Are Americans the stupidest race of people on the earth?

[sasquatch]

69% of Americans still believe SH had something to do with 9/11. Are we the dumbest people to populate a planet? Or is the Media to blame for not questioning Bush and his Whistle ass administration? Is it that people since 9/11 have stopped questioning their goverment because we should just support the president and do what he says? Could someone please explain this to me PLEASE?:shrug:

[HEyHEY]

1. well it's

Not that they're dumb, just misinformed

[lebkuchen]

2. Americans are by far the dumbest.

What do they think about? Reality TV, spectator sports, their next meal...

[HEyHEY]

3. two out of three

Most of the world is thinking about.. reality, war and their next meal.

[newsguyatl]

4. yes

[never cry wolf]

5. "American" isn't really a race.

to be honest everyone from both american continents are really americans. But, I hear ya, and I can't explain what I can't fathom.

[CosmicVortex10]

38. I was thinking the same thing - we have an american race?

[newyawker99]

47. Hi CosmicVortex10!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[imax2268]

6. no...I don't think so...

it's our government that makes us look dumb to the rest of the world...!

[wuushew]

7. 3 reasons I believe yes

(A) Nascar

(B)one of only two nations on earth not to convert to metric system

(C)the spelling of moron as "moran"

[maggrwaggr]

8. Don't forget the WWF

my personal proof of stupidity

[DoNotRefill]

18. World Wildlife Fund?

?!?!?

[maggrwaggr]

34. don't make me kick your ass, Beavis!

Uh, in case you're not joking, that would be the World Wrestling Federation.

Traded on the NYSE. Run by a sleazebag named Vince McMahon

[Muddleoftheroad]

53. Then it's WWE

They lost to the Wildlife Fund and lost their initials.

[BonjourUSA]

12. The metric system is very easy to use

Everybody can divide by 10, 100, 1000É Even American ? ;-)

[greekspeak]

23. It has nothing to do with ease of use

Americans as a whole tend to be a stubborn, selfish lot. The metric system is something "furnurs" do. You get the idea of how conservative America is as a country when you look at gay guides that analyze how gay freindly a country is. America is about on par with conservative eastern European nations on that.

[Buns_of_Fire]

51. Don't count on it!

Without scanners and computer monitors over each register, some of the people I've dealt with would have a hard time figuring out how much change to give you from a $20 bill out of a $19.95 purchase! A dumbed-down populace = a dumbed-down pResident. :shrug:

[sasquatch]

31. I agree on NASCAR

Everytime I see a hat that has Jeff Gordon or something on it that has to do with NASCAR I see a mullet growing out of the back.

[Speed8098]

48. Where do you get off?!

Hey! What gives you the right to criticize someones choice of sports??

I love racing and I am as Democratic as you can get.I hate the BFEE and everything it stands for. I've never voted for a re:puke: in my life and I never will.

I'm sick of some of the self righteous mofos who come here and equate NASCAR with the right wing. Just because racing has roots in the south, doesn't mean it's only for the right wingers.

Why don't you just say that anyone who likes spinach MUST be a warmonger. Cuz we all know that spinach gives you muscles(Popeye)
Get my point?

If you must judge someone, judge them on their actions, not by the sports they choose to watch.

This is not the Free Republic.

Usually we THINK before we speak.

:kick:



(on edit: I hate Jeff Gordon also)

[atreides1]

9. Yes

It's not the government's fault, nor is the media to blame. It's the fault of brain dead, reality TV watching, lazy idiots.

69% of Americans want to believe this lie, because if they didn't then
they would be forced to come to the realization that our military killed women, children, old people. all for nothing.

They would have to admit that this country is still populated by bigots, who don't really care that some brown skinned people, who worship the wrong kind of God have been murdered. And that their sons
and daughters did it, and that they cheered it on.

This 69% would have been loved by Hitler, or any other dictator in the history of this planet.

There is no excuse for this, with the access to information that we have in this day and age.

But unfortunately the sheep can't think for themselves, if they don't hear it from Rush the Pimple Ass Coward, it can't be true.

[bitchkitty]

10. What we're seeing is

the result of years of subtle propaganda via years of television. It's gotten much worse in recent years. The "idiot box" is a good euphemism for TV.

[sasquatch]

14. I'm having a Farenheit 451 flashback too

It is all propaganda brainwashing that did I beleive as well. "Don't question us" , "Do what you're told or your Anti American" and don't forget "Capatalism has nothing to do with Politics". the show "Cops" also makes people instantly stupid if you ever notice.

[glarius]

11. They believe it because daily they are brainwashed by Bush and

anyone in his administration who's on TV, who never miss a chance to say there is a connection between Saddam & 9/11.....and of course the pathetic media never point out the falacy.....No wonder the average guy, that doesn't follow things as closely as we do, believes it....

[Flying_Pig]

13. It is the Republican-controlled, corporate...

mass-media, that is to blame, for nearly all of it. From stupid reality shows, to their attempts to define and control our culture, the media in this nation is as guilty as any factor there is, in the overwhelming ignorance, stupidity, and laziness of the American people.

From Marshal McLuhan to Al Franken, many have exposed them, yet we keep stepping up to their garbage trough. It is *WAY* past time, that we go after the media in this country, in a way that has never been done before, to wit;

First, our new Dem president, in 05' (or before), should immediately, by executive order, re-institute the "Fairness Doctrine". Period.

Secondly, a commission should be established to determine which media players should be arrested on sedition and treason charges, for developing, enabling, and disseminating propaganda, in conspiracy with the fascist regime now controlling this nation. Their actions have severely damaged this nation and its democracy, and has caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, directly, and indirectly. This calls for harsh punishment.

Thirdly, RICO statutes should be invoked against all major media corporations, and those media outlets found in violation (all majors are guilty), should be arrested, charged, and tried.

Fourth, anti-monopoly/antitrust lawsuits should begin, en masse, conducted by our new Attorney General. An executive order should be issued that breaks up the news divisions of ALL major media companies and corporations, and, establishes several new, fully funded, public media outlets, ala BBC.

And last, but not least, something must be done about content. I am not sure how this can be done in a way that would not violate the 1st Amendment, but perhaps the answer lies in more and better public broadcasting, like the British do with the BBC. A part of it though, is the culture in Hollywood It thrives on delivering garbage, in what is nothing more than clear contempt for the people of this nation, and their children. The real answer, is more and better education for ALL Americans. The better educated they are, the less likely they are to watch something like Jerry Springer, et al. Education is the best way to change the marketplace, and why fascists always make it their first target.

[Room101]

15. We are in the Brave new world .......

From the intro to Brave New World- If you want to blow your mind skip BNW and read BNW revisited.I guarantee you will stop many times while reading to shit your pants.

"Till at last the childs mind is these suggestions and the sum of these suggestions is the childs mind. And not just the childs mind only. The adults mind too all his life long. The mind that judges and disires and decides made up these suggestions are our suggestions. Suggestions from the state"

"Mans almost infinate appetite for distractions. These distractions provided by newspapers, magizines by radio, television and the cinema. Non stop distractions of the most fascinating nature are deliberately used as instruments of policy, for the purpose of preventing people from paying too much attention to the realities of social and political situation"

[sasquatch]

24. Good Work

Very good observation

[Cat Atomic]

16. As the central demographic, we're heavily propagandized.

American public opinion matters much more than others. That is to say, if you're living here in the US, your vote means you have at least some small way of influencing policy.

If the American public had the mindset of, say, the Germans... it'd mean alot of headaches for rich, corporatist ass clowns like Bush, Cheney, etc. But in Germany...? They don't care what you think.

In the US, they have to keep the population scared and ignorant if they want to have public support for "defensive" travesties like the invasion of Iraq, Grenada, the bombing of Libya, and all the rest.

So I don't think Americans are stupid, we're just being propagandized 24-7.

[DoNotRefill]

17. Gee, thanks...

for providing the Repukes with more ammo on how Democrats are elitists...

I wonder what the result would be if the Democratic candidate put out commercials saying "Americans are the stupidest race of people on the planet"... :eyes:

[Robbien]

19. Yesterday a friend told me they had no idea

that there was a redistricting situation in Texas. It was never covered in her city's daily paper, nor was it mentioned on the newsradio she listens to.

No, I do not think people are stupid. They just are not given the information necessary to think for themselves.

[maggrwaggr]

33. largest demonstration in TX since the civil rights movement

supporting the Democrats and it wasn't covered in the mainstream press ONE IOTA.

[Mari333]

20. Quite a few are, IMHO.

[BuelahWitch]

28. I love this map!

Sorry to be elitist, but it's oh so true!

[SoCalDem]

21. We are just the most susceptible to propaganda...

The part of the world that emerged from true tyrany, "knows" propaganda when they see it..

Our propaganda has evolved gradually, and lots of people ahev not even noticed it.. They still see the press/media as though it was still a valid medium..

[RichM]

27. The devilish trick of US propaganda: we're always told that only OTHER

countries have "propaganda," while WE have a "free independent press."

This brilliant twist makes most people very accepting of what they hear from our media & leaders. We think we get the "straight dope," while the poor saps in other countries get their heads filled with "state propaganda."

One has to admit it: it's a brilliant touch. Whoever thought it up deserves a bonus.

[Alenne]

22. Most Americans trust the media too much.

People think if it is important it will be in the news. Unfortunately for them our media sucks.

[maggrwaggr]

35. yeah, that was me until about a year and a half ago

seriously, I used to think that the media would cover it if it meant anything.

I guess that's what growing up during Watergate will do to a guy.

It was a weird revelation to realize that we're living behind the Curtain of Silence in this country.

This Curtain brought to you by your friends at the media.

[userdave2061]

25. I guess so. Let's give America back and call it quits

Give Florida to Cuba, southwest to Mexico New England to England and the rest to Canada. America just can't survive as the race that it is.

[QC]

26. Now here's a winning campaign theme!

"You're dumber than a box of hammers and we know what's best for you." That'll really bring the votes in!

On a more serious note, I think there's a lot going on to explain Americans' disengagement from politics. While it's a lot easier and more fun just to write off 299,999,999 people as hopeless dumbasses and congratulate oneself on being the lone exception, it's more useful to consider:

1. That, as a lot of people here have pointed out, American journalism is lousy. News has become "media," just one "product" of a large corporate establishment that expects big, consistent profits. Thus the weird mix of inoffensive fluff and sensationalized trivia that counts as news in this country. How 'bout those sharks?

2. That an awful lot of people believe that they can have no influence on their government, since it has been taken over by fatcats. Gee, I wonder how they could think such a thing.

3. That the Right has been relentlessly propagandizing the masses for thirty years, while we have spent most of that time discussing whether the American people are cretins, morons, or just idiots, complaining about people shopping at WalMart, taking over English and sociology departments, etc. It's no wonder, then, that the masses tend to buy the Right's take on things. After all, who else have they heard from lately?

I get frustrated, too, with the ignorance of so many voters, but I don't think it's a lost cause. There's a lot we can do to re-engage Americans with their government, and this thread is full of excellent ideas.

[Booberdawg]

29. That's because their pResident kept telling them that!

[friendofbenn]

30. the point about the media is good one

and then there is also the issue of quality education for the majority instead of the minority and that means money. another point is that americans seem to be more subserviant and less questioning of authority than others. "it must be true because the president said it was true" etc. q. how can you tell a politician is lying? a. his lips are moving. you need to establish that hard, cynical and questioning outlook that is against your nature IMHO.

[tom_paine]

32. There is no "stupidest race of people" on the Earth

We're all stupid. We're all human beings. Monkeys. ALL of us.

Perhaps the mammalian genome is just an evolutionary dead end.

[maggrwaggr]

36. Sure! Lizard-brained Republicans are the STUPIDEST and most EVIL

Don't they kind of look reptilian to you?

[CentristDemocrat]

40. I'm not a monkey.

Thanks for playing.

[Unforgiven]

37. Yep!

Absolutely, without a doubt. And the few smart ones, such as ourselves are paying the price in SO many ways. :(

[CentristDemocrat]

39. LOL the title of your post proves it.

[TheYellowDog]

41. Americans are not a race

n/t.

[TheYellowDog]

42. By the way,

this is REALLY going to help the perception a lot of Americans have of the Democratic party. A bunch of elitist, stuck-up snobs. Edwards and Dean are trying to fix this perception, but threads like this don't help at all.

[Pow_Wow]

49. I thought this was a discussion

not a commercial.

[jsw_81]

43. Hate to say it, but yes

Just the other day there was an article in the New York Times that said that something like 80 percent of Americans believe in the literal "virgin birth" of Jesus. It also said that about half the population believes that the world was created by a god less than 10,000 years ago (never mind the fact that 99 percent of scientists would strongly disagree).

[BiggJawn]

44. No, just Naive, mis-informed, and out-and out LIED to.

And how can we change that, when the powers that be who inoculated the people with this crap put in code that causes them to distrust anyone who's not "On Message" with our Media Masters.

"That's can't be true, I never saw that on FOX."
or
"You're just making that up, because Rush says just the opposite happened..."

Wondeful, the way that works, isn't it? Fill their brains with pap, and whisper in a few lines about how there's some folks out there who hate Murka, and who will tell you lies to get you to not trust Rush, or "Fox and Friends" anymore. and besides, if them Liberals are so damn good, how come THEY don't have a Hottie like Ann Coulter writing books?

They're right, we don't need to be getting frustrated with our fellow babies and call them "stupid", we need a cult deprogrammer.

But what EVER shall we do when we show them PROOF, and they still tell us we're F.O.S. because Rush didn't say the same thing?

And you gotta agree, a Mullet *IS* a pretty silly looking "haircut".

[wuushew]

45. They must like being ignorant then....because I have been spewing truth

since the stolen election of 2000 and have barely made a dent.

[nomaco-10]

46. STUPID, NO....

I saw this thread earlier today and can't believe it's still going. on, the American people aren't STUPID! They may be misguided and "ignorant", but not stupid. Ignorant by definition (Webster's 7th Collegiate dictionary) means "destitute of knowledge". You can certainly condemn them of laziness and denial, but never "stupid". If this great party has enough tenacity and gumption, we can
educate them on issues and maybe garner some support. If you condescend to them with "you're stupid, let me enlighten you" approach, then we will lose them. Talk to people as if you're their intellectual equal and maybe they might respond, talk down to them and they will bolt. I've got three aqquaintances over to our side by this approach and by backing up my beliefs with facts and documents backed up by the truth in black and white. Don't admonish them, embrace them and smother them with kindness and facts.

[slackmaster]

50. Odd that someone called sasquatch would call Americans a race

Your mama was a Yeti and your daddy was an Abominable Snowman.

[LittleApple81]

52. WE LET THE MEDIA CONCENTRATE AND BELONG TO CORPORATIONS

People (not Americans but any population can get to be this way) in general are not stupid, but are undereducated, misinformed and too lazy to search for the truth themselves.