OMG, I am shocked at how dumb the electorate is...

[TTUBatfan2008]

I'm watching CSPAN and a couple of people who just called in were complete morons.

1. Man calls in to claim that there's a War Powers Act signed into force after Bush "declared war" in 2001 in which the Presidency cannot change hands during a time of war. He asks the CSPAN host, "So why are we having an election?"

2. Woman calls in and says she's a Hillary supporter. Has a significant accent. Claims that "the first thing Obama is going to do is reparations." Then she asks why there aren't reparations for the "Indians."

I bullshit you not. The host didn't know what the hell to think about either of those calls. UNFUCKINGBELIEVABLE. These people do not deserve to vote, I'm sorry. The first one is just an idiot and the second one is an ignorant racist.

[WinkyDink]

1. Obviously, MORAN Caller #1 never heard of the Presidential election of 1944.

The United States presidential election of 1944 took place while the United States was preoccupied with fighting World War II. President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) had been in office longer than any other president, but remained popular. Unlike 1940, there was little doubt that Roosevelt would run for another term as the Democratic candidate. His Republican opponent in 1944 was New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey. Dewey made an energetic campaign, but there was little doubt, in the midst of a world war, that FDR would win a record fourth term.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1944

[TTUBatfan2008]

4. No, he was trying to claim that this supposed "act"...

was enacted AFTER Bush "declared war" in 2001. Absolutely laughable. The host told him, "This is the first I've ever heard of this, sir."

[Berry Cool]

21. As in, the first he heard of the president having the power to

"declare war"?

Yeah, you can really tell who was paying attention in high school American government/civics class, eh?

[TTUBatfan2008]

26. No, he was trying to say...

that being in a time of war meant no elections and the current President would just stay President until a war is over. Total fucking idiot.

[WinkyDink]

58. Oh, yeah, duh. My reading skills weren't too swift just then!

[thunder rising]

2. The best part is watching the hosts try to remain expressionless and "assist" the caller to form

a coherent question. they try to be like the Buckingham Palace guards, but every once in a while they will smile at the stupidity.

[greguganus]

42. I wish they would show the host during commercials, then we can hear him say...

"Who the fuck is screening these calls? No more idiots please."

[Honeycombe8]

3. Shame on you....for spelling morons that way. It's supposed to be MORANS.

But I know what you mean about the ignoramuses.

The people I know who CONTINUE to buy the gas guzzlers for reasons like....it's a purty SUV...it makes me feel safe (WTF?)......I like to be bigger and taller and faster than everyone else on the road (I kid you not).

I'm concerned that these ignoramuses have voting rights. THEIR President should not be MINE (since, you know, I have a brain and all).

[greguganus]

44. That reminds me of an SUV I saw on the highway with a bumper sticker that said "Gas Prices Suck". nt

[Overseas]

54. Classic !!

Watching the US from overseas, it used to strike me as odd that Americans would drive to the gym.
"Dude, just walk!" I used to think, until I saw the dismal state of US public transportation.

[greguganus]

57. Funniest thing is seeing people drive around gym parking lot looking for a closer space! n/t

[mwb970]

5. I don't know why you waste your time on these C-SPAN call-in shows.

As you have observed, the American public is remarkably stupid, and many of the worst offenders seem drawn to these programs. (I'm referring to the callers, but I'm really not sure who would actually watch these shows or why.)

[TTUBatfan2008]

6. I don't normally watch those kind of shows at all...

I was watching Obama's 2004 Convention speech and then a replay of the Obama/Biden event from Saturday. Once that ended, this call-in show came on.

[mwb970]

10. That's also the only way I ever catch them, to be honest.

For one thing, the really crazy stuff is usually reported on DU. Actually hearing caller after caller being brain-dead and stupid depresses me about America for some reason so, like you, I normally stay away.

[TTUBatfan2008]

11. Well I think we have a pretty damn good excuse if Barack can't win...

assuming he continues running a good campaign. If people are seriously dumb enough to make comments like "he's going to enact reparations," then this country is nowhere near the race relations we all would like to think. That is fucking pathetic.

And then there's the idiot saying that all the Democrats, blacks, and Mexicans need to be sent to Canada. That is just unbelievable.

[mwb970]

19. There's a persistent "Socialist Obama" meme as well.

I seriously doubt that the people spouting this one could give a correct definition of a "socialist", but they somehow know that Obama is one anyway. Idiots.

At some point, you kind of have to give up on the citizenry here. Too stupid, too ignorant, too religious.

I am so envious of people who live in Europe! I know they have their problems over there, but at least they don't have this problem. When did America go so badly off track? Didn't some of us use to be Europeans ourselves?

[MH1]

27. US banned lead in gasoline and other products about 70 years after Europe did, iirc

I heard that at an environmental conference last year - might be wrong on the details and I don't feel like looking it up now, but that could explain a few things, couldn't it?

Considering low level lead poisoning causes such things as retardation and belligerence.

[Doremus]

29. A how-to: The dumbing down of America

1. Churn out high school graduates who are the products of education by political committee. Teach them to take tests, not to think. Increase the cost of secondary education to make it unaffordable for the majority.

2. Lift previous restrictions on media ownership and news content. Staff the new propaganda pipeline with sycophants and loud, abrasive personalities who appeal to base emotions and prejudices. Pump propaganda 24/7.


"When did America go so badly off track?"

1981-1989, the era of deregulation and "government is a tool for corporations."

[Moochy]

36. A Good HOWTO

It's almost like they planned it. oh wait they did.

[Berry Cool]

23. I have a sister planning to vote for Obama who says she has very good, smart friends

whom she cannot talk to about him simply because as white people, they absolutely refuse to vote for a black man. Period. They think that if Obama wins, the tables will be turned on racial privilege, and white people will become the oppressed minority while black people run roughshod all over them for four years. Seriously.

They believe it will begin on election night, which will be like the NYC blackout of '77 or the Rodney King verdict riots. Black people, in a fit of joyous glee, will break into their homes and businesses and loot all their belongings. To be followed by four years of white people being forced to sit at the back of the proverbial bus while those uppity blacks with their seething resentments and attitude of entitlement run the whole show.

My jaw dropped. But this is what they truly believe. And these are supposedly intelligent people.

[TTUBatfan2008]

28. Just incredible...

it's like we all need pictures of him with his mom and grandparents to prove that he is not a threat to whites...it's just unbelievably fucking pathetic. Barack Obama is probably one of the most harmless people that you could ever meet whereas McCain comes off as a mean old man and yet people have no problem with him but are scared shitless of Obama. I mentioned this in another thread yesterday, but Obama is definitely dealing with a different standard here compared to McCain. Obama literally has to be the perfect candidate times 100 and CANNOT be seen as attacking McCain too negatively due to the irrational fear that some whites still hold toward minorities in this country. It's just fucking pathetic at this point in our history that this crap is not finished. No offense to the older generations, but I cannot wait for roughly 20 years from now when a couple of the oldest generations die off. Because that's where much of this is irrational hatred is coming from.

[mwb970]

31. That's amazing!

Although I would quibble with the characterization of people who believe such outlandish nonsense as "good" and "smart". It sounds to me like they are neither. Some friends your sister has.

It reminds me of the right-wing fear of Y2K, with Clinton declaring martial law, calling off the inauguration to remain in office, etc.

I wonder who it is that actually makes up these sick fantasies in the first place, knowing that even "good, smart" people will believe them.

[scarletwoman]

53. I seriously believe that *someone* is purposefully spreading this particular scenario, because I've

been hearing about other people citing the exact same "reasons" that they won't vote for Obama. I'm betting it's a chain email that's been making the rounds for many months now.

The race riots, the looting, the oppression of whites by vengeful blacks -- it's the same story over and over. So I honestly wonder -- are there really that many white people whose racial paranoia leads them all to envision the exact same scenario all on their own? Or has this been deliberately fed to them from somewhere?

It would be really interesting to find out if your sister's friends got a chain email somewhere along the line that stoked these fears -- or heard this on a radio talk show, or from some other source -- or if they really truly just thought this up all on their own.

sw

[Raineyb]

55. I wouldn't characterize the friends as neither smart nor good

But that aside, what exactly are these people trying to say? So they think that racial privilege is perfectly acceptable so long as it's white people who are beneficiaries of said privilege? And god forbid people of color should want to enjoy what they as white people enjoy as privilege as merely the rights of citizenship available to all? The horror those bastards! :sarcasm:

The sense of entitlement in these assholes are appalling! Seething resentments and attitude of entitlement? These people can kiss my black ass! How's that for resentment? I can't stand people like that.

Regards

[Butch350]

48. ...And then blow the US up !?

[Deja Q]

7. American Indians or India Indians?

[TTUBatfan2008]

9. I think she meant Native Americans...

How fucking stupid are people? THIS is the kind of shit Obama is dealing with in the general electorate. Lies and innuendo all based on the fact that he's half-black. And we wonder why this election is even close. It's pretty fucking clear to me now.

Some idiot just called in saying that all the Democrats should be rounded up and sent to Canada, "along with all these black people and Mexicans." Just fucking pathetic.

[vaberella]

13. Crazy shit.

Obama had already responded about reparations for oppressed groups in the US many times. He's said he's not planning on giving them reparations in the sense of funds or even really focusing on AA but he won't demolish AA in consideration that bigotry is institutionalized but he is planning on giving money to minority dominant school for school books and supplies, to increase the educational levels and provide more pay for the school..in the end bridge the gap needed to allow long term development.

This is definitely key in change and when people stay stupid shit like the above about "reparations" and mislead his stance it says to me they don't have a damn clue.

[Bobbieo]

22. Maybe it is too early in the morning for me - BUT

reparations for Native Americans for misuse of their land, etc. is a common request to the gov't and has been for years!!!

[thepurpose]

8. Watching it also and some of these people are pretty unbelievable

Some of them sound like they get all their information from the media and completely unable to think for themselves. If you can look at the last 7 years and say that I want more of that. You should get what you deserve. If there was just one thing the Bush administration had screwed up, just one policy they got wrong I think you could make the case that staying the course is a pretty sound decision to make. However, the Bush administration and the republicans have screwed the entire pooch in every room of the house. There is absolutely not one federal agency left that hasn't been soiled and had whatever reputation it did have shredded, by these people.

[eshfemme]

12. Yeah, for some reason CSpan just attracts the kooks.

I have to give the hosts props for handling them with politeness and with professionalism. I just heard a caller yesterday night who basically went on and on about religion but basically had no point to her call-- like WHY is she rambling on about religion? After hearing that call, I couldn't help but say "What the fuck?" and I have to give the guy hosting the call-in credit for even being able to keep his composure and even seem to treat that woman like she was sane and had a point to argue.

[TTUBatfan2008]

15. Some PUMA just called in...

and the host asked her why she changed her support to McCain. She said "because he has experience like Hillary."

HOLY SHIT. Totally opposite political views of those two politicians, yet apparently "experience" is the entire reason she supported Hillary? Right. If experience was her #1 issue, she shouldn't have been a Hillary supporter in the first place. McCain, Biden, Dodd, and others all have far more experience than Hillary. The amount of BS reasons people are giving for voting against Obama are just amazing to me. Disgusting.

[muffin1]

14. People ARE just freaking stupid.

No way around it. I read a LTTE of my small town paper yesterday. Someone actually wrote that he had read in People magazine (!) that the Obamas don't give their children birthday or Christmas presents. He wanted to know if they win, are they going to deprive us of a beautiful White House Christmas? He asks if that's what Obama means by change. OH NOES!!
Umm, first of all, NOOOOOOOO! Secondly, that's his election issue?
x(

[Berry Cool]

25. OMG.

And I thought my sister's friends were stupid. He's worried that the Obamas will wage a War on White House Christmas? THAT's his big issue????

I think you have to be a special breed of Teh Stupid to write a LTTE to your local paper about that.

[muffin1]

33. RIght?

If Obama can get us out of Iraq (and he will), I will happily forgo a White House Christmas AND the Easter egg roll.:hi:

[grannie4peace]

16. that how the pugs have gotten away with all this shit for years.

my friends and relatives who are repugs have the same ill thought out ideas. it's sad, scarey & hard to break through the shit!

[TTUBatfan2008]

18. There should be a True/False test...

for people that they have to pass in October before they are allowed to vote. Mention all of the debunked smears against the candidates as well as some of the major truths. If they can't even get 60% of the questions right, they're not allowed to vote. Simple as that.

[grannie4peace]

30. makes sense but sounds scarey-- you don't let someone drive who doesn't

know where the brake is, the gas is. it's a DAMN GOOD IDEA!!!

[tomreedtoon]

17. The Japanese were right. We're lazy and stupid.

Is that why the controversy was raised about the movie Tropic Thunder, because of the use of the word "RE-tard"? Because it's offensive to remind the American public what they are?

[mwb970]

20. Americans have been gradually getting stupider for decades.

I've noticed it since the 70s, with a big uptick when St. Ronald came in. It is now beginning to affect the leaders we choose and the way we look to the world, namely dumb and shallow. (I know, much of the world has thought of us that way for years.)

America peaked in the 60s and is now in a long, slow decline that will bring us to Third World status in a matter of decades. A country this packed with fools and idiots simply cannot compete and survive in today's world.

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

You nailed the timeline

I have always thought that Reagan managed to lower the country's IQ by about 35 percent. The idiots really started coming out of the woodwork in the 1980s.

If the election is stolen or somehow Obama does not win, we will be a third world country in a generation or so.

[RagAss]

24. Remember 100 is the average IQ of any given population.......

That means lots of folks are in double digits......

[kitfalbo]

38. Hmm`

Remember Median and Average are different, we probably just have a few really smart people and a whole bunch of stupid people to even it out. The Median must be closer to 80

[salguine]

32. You're still shocked at how dumb the electorate is? Seriously?

[TTUBatfan2008]

34. Bush getting elected in '04 was a pretty bad sign...

but this just hits home on a more emotional level. I mean, it's beyond people not realizing how bad of a leader an incumbent like Bush was. And it's beyond the lies about Kerry. Why anyone in this fucking country thinks it's OK to vote against someone because of the tone of their skin is just outrageous to me. And yeah, I realize it goes on with everything: gender, race, ethnicity, et al. But it still pisses me off.

[AllentownJake]

35. First of all "War Powers Act"

If I was the CSPAN host I would point out to the caller technically under the defintion of the constitution America is at war with no one. Congress is the only body in the government with the power to declare war and Congress has not declared war on any country or entity since 1941. Than I'd point out to the caller Congress would never authorize the cancellation of an election and even if they did the constitutionality of cancelling an election would be overturned by the Supremec Court because federal elections and their timing is clearly spelled out in the Constitution such a measure to amend the constitution. I would use it as a time to educate the caller and point out ignorance at the same time.

[Blarch]

37. Welcome to America.

A nation of dumb fucks.

[liberaldem4ever]

39. I'd bet you both of those people

Were Rush listeners and Faux News viewers. I wonder if they don't actually watch the Washington Journal, but just know to call into it to state their BS. If they actually watched the shows, they wouldn't be that ignorant.

I used to watch Washington Journal every morning, but only with my finger on the mute button when a RW idiot called to spew their lack of brains. It comes on too early in the morning (4am-7am) where I live to listen to brain rot.

[greguganus]

40. I'm surprised these people even know how to use the phone to call in. n/t

[Heather MC]

41. If they give out money for blacks and indians does that mean I get paid twice cuz

you can tell by my hair I gots indian in my family

[DailyGrind51]

43. I weep for my nation!

[PATRICK]

45. Freepers

No moron calls into C-Span unless they are that thrilled to be on any TV they forget where they are. Odds are they MUST be urged on by RW activist groups or simply paid actors. Why would actors though portray themselves that stupidly? It helps reinforce the "ordinary joe" meme that has the smart bean counters so tied up in knots.

Voice recognition modules might be very interesting if they were accurate, but then no one seems to care to verify Bin Laden or his cohorts when they send in the tapes on behalf of the Terror regime.

[rasputin1952]

46. As I've said for years, if ignorance is bliss...

there are far too many people dancing in the streets.

It never ceases to amaze me how people refuse to check things out, they get spoonfed their "information", and just accept it as being "truth". Sad state of affairs in this nation...:(

[old mark]

47. Why are you surprised? Who was president for the last 8 years?

One big reason the right fears Obama is that he is SMART - it makes them nervous and they resent him for it.

If the average IQ is 100, doesn't that mean that 50% of those tested are below 100?

mark

[Enthusiast]

49. This is my greatest frustration.

Ignorance is at plague levels. My 88 year old mother was lamenting Barack's choice for vice president. She does like Joe but much preferred Hillary. "Those dimples!"

[BlooInBloo]

50. Par for the course.

[Evergreen Emerald]

51. after 8 years of bush, I am not shocked at anything.

[polichick]

52. Way too many Americans "take pride in being ignorant."

[IEatRepublicans]

56. As the immortal George Carlin said...

"think about how dumb the average person is, and then think that half of them are dumber than that!!!!"

so fucking true...

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

59. Don't be

I'd guess that 20+ percent of this country is barely intelligent enough to tie their shoes.

[sniffa]

60. Why are you shocked?

We're a nation of idiots. How anyone could have voted for Bush in 2004 is proof of such.