Liberal Democrats in uproar over Libya action

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

There is something very peculiar about the US. Anything that enters public discourse ends up as a partisan slanging match. It's as though there is no latitude of opinion allowed on anything - you must either be X or Y. If you aren't pro bush you must be pro obama. It's amazing really, although completely ridiculous. You can be called a democrat simply because you opposed bush and no other reason. It's as if the clock of personal opinion starts and ends with the last 10 years. It's like trying to argue with senile, geriatric patients at times.

It's testament to the influence of the mass media. Take any subject that has even the remotest, most tenuous link to politics and you will see cable news and talk radio soundbites repeated verbatim, as if people here came up with them themselves. It's amazing really.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

There is something very peculiar about the US. Anything that enters public discourse ends up as a partisan slanging match. It's as though there is no latitude of opinion allowed on anything - you must either be X or Y. If you aren't pro bush you must be pro obama. It's amazing really, although completely ridiculous. You can be called a democrat simply because you opposed bush and no other reason. It's as if the clock of personal opinion starts and ends with the last 10 years. It's like trying to argue with senile, geriatric patients at times.

It's testament to the influence of the mass media. Take any subject that has even the remotest, most tenuous link to politics and you will see cable news and talk radio soundbites repeated verbatim, as if people here came up with them themselves. It's amazing really.

My father, who is in 80's, says it was never this polarized (public discourse) before. I think you are right - the mass media is having a huge influence. In one respect, we are inundated with loads of information that was never as accessible before, but in another respect, there's a lot of misinformation and disinformation, and not a whole lot of time for the general public to sort through it all. Combine that with a growing skepticism in educational institutions, and we have more and more people who lack the necessary critical thinking skills needed to make sense of it all.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

My father, who is in 80's, says it was never this polarized (public discourse) before.

That is because your father lived through the fifties when everything was gumdrops and sunshine. World War II and the Great Depression were nightmares that never really happened. If teachers actually educated instead of programming tree hugging pansies, you might have some historical perspective on things.

Edited March 22, 2011 by Some Old Guy

[one...two...tree 2,762]

That is because your father lived through the fifties when everything was gumdrops and sunshine. World War II and the Great Depression were nightmares that never really happened. If teachers actually educated instead of programming tree hugging pansies, you might have some historical perspective on things.

lol....Bill, my funny cholesterol-challenged friend.

Actually, my father was a teenager during WWII (b. 1926) so he remembers it quite well. He taught a little and comes from a family of teachers. He'd probably slap some common sense into that crusty brain of yours if he believed it would do any good.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

lol....Bill, my funny cholesterol-challenged friend.

Actually, my father was a teenager during WWII (b. 1926) so he remembers it quite well. He taught a little and comes from a family of teachers. He'd probably slap some common sense into that crusty brain of yours if he believed it would do any good.

Your dad and my parents are the same age. They are called the "Forgotten Generation" for a reason.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

One post continuing personal attacks after warning has been removed and poster thread banned.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Affected inferiority is something else I've noticed on here - usually from people who are derisive of education and for some reason feel intimidated by educated people.

Additional post quoting removed contents has also been removed and acceptable part of that post has been returned to the thread here.

Edited March 22, 2011 by Kathryn41