The Greatest Threat To America

[SilverEagle]

My wife and I just love Leonard Pitts. He worries about the same things that we worry about.

Stupidity rising

By Leonard Pitts Jr.

Article Last Updated: 07/25/2008 07:20:06 PM CDT

I love comic books.

For 41 years, I've studied them, collected them, written and read exhaustively about them. So I hope you'll agree I'm qualified to judge the merits of a comic book created by one Brent Rinehart as a tool in his campaign for re-election as a commissioner of Oklahoma County, Okla.

It is really, really bad. You may see for yourself by clicking the link to be found at www.anorak.co.uk/anorak-in-new-york/ 185867.html.

Now, you may think my less than glowing appraisal stems from its rank anti-gay bigotry, including a depiction of a gay man with horns. Or from the artwork, which looks like something scrawled by a gifted 6-year-old.

Well, yes. But here's the main reason Rinehart's work offends: It is astonishingly stupid.

Voters should support him because an angel does? His opponents are in league with Satan? Old Scratch is working to "get kids to believe homosexuality is normal" and Rinehart is their only defense? And I haven't even mentioned the creative punctuations and multiple misspellings.

I am not an Oklahoma County voter, so maybe you wonder why I care about Rinehart's campaign. I don't. What I do care about is what I will call the ongoing stupidification of America, of which this is but one glaring example among many. Think of the congressman who advocated bombing Mecca to teach Muslims a lesson. Think of the "zero-tolerance" policy that required a 10-year-old to be suspended for bringing to school the tiny toy gun from his GI Joe.

Think of the "Jay Walking" segment on the "Tonight Show" where average Americans cannot answer basic questions of civics and history. Think of those cable shows where we are theoretically entertained by coarse women vying for the affection of washed-up rock stars. Heck, read your junk e-mail.

And then tell me you don't feel the nation's collective IQ dropping like stocks.

I am not talking about ignorance. Ignorance is a lack of information; we're all ignorant in one way or another. Nor am I talking about people prone to punctuation or spelling errors; we all make mistakes.

No, I'm talking about stupidity, which I define as an inability to analyze, draw conclusions from, or otherwise "use" information even when one has it. And stupidity is often characterized by smug indifference. When a CNN anchor drew Rinehart's attention to his spelling errors, his reply was, "I don't necessarily care." This is, I feel constrained to remind you, the elected representative of 220,000 people.

For as much as we obsess over black vs. white and red vs. blue, I suspect the defining division of this technology-driven era will be between those who have and can exploit information and those who do not and cannot. Between intelligence and its opposite. One wonders how long we can continue to equate stupidity with "keeping it real," being a regular Joe or Jane, and hope to continue leading the world.

There's a movie, "Idiocracy," which posits a post-intelligent future in which the stupid have inherited the Earth. It's not a great film, but there is a truth to it. You watch the characters watching a reality show that consists entirely of some guy being kicked in the testicles and you realize you wouldn't be surprised to see that show on VH-1 tomorrow.

Why not? In recent years, we have seen intelligence demonized as the sole province of the "elite," a term that once described accomplishment, but is now used to condemn anyone who looks like he might have accidentally cracked a book or had a thought.

Not long ago, I gave a commencement address in which I told young people I am less concerned with what they think than "that" they think. Because we are losing that skill. Me, I find that alarming.

Maybe you disagree. I bet you'll feel differently when Brent Rhinehart is president.*

Leonard Pitts Jr., is a columnist for the Miami Herald. His e-mail address is lpitts@miamiherald.com. He chats with readers on Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m. CDT on www.MiamiHerald.com.

SE's comment

]*We've already come dangerously close to this with our current occupant of the White House.

[Censored by Laurie]

Great article...thank you Silver Eagle

[Eagle1855]

Good read, thanks.

Why not? In recent years, we have seen intelligence demonized as the sole province of the "elite," a term that once described accomplishment, but is now used to condemn anyone who looks like he might have accidentally cracked a book or had a thought.

So true.

[greenminer]

They mentioned "Idiocracy" on The Ticket this morning.

[KRAM1]

SE...nice post, except that last little comment of yours!

[emmitt01]

SE...nice post, except that last little comment of yours!

Really? I thought that was the glue that held it all together.

[DeepGreen]

No, the problem is what has happened to our country. And Bush is not to fault like some of you like to think.

Ben Stein sums it up pretty well.

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,

Ben Stein

[KRAM1]

Nice post DeepGreen and Amen to that Ben Stein!

[meangreendork]

No, the problem is what has happened to our country.

I read the article differently than some of you probably will. Not so much as a "we need God back in our schools" but we need a basic set of values to teach our kids. You can find that in any religion, and you can find that without religion. But the point is, many parents don't instill their children with any sort of values beyond "make money". It really doesn't matter what background the parents are from because you'll see this in religious and rich communities and in poor and not-quite-so-God-fearing communities. While this may not address the issue of stupidity, it does address the general lack of morals and ethics in our society.

But who can blame us? We have politicians marching crusades against child pornography and then being caught with it on their office computers. We have people in business dealings that damage not only the money of the average stockholder but also the average worker for that company, costing them their jobs. We've got folks knowingly selling harmful, addictive drugs to people. There are people at all levels of society displaying real lack of ethical judgment.

I'd say fixing that means looking at yourself, seeing what you can do, and what kind of example you set for not only your peers but also for the younger folks you know. All the organized religion in the world can't do that, all the self-help booklets can't make you do that. They can suggest it, but you're the only one that can do it.

Ben Stein has a point.

I'm not so sure that things are worse than before so much as things have never improved.

[LongJim]

Ben Stein would probably be distressed that his original piece has been mutilated so badly.

Snopes.

[Censored by Laurie]

Ben Stein would probably be distressed that his original piece has been mutilated so badly.

Snopes.

Ohh the irony of this happening in a thread on stupidity. It really is grand

[Quoner]

Ben Stein would probably be distressed that his original piece has been mutilated so badly.

Snopes.

Snopes is just liberal bullcrap - I read that on an email my friend's aunt sent with a wmv fle of Obama smothering a baby with a burning flag..

[DeepGreen]

I see. Stein's article is all bullsh!t and nothing of the sort is or has happened in America?

[Censored by Laurie]

Damn you and your extensive research and lengthening rants.

[Quoner]

So? What's the big deal about that?

The ironing is delicious.

[Eagle1855]

But those are the REAL opinions of some internet mastermindwizardninja. Reality is all perception, maaaan. It's like, whatever you make of it.

[SilverEagle]

No, the problem is what has happened to our country. And Bush is not to fault like some of you like to think.

Ben Stein sums it up pretty well.

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,

Ben Stein

I don't think that Bush is the problem.......he's the poster child for the problem.

I believe that the latest shooting was in a church.....because the nut wielding the gun thought that the church was too liberal. Nuf said.

I don't know if Dr. Spock advocated that kids be spanked or not.....he probably advocated not. But spanking children has always been the panacea of the lazy parent. It's over in a short period of time. The willful child would probably prefer it, so that they can feel obsolved of guilt for their misbehavior, and they can more quickly get back to the mischief they were getting into in the first place. And the only thing they learned from the experience was "don't piss off the big people, and don't get caught". And the parent can then get back to watching sports or soap operas.

Children killing without a conscience has nothing to do with spanking or not spanking.

[KRAM1]

Tasty...I know you through that soccer comment in there just for me! The greatest threat to America right now is...drum roll please...the price of beer is on the ay up! Now, that, Mean Green nation, is a threat to all humanity, not just America. STOP the production of ethonol and alternative fuels...we need less expensive BEER!!!!!!

[KRAM1]

OOPS...maybe I've had too much beer already...correcting my last post...that is THREW not "through"....where is Maxine Turnage when you need her?

So, who else remembers Maxine Turnage from the UNT English dept.? I am showing my age here.....

[SCREAMING EAGLE-66]

QUOTE(TheTastyGreek @ Jul 30 2008, 02:54 PM)

Stein's article ISN'T STEIN'S ARTICLE.

So? What's the big deal about that?

The ironing is delicious.

---That is the major problem in America. some don't think the truth matters... and will say anything to get their way or get elected. One group claims to the party of family values then spreads all sort of mis-representations of their opponents. (most aren't even close to true)

---As for religion in schools... I have been there as a staff member... and the problem is which denominastion you allow make a statement it is almost certain to offend some other group. So who do you allow in ... the group at El Dorado?? they claim to represent Christianity. We have had churches insist their children can't be allowed to go to pep rallys because that is idol worship... Want them there..??.. Maybe you are now seeing the problem. We have a couple of Well Known-Name churches in town here such that one sells beer at their fund raising fall-carnival and the other one just two blocks away is anti-beer and you can't be a deacon if you have been known to drink beer. Which one of those should be allowed in the schools to make a statement... BIG PROBLEMS ... and schools don't need more problems. Careful what you wish for , you might get it.

--The Church shooting... The extreme liberals aren't the only guys to worry about.. the right wing crazies are nuts as well.

Edited July 30, 2008 by SCREAMING EAGLE-66

[GoMeanGreen1999]

I believe that the latest shooting was in a church.....because the nut wielding the gun thought that the church was too liberal. Nuf said.

I wonder if that nut weilding the gun thinks Obama is liberal? I think this guy does: http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.a...302137342405551

[Quoner]

QUOTE(TheTastyGreek @ Jul 30 2008, 02:54 PM)

Stein's article ISN'T STEIN'S ARTICLE.

---That is the major problem in America. some don't think the truth matters... and will say anything to get their way or get elected. One group claims to the party of family values then spreads all sort of mis-representations of their opponents. (most aren't even close to true)

---As for religion in schools... I have been there as a staff member... and the problem is which denominastion you allow make a statement it is almost certain to offend some other group. So who do you allow in ... the group at El Dorado?? they claim to represent Christianity. We have had churches insist their children can't be allowed to go to pep rallys because that is idol worship... Want them there..??.. Maybe you are now seeing the problem. We have a couple of Well Known-Name churches in town here such that one sells beer at their fund raising fall-carnival and the other one just two blocks away is anti-beer and you can't be a deacon if you have been known to drink beer. Which one of those should be allowed in the schools to make a statement... BIG PROBLEMS ... and schools don't need more problems. Careful what you wish for , you might get it.

--The Church shooting... The extreme liberals aren't the only guys to worry about.. the right wing crazies are nuts as well.

I can't tell if you missed my sarcasm or not. As Obama once sang, "oops, I did it again."

[emmitt01]

'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

As Rene Zelwegger once said (and paraphrased Kanye West), "You had me at God hates black people" Seriously? Katrina was the result of Godlessness? Wow.

In all seriousness though, the whole separation of church and state thing has always amused me more than just about any subject. Both sides seem incapable of being reasonable or seeing that they needn't push so hard toward lunacy just to prove their point. Just as the ultra-right needs to tap the brakes and see how putting a granite monument to the ten commandments in a public courthouse, or swearing on a bible in order to be "under oath" are over the line...the ultra-left also needs to realize that the President of the United States should be allowed to express his perogative by sending out "Merry Christmas" cards, or that a nativity scene on the town square isn't religious oppression. Just as demanding teacher led prayer in schools is over the line, so too is demanding that there be no observed moment of silence at the beginning of the school day or before a football game. Why is it so hard to understand that favoring one particular religion, in circumstances where the general public has open access and cannot avoid the situation , is over the line? Or that in circumstances where these criteria are not met we should back off and let Christians celebrate their religion? I mean, really?

So, no, I don't think that Katrina, or Dolly, or 9-11 are the result of Americans being "Godless"...and to suggest as much is just as bigoted and backwards as an atheist suggesting that the bombing of a church or priests molesting young boys are proof that God is an absentee father who really doesn't care about us.

Edited July 30, 2008 by emmitt01

[Coffee and TV]

I wonder if that nut weilding the gun thinks Obama is liberal? I think this guy does: http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.a...302137342405551

Stealth Socialism?

Awesome. Can you help me decipher Obama's secret socialism code. I'm far too busy trying to decode his secret Muslim language.

[Censored by Laurie]

I wonder if that nut weilding the gun thinks Obama is liberal? I think this guy does: http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.a...302137342405551

"Universal national service" (a la Havana). Hands down my favorite line from these amazingly well written, thought out and researched editorials.

I'm sitting on a rooftop at dusk...the warm smell of the Caribbean blowing on gentle evening breeze, mingling with the smoke of the fine cigar smoldering right beside my icy Matusalem Plantino Mojito, a vibrantly colored plate, maybe a rich yellow, sits in front of me with cilantro black beans, lightly fried plantains and potatos, and resting gently atop a bed of aromatic rice and roasted veggies sits a Cuban soldier.

Everything ought to be a la Havana...delish