Merriam/Webster
Main Entry: stupid
Pronunciation: \stü-pəd\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French stupide, from Latin stupidus, from stupēre to be numb, be astonished.
Date: 1541
1 a : slow of mind : obtuse b : given to unintelligent decisions or acts : acting in an unintelligent or careless manner c : lacking intelligence or reason : brutish
2 : dulled in feeling or sensation : torpid <still stupid from the sedative>
3 : marked by or resulting from unreasoned thinking or acting : senseless <a stupid decision>
4 a : lacking interest or point <a stupid event> b : vexatious, exasperating <the stupid car won't start>
— stu·pid·ly adverb
— stu·pid·ness noun
Synonyms; stupid, dull, dense, crass, dumb mean lacking in power to absorb ideas or impressions. stupid implies a slow-witted or dazed state of mind that may be either congenital or temporary stupid students just keeping the seats warm stupid with drink. dull suggests a slow or sluggish mind such as results from disease, depression, or shock monotonous work that leaves the mind dull. dense implies a thickheaded imperviousness to ideas too dense to take a hint. crass suggests a grossness of mind precluding discrimination or delicacy a crass, materialistic people. dumb applies to an exasperating obtuseness or lack of comprehension too dumb to figure out what's going on.
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How did it come to this? Everything described in the above definition of the word “stupid” can also be used to describe the current mind set of what is left of the Republican Party. And even more perplexing is that they seem to relish the idea as if it were a source of pride. I’ve heard them say things like, “ I don’t need no Harvard Law Professor to tell ME how things are.” They actually believe that what they call “good ol’ everyday common sense” is superior. Well, I’m sorry folks, but common sense might be adequate for things like preventing one from walking on wet cement or being fleeced by a con man. But believing it could be a substitute for decades of intensive education and experience is “stupid.”
Of course it should not be a surprise that the average IQ of those who still call themselves Republicans has dropped. Just listen to how extreme the voices coming from the Right have become. And just look who has emerged as the main spokespeople for the Right. Rush Limbaugh has become so rabid since Obama was elected he even slammed Ted Kennedy on the day of his funeral. And with people like Glen Beck, Shaun Hannity, Bill O’Reiley, and Lou Dobbs trying to lend legitimacy to absolute wackadoodle issues like Obama’s citizenship, Obama’s the anti-Christ, Obama’s the new Hitler, death panels, the list goes on and you see why I say the GOP seems to be celebrating stupidity.
But the saddest part of all this is the humiliating way elected Republicans are embracing these stupid people and their stupid ideas. I think Sarah Palin is the prime example. How on God’s good green earth could any half intelligent human being take this person seriously as a candidate for the most powerful office on the planet? Think about that for a moment. There are people right here in this country that posses supposed high level college degrees that seriously think Sarah Palin is qualified to be the President of the United States of America. A person who thought South Africa was just the southern end of the continent of Africa. All I can do is shake my head about that one.
I guess the point of my article is; When did stupidity become an acceptable platform on which to build a political ideology? And why on earth is the media paying so much attention to such a tiny percentage of the people. Over 70% of Americans favor a health care reform bill “WITH” a public option. Yet most of the media attention and legislative debate is about opposition to the public option. It seems stupidity has a very dark effect on things. It’s time for the intelligent (moderate) wing of the Republican Party to take their Party back. For what ever reason, way to much attention and credence is being paid to people who are just plain STUPID!!!
And remember “stupid is as stupid does.”
*************
Devin Barber, Politics Correspondent
Devin’s column, “Left Of The Right” published weekly or more to Gather Essentials: Politics is a Blue Collar Democrats take on current political news.
Devin was raised by proud Roosevelt Democrats. Being the son of parents counted among the throng of Americans displaced by the Great Depression has given Devin a deep rooted passion for causes dealing with the poor and the working class.
You can find all of Devin’s columns at LEFT OF THE RIGHT
You can keep up with Devin’s postings and his Gather activity by joining his Gather network. Just click here: Devin Barber and then select the orange “Connect” button on the left-hand side of the page.
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Comments: 91 ( 1 removed by Devin Barber )
Illegals getting amnesty
You forgot Micheal Savage, Denis Prager, Hugh Hewitt, Micheal Medved, Laura Ingraham, Michelle Malkin, Jason Lewis........
In general, I can see Obama's point of view. We force these people to pay billions of dollars into the social security system when we know they will never be able to get retirement money back. Now we'll be taking their insurance money, too. How long do we intend to keep on fleecing them? Offering amnesty is one way of giving them the services they have already paid for.
I find it interesting that the 'stupid' people are winning this debate on government growth. We will prevail, and the Democrats are going to pay a price next election for their stupidity.
Just the facts, ma'am.
All you're doing is drinking Dick Armey's Kool-aid without even connecting the neo-con wish list to the cost of heath care--that's different than the price of premiums, you know. Just like 'wealth' is different than 'personal income', but don't try to get your head around that, just yet, you're already overtaxed.
Let's me simplify... imagine if you had three choices for TV. Cable, Satellite and phone. The prices would naturally be pretty high and always rising (that's sort of what we have now).
Now, imaging if you could choose from 1000 subscription services. Don't you believe that greater competition tends to drive prices down? I do... and you should.
Who is really stupid is the people who support them, believing they are doing something for the country.They work for big money,always have and alwys will.
what a sick right wing bastard!
It's nice work if you can get... and you can get it if you try ;)
IMnsHO, most (adult) illegals are mostly here to work and send the money they make back home. Conservatives love to rant on about the "illegal" part in public, but in private they're hiring these folks because they can pay the workers far less and don't have to give them benefits or pay into Social Security on their behalf.
If illegals were given the opportunity to buy into a government health-insurance plan, how is that a bad thing? Allowing them to do so would increase the likelihood that if they became sick or were injured, our already overworked ER's wouldn't be affected negatively.
Of course, there's still the main argument: If the government subsidizes health insurance, it will cost companies less to insure their workers! The savings would sure make the bottom line look better. Or (I'm probably dreaming here), the company could pass the savings on to their workers in the form of pay raises or in decreasing the number of workers they have to lay off due to increased costs.
I'll ask you again: Explain how that's a bad thing.
They are fertilizing RACE HATRED.
Look how it energized the Nazi Movement.
It's one of many bugaboo's we raise. Hey -- we don't feel we should have to pay to educate and medicate these people. Let them come here legally and play by the rules. Fair is fair.
I listened to Michele Bachmann (Representative of Minnesota's 6th congressional district and member of the Republican Party.) attempting to convince a group that the Government was attempting to regulate our health and life. If you do not recall who she is she is that brilliant (not) woman who like S. Palin spews things no one should even think.
With over 380 million in this Nation the 3 million who tune to Faux Mews I cannot find a reason to be concerned over the growing lack of intellect surfacing as we can expect the laws of physics to apply -- empty cans make more noise than full ones.
The can analogy fits as many Democrats are quite busy working on fixing the problems we are in, and the opposition remains the source of noise.
You people think America can stay the same as 100 years ago?
The constant in life is change and we are changing and kicking butts.
The far right often says the media is liberal but since Reagan, they have grown their own brand of media with people like Limbaugh and others shouting so loud they drowned out the voices of anyone that is reasonable. How can the media be controlled by liberals when someone like Limbaugh has an audience estimated at reaching thirty million. There's a reason they cut off people on these far right talk shows that do not agree with them. The people that now control the Republican Party are idealists and they believe that they should make all the decisions. They also have a notion that they can import American democracy to the world by forcing it on other countries through invasions.
I have no doubt these people are dangerous and if they gain the White House and congress again through their lies and fear campaigns, America as we know it will cease to exist. Eventually, they will round up the educated and liberal minded people (like what happened in Cambodia, Russia and China) exterminating them in concentration camps to shut them up. Why do you think they want to destroy the public schools and use vouchers to pay private schools to teach our kids—to control the minds of the young, to brainwash them to think the proper right wing way.
Remember the Republican deregulation of newspapers, television and radio. This allowed the "message" to be controlled.
Radio: One company Clearwire owns or has a contract with 5000 am stations. and also owns Premier Networks who books all the conservative radio people. Look them up. owners are Wyatt, of Texas, naturally supporters of both Bushes.
Television, Fox, owned by Rupert Murdoch, Rupert once on the Board of Cato, Cato sponsored PNAC birthplace of the Neacons, nearly everyone in Geo. W. adm. was PNAC. Cato founded by David and Charles Koch of Koch oil giant privately owned oil company. Founder and father of David & Charles, Fred was co-founder of John Birch Society.
There is not a single Liberal television broadcast station or newspaper.
They are not as extreme as FOX or Premier but all are pro business,
Anti -worker, anti-consumer. So called liberal PBS and NPR frequently use "experts" from very conservative think tanks to explain economic and political issues.
This is now Plantation U.S.A.
We'll have to go thank all the dummies for this.
I remember when Laugh-in had a joke about how William F. Buckley was so conservative, his plane had two right wings. Nowadays he'd be a moderate, he GOP has moved so far to the right!
:O\
By now it should be obvious a very large minority at a minimum or possibly a majority does not want anything to do with what congress is brewing up. If anyone in in the Administration actually cared to do what is right, they''d go back to square one and take the problem on in smaller bites. They don't, won't, and now simply are planning on ignoring the opposition. That's a change we can believe in.
There are real problems with our health care system. Millions of Americans are uninsured. Medical bills are a leading cause of personal bankruptcy, even among people with health insurance. This country pays much more for health care than other countries without a better result. How can anyone not see this as a legitimate issue?
No, actually your post has no point. It is not accurate, not sensible, and not constructive but you did do a nice job of cutting and pasting the definition of stupid. Did you read it?
more conservatives than liberals
people don't want Obama Health care plan
Independents are nothing but opportunists ready to jump on any band wagon that seems to be the most popular.
Allrighty then. Having been a member of the Republican Party going way back to the Reagan years (family influence/18 yr old - first time voter) and changing affiliation to Democratic Party, remaining up to the 2008 elections...I think I have pretty good idea of both parties "core principals". Thank You.
I would suggest you do your research and dig deeply, below the surface, when composing your next article on Third Party/Independent Politics.
May I offer that you look at the State of Vermont, as well as this website, to help give you a CLEAR view of the SMOKE SCREEN you are gazing through.
http://independentvoting.org/about/
It's sad and pathetic on one level. In terms of electoral politics, it makes great sense. Cripple your opponent first, by means of polarizing the electorate. After you accomplish that, the nation will not be governable, and you can step back into the arena with a hope of victory.
I'm not so sure Republicans are stupid - at least not those who are speaking as GOPs. But I am sure they think we're stupid.
Now why do we need all this damn medication? We do not. Pharma should concentrate on what is necessay, not what sells cheap.
People who want pay for private can have it and shut their mouth about those who don't.
I see no good coming from having capitalism running the country, it is the worst economic system and does not reward those who work hard, only those who already have money.
The best system is small enterprises and smart microsystem scaled for efficiency and based on demographic.
If you think about it what do you need that a big corporation gives you?
Can it be done on a local scale, of course.
Cooperative have worked for years...in many areas of business.
That is the America I like to see.
"Over 70% of Americans favor a health care reform bill “WITH” a public option. Yet most of the media attention and legislative debate is about opposition to the public option. It seems stupidity has a very dark effect on things. It’s time for the intelligent (moderate) wing of the Republican Party to take their Party back."
Ya' think? Goes both ways.
Who are the Democrats Against a Public Option In the House?
John Adler (N.J.),
Jason Altmire (Pa.),
John Barrow (Ga.),
Dan Boren (Okla.)
Rick Boucher (Va.),
Allen Boyd (Fla.),
Bobby Bright (Ala.),
Travis Childers (Miss.),
Jim Costa (Calif.),
Henry Cuellar (Texas),
Parker Griffith (Ala.),
Frank Kratovil (Md.),
Betsy Markey (Colo.)
Eric Massa (N.Y.),
Jim Matheson (Utah),
Charlie Melancon (La.),
Walt Minnick (Idaho),
Tom Perriello (Va.),
Earl Pomeroy (N.D.),
Heath Shuler (N.C.),
Bart Stupak (Mich.),
John Tanner (Tenn.),
Gene Taylor (Miss.)
The New Democratic Party.
Example; Joe Wilson says "you lie", speaking about whether Obama's health care reform plan will ban illegals from receiving benefits. But Obama was not lying. HR-3200 plainly bans illegals from recieving benefits. Wilson apologizes for yelling out in a joint session but not for what he said. "STUPID"
Seven states tie for fifth from last, and they are all Bush States in 2004. Of the bottom four states, three voted Bush, and the District of Columbia, Not really a state, Cast is one electoral vote for Kerry.
Splitting the list in the middle, of the top twenty five 12 went for Kerry and 13 for Bush, of the bottom 26, 18 went to Bush, 8 to Kerry.
I counted Arizona in the top 25, and California in the Bottom 26 Though they are tied, with five other states at an average IQ of 100. That median group is split 6 for Bush 5 for Kerry. So, I put ONE state for Bush in the top tier.
Karl.
btw, what the heck does the Bush/Kerry elections have to do with the list of Representatives above?
Raise your IQ, pay attention to the players. 2010 mid-terms are approaching. Keep voting straight party, keep getting 'more of the same'. The status quo sucks.
Walz MN
What is stupid? Stupidity is certainly the fetus of blind faith and America is pregnant. Faith in Government, Religion, or in Corporations to care for the individual is either the product of blind idealism or sheer insanity, because there is absolutely no evidence of any institution truly caring for the good of the individual. Individuals are only interesting to the Institution insofar as the individual is working for the Institution, promoting the Institution, empowering the Institution, or submitting to the Institution.
Stupid is precisely what we see across the world, building theocracies and tyrannies for the good of the people. Only the Self-Reliance and Independence of a people can strengthen them and secure them. Everything else is an illusion, or at best a terrible gamble.
You are a very good writer. Unfortunately your premise is all wrong. What you are really talking about is survival of the fittest and that is a cold, heartless approach to civilization.
When we on the Left speak of faith in one's government to "provide for the general welfare" of it's citizens, we are talking about faith in one another. I know that seems foolhearty to some. But in the end it's all we humans have... each other.
Your position seems to be THE LAW OF THE JUNGLE SHOULD PREVAIL. So, where do we put the fourth kind of person in this country? OF COURSE I MEAN THE CIVILIZED PERSON. Who else would want to have a government dedicated to a more perfect Union, Justice, Domestic Tranquility, a common defense, general Welfare, and the Blessings of Liberty.
Karl.
And to be clear, I do not believe the leadership of the GOP is stupid. But they sure as hell have no qualms about recruiting the stupid to fill their ranks of voters.
How was it that Bush had the most blacks in his adminstration? More than Clinton. Do you have an ounce of logic, Dexter?
Watch your language. I really hate deleting your posts because they are soooo entertaining...