The deadly denial of knowledge

[Cyrano]

Ignorance is one of the greatest dangers to all of us. Fox "News" peddles ignorance 24/7, as does every other mainstream media outlet that is owned and dominated by big business where Republican “policies” are favored.

Ignorance is not just a lack of knowledge. It is a tool used to keep the majority of Americans unaware and in servitude. It is a denial of critical information. It is the “nuclear weapon” that the Republican Party, and their puppet masters, use to gain and hold power. It is what allows them to accomplish their goal – the impoverishment of the many and the enrichment of the few.

The Republicans have blocked education programs at every turn. The terms “education” and “Republican” in the same sentence is an oxymoron. If only more people understood this.

In translation, George W. Bush’s “No Child Left Behind” program means “as many left behind as possible.” And it’s still in effect.

[DesertFlower]

1. i agree. nt

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. K&R. Ignorance is one of the country's major issues right now. n/t

Either willful, or due to media brainwashing.

[niceypoo]

3. Two main things that make them incompetent

1. Their ideology does the thinking for them
2. They exist in an information bubble

I could toss religion in there too, but I know plenty of rationally thinking people of faith.

Anything that does not jibe with their ideology makes them dumbfounded or angry. That is why they stick to goofy, irrational positions when confronted with logic. Ideology makes them think they know all the answers even though they are ignorant and clueless.

[agent46]

4. Whatever happened to

Whatever happened to the organized activist events they used to call teach-ins? Without a free and responsibe press, seems like it's up to citizens to inform each other these days.

[Cyrano]

5. Today's "teach-ins" are but tempests in a pot of teabaggers.

[Taitertots]

6. It is even worse than just ignorance

They have advanced beyond ignorance to willfully denying knowledge. Double think is real.

How do you think the same people upset about Rev. Wright think that Obama is a Muslim?
The same people who didn't question Bush's spending are now upset that the government spends so much.
The same people who think tax cuts help the economy are opposed to Obama cutting taxes.

[Cyrano]

8. As you said, "Double think is real." What a frightening statement.

Yet, here it is. We are seemingly living in Orwell's fictional world of "1984," even though it is 2010.

We are so, so screwed.

Let me put that another way. We are living in a world that may be beyond repair. Then again, people might wake up. ... Or not.

[Taitertots]

9. The worst part is when you expose their double think they respond with anger

It makes me wish he would have called it 2084 so people would still see it as a possible future. Instead of viewing it as a possibility that has been avoided.

[Cyrano]

10. Anger is a normal response when exposed to your own double think

And, IMO, had Orwell had been able to rename "1984," he would have named it "2010." -- Or any other year during the Bush/Cheney reign of terror.

[Taitertots]

11. 2010? I'm sure you mean 2000-2008

I'd still like to consider it closer to 2084, despite the Bush reign of terror. There are many facets of 1984 today, but it is far from being the total package.

[miscsoc]

14. Yes! It's diabolical.

Almost impressive in its evil ingenuity. I'm not sure that even Orwell could have foreseen the way the right wing media complex have transformed ignorance into a virtue, but the idea of doublethink is definitely prophetic. Among the mainstream of the American right wing it is a badge of honour to believe things completely at variance with all facts.

[Cyrano]

15. Yep. "Don't confuse me with facts. I've already made up my mind."

[Snarkoleptic]

7. From Bob Altemeyer's - The Authoritarians

"But research reveals that authoritarian followers drive through life under the influence
of impaired thinking a lot more than most people do, exhibiting sloppy reasoning,
highly compartmentalized beliefs, double standards, hypocrisy, self-blindness, a
profound ethnocentrism, and--to top it all off--a ferocious dogmatism that makes it
unlikely anyone could ever change their minds with evidence or logic."

Download the free pdf book here-
http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~altemey/

[Cyrano]

13. I must agree with the quote you've posted, Snarkoleptic

If only I could have back the hours I've spent trying to convince acquaintances, and some family members, that their beliefs are, not just thoughtless, but dangerous.

[applegrove]

12. The GOP wants to exploit the vast majority of the public and it is easier to do in someone

if you keep them away from good information and good people. Thus the advent of fox pundits and limbaugh. Thus the pushing of religion in secular areas like science. Thus the demonizing of liberal "elites". After all how can you victimize someone if they don't have a victimized mentality. Get them used to being used and they may not notice that they have sh*t but keep voting for the gop. I know. I once had been used by a controlling friend as a teen, I was an empty vessel ...and that made me very attractive to a psychopath who wanted to use me next. I've said it before and I'll say it now..the GOP and right wing pundits just keep passing the wingnuts (the base) around amongst themselves like they are biker chicks.