you guys are screwed

[Bhaisahab]

This is an excerpt from an article in Intervention mag:

Last April, the Los Angeles Times published a letter from a 73 year-old woman, Phyllis Lilly, of Ridgecrest, California. No one could have captured any better the essence of our hapless president than Ms. Lilly when she wrote, “I watched President Bush’s April 13 press conference. In my 73 years, I have never seen or heard such stumbling, bumbling ignorance by an American president. He never fully answered one question and deliberately rambled on in order to kill time and answer fewer questions. This illiterate man is an embarrassment to our country.”

That's a 73 year old woman who has said what all Americans should be saying. That your president is dumb, devoid of intellectual curiosity, and most scarily isn't ashamed of it (recall his "i dont read newspapers" quip?).

Yet Bush's approval ratings are at 51% according to Gallup. To me, his approval ratings should be at the low 20s considering the tonnes of evidence publicly available of this man's sheer incompetence and thick-headedness.

Why are the majority of Americans not being able to see that their president is the most dangerous moron in the world? Is it just TV? Or is it apathy? Not so long ago, 70% of Americans believed Saddam was involved in 911; which was mind boggling because even school children in India knew Osama did 911, not Saddam. Honest!

If this continues, you guys are screwed. If propaganda is all it takes to decide elections in America, Bush will sail through in Nov.

You guys on the democratic front must not be apologetic and shy away from attacking Bush's stupidity when you campaign. Don't let the Republicans spin and transform Bush's idiocy as a "charming" trait. He's not running to be elected a pizza delivery boy. Charm is secondary to intellect when the job is that of the president of a country.

Try to convert this election from a battle about who is tougher to one that asks of the electorate- "Which of the candidates is SMARTER?"

A president does not have to be tough. He/she needs to be smart. You've got a fucking trillion dollar army to do the tough act.

A stupid man/woman, no matter how "tough" s/he is, is not fit to be in a position that can alter history.

References:
The Brains Thing- American Prospect

Bush’s verbal gaffes are no longer a laughing matter

Gallup Poll

[jpgray]

1. Trusting a lone Gallup poll to be representative is your first mistake

Second would be underestimating the power of corporate media conglomerates. Given a level playing field, Bush wouldn't have been president in the first place.

[Bhaisahab]

6. The power of media?

You know, I think that power is being overestimated. Let me illustrate by giving an example from my nation.
We had general elections this year to elect a new government. The ruling right wing coalition unleashed a blitz of TV and print advertisements under the banner "India Shining" to point out their achievements in the last 5 years.
It didn't work. The coalition was kicked out by the electorate, and it lost most votes in urban areas, where TV and newspapers have a bigger audience.
Corporate media, any media, cannot fool a people who are aware of the issues that affect their daily life. India was shining only for the richer classes, who anyway shy away from voting. For the middle and lower classes, the last five years brought little benefit. The electorate refused to be swayed.
If people are informed, media conglomerates can't do shit.

[DieboldMustDie]

11. TV and print advertisements aren't nearly as much of a problem...

as corporate media bias in their reporting.   You mention that in India "the richer classes... shy away from voting."   Here in the U.S. it's the other way around; the rich vote and the poor don't.   Frequently that's a matter of conservatives taking active measures to suppress the vote of racial minorities, but not always. :shrug:

[Jackpine Radical]

43. So Indians are smarter than &^%$* yanks.

That seems clear enough.
Stupid &^%*$ Yanks all think they're gonna get rich in the next few years, so then *'s tax cuts will be for THEM!

I mean, what can you say about a country where 20% of the population thinks they're in the 99th (i.e. top) percentile of income?

[poliguru]

2. You're preaching to the choir

Believe me, we know. Most of us didn't vote for him the first time.

[Beam Me Up]

3. I don't get it.

Clearly the real powers that be do not want an intelligent human being in the White House. An intelligent human being might outsmart THEM; and that they dare not risk. Better to have a moron who likes to parade about like a coy-boy dandee, strutting his sissy "machismo" stuff like he is something important. He is the biggest joke in the god damned universe. But OUR elites don't want anything better to serve them. Hopefully this will be their undoing.

Edit: typo

[T Town Jake]

4. Nice of you to weigh in...

...from India. That poll you cite is garbage - I quit trusting Gallup long ago. Most honest prognosticators give Bush very little chance to be elected, in multiple polls of some degree more validity than the one you cited. We'll be just fine over on this side of the pond after Nov. 2nd, rest assured.
As long as we're expressing heartfelt international concern about the state of cultural affairs around the globe, how's that whole caste-system thing working itself out over there, BTW?

[Bhaisahab]

8. The caste system is mutating

And thanks to self serving polishitians, mutating for the worse. But frankly speaking its not a world-threatning phenomenon (unlike the possible election of bush).

[burythehatchet]

28. Jake, that was the funniest post I've read in a long time.

We'll be just fine over on this side of the pond after Nov. 2nd, rest assured.


yep.

[KelleyKramer]

5. Bush has dropped over 40 POINTS in the polls!

The guy had the whole world in his hands.

And he BLEW IT.

George W Bush has dropped more than the record set by his one-term father.

And that’s adding in Fox News and the most right-wing ass-kissing media ever. And Bush is still a disaster.

George Bush hasn’t won a national election, never has, never will.

He went from over 85% to an approval rating of 40-42% with less than 90 days to go.

[buycitgo]

7. ''professor pot'? did he write that GQ article?

and didn't he mean Gallop, Pole?

he's as much from India as I'm from the Oort Cloud

well, we ARE stardust

[Bhaisahab]

9. What's Oort Cloud?

I wrote no article in GQ, and honest man, I am from India. What can I submit as evidence??

[buycitgo]

22. got any asafoetida?

it's over by the Oort cloud

[Bhaisahab]

25. Shucks. I still don't get you.

Cut me some slack. I'm not very familiar with Americanisms :shrug:

[kayell]

27. Got any hing?

I think that is what the poster is asking. Why he wants hing is another question.

[Jackpine Radical]

44. Send us some first-class ganja.

I'll accept that as proof.

[Dogmudgeon]

10. Relax about that Gallup Poll already!

It was cited as a negative indicator, not an accurate one. Whether the polling figure is 51% or 41%, it's still too damn many people who think Bush is Jesus' bestest buddy.

In the context of the post, it was like saying, "A lot of Americans like Bush ... which is why you are screwed."

It's not a slam or a criticism, it's counterpoint, and it's one of the many ugly realities we must confront, even after Bush is history.

--bkl

[allalone]

12. bogus polld

I think they take these polls outside the republican women's club luncheons.

[Bhaisahab]

13. I've been MISUNDERESTIMATED!

look here guys and girls, the purpose of my post was not to suggest that bush will win because gallup says so. the point i was trying to make is that its amazing the majority of americans do not seem to realize how much of an idiot * is. i believe that is the single most important case against his election/re-election.
so what i had wanted to communicate to you all was that you must boldly say BUSH IS STUPID whenever you are convincing someone to vote against him. of course, do back up this assertion with evidence (of which there are mountains), and then connect it to how dangerous it is to have a person of such little understanding of the complexities of the world to be installed as president.
so please, i did not start this post so people could throw back stuff like "how's the caste system" and what not at me. its just advice man. take it if you want to, ignore it otherwise.
peace.

[Droopy]

14. I knew where you were coming from professor

Thing is we ain't the most educated country in the world and we definitely ain't the smartest. So a lot of people don't notice that Bush is a dumbass. Either that or they don't care because he gave them a tax cut. So there you have it. Stupidity and selfishness are what Bush is all about.

I'm glad that you are interested in American politics. Stick around. I hope you will be celebrating with us on election day.

[TeeYiYi]

16. Interesting comments Droopy . . .

. . . I was thinking about that earlier this evening. I was thinking about all of the corruption in this administration. How the mob is running our country and nobody seems to notice or care. How all of the same dirty players from the 70s and 80s are connected to * either directly or indirectly. I was wondering about the 'haves' and the 'have nots' and wondering if that helps to explain the apathy that we are seeing. How people who ask too many question either end up dead or working for Halliburton. I was wondering how many 'have nots' would sell their soul in a New York minute if given half a chance.

TYY


PS--->> That's edumacated, not educated. EduMAcated.

[tlcandie]

33. Answers to all those questions can be found here TeeYiYi...

Unfortunately, it isn't a pretty picture. :cry:

"The Betrayal of American Democracy," by William Greider. This was written in the early 90s and it is so devastating!!

[Bhaisahab]

17. Thanks Droopy, and I WILL celebrate!

I'm gonna distribute rasgullas- a delicious sweetmeat that looks like this- - when bush loses.
i probably am the only individual from India who's more passionate abt American politics than Indian. But I can't help it. I was just drawn in after 911, and once here I realized America is turning into a really scary place.
I love America man. Never been there, but I know it so well thanks to the fiction of Hemingway, Stephen King, Vonnegut, the music of Cobain, the poems of Warhol, the films of Oliver Stone...
When I was a kid I cursed my luck that I was not a part of this cultural powerhouse called America.
Now, I think I'm OK with it.

[Droopy]

20. Excellent!

You know Stephen King helped me get through high school (I had a really rough time of it and needed an escape) and Nirvana's music was in my tape player in the early nineties. Amazing that two people living across the world could have such things in common.

[kayell]

29. Rasgullas are very nice, but Ras malai is even better. Can you send us

some when we trounce bush? Some cashew barfi would be nice too.

[Bhaisahab]

31. If I was a crazy rich guy like that Virgin boss...

I'd send plane loads of sweets to all of America if * is defeated. Unfortunately, I'm just crazy.

The Virgin dude's called Rick Branson I think...? :think:

[Cha]

46. Yes, we have some other duers from around the world who

are interested in American politics,too. Glad to have you aboard.
And I love that quote in your sig line.."My country is the world. My religion is to do good" - Thomas Paine


I've been very interested in World politics now that I've been on du for awhile and especially keen on who next is going to be ousted from their Country's leadership that went along with bush on the invasion of Iraq.

I think that is a good suggestion of your's about having the ammunition ready to give to people on why bush is too stupid to be president.

[TeeYiYi]

15. I didn't misunderestimate you . . .

. . . and I enjoyed reading that article. Thanks professor.:thumbsup:

TYY

[T Town Jake]

18. NO, you "look here" and listen up...

...there are literally hundreds of threads in multiple forums on this website started and replied to every day, day after day, and on into the tender night, devoted to just THAT VERY TOPIC: what you're selling in this thread is not exactly original to this site, in case you haven't noticed, and is flying off the shelves in any event, with or without your input.
The problem emerges with the gratuitous "you are screwed" language, based on one dippy poll no less, that seems to presume that American culture is somehow in need of both your urgent ministrations and facile sarcasm. But when one critiques a culture from a distance, as you have here, one opens up one's self up to scrutiny of the same sort...and from a similar distance. Don't like to hear about the caste system in your native land? Fine...don't tell me that mine is "screwed" because you browsed through a Gallup poll somewhere, and decided to share...

[Bhaisahab]

19. I'm sorry if I offended you

That was definitely not my intention. You're right, maybe that "you are screwed" subject was not appropriate. But you know, I was using it in a light hearted, friendly manner. As in-
Kid A: "Shit man. I didn't do my homework!"
Kid B: "You're screwed man!"

Err.. whatever.

[LynnTheDem]

26. Didn't offend me

I agree with you, that so many Americans still support bush is a very scary thing. Many Americans are congenital idiots and total rubes. Obviously.

That "70% think Saddam did 911" thing was unreal!!! I still can't get over that! :wow:

All of us over on Lunaville knew SH had nothing whatsoever to do with 911, and none of us can figure out just how 70% got so duped & conned. Even with the US State Media, how TF did 70% get THAT stupid???!!

Anyhoo, hope you get a chance to visit the US some day, and hopefully by then we'll have the REAL America back. :hi:

[LynnTheDem]

24. Sigh.

Belligerence and defensiveness is such a righwingnut trait. Sure dislike seeing it in Progressives.

[DavidFL]

21. I know where you're coming from too.

Yes, there are many uninformed and misinformed people that still think Bush is doing a "great job" despite all evidence to the contrary. I have two Republican wingnuts in my family and I hear it all the time from them. One is ex-military and now works for a defense contractor, so to him, of course the economy is great even though the jobs picture in other sectors, well, sucks. However, I think one thing that's glossed over in most analyses of Bush's appeal is his use of religion and his public religiosity. Where I live, and in many parts of the South, there are many "Christians" who believe the 'end times' are upon us and they sincerely believe Bush was chosen by God to lead them into the rapture. So, despite all the news they hear about how bad Iraq's been screwed up, no matter how many jobs they hear being 'outsourced' overseas or how many people get laid off, they honestly don't care because they truly believe they will soon be taken up to Heaven, where those things will be meaningless. It's really scary when you consider all the implications of this.

Personally, though, I think most of the poll numbers that are reported are manipulated in some way, just like I think the "conventional wisdom" that the population is divided "45-45-10" is a meme. My feeling is part of it is to silence dissent; all they need is for me to think that almost half the population supports Bush and, thus, I will be less likely to publicly criticize him. And I think the other part is, in case they do decide to screw with the election in November, few people will ask questions because the polls were showing Bush and Kerry nearly even.

[HFishbine]

32. You want an honest answer?

Stupidity is the new cool. Bush is the ultimate icon.

[sendero]

35. Right wingers......

.... simply do not care, or find it easy to deny, how stupid Bush* is. The same can be said for hardcore Dems. If somehow a moron got nominated, do you think we'd suddenly vote Republican?

This is not that hard to understand. He has his core base of 30-35% right-wing conservatives, who he could not lose if he drooled and talked like an infant in a press conference.

He has another 15% or so of people who really aren't too bright and who are a-skeered of terrorists and are stupid enough to believe he is actually doing something useful about terrorism.

Here's the painful truth: every presidential election from here into the foreseeable future is going to be close, very close. It has to do with the media, the manipulation of candidate's stated positions based on polls and focus groups, and other factors. It has little to do with the actual objective value of either candidate.

[wickerwoman]

23. 50% of American have below average intelligence.

30% are even stupider than Bush and a good 20% are just plain evil and selfish.

Throw in a complicit media and what do you expect?

The key is reaching the 15% that is stupid but not that stupid.

[burythehatchet]

30. Professor

This is quite a enlightening thread. Not because the topic is original, but because of the range of responses. You have read posts that range the entire spectrum. A few of the posts, I would suggest, represent the real reason why we're screwed. And these presumably are from folks on the proper side. Remarkable. Yes, we are screwed.

[Bhaisahab]

36. Damn. Now I feel a little guilty

Things are not so bad surely. The way to reach out to apathetic people has already been shown by Mikey Moore. What is America if not BIG IDEAS, eh? Some Americans will eventually manage to find an even more effective way to do nothing more than tell the truth about *.

I like your sig line a lot. Clever words that also make you think. Too bad * won't be able to understand it.

[Karenina]

37. The overriding issue for me

is if we are collectively unable to nurse the America back to some semblance of mental health, she will drag the entire world into psychotic chaos. (Not that it isn't already ;-) ) Most days I feel like we're ALL SCREWED. It's watching this monstrous PSY-OP media campaign that even swallows up people who'd normally know better. :scared:

[Bhaisahab]

39. Bingo!

America's well being is the world's well being, is what I believe. For good or bad, the 20th century has been America's. The USA is all pervasive- economically first, militarily second, and therefore politically too- and the whole world will be affected by what happens in America.
Personally, I wish America uses its unique position to do something abt civilization's dependence on oil. I really do wish that.

[Karenina]

41. Hey prof,

They gotta save their own jenky asses from a facist lockdown first. Whole lotta them don't grok where it's REALLY at.

[tlcandie]

34. We can't forget to throw in all those religious fundamentalists who

believe everything their pastors/teachers/leaders tell them to believe in because God said so!

I really think we underestimate this factor sometimes. I believe many see his failings/shortcomings, but will vote for him anyway because he's a 'purported' "MAN OF GOD".

Sickening really. :puke:

Thanks for your insight and help!

:hug:

[DU GrovelBot]

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[Veggie Meathead]

40. The idea that you can make generalizations about Americans

without being subjected to a similar analysis by the rest of us here is to say the least one-sided.

[Zynx]

42. NEVER quote a Gallup poll of any type. They are wretched in their accuracy

They don't necessarily lean right, though they tend to, but are just plain inaccurate.

[KansDem]

45. "deliberately rambled on in order to kill time and answer fewer questions"

His modus operandi...

Remember his "interview" with Irish reporter Carole Coleman?

What was Carole Coleman’s great sin you ask? Well she asked the President honest questions that are on the minds of everyone around the world. She asked them respectfully, quietly and candidly. We just cant have that in a day and age where the media has written Bush a blank check and he is used to contrived questions and pat answers. The President, not used to being asked difficult questions, tried his level best to intimidate Ms. Coleman, repeatedly extending the length of his answers just so he could tell her stop cutting him off. She was not being abrasive, he on the other hand came off as defensive, controlling, and bullying.
http://www.opednews.com/wade_0629042_finally_a_reporter.htm

I heard this interview: Bush was definitely trying to eat up time.
http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=65723&condense_comments=true&save_prefs=true

He's a prick and he makes me sick...

[Corgigal]

47. I once put it to a friend this way

You loved one needs emergency surgery. Dr Kerry and Dr Bush steps into the OR. Who do you want to continue the surgery?

It makes them think about this is a different way. Politics does affect us all.