"The people have gotten dumber"

[DrLeftover]

From an approved non-disgusting non-hater media outlet.

BBW: Congressman Ackerman, you’ve been here 30 years. Can you define comity as it existed when you arrived versus how it exists now?



Congressmen Gary Ackerman (D-New York): Your premise is that comity exists now. It may not be entirely accurate. It used to be you had real friends on the other side of the aisle. It’s not like that anymore. Society has changed. The public is to blame as well. I think the people have gotten dumber. I don’t know that I would’ve said that out loud pre-my announcement that I was going to be leaving. [Laughter] But I think that’s true. I mean everything has changed. The media has changed. We now give broadcast licenses to philosophies instead of people. People get confused and think there is no difference between news and entertainment. People who project themselves as journalists on television don’t know the first thing about journalism. They are just there stirring up a hockey game.

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-06-21/a-congressional-exit-interview

 

[Temerit]

All true.

 

[DrLeftover]

Unfortunately, yes.

 

[Jazzy]

I think the people have gotten dumber. People get confused and think there is no difference between news and entertainment.

Making a statement like this pisses me off. I happen to very bright and certainly know the difference between news and entertainment. To lump all people into his statement is just so wrong. Glad he's leaving and taking his ignorant views along with him.

 

[DrLeftover]

But he has a point.



Has anything named Kardashian ever done anything that would have been labeled News by Messers Huntley and Brinkley in their heyday?



And yet, that has been the lead story how many times on the networks?





If people didn't watch that tripe, it wouldn't be on.

 

[Temerit]

He's not saying that all people have gotten more stupid, he's saying as a whole the voting body has become less informed.



He's saying that many people these days really lack critical thinking skills are aren't even aware of anything that is going on in the world.

 

[Jazzy]

He's not saying that all people have gotten more stupid, he's saying as a whole the voting body has become less informed.



He's saying that many people these days really lack critical thinking skills are aren't even aware of anything that is going on in the world.

What qualifies him to make such statements?

 

[DrLeftover]

What qualifies him to make such statements?

He may be just talking about the people that elected him to the same office for thirty years.

 

[Temerit]

What qualifies him? His life experiences...

 

[DrLeftover]

Yeah... being re-elected for fifteen terms in office by the same people he's talking about.

 

[Temerit]

What are you talking about? How do you know he's a bad congressman?

 

[DrLeftover]

That would be my considered opinion of ANYBODY who has been in DC for that long, period, regardless of political affiliation.

 

[DrLeftover]

This poll result however would appear to underline the gentleman's point.

PRINCETON, NJ -- Just 34% of Americans correctly say U.S. President Barack Obama is a Christian, while 44% say they don't know Obama's religion and 11% say he is a Muslim.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/155315/Many-Americans-Cant-Name-Obamas-Religion.aspx

 

[Temerit]

In Mississippi and Alabama over 50% falsely believe he is a muslim. What a bunch of idiots.