Sirota: Why are our 'wise men' such idiots?

[BurtWorm]

In particular, the so-called wise men of the media, and even more particular, the wise men at the Washington Post?

http://salon.com/news/media_criticism/index.html?story=/opinion/feature/2009/11/20/intelligentsia


In the parlance of our times, the term "idiocracy" means a nation run by idiots -- and the term "idiot" is defined by the dictionary as "an utterly foolish or senseless person" who exhibits "a mental age of less than 3 years old."

There are obvious reasons to believe America is becoming an idiocracy -- a series of horrendous government and business decisions strongly suggest that we've seen the ascension of utterly foolish, senseless people, many with the mental age of infants (yes, W., I'm looking at you). And if there remained any flicker of hope that we aren’t turning into a full-on slobbering idiocracy, that hope was snuffed out last week by two of the Washington intelligentsia's most respected voices.

First came a now-famous column about Afghanistan by the Washington Post's David Broder. The "dean" of the press corps attacked President Obama not for choosing any particular policy, but for simply taking time to meticulously consider his options in the Central Asian quagmire. "The urgent necessity," Broder asserted, "is to make a decision -- whether or not it is right."

This was followed by Jackson Diehl, the Post's foreign policy "expert." He wrote that the White House’s assiduous Afghanistan deliberations are not a sign of reassuring prudence after the bring-it-on Bush years, but instead a "compelling cause for unease about this president." Diehl's rationale for such an incendiary statement? He alleged (without proof, of course) that "there is unanimity in the Pentagon and considerable agreement in Congress and among the NATO allies" that a military escalation has to happen -- and therefore Obama "knows (the pro-escalation) course he must take" but "can't bring himself to embrace it."

Let's set aside the nauseating spectacle of two well-heeled journalists, comfortably protected far away from the front lines, demanding a president immediately send thousands of soldiers to their potential deaths without regard for blood-and-guts consequences. Let's just, if we can, put that grotesque immorality in a corner and pretend it's not important -- and let's go to the deeper, even more disturbing message.


As leading opinion-makers, Broder and Diehl are paid to carefully ponder issues and then offer their considered thoughts. That's not part of what they're supposed to do -- it's what they are singularly employed to do. It's how they earn their living and credibility -- indeed, it's their entire raison d'être. And yet, these leading lights of the intelligentsia are overtly preaching anti-intelligence, insisting the president must avoid taking time to think through his actions....

[Vinnie From Indy]

1. They can sell idiocy on the TeeVee

If the last eight years proved anything, it proved that idiocy sells in America. I think this phenomena is a testament to Madison Avenue. American ad men have perfected their art. War, idiocy, hate and racism are now sold as easily as laundry soap and teeth whitening strips.

[Barack_America]

2. NATO believes an escalation is necessary?

Well, I guess that's why they are offering up all those troops.

:eyes:

At least our President seems to have read his history regarding how wars in Afghanistan tend to go. Shame the "experts" apparently have not. My how the Post has fallen. I do wonder who is actually paying these gentlemen's salaries these days.

[spooky3]

6. good point - and didn't we learn the pitfalls of "groupthink" (if in fact it IS occurring here)

in the 1960s?

[ixion]

3. The power elite considers them useful idiots

that's why they have their jobs. Period.

[old mark]

4. I remember the public education reform movement from the mid 1960's,

when I was an Ed major...It sadly failed to give us much of real value while seriously dumbing down the level of public education. TV and the huge decrease in the number of Americans who read for pleasure-anything deeper than People Magazine- is partly responsible IMO, anyway, for the success of the radical/stupid RW faction that has become the Republican Party and the
"ME TOO" movement of the Democrats attempting to equal the Republicans for stupid. People LOVED George W. because he was "like them", and many love Palin for that same reason. Americans have been educated to distrust and dislike intelligent, well spoken people. My wife and I had remarkably similar bad educational experiences going back to grade school.
We both came to Kindergarten able to read well, something our teachers had trouble dealing with because we didn't fit the "norms". Not blaming teachers - I have many in my family. I blame the school boards, administrators and "experts" who led us into this mess, but especially the often GOP dominated school boards. Many Dems don't bother to vote for school board members, and they are heavily GOP - often fundamentalist-by default.

Fundamentalists hate anyone who reads beyond the bible - thinking too much is bad for ya.....
Rec.

mark

[mwb970]

5. Is this what they teach their children?

So the little Broders, if there are any, heard Dad say "Now kids, when you have an important decision to make, and especially if lives hang in the balance, whatever you do, don't you dare spend any time thinking about the issue, consulting others, and all that nonsense. You make a decision and you make it FAST! It doesn't matter if it's right or wrong, that's not important, just make it FAST! You hear me, kids?"

Like the conservative "values" we hear so often, this is the precise opposite of the correct approach. Once again, always the wrong answer. Always.

[Echo In Light]

7. A nation of idiots owned & run by calculating manipulators who, given our populace have an EASY job

[unblock]

8. most americans think the three wise men were:

Johnnie Walker® Scotch whisky
Jim Beam® bourbon whiskey
Jack Daniel's® Tennessee whiskey

[mulsh]

9. I don't consider any of these guys particularly wise.

I don't understand why any one would.

I don't rely on any columnist anywhere for important information. Since I was in high school I've viewed political writers as merely making suggestions. If a writer somehow stumbles onto something important I tend to try to find out more info before I make up my mind.


I am highly skeptical of any political commentator's info and motives, especially the boys and girls who slave for the major outlets.