Obama slams Trump in speech: 'Ignorance is not a virtue'

[Zorro]

Source: AFP

US President Barack Obama on Sunday criticized the populist campaign of Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump, decrying "anti-intellectualism" and noting that "ignorance is not a virtue."

Obama did not specifically name the brash New York real estate developer during his remarks at a university graduation ceremony in New Jersey, but it was clear he was referring to the candidate who is running on a slogan of "Make America Great Again!"

The Democrat told students not to pine for an American golden age of years past, saying, "The good old days were not all that good," as he pointed out problems with racial discrimination, poverty and lack of equality for women.

"The world is more interconnected than ever before and it is becoming more connected every day. Building walls won't change things," Obama said, an apparent jab at Trump's calls for a wall along the US-Mexico border to keep illegal immigrants out.

Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/obama-slams-trump-speech-ignorance-not-virtue-211732147.html

[Skittles]

1. and HATE is not a family value

[Major Nikon]

2. Actually ignorance is a virtue to these people

People who are intelligent and well educated are feared in rural areas.

[Elmergantry]

8. Nice broad brush.

Its that kind of snotty elitism (redundant I know) that drives those people to Trump.

[Major Nikon]

10. If it weren't true, you might have something

People in rural areas simply do no think or behave like people in urban areas. Try looking at a red and blue US map sometime.

[Elmergantry]

11. how does having a different viewpoint

Equate to a fear of intelligence and education? That is the crap ass snobbery that drives the rural voters to trump and the repubs

[Major Nikon]

13. Because that is a different viewpoint

Do you actually think rural Americans value education as much as everyone else?

[Odin2005]

12. As a rural Liberal, what a disgusting, bigoted, patronizing statement.

[Major Nikon]

14. I was born and raised in a rural area

I know how the people there think. But you are right in that I am bigoted against people who devalue intellectualism and education. YMMV.

[yellowcanine]

20. "I know how the people there think" Might want to stop digging now.

I grew up in a rural area also - the "Alabama" part of PA in fact. Guess what, there are many people there who value intellectualism and education. You are simply wrong about this one.

[Major Nikon]

21. I would never suggest there weren't people in rural areas that do

I was certainly one of them. You should probably go back and read what I wrote before you dig yourself in any deeper.

Just because you think I'm wrong, doesn't mean I'm wrong. It could simply reflect your poor comprehension.

[yellowcanine]

22. "People in rural areas simply do no think or behave like people in urban areas"

"Actually ignorance is a virtue to these people"

My comprehension is fine. Not a lot of wiggle room there it seems to me. Whenever you use phrases like "these people" you are painting with a broad brush, as someone else pointed out. So it is not just me who has "poor comprehension" it seems.

[Major Nikon]

24. I suspect not

Guess what, there are many people there who value intellectualism and education.

This statement does not contradict mine and I agree with it. If you want to claim I'm wrong, then you should at least offer something that actually does contradict what I wrote if you expect to be taken seriously.

Whenever you use phrases like "these people" you are painting with a broad brush, as someone else pointed out. So it is not just me who has "poor comprehension" it seems.

You are really grasping at straws here. Blanket statements like "these people" are always wrong just doesn't help your already sad case. I'm just not all that tolerant of Republicans in general either so feel free to hold that "broad brush" against me too.

Gotta love the extents some people go to in order to be offended on behalf of some group, as if all of them are equivalent.

[Elmergantry]

16. for sure

Never met a rural person who hated or feared education

[TeamPooka]

3. Obama out. Mic drop. nt

[yurbud]

4. He should have been saying this everyday since his inauguration

[lovemydog]

5. k & r

[olddad56]

6. why in the world would any woman vote for an asshole who has spent his life objectifying women?

[Elmergantry]

7. They voted for Bill Clinton didnt they?

Why should you be surprised?

[Major Nikon]

15. In 1996, 55% of Clinton's voters were women

[Elmergantry]

17. there ya go..nt

[pampango]

9. "The good old days were not all that good," as he pointed out problems with racial discrimination,

poverty and lack of equality for women.

"The world is more interconnected than ever before and it is becoming more connected every day. Building walls won't change things..."

Well said. No country is an island nor should it attempt to become one in order to "Make ........ Great Again". The 'great' progressive countries of our time do not see themselves as 'islands' but as cooperative members of the global community. That is what we should strive for.

[Angel Martin]

18. "The good old days were not all that good

inflation adjusted hourly earnings for production workers peaked in the early 1970s, and have been below that ever since.


But Obama doesn't care about that, he has other priorities.

[sarcasmo]

19. Kick