American Mentality

[RestoreGore]

From YAHOO:

Today's Popular Searches

Shakira
Halloween Costumes
Beyonce Knowles
Jessica Simpson
WWE
Britney Spears

Don't wonder now why this country is f^^^^^ and Bush can get away with becoming a dictator. Shameful.

[melody]

1. That's unfair

I don't search Yahoo for serious issues, I come to places like this. And yes, I'm keeping up with hobbies, and social things, and all the many things we need to do to remain sane and functional. Just because they're searching for halloween costumes or information on WWE doesn't mean they're not also out at peace marches.

Life is about balance. If we don't strike a balance, we'll become like the GOP.

[RestoreGore]

2. It's Not Unfair To Me n't

[melody]

6. And you're doing nothing more than activism?

If you don't strike a balance, you'll burn out VERY quickly.

[RestoreGore]

8. I'm not searching for mindless garbage like that

And yes, I do more than activism. I ENJOY life by being out in and respecting nature and this planet and I love my child. I don't spend my days giving a shit about Britney Spear's hangnail, or some other pop culture BS that is turning the minds of Americans to JELLY. That isn't balance, that is the DUMBING DOWN OF AMERICA, and it is now hurting this Democracy.

[Akoto]

10. Halloween costumes are mindless garbage?

Sorry, but I really don't think statements like that are fair. I'm glad that some kids are at least having childhood fun amidst this great mess.

[RestoreGore]

22. yes, I have a pumpkin on my porch too

And again you missed the general point.

[melody]

29. your point was that the stuff you like is good and the stuff other people like is bad

Sorry, but I think that's elitist nonsense.

Of course you're allowed an opinion, but so are we. We need to realize we are still living just as we are fighting for our
country back. If we don't do that, what's the point in fighting at all.

I can understand your anger and frustration, but I was just making the point that those people have the same right
to be searching for Halloween costumes as you do for going out into nature, et al. That's what we're all fighting for,
isn't it?

[RestoreGore]

46. Elitist nonsense?

If you were truly turned off by elitist nonsense then you would be turned off to political theater in general, and most of the phony entertainment bs that is nothing but elitist nonsense and hype. And where did I state that noone had the right to like what they wished? Nowhere. I simply made an observation and gave an opinion on what was chosen, which is distinctly different. I bet I could look there and elsewhere on the net every day for the next year and see the same thing, which is the point. What I spoke about was not elitist nonsense. I am an average working American citizen who actually is tired of seeing this (what is to me) unsubstantial BS as being made more important than what should be important to more Americans. Simple as that. Apparently however, it hit home with some, so my apologies. Didn't mean to offend the "Britney Spears" fans here.

[melody]

51. I'm an average working American citizen who was replying

This is a forum of open discussion. If you can't take disagreement, it is probably best to avoid open fora. You're not debating my contentions, you're pouting because I dared disagree with you.

>(what is to me) unsubstantial BS

And I think your opinion of what "unsubstantial BS" is, is yours. I just replied. I think the people looking for Halloween costumes have the right to do that without being insulted. Just mho.

BTW, probably a good 50% of the searches from Yahoo probably did NOT originate in the US. Ergo, it's not what is important to Americans that is in question.

Go ahead and make your last post to the thread. I've made my last one. lol

[RestoreGore]

54. Your last one?

Again, good. You did nothing but harang me here for my opinion in this forum you call open. And as I proved in this thread, I can more than handle disagreement. It is obvious however, that you can't handle the truth.

[melody]

15. Your "dumbing down" is somebody else's "enjoying life"

We always sneer at other people's methods of survival yet not our own.

I don't give a damn about Britney Spears or any of the other things you've outlined, but someone else may. That doesn't preclude them from being active, conscious citizens.

[RestoreGore]

18. And is it also my opinion

Or is that truly not allowed here?

[melody]

52. Who said it wasn't

I was merely disagreeing with you -- you're the one now pouting because I did so. Good lord.

Welcome to my ignore list. lol

[RestoreGore]

53. Good n/t

[NavyDavy]

3. I agree

[BlooInBloo]

36. Also unfair because young people search more than older people.

EDIT: Not that I don't think that, among other things, Americans are blithering idiots - I most definitely think that. I just don't think Yahoo Top Searches provides much useful evidence for that claim.

[RestoreGore]

43. The majority of older people voted for Bush in 2004

Good enough?

[BlooInBloo]

47. Um.... sure. (psst - Hey you: what's this guy talking about?)

[TAPat]

4. While it's nice to see that Norte Americanas

are searching Shakira so much - we lived in Guatemala almost 10 years ago when she had just broken through in the Latin music scene and we thought she was grrreat - that's just too much pop culture crap for the top searches.

Agreed, folks need to wake up and smell the gathering fascism...

[dkofos]

5. Most Americans are clueless

And it would appear they intend to stay that way!!

What a world, What a world

[melody]

7. No more or less clueless than the majority of other nationals n/t

[dkofos]

9. your opinion

[melody]

16. As it is your opinion to the contrary

I have relatives who don't think black people are equally human, but we happily recognize that bias as idiotic. Any such form of bias is equally idiotic, including that aimed at Americans.

[Opusnone]

11. I can explain it:

Halloween is next week, so people are looking for costumes.

WWE is attractive to both straight (see bi-curious) and gay men of low intelligence (see Spectator Sports).

Shakira, Britney, Beyonce and Jessica Simpson are women who men want to see naked.

[BattyDem]

12. It's Oct. 28th - I'd be more surprised if "Halloween costumes" wasn't on the list.

I'm here everyday, though I don't always post. I listen to Randi Rhodes every afternoon, I read many political books, I watch Olbermann and I do everything I possibly can to stay informed. Yet, my Google searches today were:

--- The package tracking number of an online purchase (Google lets you enter any tracking number and it takes you to the appropriate site - UPS, USPS, FedEx, etc.)

--- SimPe (a program used with "The Sims 2" game)

--- "When I'm 64" (a BBC movie; I wanted to see if it was on DVD)

--- "Falcon Crest" (TV series; I wanted to see if a 2007 DVD release was confirmed)

--- Wüsthof knives (I do a lot of cooking and I'm in the market for a knife)

--- A couple of local shopping malls (I wanted to see which stores each had)

--- Meat Loaf, Bat Out of Hell III (no explanation needed)


In other words ... today's searches were all about mindless, meaningless crap.

We can't be wrapped up in a political mess 24/7 because we'll burn out. Besides, what makes you think it's adults who are doing the searching? It's Saturday and every kid/teen I know uses Yahoo - the topics listed in "Today's Popular Searches" seem to reflect that. A more accurate representation of Americans' interest in current events would be a list of the top "Yahoo News" searches. JMHO

[RestoreGore]

19. It was a general perception

But I'm not surprised some didn't understand it. And if you can't be wrapped up in this political mess, what are you doing here preaching to me? I'm not here 24 hours a day, nor am I "wrapped up in this political mess" 24/7, but I did think that in this country I could have a perception and express it. Basically this society appears to be more wrapped in mindless BS than in what really matters, and the POINT of the post was that I believe it is hurting our Democratic process. Even Al Gore stated that, but I guess he's wrong as well. And if it is teens, then I think their parents ought to be teaching them something besides caring about Britney Spears. But thanks for validating my point as to why these bastards have been successful in hijacking this government. I also didn't state that we had to be "wrapped up in this political mess" 24/7 so that is a COMPLETE skewing of the intent of my post, which was to make a a point some obviously missed. I suppose it will have to take the worst happening before people wake the hell up.

[BattyDem]

25. "I'm not surprised some didn't understand it."

Well, excuuuuuuuse me! I guess we're all f*cking idiots because you posted a list of the top searches and then said, "Don't wonder now why this country is f^^^^^" and we thought you were saying this country was f^^^^^ because of what they're searching for on Yahoo! :eyes:

You say your intent was misinterpreted, so let me ask you this ...
When it became obvious that people were "missing the point," why didn't you simply edit your post to make your point more clear? Instead of doing that, you have gotten increasingly snippy and sarcastic with those of us who misinterpreted your intent and/or disagreed and offered valid explanations as to why. Now you condescendingly say, "I'm not surprised some didn't understand it." Nice. :eyes:

[RestoreGore]

34. You're excused. n't

[BattyDem]

55. ROFL ... how juvenile! I can't believe a DUer resorted to THAT!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

That attitude proves that we were right about the original intent of your post all along. You're not angry because you were misunderstood - you're angry because your post didn't get the reaction you anticipated.

Thanks for allowing me to start my day off with a good laugh! :toast:

[RestoreGore]

57. And why are you focusing on me personally?

I think I explained the intent of what I posted very well in other responses in this thread to people who at least could be civil and adult in their responses. I didn't feel the need to repeat it again for those who could not.

[BattyDem]

59. I give what I get.

There was no sarcasm or animosity in my first post. I simply disagreed with you and provided details of my own habits as the basis for why I disagreed.

YOU chose to respond in a snippy, condescending way ... which is the exact same thing you did to every other person who disagreed with you. You chose confrontation over discussion. You belittled other DUers simply because they had a different opinion.

"You can't handle the truth ... I'm not surprised some didn't understand it ... Didn't mean to offend the 'Britney Spears' fans here ... I'm not searching for mindless garbage like that ..."

Those are some of the things you said to people who disagreed with you ... and you have the nerve to talk about being civil and adult? :shrug:


This is no longer a grown-up discussion ... this is a third grade schoolyard fight and I've had enough.
Congratulations - you made another ignore list. :toast:

[RestoreGore]

60. Good n/t

[spoony]

63. If this many people don't "understand" your point...

It might not be their problem.

[RestoreGore]

66. I doubt it

It's only been one or two who for some reason are offended that someone would make note of the same trend in this country that Bill Maher, George Carlin, and many other people have mentioned... So I know it isn't my problem. Perhaps I'll even post Al Gore's speech on the topic as well that basically relays the same message regarding distractions and the absence of reason and participation in this Democracy, and they can then call him names.

[Rosemary2205]

13. Excuse me but

IF yahoo chat rooms are any indication of who uses yahoo as a search engine then really, what do you expect? That bunch has got to be the least mature bunch on the internet. Only once did I ever venture over there and I lasted all of 10 minutes (and that was a stretch). Have never been anywhere near myspace but that teen crowd is likely more mature than the yahooettes. IMHO the crowd at Yahoo is in no way a reflection of America as a whole.

[Opusnone]

14. No, Dancing With the Stars and American Idol are America as a whole

And NASCAR, PSP, ring tones, CSI and Fox News.

Most Americans need a good smack in the face with the reality stick.

[Rosemary2205]

17. Excuse me again but

the logic behind the idea that it is not possible to enjoy NASCAR or NFL and still have a productive life of service to humanity at the same time escapes me

I appreciate the sentiment that perhaps some factions in America might be a little heavy on the play side and a little light on the work side, but I don't think someone who engages in even a little play is too frivolous.

I just sayin....... is Yahoo searches really proof that lazy America don't give a cheese about anything serious? Or is it the one place a few of the least mature among us tend to congregate?

Does the fact Idol or NFL is popular really mean Americans AREN'T working at all? That they don't care about anyone on the planet at all? 300 million Americans - most of the adult working 2 or 3 jobs trying to keep a roof over the family's head. Telling them they suck because they engage in a few hours of meaningless drivel to rest the bod and brains is a bit much.......IMHO.

[RestoreGore]

21. Is YAHOO Proof?

No, YAHOO is only one small piece of it regarding media distractions... BUSH STILL PLAYING EMPEROR and getting away with it sure as hell is proof however, and it is the fact that a large segment of people in this country for the most part even for all of their so called "outrage" about it all are still allowing these bastards to get away with murder EVERY single day. At what point do YOU think the distractions get to a point where paying a bit more attention to our government should damn well matter?

[RestoreGore]

24. Yes, watch Emmitt Smith dance!

That's news.

[spoony]

64. "Most Americans"

How about you wait until after the election to smear "most Americans," because I'm thinking that "most Americans" are quite in touch with reality and will be reflecting that in their votes.

[RestoreGore]

20. I didn't say it was a reflection of America as a whole

I was making an observation, and I also wasn't talking about YAHOO chatrooms, or even YAHOO members. Searches can be done on YAHOO by anyone, no? Oh, and also as a sidenote to all of this, Chevron and EXXON just posted BILLIONS in profits for this last quarter again, and from what I see no one is outraged enough about anything in this country to really stand up because they are too damned confortable with all of their distractions. THAT was the point.

[muriel_volestrangler]

33. But that is exactly what you implied

by titling it "American Mentality". Your 'observation' was about the entire country. You reinforced that by saying "Don't wonder now why this country is f^^^^^" - and even when you're objecting that you've been misinterpreted, you say "no one is outraged enough about anything in this country to really stand up because they are too damned comfortable with all of their distractions". Again, you are saying it's a reflection of America as a whole - otherwise why say "no one"?

[RestoreGore]

40. Well, do you agree or disagree?

Do you agree that the American mentality as a whole today is to simply care more for unsubstantial gossip and mindless garbage like how many babies Britney Spears has, or who is breaking up with whom, or Brad and Angelina's rickshaw ride in India, rather than actually searching out truth, especially regarding what is happening in our government? What percentage of teens in this country do you believe care more for where this country is now going over what these searches showed? And it wasn't only that day. I could search any day in MANY places and see the same thing. If you don't think that is an indication of something, then again, don't wonder why people can hijack this government and institute martial law.

[muriel_volestrangler]

44. I wouldn't restrict it to the USA

I suspect you would get similar results for search terms just about anywhere in the world. Few people are political activists anywhere; people tend to use their spare time for things they find enjoyable, rather than earnest inquiry into economics or international relations. Perhaps it is worse in the USA than it has been in recent years; but things like McCarthyism happened before.

[RestoreGore]

48. True: But Bush Is in This government

And it was the frivolous distractions along with the fear and complacency that may now have sealed our fate as a nation. Perhaps that is too high minded or "elitist" a thought for some, but I am genuinely concerned for what is going to happen in this country with or without Democrats controlling Congress now that Bush has had all the power he needs handed to him on a silver platter. We need to be more engaged as a whole in this country if we are to stop it from going any further, and it will take more than voting on November 7 to do that. And it certainly won't be done if we continue to allow the distractions to take us off that track. No one stated we can't have some distractions from our daily lives, but it would appear that in this country it has gotten to a level of excess, and that is Dangerous for Democracy and the dialogue of reason because we don't ask questions and we don't seek truth.

[boolean]

23. Are people STILL searching for Britney Spears???

Hasn't she completely washed up by now?

[BattyDem]

26. Yeah, that one surprised me, too.

Even the teens I know don't give a sh*t about her anymore. :shrug:

[Jed Dilligan]

27. Yeah, people should only be interested in PBS-type stuff

:wtf:

[RestoreGore]

37. They should be interested in the Fascism creeping up behind them

That was the point. And watching PBS once in a while actually wouldn't hurt either.

[Jed Dilligan]

39. The top searches on yahoo aren't evidence

of political unawareness. You just come off sounding like a snob.

[RestoreGore]

42. I'm a snob because I think Britney Spears is inconsequential?

I'm a snob because I wish our young people and Americans as a whole to be more aware of the world around them, instead of being mired in this muck that over years and years has turned a large segment of them into complacent citizens? Whatever. Then you probably would have thought Jefferson was a snob too. And when the election on November 7 is over and everyone is screaming about electronic voting machine fraud after we had SIX YEARS to do something about it, or that ten year window on this climate crisis closes, or Bush actually does declare martial law in this country, tell me then that I am a snob.

It wasn't just by chance that we have come to where we are. We allowed 2000 to happen, then swept it under the rug, and have to date done NOTHING to rid our government of the stench that still brings this country down. If we as a people do not become more engaged in this government and our role in it as a whole, we will LOSE IT all the way if we haven't already. As Al Gore stated in quoting Abraham Lincoln, we must disenthrall ourselves.

Therefore, if caring about that makes me a snob, then so be it. For beyond listing a search on YAHOO which to me is only one indication of the trend, the state of this nation is all the evidence we need to see what the people of this country are really concerned about as a whole, and that concerns me, ESPECIALLY in light of the bill Bush just signed.

[Jed Dilligan]

56. Do you like any music, sports, or entertainment?

If you do, then you're a snob for claiming that whatever you like doesn't turn you "complacent"--but whatever is popular makes "a large segment" so.

I don't think that bad pop music has anything at all to do with the complacency of the electorate. If anything, it's boring politicians who fail to get their attention.

I'm mostly just glad the top searches aren't for police academy applications, military recruiting sites, and racist hate groups. The complacency of Americans is keeping us alive for the moment.

[RestoreGore]

58. Do you care about this government?

Do you think the media saturation with pop culture that turns a large segment of our young people into Americans who would rather care about Britney Spears or Lindsay Lohan rather than learn about the Constitution is a good thing? Do you deny that is a truth? Al Gore appeared on the MTV video awards to talk about climate change and either got blasted for it or ignored. People here talked about balance... well, where is it? PROVE to me then that the majority of people who search for this drivel everyday also do as much searching for truth and reason in government. That is my real point here, but it would seem that you are deliberately missing the point to make this personal. And of course there is music I like. I love Johnny Cash, and he was a man who also sang about injustice and the very BS that is now pulling this country down. A FAR CRY from the caliber of "entertainment" the names on that original list provide to our children today.

[Jed Dilligan]

61. Maybe it's people like you

telling people what they ought to be doing, or liking, or thinking about that drives young people away from politics?

Maybe popular culture is to blame... But railing against it is counterproductive. You should be thinking about what might motivate pop fans to become politically aware--not railing against the way that they are.

I was in a movie theater full of giggly teenage girls yesterday--you should have heard them clapping and cheering for the Dixie Chicks movie trailer. From that I get hope--from you, I get the impression of a curmudgeon.

There are other countries where young people are politically involved, and I highly doubt their top internet searches are for "serious" political subjects.

[RestoreGore]

62. You just don't want to see my point

During Vietnam young people of this country were out in the streets demanding change, and the music was reflective of the times and it inspired people to change the course of history. Now, nothing. What do we get today, Sexy back? So you can sit and call me names if it makes you feel good, but I see something quite diferent now than I did then and it does disturb me. I also never stated that there weren't young people in this country dedicated to caring about a better world so you can stop putting words in my mouth. I know there are, because my child is one of them and I have heard of more who have been inspired to seek the truth, mainly from watching An Inconvenient Truth, which I believe should be seen in every school in this country... but we need more people out here inspiring them to care, and perhaps to one day see climate change in that top search or some other important issues. I don't honestly see why you have a problem with that.

You just do not want to admit that in this country that places comsumption and hype above Constitution, that a large segment of Americans are so wrapped up in their distractions that they have lost touch with what it means to be vigilant citizens who care about their government... so you call me names. I'm not telling people what to do. I'm stating my opinion on what I see in this country now ( which obvbiously hit a nerve with some), and I AM talking to young people and trying to make a difference in this world, because I do see great potential in them when they aren't being distracted 24/7 by brainless airheads like Britney Spears who teach them nothing good. Hopefully through getting more young people involved in the Democratic process through vehicles like CURRENT TV and other initiatives, we can bring a new awareness and this next generation will be the best yet. I truly hope so. So sorry you refuse to then understand where I am coming from on this.

[Jed Dilligan]

65. Yeah man, the sixties, man

"Yummy yummy yummy I got love in my tummy" really, like, inspired young people to get out and protest.

There's always been crap and there's always been good stuff, the crap has always sold bigger. I've been told all my life how much better people were in the sixties, and I simply don't believe it.

It's funny that the "generation gap" generation are now old farts. But you aren't going to bring youth into the party by wagging your bony finger at them.

"Ohhhh howwww does it feeeeeeelllll...."

[RestoreGore]

68. Then what will bring you to the "party?"

And you certainly aren't influencing anything positively by referring to a large segment of the members of this forum as "old farts." If it weren't for "old farts" and the fact that many of them DID stand up when it was necessary to do so, you wouldn't have what you have now. I rest my case.

[Jed Dilligan]

69. What do I "have" now

that you so nobly fought for? You inherited a country, I inherited your debt. I rest my case.

[RestoreGore]

71. Are you kidding me?

For one thing, you have a cleaner environment than you would have had had people not stood up for the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and many other environmental initiatives that kept this country from becoming the toxic mess it was heading into. And many have stood up to fight these bastards and still do regarding what they have done to this coming generation, including using the media to distract them and lie to them ( which is why I am so incensed about this,) and if you won't stand up to those who are doing it, you are derelicting your duty as a citizen of this country and will leave an even worse country and world for your children to inherit.

You also inherited a country that at least was a DEMOCRACY because people stood up to protect it, which is what we have to do NOW, and yet you sit and condemn others for caring about that? What do you intend to leave your children then? That is the point of this entire post that you and a couple others have blown completely out of proportion. While people wile away the hours distracted by Shakira's hips or the latest infomercial, sales pitch, reality show, or other diversion, those who have hijacked your government are preparing to lower the boom, and this was my way of saying, stop, and look. It might not have been the best way to represent my point, but there is no doubt it hit nerves.

Bottomline: The ball regarding the fate of this country is in your court now, and you can't get off that responsibility by continuing to blame past generations if you won't stand up now yourself. I didn't post this because I wanted to dis people. I posted it because I want to really just shout, WAKE UP. And now, I am really done with this.

[Jed Dilligan]

72. This country has gone down the tubes in the past 40 years,

and if you can't see that, you're blind.

Old baby boomers say, "Where's the passion?" They got out of college debt-free, took their dope without the government declaring war on them, had public space to march in, could eat the food at regular stores without getting sick, and made a living if they worked full-time.

Perhaps most damaging, my generation has been saddled with parents so monumentally self-absorbed that they think they will live forever and the rest of history will focus on the glory days of their youth. Medical advances actually will keep them working until we're old ourselves, effectively blocking us from what used to be normal career advancement.

My generation is the first generation of Americans who will be poorer, less healthy, less educated, and less upwardly mobile than our parents.

When they come back finger-wagging about our supposed "culture," it doesn't inspire us... It makes us want to

:puke:

[Alcibiades]

28. There's a simple explanation

By definition the most popular searches will be those by those most plugged into the mass media--in this case, it would appear, a young group indeed, enjoying Britney spears and WWE and dressing up for Halloween.

Because the life of the mind is a life of specialization, the sorts of searches intellectuals make will never be the most popular. Moreover, many of the people interested in seemingly esoteric (or actually esoteric) things will already know where to find these things, and thus don't need to search, as they already have the appropriate URLs bookmarked.


This is nothing more than a good measure of the interests of teens who spend a lot of time online. I bet that if you run over to Google.nl or .fr or .de you'll find the same things, except that soccer is far more popular.

[The Anti-Neo Con]

30. It's probably just kids & not America in general.

Shakira
Halloween Costumes
Beyonce Knowles
Jessica Simpson
WWE
Britney Spears

I personally don't know anyone past the age of 17 or so who would even bother looking up the above mentioned.

[NaturalHigh]

31. I guess some Americans aren't quite...

as sophisticated and intellectual as you. Even though I've searched for none of those subjects you mentioned, please allow me to apologize for all of us low-brow Joe Sixpacks who don't spend our time thinking on a higher plane like you.

Oh, by the way...:sarcasm:

[dddem]

32. I was just having this conversation with a coworker

I told her the reason I don't watch news on television is because it iritates me to turn on CNN and have to hear the latest about Britney Spears. I'm sick of the "liberal" media teliing us what THEY think WE think should be important.Grrr.

[RestoreGore]

41. Exactly n/t

[BlooInBloo]

35. Wrong branch - self-delete

[TheBaldyMan]

38. No Porn ? you must be using the bowdlerised version.

sex always makes the top ten.

[demgurl]

45. Anyone who knows what they are doing...

uses a yahoo search engine called www.goodsearch.com where money is donated to the charity of your choice for each search you make. It is powered by Yahoo but I wonder if these searches also go into the results.

[RestoreGore]

49. Thanks.

I'll check that out.

[demgurl]

50. You are welcome.

It is a very cool search engine and you help charities at the same time.

[BoneDaddy]

67. Ignore the man behind the green curtain

The infotainment industry is like the great and powerful OZ, distract, distract, distract, while the thieves rob us blind and drive us into oblivion.

[RestoreGore]

70. I couldn't agree with you more n't