KRUGMAN: "Willful Ignorance MATTERS"

[kpete]

The Ignorance Caucus
By PAUL KRUGMAN

.............................

Do actions like this have important effects? Well, consider the agonized discussions of gun policy that followed the Newtown massacre. It would be helpful to these discussions if we had a good grasp of the facts about firearms and violence. But we don’t, because back in the 1990s conservative politicians, acting on behalf of the National Rifle Association, bullied federal agencies into ceasing just about all research into the issue. Willful ignorance matters.

...........................

The truth is that America’s partisan divide runs much deeper than even pessimists are usually willing to admit; the parties aren’t just divided on values and policy views, they’re divided over epistemology. One side believes, at least in principle, in letting its policy views be shaped by facts; the other believes in suppressing the facts if they contradict its fixed beliefs.

MORE:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/11/opinion/krugman-the-ignorance-caucus.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130211&_r=1&

[MannyGoldstein]

1. +100 nt

[el_bryanto]

2. Simplistic but essentially accurate, sadly.

And those same traits could grow in Liberals as well. It's very comforting to live in a world where all the news and information you consume tells you that your beliefs are correct and anybody who disagrees with you is a bastard or a moron.

Bryant

[Solly Mack]

3. K&R

[patrice]

4. I agree, Mr. Krugman!

[patrice]

5. It's also known as Plausible Deniability and it's a highly MARKETABLE COMMODITY, see 9/11. nt

[Egalitarian Thug]

9. Another excellent point. If you don't "know" you can't be held responsible.

[patrice]

6. FOUR fingers!!!

[Egalitarian Thug]

7. That is an excellent summation. Close to half of our nation is unwilling to learn of anything

that contradicts the mythology that they have internalized with the fervor of a zealot.
& R

[patrice]

8. I'm afraid that's true and I do guess it's "close to half". nt

[hue]

10. The DOJ is def cracking down on willful ignorance esp w/ tax fraud, evasion. Ignorance is no excuse!