2/3 Of Americans Polled Are Idiots

Seriously, what else does this poll by Scripps tell us?

Nearly two-thirds of Americans think it is possible that some federal officials had specific warnings of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, but chose to ignore those warnings, according to a Scripps Howard News Service/Ohio University poll.

A national survey of 811 adult residents of the United States conducted by Scripps and Ohio University found that more than a third believe in a broad smorgasbord of conspiracy theories including the attacks, international plots to rig oil prices, the plot to assassinate President John F. Kennedy in 1963 and the government’s knowledge of intelligent life from other worlds.

Well, one thing it tells us is that they probably over-sampled Democrats and Ron Paul supporters. IE, idiots. The other thing it tells us is that the Truthers are doing a good job in getting their wacko messages out there, and the debunkers aren’t.

The problem with conspiracy theories is that they provide their messages in a way that sucks people in. Especially when they are rewritten again and again and again. And Trutherism is designed to do play on peoples fears of government

The high percentage is a manifestation, some say, of an American public that increasingly distrusts the federal government.

It is wise to distrust government. I think I would be correct in stating that most of us on the conservative side almost completely distrust the federal government to take care of illegal immigration. We distrust its attempt, even under Republican leadership, to expand the powers of the federal government. We distrust the way they take and spend our money. We distrust their actionable capabilities. But, most of us are wise enough to understand that the government, whether it be Democrat or Republican, would not have stood by in the face of actionable intelligence about the 9/11 attacks. Had they known specifics, they would have done all they could to stop it. It is sad to say, but, the US actually got off light that day. It easily could have been 50K deaths, as many have said. It has been stated many times that if the planes had hit a 1/2 later, the death toll would have been much worse.

I am not going to get in to the blame game. It has been argued to death over the years. What I have a huge problem believing is that, with all the conspiracy theories out there, not one person came forth prior to the attacks to say “hey, wait a minute. The government is going to (insert CT here.) Whether MILHOP or LILHOP, there would have been at least one person who was moral enough to come forth and blow the whistle.

I have always argued that Truthers and their wacko theories should be treated with derision. I will admit, I was wrong. But, unfortunately, even arguing with facts doesn’t seem to work to well. People want to think the worst of government – yet, somehow, a good chunk of the population wants to put the feds in charge of our healthcare – and Trutherism feeds their appetite. And facts, cold, logical, scientific facts, are often boring, and do not feed the need for red meat. After four or five rewrites, those facts become blurred by the Truthers, and more interesting to the weak minded.

Personally, I believe in UFO’s. Sound strange? Perhaps. I find it hard to believe that we are alone in this marvelous universe that God created. But, do I think that the government is covering up evidence? Na. They are just not that smart to keep that kind of secret. 9/11 an inside job? Forget it. Al Qaeda took advantage of our free and open society. Close one hole, and they would have taken advantage of another. And government is just not that smart to have kept an complicity quiet for all these years. There are certainly enough liberals in government who would have blown the whistle by now.

The photo, via the NY Post, says quite a bit. If asked, I would certainly say that the government missed specific warnings about 9/11. But, not ignored.

Dale Franks at Q and Omentions this in a post called The Endarkment, which is “Billy Beck’s term for, among other things, the declining ability of people to think critically and logically.”

See much more at Memeorandum.

If asked, I will believe in the conspiracy that Prozac was developed by the RNC in order to control liberals, though.

Cross posted at Right Wing News.

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16 Responses to “2/3 Of Americans Polled Are Idiots”

  1. 2/3 Of Americans Polled Are Idiots…

    Seriously, what else does this poll by Scripps tell us? Nearly two-thirds of Americans think it is possible that some federal officials had specific warnings of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, but chose to……

  2. I maintain trutherism agnosticism on my part. I believe that the government is effective enough at long-term propoganda that they could have concealed rampant incompetency or mild conspiracy. I believe that reflexive organizational loyalty is sufficient to cover mild to moderate incompetency with no propoganda competency needed. I do not believe that the government is effective enough at anything to conceal rampant conspiracy. With this basis the worst of the truther ideas are out at once and the lesser ones are what I remain unconvinced (but relatively uncaring) about.

    I do think that the increasing proportion of people mistrusting the federal government makes it more likely in the future that the federal government will lose some of the power that currently makes it such a dysfunctional monolith. In that respect it’s a healthy trend.

  3. freedog says:

    So does that mean that national polls who support the “leading” candidates are polling idiots too? Maybe you should wake up like the rest of the country and do your research instead of being a repeater parrot of the main stream media. You can only attack and misrepresent but you have no substance because you don’t counter with proof. I guess the $4.3 mil Ron Paul raised in one day isn’t proof enough that America is sick of the status quo and its gate keepers and are more than what the establishment and you, are trying to pigeon hole us into being. Do your research instead of holding on to your ideals of what things should be and wake up to what things are really like. A government big enough to give you everything has the power to take it away, including the truth.

  4. Silke says:

    Teach said: Personally, I believe in UFO’s. Sound strange? Perhaps. I find it hard to believe that we are alone in this marvelous universe that God created.

    I believe there is life on other planets too (though I cannot prove it). Whether there is intelligent life is another question. Most of it is probably in the form of microorganisms, which is what we had for billions of years here on Earth before multi-cellular life. But I don’t think there is any evidence that intelligent life from other planets has visited Earth.

    PS – I know you stated earlier that you could not verify the authenticity of the video on the stoning of the girl but the link on your post does not show the video. Since you’ve seen it already can you tell if it’s the same one as the video featured in this CNN clip? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF9uB8fBBTw

  5. N. Pannbacker, I hope you are right, and more of the power goes back to the States, where it belongs.

    Freedog, the post was simply about this one poll. Do you think 9/11 was an inside job? If so, that would confirm what most of us think about Paul supporters.

    Silke, I believe there is intelligent life out there. The universe is too big for it to be otherwise. Obviously, that is an opinion.

    As to the other thing, I really do not care, and you seem to be going to extraordinary lengths to protect Islam.

  6. Silke says:

    Teach said: As to the other thing, I really do not care,

    I see. So it’s not that you can’t verify the authenticity of the video. You don’t want to.

    Teach said: and you seem to be going to extraordinary lengths to protect Islam.

    What does this have to do with Islam? You said yourself you couldn’t verify the authenticity of the video. It’s certainly possible the video in the CNN clip is not the same as the one you link to, but since I can’t see it the only way to know is if you will just watch it. But you won’t, because you “really do not care.” Even if a regular reader of your blog has asked you to. That’s disappointing.

  7. Stacy says:

    I guess if you’ve seen one stoning you’ve seen them all.

    FYI–I’ve watched both. Both women are wearing red tops, I suppose that means there’s a good chance they are the same woman. As far as the clarity you seem to be begging for from Teach regarding the religious affiliation; I see your point. The problem is that you would rather focus on one stoning rather than the other 99% (not accurate number) that occur at the hands of the Muslims. You are quick to defend Muslims. Quite interesting for a woman who’s not a fan of religion.

  8. Silke says:

    Stacy said: I guess if you’ve seen one stoning you’ve seen them all.

    Since I could not see the one Teach linked to thank you for letting me know. It sounds like it was the same incident.

    Stacy said: Quite interesting for a woman who’s not a fan of religion.

    I have great respect for all people of faith. Though we may not agree on some things, Stacy, there’s no need to be unkind.

  9. Stacy says:

    Stacy says:

    It’s what I do to those who refuse to do what’s best for America and develop a centrist attitude.

  10. Stacy says:

    Hey Teach, only someone who’s got the hots for you would lives and breaths on every word you say. Just sayin’. My humble opinion.

  11. Stacy says:

    Okay, okay; I’ll play nice. I know better than coming here when I’m feeling ornery. Under different circumstances I might not dislike her so much. It’s the lice comb she uses on all your post. Take care my friend.

  12. Johann Pachelbel – Canon in D…

    I just like this and thought IÂ’d post it. Enjoy Pachelbel and check out the links from my blogroll. Have a great day!!!…

  13. John Ryan says:

    2/3 believe in the fact the the Federal Government was not completely truthfull in their report about 9/11
    This is actually LESS than the percentage that believe in sky faeries
    40% polled said they believe Jesus will return in their lifetime

  14. irtexas says:

    Teach, it’s only 2/3’s? I too think there’s others out there. But I think they look at us as an on going soap opera. Or maybe as a serial of movies. Great place to take the kids to a drive in movie on the weekends.

    I have my ticket to ride. Had it for years. I think that since they think we are an going show like Death Valley Days or something that they just feel it’s a good way to teach their kids not to wish for greener pastures. I don’t see how anyone could think we are the only ones in this vast space. No matter what life form. Either that or we are the most popular comedy sitcom in their history. Like Seinfeld. They are not dumb enough to want us in their world.

    I can say how ever that it was a plane that hit the Penagon. How? I was there. So the truthers can bend over and kiss my…….! See I’m trying to be nice.

  15. Silke says:

    Stacy said: Hey Teach, only someone who’s got the hots for you would lives and breaths on every word you say.

    Well of course I have the hots for Teach. What’s not to love?

    Does that theory apply to you as well, Stacy? Given all your responses to my comments I would have to say I’m flattered but not interested. Sorry.

  16. You two are making me blush.

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