AND it's not for the parents it's for the kids.

Maybe you need to look around you a little more and realize this world isn't about "whine, I gotta pay taxes". Well I paid taxes too, and instead of the social security I was promised, I got the shaft.

Depends how you define intelligence. Are we talking about ivy tower highly educated school boys with no real experience in making decisions except in theory, or someone who can look at a real world situation and be capable of making an intelligent decision as to how to handle it -- two very different things.

Posted by MSgt at 2008-08-16 05:42 PM

Those aren't mutually exclusive, moron.

GOPhers tend to be stupid. Anybody who expects them to acknowledge this truth is equally stupid.

MOD-
Are you serious?

Let's say we reverse that. Dems tend to be stupid. Anybody who expects them to acknowledge this truth is equally stupid. Where do we go from there?

To electing somebody POTUS other than a person we believe would make a good drinking buddy?

oorah --

m8 mentality. He's not very clever or original. When I saw he had a post in the 'current comments' I came here just to confirm what I already knew was there: a stupid anti-right statement that anyone with the cognitive power of a cockroach would spawn. He did not disappoint.

Sometimes I think intelligence is a liability for females.
Men don't often appreciate (or seem to care much for) intelligence in women.
Not all men are like that but enough of them are. Don't know why that is.

reagan made it ok to be a moron again.

Posted by Shawn

Hence his campaign slogan "It's moron in America."

Hence his campaign slogan "It's moron in America."

He was talking about you, ng3

George Bush is what happens when monkeys are able to select one of their own to run the asylum...

poor poor child......... Not a clue...

I see that the libs here are good at insulting others and consider themselves intellectually superior. The evidence is clear.

Is Intelligence a Political Liability?

Who can really say? Has any politician(sorry) ever displayed any?

Bush was grown from the fungus between Cheney's toes. This why he must be kept in the dark so much.

"Has any politician(sorry) ever displayed any?"

Maybe not twice.

"Depends how you define intelligence. Are we talking about ivy tower highly educated school boys with no real experience in making decisions except in theory, or someone who can look at a real world situation and be capable of making an intelligent decision as to how to handle it -- two very different things."

Obviously you know little if anything about the job of an executive. A president needs to be able to process a ton of information, balance the opinions of several subordinates and come to a complicated often nuanced decision. McCain has none of this training where as Obama in comparison has signifiantly more from his background in education and law. Senators are not leaders nor decision makers. They are horse traders.

McCain has never shown the ability to perform at a high level in school, military or life in general. Basically a failure by most measurements. He has always been at the bottom and was either lifted up by daddy or his wife's family. I doubt with his poor track record and inability to show any level of intelligence that he could function as a credible president.

The matter of intelligence is the wrong question. Most times they are highly intelligent in terms of IQ. Politics attracts people who are attracted to the exercise of power. They have over-sized egos that feeds on being the center of attention. Politics attracts sociopaths and psychotics. In essence, they exhibit the same kind of behavior you see in common criminals, only common criminals are stupid.

I remember a rape case once, where the rapist was rhapsodizing over the sense of power he felt when he climaxed. That's the mentality of a common politician.

Anybody who thinks his favorite candidate(s) is going to reverse the long term trend towards a more powerful State is going to be badly disappointed. He could only hope that he won't be one of its victims. But the way things are looking, I don't think anybody can avoid that trap.

"Politics attracts sociopaths and psychotics. In essence, they exhibit the same kind of behavior you see in common criminals, only common criminals are stupid."

Wow Ray this is the most intelligent thing you've ever said. The main point is every one of them wants to be immortalized for doing something great. Ultimate narcisstic supply. I think Obama has the most opportunity to do something special as he doesn't owe nearly as much to the political machine as the other candidates and so has more room to manuever. He also is light years ahead of mcCain in intelligence and capability.

Furio

You just fell into the delusional trap I was warning against. They all breed in the same cesspool.

Ray is back to stupidity. How is the gold doing?

Don't worry about it kid. I'm not.

Socialism is a form of mass insanity. Always has been; always will. It's the safest bet I ever made.

There are two possible manifestations of intelligence in man... wisdom or silliness. As so far, most of Obama's manifestions of intelligence have consisted of silliness.

Plato, "Statesman"

STRANGER: The meaning is, that the opinion about the honourable and the just and good and their opposites, which is true and confirmed by reason, is a divine principle, and when implanted in the soul, is implanted, as I maintain, in a nature of heavenly birth.

YOUNG SOCRATES: Yes; what else should it be?

STRANGER: Only the Statesman and the good legislator, having the inspiration of the royal muse, can implant this opinion, and he, only in the rightly educated, whom we were just now describing.

YOUNG SOCRATES: Likely enough.

STRANGER: But him who cannot, we will not designate by any of the names which are the subject of the present enquiry.

YOUNG SOCRATES: Very right.

STRANGER: The courageous soul when attaining this truth becomes civilized, and rendered more capable of partaking of justice; but when not partaking, is inclined to brutality. Is not that true?

YOUNG SOCRATES: Certainly.

STRANGER: And again, the peaceful and orderly nature, if sharing in these opinions, becomes temperate and wise, as far as this may be in a State, but if not, deservedly obtains the ignominious name of silliness.

YOUNG SOCRATES: Quite true.

I think there's a Cliff Notes version of "The Repubic" if anyone really gives a rat's ass.

"The Repubic"

Sounds painful.

Nearly as painful as reading "The Republic."

C'mon, Zat, it's Sunday, the sun is shining, I'm just about to tuck into a lite eggs benedict (Caymanian style) and a wee glass of Pinto Grigio out on the patio.

Remember the Alamo!

:>)

A large portion of Americans believe the earth is less than 10,000 years old, they reject evolution, and don't support stem cell research.

Posted by onna

Don't stop there. Some believe life came to the earth by an accident. A one celled thing crawled out of the swamp and became Obama. You gotta admire that leap of faith.

Then again, there are the amoeboids that stayed in the swamp, right Sniper?

sniper, it would be wise for you not to make such comments, that only confirms the topic's premise. If you wish to display such ignorance, go ahead, give us a laugh! where did you learn that comment, in bible school, it's really dumb!

He learned it at bible camp during the summer. Where the jesus freak imbeciles go to fuck each other up their asses without outside spectators.

Intelligent people are as good at convincing themselves of something, regardless of proof to the contrary, as anyone. And are just as blind to what they do not wish to see. Even people who are logical, even very good at logic, have blind spots.

Which is why I think Rove is so intelligent.

But karma can be a real bastard/bitch!:>)

04 Election Apologists Still Unmoved By Mountain of Evidence: Columbus Dispatch Ignores Facts

Oohrah

Wouldn't you think that McCain is an Elitest? Marrying millions--traveling with the most rich and powerful his whole life? He comes from a background of Admirals--always having the best life has to offer. What makes an Elitest, and why is that a bad thing to you?

Obama came from a relatively poor background and got to where he is on his own determination and brain power. Is he an Elitest?

BBob,

It should go without saying that I am not only not an Obama fan, but I prefer McCain.

That said, given their backgrounds I have to grudgingly agree with you - Calling Obama an elitist, particularly in comparison with McCain, simply defies logic - for the reasons you've already stated.

'Elitist' is the current buzzword for 'outsider'. Developed by the GOP monkeyfucker marketing department, both are designed to make their cocksucking whore candidate look like he's closer to the rest of Americans by claiming that the other is more aloof.

The reason for the word change is simple: there is no fucking policy difference between the candidates. Both are bought by the same multinational corporations that don't give a fat flying fuck about you, your familiy, or your country. They care about expanding their own power and that's all they care about.

Yes. One candidate or another will occasionally give a little bit more to the jesus imbeciles, and the other a smidgeon to one worker combine or another. Big fucking deal. It's nothing more than marketing to help you, the ignoramus idiot consumer, delude yourself into thinking that you have a choice. As if coke vs. pepsi is a life or death decision.

Now go vote schmucks!

**** How will calling Republicans ignorant persuade many to switch sides to Obama? Maybe I'm just not smart enough to figure it all out.

Posted by OohRah *****

.....that's why you are a life-long Republican....

There are two types of republicans: rich and deluded fucking stupid.

There are two types of democrats: rich and deluded fucking stupid.

Variance = jesus freak vs. blue collar. i.e. eliminate the moron jesus freak and you have all blue collar which might vote their interests. Fuck that shit! Divide and conquer. S.O.P.

ALL Conservatives are not stupid. Some are brilliant. But stupid people are almost ALL universally aligned with leaders they fancy to be Conservative. Whether someone like Shrub, who wears the Conservative Label loudly, is actually "Conservative" is obviously absurd. Yet morons who fancy themselves "Conservative" still love this mean self serving embecile.

"But stupid people are almost ALL universally aligned with leaders they fancy to be Conservative."

Posted by nutcase

You need to up your medication if you really believe this

This question reminds me of when people said the gas tax holiday was just a pandering move that wouldn't bring down gas prices and Hillary went on TV with her practiced Indiana accent and started saying "Well these economists haven't been right about anything else, how do they know what is good for regular people....blah blah blah". As if a policy that wouldn't change gas prices would somehow still help regular people just because it flies in the face of what intellectuals are saying.

Hillary is a smart person but she was taking a pridefully ignorant tact on that issue. It was a calculated move. So it appears to me, that in her opinion Americans would rather vote for someone with folksy ignorance than someone with intelligence.

And I don't think she's wrong. Look at who we have in our highest office now.

Absolutely! If you were smart and inquisitive then you would be involved in making the decisions and in turn be responsible. Being dumb allows you to delegate issues and let others make the decisions. If it was wrong then fire them.

I really thought GW should have given a sword to everyone around him just in case they had to fall on it.

Most people are idiots. They vote republican or democrat because some pretentious cocksucker told them that that was the team they belong to. Like a football game. You don't bet on the visiting team do ya? NO! RARARA!! GO FIGHT WIN!! KILLKILLKILL!!! Both parties...

For a long time now I have stated and believed that most right wingers are either stupid or seem to value stupidity.
There has definitely been a Know-Nothing pride among the GOP ever since the rise of Reagan. It has reached its apex with GWB and the connivings of Rove. Ignorance seems to have been transformed into a right wing virtue. Along with baseless attacks and general obnoxiousness. As has been said before, a lot of stupid Americans voted for the guy they would rather have a beer with rather than the guy who could best lead this nation.
In fact, looking at the attitudes of many of the right wing posters on this site (from Cookfish to Johnson and everyone in between) we see perfect examples of this.

Posted by moder8 at 2008-08-

what an elitist piece of shit statement this is.
just keep all this nonsense up and dems will find themsleves on the outside looking in again

and just think........when mccain wins...what will that say about the democrat party in this socalled anti republican world we are supposed to be in.

just keep it up. it says a hell of a lot more about YOU than it does us.......

another illiterate rightwinger.

Surely if the brightest guys in the room want something from the dumbest guys in the room, they don't make a point of their brightness.

Of course the brightest guys in the room are also liberals - in a vacuum. Other bright people peddle their intelligence to our corporate rulers. Karl Rove and Henry Kissinger come to mind, and surely someone with a three-digit IQ wrote the senile Ronald Reagan's script.

Being brighter than his opponent surely did in Adlai Stevenson. We've lost the benefit of many intelligent souls - Gene McCarthy comes to mind - because they were bright. herm