The American Spectator : Groupthink America

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Groupthink America

By Lisa Fabrizio on 1.9.13 @ 6:07AM

Why has everything turned out so wrong?

Recent events in our nation have baffled those of the conservative stripe; none more so than the decisions made by our fellow Americans this past November. The reelection of Barack Obama, seemingly trailing in the polls up to the last days, was the most frustrating; but there were others that were even more disturbing. For the first time, voters in several states endorsed laws permitting homosexual marriage while others approved the recreational use of marijuana.

The reelection of President Obama in the face of high unemployment, low housing values and general economic misery can perhaps be explained away as another triumph for the cult of popularity, but what of the rest? How to explain these abrupt turnabouts in the attitudes of Americans? Has the electorate really and truly taken a turn to the left; and if so, why? One answer may lie in cyberspace.

At the advent of the Internet age, we thought that this new medium would be an ideal venue from which to promote conservatism, to shout our message from the virtual rooftops, unimpeded by the constraints of liberal editors and the rest of the mainstream media establishment. And for a while, we were right. From sites like Newsbusters.org that pioneered the documentation of media bias, to forums like FreeRepublic.com where thousands of posters formed pajama patrols always on the lookout for leftwing mischief, the Internet has indeed been a powerful tool for advancing conservatism.

And the Internet continues to be a considerable source of news and information for millions on the right. It’s just that far too many Americans have now become addicted to, and thereby under the influence of, the same forces of the left that control them through TV and the public school system; the same political correctness that defines what is right and wrong — not through any application of the Natural Law or, Heaven forbid, religious strictures — but merely by way of popular opinion, as defined by you-know-who.

And by this I don’t mean just the obvious purveyors of liberal tripe like the Huffington Post or Media Matters, or even supposedly neutral sites like Google or AOL where the homepages are basically mainstream media digests. No, to me, the most dangerous threat to the future of America as we know it, is so-called social media, where the kind of the peer pressure on young people to conform to liberal norms so disastrously present in our classrooms is now brought to bear outside of them as well. And sadly, in today’s America, folks who want desperately to be buddies with their kids instead of parents, more often than not follow their children rather than lead them.

And what’s not to like? Just think of it: a society where tweeting a two-sentence screed on the evils of religion makes you a great patriot; where, with a flick of the thumb, one can engage in the ultimate in effortless charity by texting a donation to the latest cool cause; a culture that encourages you to stand up by not standing out. The point is, social media is a boiling cauldron of socialist, feel-good egoism that is a virulent breeding ground for cultural and political groupthink.

Groupthink, a term that was developed by psychologist Irving Janis, who applied it to his study of what he considered American military blunders, is nonetheless an accurate description of the current political situation among a great many of our citizens. It has been generally defined as:

A psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group of people, in which the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in an incorrect or deviant decision-making outcome. Group members try to minimize conflict and reach a consensus decision without critical evaluation of alternative ideas or viewpoints. Loyalty to the group requires individuals to avoid raising controversial issues or alternative solutions. The primary socially negative cost of groupthink is the loss of individual creativity, uniqueness, and independent thinking.

And this loss of independent and critical thinking combined with an inordinate desire for “harmony or conformity” is, to my mind, the best explanation of “what went wrong” last November and will continue to go wrong until half of the country stops getting its political information 140 characters at a time. But I’m not holding my breath. After all, who wants to be “unfriended”?

About the Author

Lisa Fabrizio is a columnist who hails from Connecticut (mailbox@lisafab.com).

Letter to the Editor View all comments (250) | Leave a comment Leave a comment

Aristocat| 1.9.13 @ 6:14AM

There was no thinking involved, just emotion, racism, revenge, and greed for federal dollars.

Von Mises Jr| 1.9.13 @ 11:28AM

Liberals do not think save clever rationalizations for their mindless emotions and group think.

This is why it is futile to argue with Perp (who is Arnie today). He cannot think because he chose not to think. You are never going to have a rational conversation with a troll, so why bother?

Gustav Le Bon explained the French Revolution a century later as cowardice. If Robespierre demands "off with their heads," and you refuse, perhaps it will be "off with your head." You know what Max and you think, but what about the other radicals or the overall consensus in the mob? If you stand up for another, will anyone stand up for you?
You really don't need to know anything more to understand Perp, Arnie or any other liberal coward.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 11:29AM

I repeat. I. am. not. Perp.

I am Arnie. Hello....please to meet you too.

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 12:05PM

Hey Junior!
You really think you have all the answers. You can't even tell me from anyone else. What a tool.

Read any good books lately? They obviously aren't helping your cause.

Those that are stuck in theory (preaching) never amount to anything (doing).

Practical, pragmatic solutions are what work and what matter in people's lives - and that's not what the Conservatives are offering. That's why you lose.
We aren't talking "French Revolution" here, so why are you? Most of your ideas are old, stale, 18 and 19th Century garbage that aren't relevant today.
The liberals and moderates in this country are interested in progress - even some conservatives are. Much less so than in ideology which is all you seem to know.

Oh, you try to spin that the Left is what you say they are, but they are not - YOU are. The more you say untruths, the more you lose. But keep it up, you're doing oh so well.

In case you aren't able to figure it out - this IS Purp. Got that Junior?

Now go back to promoting Hayek, who feared Hitler's rise, so relevant today.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.9.13 @ 12:42PM

You tell him Jefferson (sorry, I meant Purp).

Von Mises Jr| 1.9.13 @ 1:03PM

I wonder where Margie and Tim are? Maybe that same troll is the same troll as Perp, Jefferson and Arnie? They all have about the same IQ and rhymes with the number that comes after one.

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 2:41PM

Hmmm, Junior can't refute what I said except with degrading commentary. That means I win, you aren't relevant - thank you for playing ...

Von Mises Jr| 1.9.13 @ 2:58PM

How could I answer Perp? I did not read your bullshit. I never read your bullshit. I just scorn you for the low life scum you are. I still didn't read what you said in your moronic diatribe and I hope you hold your breath until I do.

Anthony| 1.9.13 @ 3:01PM

Game....set.... and match to Mr. Von Mises.

Von Mises Jr| 1.9.13 @ 3:35PM

Thank you Anthony. I only accept the congratulations since I did it with half my brain tied behind my back.

Tom Kyba| 1.9.13 @ 1:05PM

Thank you Burp. You condescending to someone else about reading more books is the funniest thing I've heard in days.

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 2:43PM

Reading books isn't the problem - it's how doing so convinces him he has all the answers.

Reading is fundamental - I'm sure I heard that somewhere ... but I'm just spitballing here - You can't condescend to someone who doesn't get the message.

CJW| 1.9.13 @ 3:21PM

Purp the Village Idiot

Now purpie descends into racism:

"Oh, and YOU'RE a LOSER ... can't even beat the black man... you're so awful... hahahaha (that's for your last line, you wanna dish it out, then take it)"

Can't even beat the "black man?" So you believe blacks are inferior and easy to beat.
Keep posting moron, you provide fresh material every day.

You are truly an idiot and a racist

Bob Grant| 1.9.13 @ 5:01PM

Purp,

You're OK at filling comment space by making vague criticisms of "out of touch" conservatives, but are horrible at giving us SPECIFICS on all the wonderful things about progressivism, liberalsm, socialism, or whatever y'all are calling it these days.

Hey clown, look around. The country is falling apart. Obama has been in office now approaching 5 years, congress has been controlled by progressives 4 of the past 6 years (with a super majority in the senate), and NOTHING is improving.

A stagnant-at-best economy, a stagnant-at-best housing market, a dismal jobs market, a flat lined stock market, an epic spending crisis, THREE rounds of dollar-killing quantitative easing, a middle east on fire...

He's tripled down on on Bush failure AND his alleged "international crimes".

Save your little lecture on the ills of conservatism for some Jr. High School government class. There's where you will find your audience.

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 8:50PM

FFS, I don't need to give you specifics - do your own homework. I'm not trying to create converts.

You have no idea what the President has done to save your a**, and instead of being grateful, you beotych and moan constantly. You are irrelevant.

My only point is that your ideas have failed. YOU created the mess we're in, and then want to blame it on the ones pulling us out of it. It's not your way and isn't fast enough for you, fine - but YOU and your Conservadums did it and now you can't face the responsibility of what you did.

Well you did it, you have to take the blame, and you do - you just don't know it.

I couldn't care less about lecturing on Conservadum's ills - it's all around us, plain for everyone to see - and you still don't get it, do you? Hahahahaha LMFAO

Bob Grant| 1.9.13 @ 8:59PM

"the Conservadums did it" ....

" You have no idea what the president has done to save your a**"

Now that's what I'm talkin' 'about. SPECIFICS!!!

Thanks Perp. You cleared things right up :-)

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.9.13 @ 10:11PM

"You have no idea what the president has done to ~~save~~ screw your a**".

I think that this is what he really meant to say.

Bob Grant| 1.9.13 @ 10:39PM

They might not be mutually exclusive. Perhaps saving the ass to screw at a later date?

spike59| 1.10.13 @ 5:37AM

ahhhhhh....purpie, the turd who blamed Ambassador Stevens for his own murder...still circling the drain, i see

Seek| 1.9.13 @ 10:38PM

The mob mentality exists on both sides of the spectrum. Shrieking traditionalist peasants with pitchforks aren't my type of people any more than ACORN-style slobs "occupying" a park.

spike59| 1.10.13 @ 5:40AM

"The mob mentality exists on both sides of the spectrum. Shrieking traditionalist peasants with pitchforks aren't my type of people any more than ACORN-style slobs "occupying" a park."
-------------------------------------------------------
there's a BIG difference between the two; the "shrieking traditionalist peasants with pitchforks"
exist ONLY as a PuffHo/DroolyKooks/MSDNC hyperbolic talking point, but the "Acorn-style slobs "occupying" a park" are all too real

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.9.13 @ 7:45AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP4apO4dbhw

Has everything turned out wrong?

If the public is happy in their
delusions then why guestion it?

What would be achieved by pointing
out their serfdom?

In fact, it signifies the highest
aspirations of liberalism, to be
an absolute part of the group where
your comfy thoughts are accepted and you
have become someone, although that someone
is simply part of a group.

You are non-disectable from the group
yet you feel you are a contributor to the
community with your liberal beliefs

You're down for anything that doesn't hurt
the environment but if another liberal does hurt
the environment or sells out to big oil, well,
he was a liberal and all is forgiven.

When others point out that you've accomplished
nothing you can run to the safety of the group where,
once again, your lack of accomplishments can be hidden
while you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

For those who ascribe to liberalism nothing is wrong.
In fact, it's getting better all time.

Von Mises Jr| 1.9.13 @ 11:18AM

Arnie is Perp.

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 12:06PM

Are you really this stupid? Can you not even spell Purp? Come on Junior, man up.

Who the hell is Arnie?

Von Mises Jr| 1.9.13 @ 1:06PM

Perp is for "perpetrator" like the boyfriend you spent the night in jail with last night. Which one of you wears the lipstick?

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 2:45PM

You righties are all up in the homo world aren't you?

It's curious that y'all think it must be the worst of things, yet you constantly bring it up. Why is that?

Nevertheless, I think they call that "projection" ... Seen any cute guys you want, Junior?

CJW| 1.9.13 @ 3:22PM

Purp the Village Idiot

Now purpie descends into racism:

"Oh, and YOU'RE a LOSER ... can't even beat the black man... you're so awful... hahahaha (that's for your last line, you wanna dish it out, then take it)"

Can't even beat the "black man?" So you believe blacks are inferior and easy to beat.
Keep posting moron, you provide fresh material every day.

You are truly an idiot and a racist

Von Mises Jr| 1.9.13 @ 3:37PM

How did you know I was a black man?

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 8:23AM

"Recent events in our nation have baffled those of the conservative stripe; none more so than the decisions made by our fellow Americans this past November. The reelection of Barack Obama, seemingly trailing in the polls up to the last days, was the most frustrating; but there were others that were even more disturbing. For the first time, voters in several states endorsed laws permitting homosexual marriage while others approved the recreational use of marijuana."

There's a reason why you conservatives are so baffled. You live in an alternate reality dominated by the talking points of FAUX NEWS, Rush, Coulter, Hannity, Levin, etc... Mostly what they speak about is only about how the white, religious, and really conservative minority in the USA feel. Outside of that is a whole nation and world that deals with real data, real science, and a diverse population with diverse opinions. Conservatives just don't know this world at all.

Nancy in NC| 1.9.13 @ 8:45AM

Give me a break. The left allows no diverse opinions. Ask a black conservative about how tolerant the left is. If one wishes to see group think, they only have to look at the left.

Conservatives know exactly what the world is. They understand human nature, and refuse to let the left regulate us into their heart's desire.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 9:00AM

HA! Yes the party of WASP, that all watch Dance with the Stars, loves Miley Cyrus, listens to horrible modern country music, and are almost completely Christian.

Yes, a very diverse bunch conservatives in America are.

C. Vernon Crisler | 1.9.13 @ 9:33AM

Conservative Jews are Christians? Listens to modern country music? Loves Miley Cyrus? Watches Dances with the Stars?

I never knew these were traits associated with conservatives.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 9:47AM

Oh wow!!! Jews and Christians....Hold the show!!
That's incredible diversity.

Shall I present to you a list of all the religions and non-religious beliefs in the world?

spike59| 1.9.13 @ 10:07AM

i'd be surprised if you could, without any outside assistance; the thing about 'progressives' isn't that they disagree or even ignore other beliefs than their own; it's that they are mostly unaware that there ARE any other beliefs

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 10:19AM

Oh, really. I'm shocked. You mean all the hippies out there that travel the world don't know about these other diverse cultures. Funny, I lived in Kansas for a long time. Those conservatives there didn't know where Iraq was, what language Iraqis speak, their common, and diverse history....but they did know they were brown and Muslim. Is that what you are talking about?

Norman Conquest| 1.9.13 @ 10:33AM

Arnie, the writing, fighting, liberal cliche, obsessed with race and religion and totally convinced that his bigoted babbling reflect what he thinks is his superior intelligence and open mind. Yet, what Arnie really is is obvious. He's just one more deluded liberal, too stupid to know how stupid he is.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 10:48AM

And yes Norman, I can honestly say that many liberals would say this about conservatives:

"He's just one more deluded conservative, too stupid to know how stupid he is."

I mean, you guys did believe trickle was going to work, and don't believe in evolution, or even worse, voted for W twice...

That's it from me folks. Have a nice day.

Von Mises Jr| 1.9.13 @ 11:20AM

Arnie is Perp. You don't need to be a statistician to see the pattern.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 11:26AM

Sorry, I am not Perp, or Anna, or anybody else.

Is it so hard for you guys to believe that there are at least a handful of people that don't agree with you? Jesus....for real.

Drunken Sailor| 1.9.13 @ 11:41AM

You'r wrong Arnie. We KNOW there are a handful of people that don't agree with us. We also know many of them post with several names to give the impression they are many.

You might want to go look at some polls. Sure Obama won, and you guys see a uptick. It's happend before. What usually follows is the left overplays their hand (already happening with gun control) and america wakes up and swings back the other direction. Most americans still identify themselves as conservative or even moderate more than liberal. Been that way for decades but you keep dreaming your little fantasy. It's what your best at.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 12:08PM

DS,
How do you I know all you guys aren't one dude?

And I agree with the rest of your statement, although, there have been several studies that show many Americans don't even know what conservative, moderate, or liberal means...plus, when you ask about specific polices instead of in broad strokes of ideology identification, actually more Americans agree with the policies of Democrats, liberal or not. As for the guns, you may be right, but most Americans want sensible gun legislation. But the media on the right will act like it's a violation of the second amendment, or that the gub'ment is coming for your guns.

Tom Kyba| 1.9.13 @ 1:08PM

The desperate need of snotty little liberals like yourself to demonstrate intellectual superiority is quite charming. Kind of like watching a small child learning to walk.

Norman Conquest| 1.9.13 @ 7:11PM

Arnie, Purp, or whatever its name is, a perfect example of of what Lisa Fabrizio was writing about. By the way, trickle-down did work.

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 12:15PM

Nancypoo - "Liberals fall in love with their candidates, Conservatives fall in line."

We've all heard that line - and you know it's true.

Now who do YOU think is more diverse in their thinking and who follows in lockstep the party line, hmmmmm? Conservadums of course!!!!

CJW| 1.9.13 @ 3:23PM

Purp the Village Idiot

Now purpie descends into racism:

"Oh, and YOU'RE a LOSER ... can't even beat the black man... you're so awful... hahahaha (that's for your last line, you wanna dish it out, then take it)"

Can't even beat the "black man?" So you believe blacks are inferior and easy to beat.
Keep posting moron, you provide fresh material every day.

You are truly an idiot and a racist

Larry Engel| 1.9.13 @ 9:02AM

Arnie, you sound like a groupthink guy.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 9:09AM

Say what you want, the world and liberals weren't surprised or baffled when Obama won. :-)

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.9.13 @ 9:29AM

And why would he be? He completes the circle of insanity where there is no sin and no criminal is turned away and no terrorist is unloved while American citizens are under attack by the EPA.

Oh, Nirvana!

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 9:48AM

Bill, sorry, I have no idea what you are talking about. But I'm sure you do.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.9.13 @ 9:56AM

I'm sure you don't.

Here's an example.

Liberals are upset because Al Gore sold out to big oil, not because he sold to a known terrorist organization.

Classic example by the way. But don't worry. Al Gore will soon come out and condemn some vestige of modern living and all will be forgiven.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 10:02AM

Oh yes, I heard about that. That's funny because nobody considers Al Jazeera a terrorist organization. It is a news organization, kinda like, reuters or the BBC, and not like FAUX news.......where only it's viewers, in a kind of groupthink, think that Al Jazeera is a terrorist organization. Right. Now I understand. Thanks for clearing that up.

Drunken Sailor| 1.9.13 @ 11:51AM

Funny how all you liberas attack Fox news year after year but for the past 11 years they have been the number one news channel.

Fantasyland again.

GobBluthe| 1.9.13 @ 5:27PM

Al jezzera is the communications arm for al Qaeda.

SUBVET| 1.9.13 @ 11:34AM

Lisa............missed you here, love your insite.

I have to agree with you this social media: vaginabook, twater and texting......all a distraction. Just look around you next time your in public or for that matter driving your car.

It's all a distraction while THEY gain more CONTROL...........the shepherd has control of the sheep.

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 12:16PM

Bill-O-the-Clown - don't project your morality onto others... it's just not Kosher.

lost| 1.9.13 @ 11:32AM

I was not surprised when Obama won and that is what is truly sad

C. Vernon Crisler | 1.9.13 @ 9:31AM

Thanks for the non-explanation Arnie.

spike59| 1.9.13 @ 10:09AM

"There's a reason why you conservatives are so baffled. You live in an alternate reality dominated by the talking points of FAUX NEWS, Rush, Coulter, Hannity, Levin, etc... Mostly what they speak about is only about how the white, religious, and really conservative minority in the USA feel. Outside of that is a whole nation and world that deals with real data, real science, and a diverse population with diverse opinions. Conservatives just don't know this world at all."
-------------------------------------------------------
lather, rinse, and repeat about 587,293 times and you have the sum total of a 'conversation' on PuffHo, DailyKoms, or MSDNC...

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 10:22AM

Hey Spike,

How old is the earth estimated to be?

Did evolution happen, and is man closely related to the ape genetically?

holmegm| 1.9.13 @ 11:35AM

I don't know ... ask the Hindu congresswoman which incarnation of Brama we are in (she would think the universe is much *older* than you do).

What's that - it doesn't matter now?

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 11:53AM

Well, I'm betting she does believe in evolution and the age of the universe, and if she doesn't, she better pick up a science book.

So yes, it does matter....

holmegm| 1.9.13 @ 12:11PM

It matters ... why? It will affect her vote on the Continuing Resolution of The Age of The Universe?

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 12:37PM

Oh, because it might show that she values science and facts...over making policy decisions based on a book written by illiterate desert tribes 2000 years ago.

You know, science and facts, something the Romney campaign absolutely denied it had anything to do with.

holmegm| 1.9.13 @ 12:53PM

Tulsi Gabbard

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulsi_Gabbard

Since the age of the universe is *such* an important issue, I'm sure someone will ask her soon ...

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 1:09PM

Wow, she is hot and smart. Thanks holmegm.

holmegm| 1.9.13 @ 3:16PM

Let's not lose sight of the all-important age of the universe issue, though.

If it's of such earth-shattering legislative importance, then we need to quiz and badger Gabbard about it just as much as if she were a Protestant Republican. We can't let anyone slip through.

Drunken Sailor| 1.9.13 @ 1:58PM

Of course you do realize your error don't you?

A book written by illiterates

So quick to attack without seeing how foolish that sentence is.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 2:07PM

I don't see your point. Glenn Beck writes books.

Drunken Sailor| 1.9.13 @ 2:24PM

So did Obama supposedly.

Try looking up the definition of Illiterate

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 2:31PM

: having little or no education; especially: unable to read or write

a: showing or marked by a lack of familiarity with language and literature

b: violating approved patterns of speaking or writing

: showing or marked by a lack of acquaintance with the fundamentals of a particular field of knowledge

Yes, I think 1 and 3 apply in the case of the people of the Middle East 2000 years ago, including the people who contributed to the so-called 'Book'. Get my drift...duuuude.

Drunken Sailor| 1.9.13 @ 3:00PM

Riddle me this then batman.

If they could not read or write as in definition 1, how did they write the bible as you mentioned.

And if they lacked the fundamentals of a particular field of knowledge, as in definition 3, once again how did they create the bible you are so disparaging of?

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 3:19PM

Hey Bible boy, you can figure out that one on your own. Sit on that one all night.

Just make sure you don't do it by the sea, because the Leviathan may attack.

Drunken Sailor| 1.9.13 @ 3:38PM

In over your head huh? Ok, since you have admitted defeat I'll let it slide.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 3:45PM

Right DR, educated people talked about unicorns, walking dead people, and sea monsters. Good Job!! You win!

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 3:51PM

And make sure you are prepared for the Rapture DS. You might want to change your name.

lost| 1.9.13 @ 11:38AM

Hey Arnie,
Has global warming ever happened before and did the world come to an end because of it?

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 11:50AM

Yes, the Earth has warmed before...but according to the scientific community, never this fast before...because there weren't so many pollutants before.

Of course the warmings never brought an end to the earth, being the big rock that it is. But it did change climates....

Al Adab| 1.9.13 @ 1:05PM

How many times do we have to go over the climate? From about 950 to 1350 AD the climate was as warm as today. That was when the Vikings were farming Greenland and wine grapes grew in England. After 1350 the "little ice age" crept in and lasted to about 1815. After that the warming trend returned and brought temps to the level of 1000 AD. it's called cyclical and it's natural and normal. Man caused climate change is the myth.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 1:10PM

No sir, the resurrection of Jesus is a myth, global warming is based on mathematical and geological data.

Drunken Sailor| 1.9.13 @ 2:00PM

Would that be the same data that was shown to be skewed or the data that was altered to fit the hypothesis?

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 2:06PM

Oh look, another FAUX news conspiracy popping up here. Now what was the article about DS?

Drunken Sailor| 1.9.13 @ 2:30PM

Not even close.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ear.....dings.html

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=30000

But keep your head in the sand, it's safe there.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 2:36PM

Oh, so there was a few mistakes in data, out of thousands of Terabytes of data. Oh, I'm sorry. You're right, it's a conspiracy of 99.9% of scientists to screw you over.

Go get drunk you fool.

Drunken Sailor| 1.9.13 @ 3:02PM

99.9 %. A statistical anamoly. Care to post a link on that or did you just pull it out of your ass?

Maybe it is you who should have a drink?

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 3:36PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.....ate_change

PLEASE READ. There are tons of links for you.

Drunken Sailor| 1.9.13 @ 3:42PM

Wikipedia? Really? Even freshmen college students know better that to try and list them as a reputed source site.

Very well, since you prefer that site.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L.....al_warming

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 3:54PM

So, where is the overwelming majority that don't believe in man made global warming?

You do know what majority means, right?

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 4:02PM

And according to your link:

1.The global average surface temperature has risen 0.6 ± 0.2 °C since the late 19th century, and 0.17 °C per decade in the last 30 years.[3]
2."There is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities", in particular emissions of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and methane.[4]
3.If greenhouse gas emissions continue the warming will also continue, with temperatures projected to increase by 1.4 °C to 5.8 °C between 1990 and 2100.[A] Accompanying this temperature increase will be increases in some types of extreme weather and a projected sea level rise.[5] The balance of impacts of global warming become significantly negative at larger values of warming.[6]

These findings are recognized by the national science academies of all the major industrialized nations

And look at this, from the National Academy of Sciences

http://nationalacademies.org/onpi/06072005.pdf

Drunken Sailor| 1.9.13 @ 4:32PM

You do know that science is not based on majority rule, right?

mike 3/505| 1.9.13 @ 7:35PM

OK...Now You are making me mad. Getting Drunk...That's MY job. Quit trying to outsource it.

Anthony| 1.9.13 @ 2:37PM

Mikey Mann, author of the hockey stick scam, the former Penn State sham, is suing NRO for defamation.
NRO raised $150,000 for its legal defense from good conservatives such as ourselves.
I look forward to NRO's legal eagles sticking Mikey Mann's hockey stick up his ample arse.

Al Adab| 1.9.13 @ 2:38PM

Mt dear Arnie:
I don't recall saying anything about the resurrection of Jesus Is your point simply to deflect the conversation from climate to Christian theology? Me with my name? Oh yes, I became a Christian convert in 1980.

mike 3/505| 1.9.13 @ 7:36PM

Git Im Big Al. Git Im.

Butch| 1.9.13 @ 7:33PM

Yes, indeed. The ole "scientific community" you rely on.

Tina B| 1.10.13 @ 3:34PM

Al Adab, your gentle Christianity and kindness to me when I was yet a public school teacher blogging here and under frequent criticism as "part of the problem." You were kind to many others in a way that spoke to my heart and your name made me wonder if you were a convert. How funnily our mind works eh? Thanks for sharing.

PolishKnight| 1.9.13 @ 11:31AM

It's funny to refer to white conservatives as out of touch when the left worships an ideology to make the USA into Western Europe via making the Democrat party into a race entitlement system of non-whites. They then live in white suburbs. Such amazing hypocrisy.

In the meantime, Europe like the USA faces a fiscal crisis generated by socialist policies: Massive government spending funded by debt, an economy driven by government make-work jobs and service industries (driven by those government jobs) and manufacturing performed by slave labor overseas done by minorities and women and nannies and housekeeping provided by underpaid minority work even as these same people preach about wanting to help the world and minorities and poor.

What a load of bunk.

Obama lost because Romney, and the Republican elites, didn't stop him really. They didn't address the number one arrow in Obama's quiver: race and gender preferences and discrimination. Until they do, that's the numero uno reason most Democrats vote for the party. In the meantime, smug white democrats will find themselves increasingly lonely as the win elections by handing over their party to non-whites. Maybe that's why they like to hang around here. The "shaker clan" is getting lonely.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 11:38AM

OMG, I might be a lone whitey in the Democratic party.....with non-whites.....holy shit. Thank you Teutonic Polish Knight of the White Order. Thank you so much.

Non-whites, tigers, lions, and bears...oh my....

PolishKnight| 1.10.13 @ 3:27PM

So Arnie... hang out with them. There are some regions made up entirely of non-whites and 100% Democrat voters. Feel free to move there and hang out with them and celebrate "diversity".

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 12:18PM

No Spike-Baby - it's what you all are and what you all talk about. Arnie hit you where you live and I can surely understand you don't like it.

But, it IS why you lost and will continue to lose. You're in disarray, lost your way and live in the fantasy world of Fixed News and Rush Loudmouth, spinning faster than a top.

CJW| 1.9.13 @ 3:24PM

Purp the Village Idiot

Now purpie descends into racism:

"Oh, and YOU'RE a LOSER ... can't even beat the black man... you're so awful... hahahaha (that's for your last line, you wanna dish it out, then take it)"

Can't even beat the "black man?" So you believe blacks are inferior and easy to beat.
Keep posting moron, you provide fresh material every day.

You are truly an idiot and a racist

SUBVET| 1.9.13 @ 4:50PM

Hey gentlemen...........why respond to these village idiots these two POS's aren't worth the oxygen..........ignore em....they'll find another site.

Derek Leaberry| 1.9.13 @ 10:32AM

Arnie, are you proud of America's 40 % illegitimacy rate? Or the million abortions each year? Inquiring minds would like to know.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 10:40AM

No, actually I am not. But there are lots of other things I'm not happy about either. So?

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 12:19PM

So after 30 years of Conservative policies, you agree that it's not working, is that what you're saying, Derek Teaberry?

Von Mises Jr| 1.9.13 @ 1:08PM

Newsflash: Arnie is not Perp. You can tell from the post times that Perp was under the desk until noon and Arnie is under the desk now.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 1:19PM

Hey Von, LOL...total respect. That was actually a very funny joke. I'm still laughing.

Von Mises Jr| 1.9.13 @ 1:35PM

Don't choke while you laugh. You might hurt yourself or others.

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 2:46PM

You really looking for dick, aren't you Junior... it's all you talk about.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 2:52PM

ROFL

Von Mises Jr| 1.9.13 @ 3:04PM

Come on Perp, you are all in for brofriends aren't you? Don't tell me you are against gay marriage? Do tell me YOU are a homophobe?

If you had to pick an animal to be, would you be a spitting cobra or a Capistrano swallow?

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 8:45PM

Junior - what ARE you babbling about? You want dick or not?

Make up your mind who's gay.

Anthony| 1.9.13 @ 3:08PM

Awe Purp, cum on pal, love is wonderful, accept it for all of it's joys.

CJW| 1.9.13 @ 3:24PM

Purp the Village Idiot

Now purpie descends into racism:

"Oh, and YOU'RE a LOSER ... can't even beat the black man... you're so awful... hahahaha (that's for your last line, you wanna dish it out, then take it)"

Can't even beat the "black man?" So you believe blacks are inferior and easy to beat.
Keep posting moron, you provide fresh material every day.

You are truly an idiot and a racist

GobBluthe| 1.9.13 @ 5:31PM

So you're saying that either Clinton was a conservative or Clinton was a failure.

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 12:12PM

Oh, this is Arnie... Well, well, I couldn't agree with you more Arnie.

It's quite clear that America has moved on and these Conservadums are still worshiping Ronald Reagan. Failed policies all around, but they cannot see through the Fixed News lens of the modern day Conservative Entertainment Complex they call "News".

Not sure why Junior up there mixes us up, but then I'm not sure why he thinks anything, he IS so mixed up.
He seems to think when it's written in a book, it's Gospel.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 12:24PM

Hello Purp,

Yes, I've seen Reagan worshiping, guns, abortion, and the defense of FOX news, and it's just now lunch time.

I'm not sure why they mixed us up either.

Von Mises Jr| 1.9.13 @ 1:36PM

Hey look, a ventriloquist.

Drunken Sailor| 1.9.13 @ 2:01PM

Which ones the dummy?

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.9.13 @ 2:12PM

Both.

Von Mises Jr| 1.9.13 @ 2:35PM

The real question Drunken Sailor is which one has his hand up the other's posterior?

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 2:47PM

Again with the homo jokes ... got it REAL bad, ain't ya?
You need to get laid by a man that knows how to nail you. Then you'll feel better.

Von Mises Jr| 1.9.13 @ 3:04PM

I' not interested, but how is it anyway?

CJW| 1.9.13 @ 3:25PM

Purp the Village Idiot

Now purpie descends into racism:

"Oh, and YOU'RE a LOSER ... can't even beat the black man... you're so awful... hahahaha (that's for your last line, you wanna dish it out, then take it)"

Can't even beat the "black man?" So you believe blacks are inferior and easy to beat.
Keep posting moron, you provide fresh material every day.

You are truly an idiot and a racist

Joellen| 1.9.13 @ 6:57PM

Wow a liberal finally speaks truth "Conservatives just dont know this world at all" so says Arnie.

You got that right Arnie - for those who know TRUTH know we are not of this world

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world, but be reformed in the newness of your mind, that you may prove what is the good, and the acceptable, and the perfect will of GOD.

Trust me Arnie, the liberal, pro-death, anti GOD agenda is not the perfect will of GOD.

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 8:43PM

Oh, now you know the will of GOD? Aren't YOU the blasphemous one. You'll pay for that one.

Pro-death? How's that? War, Death Penalty, Automatic Weapons? Who's pro-death again?

c. j. acworth| 1.9.13 @ 8:31AM

I remember my high-school days in the early '70s. The phrase on all my classmates lips was "Do your own thing". Remember that? How it was endlessly parroted by kids who looked the same, wore their hair the same, talked the same, had the same opinion about Vietnam, listened to the same music, smoked the same dope, and were, in short, completely indistinguishable from one another. Even as a callow youth I knew sheep when I saw them. They're still with us, I guess, and probably always will be.

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 12:21PM

You must have been one, because there were tons of kids not like that at all. I'm sure YOU didn't associate with them...

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.9.13 @ 9:04AM

For me, one of the qualities that make this site a worthy place to visit is the diversity of conservative thought and the vigor with which we at times pursue our differences with one another. While there is some effort at consensus and fellowship, the real crucible of an idea comes when you place it before peers (or those whose opinions you respect) and subject it to what may be the withering fire of their criticism.

Of course, one of the values of the trolls (whose opinions are generally less respected, at best) is that they serve to unite us much more effectively than consensus on a candidate or idea.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 9:18AM

Yes, Albert, the liberal trolls unite you guys into your bunker mentality, preparing for the War on Christmas, when you didn't notice everyone was enjoying their Christmas....or holidays together.

Anyway, how did that strategy of uniting you guys work with the last election? I was under the impression that your side attacked and dismissed 47% of the nation.

TLP| 1.9.13 @ 9:45AM

He's one of Frau Anna's bunch.

He likes to get his comments in before it gets to be time to Crap on the Cop Car, outside, with rm, TPL, Trish Trotter, and of course the old used up, ragged out Saloon Whore, herself: Anna ("20 Bucks, over there beside the Dumpster, I don't get in the car") from Emory U.

America's finest.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 9:50AM

Hey TLP, some history homework for you:

What percentage of the popular vote did Reagan get in 1980?

What percentage of the popular vote did Obama get in 2012?

TLP| 1.9.13 @ 10:01AM

Here's a History Lesson ya Piss Ant.

The Popular Vote don't mean S*%&.

Just like you.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 10:05AM

Hey TLP, admitting you have a problem is the first step. Denial ain't working for you buddy.

lost| 1.9.13 @ 1:08PM

Ok lets play fun with numbers
Reagan 1980 got 50.75%
Obama 2012 got 51.03%
Reagan 1984 got 58.77%
Obama 2008 got 52.1%
Still want to compare Obama to Reagan?

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 2:23PM

Actually lost, Obama in 2008 got around 52.9%.
Otherwise, your figures are pretty spot on.

All your other figures are correct. And yes, Obama was the first president to get over 51% of the vote twice since Eisenhower. You know, that New Dealer communist of the 1950s.

Al Adab| 1.9.13 @ 2:39PM

Nixon carried 49 states in 1972.

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 2:50PM

Only Eisenhower and Obama have been popular, over 51% of the vote, TWICE since WWII. Obama is more popular than any other Democrat AND all Republicans, save Eisenhower.

Kinda tells ya why y'all got it so wrong that Romney was going to win in a landslide, huh? Instead he got buried ... hahahaha. Keep losing, please proceed, Conservadums.

CJW| 1.9.13 @ 3:25PM

Purp the Village Idiot

Now purpie descends into racism:

"Oh, and YOU'RE a LOSER ... can't even beat the black man... you're so awful... hahahaha (that's for your last line, you wanna dish it out, then take it)"

Can't even beat the "black man?" So you believe blacks are inferior and easy to beat.
Keep posting moron, you provide fresh material every day.

You are truly an idiot and a racist

GobBluthe| 1.9.13 @ 5:35PM

Reagan won a three way race. Your statement that Reagan was less popular than Obama is incorrect. Reagan is infact the only president to win a three way race with over 50% of the vote. Obama is the only president to win reelection with a decline in votes.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 9:50AM

And who the heck is Anna?

Anthony| 1.9.13 @ 2:47PM

Who the heck is Anna you ask?? Oh you poor, poor, sap. Dear Anna from Emory U is a hot chick who, in response to yesterday's posts, just sent me her photos of her wearing her skimpy pink Kerry- Edwards sweatshirt and her very tight Obozo sweat pants with the Obozo logo on her devine derriere.
If you had spent more time here at TAS, you too might have gotten these photos.
You see, we conservatives at TAS are a diverse group with multi- interests.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.9.13 @ 10:04AM

Arnie is actually an independent troll. He's changed his name, but his style remains the same. He thinks if he posts it, it is true. He cites a source which agrees with him, regardless of whether or not more accurate information is easily available. He thinks Wikipedia has authority, rather than realizes that it serves as the lazy person's first internet reference. He quibbles over the difference between 50.9 and 51.03 percent (or 50.7 and 51.1), and misuses words. He is Purp, Mike in NC, JHarp, Pelleas.

In other words, he is exactly what Lisa Fabrizio is describing.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 10:06AM

What percentage of the popular vote did Reagan get in 1980?

What percentage of the popular vote did Obama get in 2012?

And show me your sources, please.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 10:08AM

And sorry, I am none of those other posters. But I'm sure I annoy you just the same......you know, when I mention facts.

spike59| 1.9.13 @ 10:12AM

"And sorry, I am none of those other posters."
-------------------------------------------------------
sooooooo, you're ObaMaobot #72, instead of ObaMaobot #73...you still spew out the same Kos-approved ProgLib groupthink taliking points

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.9.13 @ 10:42AM

From “uselectionatlas.org”, in 1980, when Reagan ran in a three way race, he received 43,903,230 votes in the popular vote tally, for 50.75% of the popular vote (he received more than 90% of the electoral college). Jimmy Carter received 35,480,115, or 41.01% of the popular vote, for a greater than 9% spread. John Anderson received 6.1 % of the popular vote total.

More instructive, though, when Reagan ran for re-election in 1984, he received 54,455,472 votes (an increase of more than 10 million) for 58.77% (and 97.6% of the electoral college). Mondale received 37,577,352, or 40.56% (a spread of more than 18%, or more than 16 million votes).

In 2012, running for re-election, Obama received 65,899,583, for 51.03% of the popular vote (61.7 of the electoral college) in the current count. Romney received 60,931,966, for a 47.19% (less than 5 million votes, and less than 4 % in the spread). Obama in 2008 had received 69,499,428, with a spread of more than 7% between his total and McCain’s total.

Except for the percentage of popular vote(as a result of a three way race in 1980), any other way you try to spin it, Reagan outperforms Obama in 1980. In the more relevant re-election, he received the votes of 10 million(8%) more after four years in office. Obama lost about 3.5 million, or about 3% of his total.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 10:58AM

Thanks for pulling up those numbers Albert. Please inform your other Bushites here that Obama did get a higher number of votes and higher percentage than Reagan in 1980, but yes, Reagan had a better margin due to the 3 way race. Some of them were confused about that. You get an A!!!

Now, can you explain evolution to them?

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.9.13 @ 11:05AM

I'm afraid you don't get a passing grade, Arnie. As someone who was alive and voting in 1980, I can state from history that Anderson was not taking votes from Carter, he was taking them from Reagan (he was a RINO former Congressman) . If he had not been there, Reagan's percentage would have increased by at least 4 points.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 11:20AM

And Obama would have more votes if Republicans had not restricted voting, and the Democrats would have the house if the Reps in the states hadn't gerrymandered so hard, and Al Gore would have won in 2000 if Jeb hadn't...

But let's have bye-gones be bye-gones, and talk about the facts sir.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.9.13 @ 11:48AM

Like I said, Arnie, I was there. I met John Anderson, and talked to people who voted for him. More importantly, others did as well. Those facts are available for you to research, rather than merely parrot talking points.

Like I noted previously [He quibbles over the difference between 50.9 and 51.03 percent (or 50.7 and 51.1), and misuses words], you quibble over the insignificant, and miss the important message. Reagan won big over Carter, then increased his margin of victory dramatically by governing well during his first term, convincing even more people to vote for him. Obama won (not as) big over McCain, and then lost millions of voters as a result of how he governed. Unfortunately, Romney did not win enough of them to defeat him, so we have four more years of his destructive policies, with deluded acolytes trying to convince themselves and others that somehow that his victory translates into a mandate, whereas the numbers of the votes counted (and the composition of the House of Representatives) says otherwise.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 11:58AM

Like I said Albert, I was here...now. Democrats would have won the House in the 2012 election if the Republicans hadn't gerrymandered so much. They actually had way more votes than Republicans. Historically the House results do not usually behave that way.

You seem to quibble over votes about Reagan. You must have really loved him. You have to let him go. You can't love zombie Reagan. It's not the same thing.

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 2:56PM

Albie - it constantly amazes me how Middle Class people will defend the man, Reagan, that started the dismantling of the Middle Class in favor of the rich, powerful and connected.
Amazing that you idolize the man who put America on the path to bankruptcy, but in Right Wing World you know nothing else.

It's the Fixed News and other Conservadum Media Entertainment Complex you are so beholden too, while they continue to pick your pockets and stab you in the back. What fools you all are.
Man, are y'all gonna be mad when you finally figure it all out. I wouldn't want to be them when you finally understand what they have done to you and your families.

CJW| 1.9.13 @ 3:26PM

Purp the Village Idiot

Now purpie descends into racism:

"Oh, and YOU'RE a LOSER ... can't even beat the black man... you're so awful... hahahaha (that's for your last line, you wanna dish it out, then take it)"

Can't even beat the "black man?" So you believe blacks are inferior and easy to beat.
Keep posting moron, you provide fresh material every day.

You are truly an idiot and a racist

lost| 1.9.13 @ 12:15PM

Oh my Obama got a higher number of votes than Reagan did in the 1980's. Well great what does that prove? Nothing. The total number of votes cast grew by about 7% which is about the same as what the population of the United States grew for the same time frame. Number of votes between decades is meaningless but it sure does make Obama look better if you do

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 2:59PM

Poor Lost - Obama got a greater PERCENTAGE of votes than Reagan did. Reagan did well once - Obama did well (over 51%) twice. No one, save Eisenhower, achieved that popularity.

Reagan wasn't all that, I remember. Stupid old fogie, doddering old fool that he was. He let his lieutenants run everything while he napped.

He even needed help in Press conferences so he wouldn't fall asleep at the podium... :0>

GobBluthe| 1.9.13 @ 5:48PM

The proper way to look at elections is the two party vote. Using that metric, Obama fell well short of even Bill Clinton who in 1992 and 1996 got more than 51% of the two party vote.
You're an utter moron Purp. Not recognizing the fact that Reagan won 51% in a three way races makes you dummer than Brick Tammlin.

Pecos Pete| 1.9.13 @ 2:12PM

1980 US population: 227,224,681
2012 US population: 312,780,968

Arnie, do you suppose that, in fact, there were many more voters in 2012, as opposed to 1980, has anything to do with why King O had "a higher number of votes" in 2012 than President Reagan had in 1980?

If you are going to comment please do so with intelligence.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 2:25PM

Of course I know this Pete. I just need to repeat this, so it gets through the thick skulls of some posters here. i.e. TLP was in denial that Obama had over 51% in 2012.

spike59| 1.10.13 @ 5:54AM

"If you are going to comment please do so with intelligence."
---------------------------------------
fat chance of THAT every happening

GobBluthe| 1.9.13 @ 5:38PM

""Now, can you explain evolution to them?""

Yes, it past liberals by.

Butch| 1.9.13 @ 7:58PM

I can explain evolution, Arnie, it's easy. ya see, once upon a time, there was this nothingness. Then, a great big explosion happened. Explosions CAN happen out of nothing. That caused a universe, including Earth, which was a rock covered by primordal ooze something like mud. Then, something happened. Lightning hit a just right piece of mud just right, and, whaddaya know, LIFE occured. No magic there, just pure-dee-ole-science! That's when ole Darwin kicked in: this living cell just evolved and evolved, because it was competing with . . . well, I guess it wasn't competing against anything in particular, cause nothing else was alive at that time. But it evolved anyway, ultimately resulting in the human race. Sure, that's easy. No need for magic, superstitious religions, talking snakes and all that. Just pure science. Yessir, we liberals have all that science down! No need for religion. We have a perfectly rational explanation, donchasee? Cause my teacher told me we're the smartest generation ever, and we are. Whoopee! You superstitious fools!

mike 3/505| 1.9.13 @ 7:44PM

Also, while we are doing "math," proportionately dividing up the anderson vote....or even just splitting them evenly, would result in Reagan winning the first election by over 52 percent of the popular vote. Any way you look at this...The Gipper makes Obama look like the rookie he is.

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 12:23PM

You were doing fine until your last line. IF you had considered ALL diverse opinions as valued, and respected all who promote their opinions, then you would have something.

You don't, so you don't, and your tent is closed. America gets that, and so you will continue to become less relevant as time marches on.

Good for me, bad for you. Too bad, so sad. Have a nice day!

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 12:29PM

Score!!!

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.9.13 @ 12:39PM

It is quite ironic that each time you reply to one of Purp's comments to register your obnoxious agreement, you graphically demonstrate Lisa Fabrizio's point on Groupthink (along with everyone else's metaphor that you are all one in the same, whether you post under different names, or from different IPs).

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 12:47PM

Yes, Albert Constantine, you have never sinned, never committed any of the horrible things that you accuse liberals of doing. You are a pure soul, and shall be rewarded in heaven.

****Please send $30.00 to the Huckabee Fund****

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.9.13 @ 12:54PM

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 10:48AM
That's it from me folks. Have a nice day.

Just one of the many things that you got wrong today.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 1:22PM

Oh but Albert, aren't you having fun? I'm sorry, I won't tell you good bye prematurely next time.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.9.13 @ 12:37PM

There you go again, Purp. Yesterday, you were soiling the thread claiming you weren't a troll. Today, you are claiming the label.

Life is pretty easy when you don't have to follow rules, be bogged down by facts, consistency or reality, or tell the truth.

For the rest of us, it requires a little more effort. Fortunately, most are up to it.

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 3:01PM

Troll is just someone who doesn't agree with you... My how you enjoy diverse opinions. That was the conversation here - you have just proven my point. Conservadums don't want diverse opinion, they can't handle diverse opinion - it hurts their head apparently.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.9.13 @ 3:55PM

Once again, purp, you get it wrong. I don't refer to RCV or even DRed as trolls, as even though I disagree with most of what they post, I've never detected them pretending to be someone that they are not. Everything about you is fraudulent.

Anthony| 1.9.13 @ 3:14PM

Oh Purpie, we know your tent isn't closed, cuz your rear flap is still open.
Oh, if I were only vtwin, life would be devine.
Alas, I only have eyes for anna K from Emory U.

CJW| 1.9.13 @ 3:27PM

Purp the Village Idiot

Now purpie descends into racism:

"Oh, and YOU'RE a LOSER ... can't even beat the black man... you're so awful... hahahaha (that's for your last line, you wanna dish it out, then take it)"

Can't even beat the "black man?" So you believe blacks are inferior and easy to beat.
Keep posting moron, you provide fresh material every day.

You are truly an idiot and a racist

C. Vernon Crisler | 1.9.13 @ 9:36AM

I seriously doubt social media had anything to do with electing Obama.

We have an electorate that is the product of our wonderful public school system. That explains much. We also have hollow men running on the Republican ticket and hollow conservatives supporting them. That explains the rest.

ncatty| 1.9.13 @ 9:49AM

E Pluribus Unum is over. Tribalism is the new norm. Look in the mirror and decide what tribe you belong to based on race and gender, and act/vote accordingly. It doesn't matter what your political views are, only your tribal identity. How is that Arnie?

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 12:29PM

Not true Cattyman - only from your side of the fence does it look that way.

On this side of the fence ALL people have value, equal whether black, white, female, gay, hispanic, disabled, veteran, senior, young, all religions or none at all.
ALL equal and all welcome to participate, learn and grow with opportunities for all.

As Arnie noted, there is wide diversity outside the Right Wing World Circus, but you don't see it, you won't see it. You won't be told that on Fixed News or Rush Loudmouth. Must be tough and depressing in your world, huh?

ncatty| 1.9.13 @ 1:07PM

So you accept older white men on your side of the fence? What if they don't agree with your political opinions?

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 4:30PM

Of course we do. That's your problem - you want everyone to agree with every opinion - lock step. We don't. We promote diversity and allow difference of opinion.
You see them as RINOs on your side. Your side is very stiff and rigid... like hardened arteries.

CJW| 1.9.13 @ 3:28PM

Purp the Village Idiot

Now purpie descends into racism:

"Oh, and YOU'RE a LOSER ... can't even beat the black man... you're so awful... hahahaha (that's for your last line, you wanna dish it out, then take it)"

Can't even beat the "black man?" So you believe blacks are inferior and easy to beat.
Keep posting moron, you provide fresh material every day.

You are truly an idiot and a racist

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 9:52AM

Yes, the southern white evangelical tribe and the midwestern white Protestant tribes have joined forces and been voting Republican for the last 30 years.

All the other 40 tribes vote for Democrats.

ncatty| 1.9.13 @ 9:58AM

Then there is no reason for political discourse. Well, that was easy.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 10:25AM

Hey man, the southern strategy, and "family value" campaigns? And the use of God and Jesus in the campaigns may have had something to do with it. Oh yea, and that whole tickle down bullshit...

I ain't saying it's right, I'm just saying...

lost| 1.9.13 @ 12:21PM

"Oh yea, and that whole tickle down bullshit..."
____________________________________
But you think Big Government "tickle" works better?

spike59| 1.9.13 @ 10:26AM

Here's the deal, Comrade Arnie-this will ultimately be the undoing of the Statist Left: you still think in terms of tribal identity, still consider gender and race before competence and character, pretend that a flock of sheep (of different colors) all bleating the EXACT same nonsense in two part harmony constitutes 'diversity', and live off the hope that those who you CLAIM to champion won't discover that the only reason for your so-called 'compassion' is the absolute certain belief you have that they are inferior, incompetent, and cannot possibly succeed without you benevolent mini-dictators pushing their mouths firmly against the teat of Massa Gub'mint's prize sow, and you pray they never realize that the only real goal of the Left is to grab and consolidate power to rule over everyone else. You'd be advised to sleep with eye open-when a critical mass of your 'other 40 tribes' ignores the race-baiting of the Left uses to veil its own racism, there will be a 'night of the long knives', at least electorally

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 10:35AM

Yes, you exactly described me....as any FOX viewer would.

And I should have known, W was an excellent example of competence and character. Really, you conservatives have an excellent eye for that stuff.

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 4:32PM

Oh yeah, they were Johnny-on-the-Spot with Sandy Relief and passing anything on the fiscal cliff fiasco... They would screw up a 1-car funeral, those Conservadums in Congress.... that's fer sure.

CJW| 1.9.13 @ 4:43PM

Purp the Village Idiot

Now purpie descends into racism:

"Oh, and YOU'RE a LOSER ... can't even beat the black man... you're so awful... hahahaha (that's for your last line, you wanna dish it out, then take it)"

Can't even beat the "black man?" So you believe blacks are inferior and easy to beat.
Keep posting moron, you provide fresh material every day.

You are truly an idiot and a racist

Moe Blotz| 1.9.13 @ 9:56AM

Mzz. Fabrizio, your scribbling describes very well the RINO establishment and not the conservatives with whom you are at issue. Have you been reading Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals"? You have it all bass ackwards. Groupthink is what runs amok in the RINO ranks. Throw that one out for discussion at your next inside the beltway type I-95 corridor cocktail piss-up.

Stormy| 1.9.13 @ 10:00AM

Obama surprisingly won, as did Democrat Senators. When I saw the Senate sweep occurring, I knew the fix was in before the presidential returns even began coming in. If you are surprised by an outcome and did not see it coming, there is a reason. Consider that the outcome was pre-determined.

Alice Moore| 1.9.13 @ 10:25AM

I agree with you Stormy. 150% turnout? Rrrright. 108% vote for O? Sure. Just like that bridge you can sell me.
It was probably done in such a way to make it the type of challenge that GOP candidates WILL not do(Dems will and have challenged and diddle the results until the result is what they want, see Minnesta 2008).

The GOP are like the hapless American Ice Skaters against a panel of East bloc judges as far as their chances of winning. They are also inclined to do less about it.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 10:27AM

Here we go....try to talk about the real world....and you guys start talking about conspiracies..

Get a grip guys. Come over to the beautiful light and wonderful place that is planet Earth.

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 4:38PM

If your GOP conservadums are so inept, and they can't win EVER, why do you bother to vote?
it's pointless isn't it? you're gonna lose anyway, might as well do something else. Why stand in line?

CJW| 1.9.13 @ 4:42PM

Purp the Village Idiot

Now purpie descends into racism:

"Oh, and YOU'RE a LOSER ... can't even beat the black man... you're so awful... hahahaha (that's for your last line, you wanna dish it out, then take it)"

Can't even beat the "black man?" So you believe blacks are inferior and easy to beat.
Keep posting moron, you provide fresh material every day.

You are truly an idiot and a racist

cicero| 1.9.13 @ 10:06AM

I do not think that the social media had much to do with the election, other than act as a distraction so that its devotees did not have to use any time actually listening to anything but sound bites. It kept them from having to actually study any of the issues or any of the facts behind them. Taljk to any of the young that admit voting for Obama, and you will find that their reasons defy logic, and have no basis in fact. Science has nothing to do with anything. They are woefully undereducated, and stopped reading anything after they left school. While in school, you only need peruse what they have been given as texts or reading assignments.
But folks, this is really our own fault. We are the ones who continue to send our children and grandchildren to the public schools, and colleges. When we stop patronizing these institutions, they will change or go out of business. The response to this that the kids have to go to these schools in order to find jobs is belied by all of the little darlings who are still living in their parents basements. With the present state of education in this country, the young have no skills at critical thinking, or rational descrimination.

THKrupp| 1.9.13 @ 11:49AM

I believe you are exactly right. To expect a public institution to re-enforce our privately held belief is a bit of a stretch. By continuing to participate in institutions that a person does not agree with basically gives tact agreement to that institution. By pursuing your own avenues you create an option for others as well.

Drunken Sailor| 1.9.13 @ 11:58AM

Hell Cicero, try getting one of them to even define "Critical Thinking" and give you a example.

Having them demonstrate it is out of the question.

THKrupp| 1.9.13 @ 12:11PM

The reason many of the young lack critical thinking is not due to our education system. I did not gain critical thinking skills from school and I doubt many people have.

I developed critical thinking skills when I am put into situations where I have to make a decision. I grew up on a farm where I was often put into situations of responsibility where there was no one to help me. Most kids when I was young had jobs of some type or another. We now have kids graduating from college where they have never had a job of any type. They have very few opportunities to exercise their critical thinking skills. We have parents and a society that wants to shield children from anything that resembles hardship or failure. That is why young people lack critical thinking. You cant learn it in a book or a lecture. You have to practice it.

Drunken Sailor| 1.9.13 @ 12:17PM

No arguments here. You summed up in one word what today's kids have little expeience in.

"responsibility"

THKrupp| 1.9.13 @ 12:26PM

Right, we have to give up the notion that childhood extends until 18,21,25, 30 or whatever it is now. I cringe when I see an article describing a 15 year old as a child. I started doing adult work and getting adult responsibilities when I was 10. On my tenth birthday I learned to drive the tractor and I got my first BB gun. When I was 11 I was put on a salary of $20 a week which was paid in lump sum for the entire year. I had to make that money stretch. I had a budget I had a checking account and I was responsible for my school supplies, lunches, clothing and anything else that I bought. If anyone is to blame it is the parents of these "kids".

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 4:40PM

Wonderful diatribe that basically says "to become responsible, don't go to school, go to work" ... That's a great thing to teach your kids.
By all means, Conservadums, proceed.

CJW| 1.9.13 @ 4:43PM

Purp the Village Idiot

Now purpie descends into racism:

"Oh, and YOU'RE a LOSER ... can't even beat the black man... you're so awful... hahahaha (that's for your last line, you wanna dish it out, then take it)"

Can't even beat the "black man?" So you believe blacks are inferior and easy to beat.
Keep posting moron, you provide fresh material every day.

You are truly an idiot and a racist

THKrupp| 1.9.13 @ 5:37PM

Sorry that wasnt the point I was trying to make. Its very hard to learn critical thinking skills in a classroom. My parents gave me no choice in going to college. It was always assumed that I would and it was also assumed that I would pay for it without help from my family. Being responsible for something meant I had to make decisions about it or how to accomplish something. It doesnt have to be a job but it needs to be something where there are consequences for the decision. People today are so afraid to let their kids fail or to take risks. That is how you learn. You can read all about something but until you actually do or experience it you have only a 2 dimensional view of it. And yes it would help if more of these kids had real world work experience before they entered college.

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 8:39PM

Yep, THK that makes more sense and you are right. I couldn't agree more.
Thanks for the clarification and a cogent and lucid response.
Unusual for this site, unfortunately.

CJW| 1.9.13 @ 10:49PM

Purp the Village Idiot says God caused Hurricane Sandy to help Obama. Purpie believes God killed hundreds and destroyed millions of dollars of property to help Obama win:

"Purp| 11.8.12 @ 10:35AM

"The Lord rules, not Obama." - CORRECT!

The Lord works in mysterious ways... and this is something for the faithful to contemplate in the way the see the world:

Hurricane Sandy and Chris Christie was the Lord's way of pressing his thumb on the scale to tilt in the direction of President Obama. It was His punishment of Republicans for their lying and trying to cheat (Voter Suppression) their way to political victory, while espousing faith, freedom and constitutional credentials.

Some soul searching of conservative attitudes is in order, for sure."

Why answer this stupid, bigoted moron, just mock and ridicule him with his own words

SUBVET| 1.9.13 @ 4:55PM

Hey Sailor.......these morons are trying to port & starboard you...........

Drunken Sailor| 1.10.13 @ 8:43AM

Damn the torpedoes

Derek Leaberry| 1.9.13 @ 10:26AM

The public schools indoctrinate the children into the Gramscian cultural revolution entirely at odds with Western Civilization. Over 80 % of American children attend these same public schools. Most who call themselves conservative send their children to these schools. Is it a surprise that the young adults and children of today are at odds with the Western Civilization and historic American nation of the past? America's public schools have made the Obama nation.

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 8:41PM

Who says they are at odds with American history and the nation that bore them? YOU? Don't make me laugh.
Young people today have more ability to discern phonies than you give them credit for. They see through your so-called "media types" and reject them wholesale.
Propaganda is easy to spot, unless it's what YOU want to hear.

CJW| 1.9.13 @ 10:48PM

Purp the Village Idiot says God caused Hurricane Sandy to help Obama. Purpie believes God killed hundreds and destroyed millions of dollars of property to help Obama win:

"Purp| 11.8.12 @ 10:35AM

"The Lord rules, not Obama." - CORRECT!

The Lord works in mysterious ways... and this is something for the faithful to contemplate in the way the see the world:

Some soul searching of conservative attitudes is in order, for sure."

Why answer this stupid, bigoted moron, just mock and ridicule him with his own words

Citizen Jerry| 1.9.13 @ 10:50AM

I see the trolls are out in force. Classic liberalism -- always wrong but damn pleased with themselves.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 11:08AM

And speaking of diversity, about 20% of the U.S. population are non-believers or non-christians.

What percentage of Congress are non-believers?

Paul McGrath| 1.9.13 @ 11:36AM

The reason Obama won, pure and simple, is because he is black. No other Democrat, not Hillary, not Biden, not anybody else could have won the election with his horrible economic numbers. But because Obama is black, he was given a pass.

Think about it. Since about 1965, every schoolchild in America has been taught that slavery was awful, that racism is bad, and that black people have historically been unjustly treated. Nobody disagreed with this.

But to many people it became kind of an obsession; a kind of crusade. They wore these feelings on their sleeve. It made them feel better about themselves, they got a lot of pats on the head, and again, nobody disagreed with them. Inevitably, it was taken too far. Instead of simply being aware that black people had been treated unjustly and trying to prevent it, they now advocated that black people get special treatment, which is where affirmative action programs sprang from.

Fast forward to 2012. To these people it doesn't matter whether Obama has done a good job or not. He is a black man. Period. His race has been treated unjustly, and to vote against him would be unjust. In fact, to vote against him might even be racist, and we all certainly saw evidence of that type of thinking during the campaign.

No Republican, nobody, had a chance against this.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 11:47AM

Paul, decent theory, but I'm pretty sure the population did not want to go back to the party that wrecked the nation, and the world economy, back in 2008. Or the party that liked to start wars on a credit card and petty charges.

It's really simple.

Paul McGrath| 1.9.13 @ 11:57AM

It's actually quite a bit more complicated than that, but explaining it to you would be fruitless and also give me a headache.

Drunken Sailor| 1.9.13 @ 12:00PM

But Arnie don't you see, that is exactly what they did. I would explain it to you but I ran out of crayons, pixie dust and unicorn farts.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 12:16PM

Dude, you have to show me unicorn farts.....that sounds so awesome!!!

Do they fart rainbows?

Drunken Sailor| 1.9.13 @ 2:32PM

Liberals

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 2:55PM

Unicorns fart liberals? No shit? Where do you learn this stuff?

Drunken Sailor| 1.9.13 @ 3:04PM

Huffington post, Democrat underground, Daily Kos.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 3:22PM

Oh, I thought you learned it in the Bible, that actually talks about unicorns.

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 4:49PM

Paul-Poopie - here you are, another so-called "non-racist "Conservadum, putting your racism on display for all the world to see.
I would think that everyone since, oh, I don't know, from the early 1800's was taught that slavery was bad, dontcha think? Ya know, when Britain outlawed slavery?
"In Britain itself it was effectively declared illegal by Lord Mansfield's ruling in a case brought by runaway slave James Somersett, this took place in 1772.

In most British colonies, it was outlawed by the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, that came into force in on 1 August 1834. India and Sri Lanka were exempted from this legislation

In these territories it was abolsihed by the Indian Slavery Act in 1843."
President Obama has done a fantastic job protecting us domestically and internationally. Conservadums aren't supposed to like him - that's what your told to think. So like good little Bundists you follow along like sheeple. Rush would be mad at you if you didn't. You are dittoheads.

THKrupp| 1.9.13 @ 12:01PM

Every party and every group of people participates in group think....its a human trait. Group think is evident even in the comments section of this publication. Theres nothing wrong with group think except that it tends to keep competing ideas from being heard and discussed. I would say there is less group think for the nation as a whole now than there was in pre social media days. We are moving towards (generally) more individuality of thought rather than less. The internet has allowed every person to share his or her thoughts or to seek out others who share like minded views. The days where people got information from basically 3 major networks are over. There were many options for newspapers and magazines but the internet has multiplied those options.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 12:14PM

And the winner for the most thoughtful post is:

THKrupp

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 4:53PM

Agreed ... now if only some of these guys would seek out diverse opinions on non-conservative sites, we might get discussions going that mean something.

But it is fun to carp and snipe and play word games too. :)

Petronius| 1.9.13 @ 12:50PM

Again
The only force on earth stronger than a nuke is Social Acceptance. This will not change. All that matters is who has that whip in hand. Conservatives cannot ever get it back short of national catastrophe or civil war. Now that Christian Chaplains are to be cashiered from the services, there's nothing for Us to defend except our dwindling estates. But understand this. The government of the Trash, by the Trash, and for the Trash will perish when competent adults refuse to labor to sustain it. The day will come sooner than the lowlife think when they will need US. Do not expect any sympathy or more acknowledgement than our middle fingers raised in response.

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 8:26PM

Petrenis ... as if you have all the hard-working people in your party. How insulting you are to most Americans. That is sure to get you converts, huh?

Lowlifes? Like Mark Foley - Conservative; Larry Craig - Conservative; Duke Cunningham - Conservative; Bob Ney - Conservative; Tom Delay - Conservative; Richard Nixon - Conservative; Spiro Agnew - Conservative .... shall I name more.
People in glass houses ... and yours is ALL glass.

Please proceed, Conservadum.

CJW| 1.9.13 @ 10:43PM

Purp the Village Idiot

Now purpie descends into racism:

"Oh, and YOU'RE a LOSER ... can't even beat the black man... you're so awful... hahahaha (that's for your last line, you wanna dish it out, then take it)"

Can't even beat the "black man?" So you believe blacks are inferior and easy to beat.
Keep posting moron, you provide fresh material every day.

You are truly an idiot and a racist

fmm| 1.9.13 @ 1:32PM

The author appears to believe that the right kind of world is a highly civilized society consisting of complex sets of rules based on depth of knowledge, law, responsibility, accomplishment, individual accountability, and self worth to name a few. This kind of world requires highly educated and competent citizens with a strong sense of shared ideals and is very difficult to maintain. On the other hand, the liberal PC approach emphasizes relativity in all spheres of interaction, making it impossible to form knowledgeable evaluations of the worth of individuals, philosophies, life styles or anything else. Unfortunately, the advent of all encompassing 24/7 propoganda masquerading as news and social media gives the most ignorant and self serving segment of the population, who are the desired product of liberal disinformation, a way to vent. The obvious outcome is a degradation of the meaningful discussions required to support a complex society, and thus, things go wrong.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 1:42PM

The liberals appear to believe that the right kind of world is a highly civilized society consisting of complex sets of rules based on depth of knowledge, law, responsibility, accomplishment, individual accountability, and self worth to name a few. This kind of world requires highly educated and competent citizens with a strong sense of shared ideals and is very difficult to maintain. On the other hand, the conservative approach emphasizes christianity in all spheres of interaction, making it impossible to form knowledgeable evaluations of the worth of individuals, philosophies, life styles or anything else. Unfortunately, the advent of all encompassing 24/7 propoganda masquerading as news and social media gives the most ignorant and self serving segment of the population, who are the desired product of conservative disinformation, a way to vent. The obvious outcome is a degradation of the meaningful discussions required to support a complex society, and thus, things go wrong.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.9.13 @ 2:15PM

Your bigotry is obvious.

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 2:27PM

And why do you write such a horrible thing Albert?

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 6:19PM

Bigotry? Against whom? You?

Surely you don't mean Christianity, which is based on belief, not facts.

Since in this country we have a separation of Church and State and we have a pragmatic, fact based society and government.

How can you bigoted against that?

CJW| 1.9.13 @ 10:42PM

Purp the Village Idiot

Now purpie descends into racism:

"Oh, and YOU'RE a LOSER ... can't even beat the black man... you're so awful... hahahaha (that's for your last line, you wanna dish it out, then take it)"

Can't even beat the "black man?" So you believe blacks are inferior and easy to beat.
Keep posting moron, you provide fresh material every day.

You are truly an idiot and a racist

spike59| 1.10.13 @ 5:47AM

of COURSE purp is a racist; ALL liberal groupthinkers are racists-they are firmly convinced that non-whites are inferior and can't even wipe their own arses without Massa Gubmint to tell em how

fmm| 1.9.13 @ 3:28PM

Glad I could do your thinking for you.

RABart| 1.9.13 @ 2:18PM

To the American Spectator editorial board:
A friendly suggestion--could you possibly group all of Arnies and Purps comments in one area. That way I could save time and skip them all at once. The wheel on my mouse also would appreciate it. Thanks

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 6:23PM

Whatsamatta RatBert? Cannot stand another opinion? Another point of view? The Founders would be ashamed of you.

You are free to read or not read, why would you want to segregate people into "your kind" and "other" ? That is Un-American. Ya know what I mean - the principles America was founded on and the Bill of Rights protects that are enshrined in the US Constitution.

You have a problem with that? Seriously?

You really shouldn't be so closed-minded, as if YOU already know everything and nothing else matters. But then, that's why you guys lose. Proceed Conservadums.

CJW| 1.9.13 @ 10:48PM

Purp the Village Idiot says God caused Hurricane Sandy to help Obama. Purpie believes God killed hundreds and destroyed millions of dollars of property to help Obama win:

"Purp| 11.8.12 @ 10:35AM

"The Lord rules, not Obama." - CORRECT!

The Lord works in mysterious ways... and this is something for the faithful to contemplate in the way the see the world:

Some soul searching of conservative attitudes is in order, for sure."

Why answer this stupid, bigoted moron, just mock and ridicule him with his own words.

jbspry| 1.9.13 @ 2:42PM

This article is just so full of fallacious thinking...
The unanimity of thought that "has gone so wrong" in America is a form of groupthink; the author seems to feel that any opinion or belief that contradicts hers is a product of mindless acceptance.
Could it not be possible that the legalization of gay marriage and pot are simply what America now believes in? It is contrary to the tenets of Christianity; is not Christian orthodoxy merely another form of groupthink?
I have spent countless hours on the internet at conservative sites during the late election. I wish I had a dime for every time I read a fiercely independent American Conservative refer to liberals as "sheeple", especially when that "sheeple" was a liberal commenter who upset the waters of unanimity on the comment thread.
Face it: the majority of people on both sides engage in groupthink because if it were not for groupthink they would not think at all. The political process in America depends on groupthink: how else explain the fact that for 250 years we have almost never had more than 2 political parties? "If ye ain't with us yer agin us!" is American political groupthought in a nutshell.

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 6:24PM

Agreed. These types just don't get that it isn't their way or the highway. It's a losing strategy.

Petronius| 1.9.13 @ 3:20PM

20 years ago, the argument was about what "is" is. Today it's about what WE are. We are traditional, moral, Americans. Those who are Anti-American are opposed to the cultural imperatives that define an American: Honesty, industry, and public virtue. And they also side with Islam, and would rather get decapitated than be obliged to behave like the White middle class required them to just half a century ago. To the Liberal, God is who he sees when looking into a mirror. And now they have a despot as Chief of State who is one of THEM. He told them: "Vote for revenge." We will be subjected to persecution most never dreamed would happen.

cicero| 1.9.13 @ 4:09PM

THK - You are correct, to an extent. However, even when you did your first job on that farm, you knew enough not to put your hand in the harvester. What I am talking about is the absorption of knowledge from the past. We don't have base all of our decisions on what occurred in the past minute. Often times we are required to make decisions based on situations we have not confronted before. It helps if we are aware that similar situations have occurred before, and how intelligent people coped with them. That should be why we study real history. This current crop of voters seem to believe that the world began when they were born, and will end when they die. That is why they always seem to be suprised when their teacups get upset.

Revisionist history does not help this situation. False evaluation, and slanted presentation of facts makes it impossible to learn anything frrom the past.

THKrupp| 1.9.13 @ 5:43PM

I agree, I was a history major/military science minor the first two years in college. I switched to Biology/Botany the second half.

vigilant| 1.9.13 @ 5:49PM

Lisa, you stopped too soon in your cause-and-effect analysis. Social media don't cause attitudes so much as reflect them. People wouldn't be affected by the content if they had learned to think differently from the time they were small. Neither would public education have the free rein it has enjoyed in controlling young minds if they had been fortified against it. My child has encountered both, and we use them as points of conversation so that she is sure what she believes and why she believes it.

The idea that there is any absolute truth is now held up to ridicule. The foundations of our culture that were based on that truth have been abandoned. The result is that our society has lost its way, and individuals such as the mockery-oozing "Arnie" provide a variety of examples of that spiritual, moral and intellectual bankruptcy.
Oh, and the notion that Romney was the right one to beat Obama....sigh....

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 6:37PM

Social Media didn't cause anything - People did.

"Guns don't kill people - People do. "

If you believe one, you MUST believe the other.

Or do you?

Butch| 1.9.13 @ 8:13PM

Do you?

Bob Grant| 1.9.13 @ 8:17PM

What do you mean "MUST" kimosabe?

Explain.

(Of course, that's rhetorical because you never explain your vague posts. You alway shoot from the hip and move to the next inane post.)

CJW| 1.9.13 @ 10:43PM

Purp the Village Idiot

Now purpie descends into racism:

"Oh, and YOU'RE a LOSER ... can't even beat the black man... you're so awful... hahahaha (that's for your last line, you wanna dish it out, then take it)"

Can't even beat the "black man?" So you believe blacks are inferior and easy to beat.
Keep posting moron, you provide fresh material every day.

You are truly an idiot and a racist

Pecos Pete| 1.9.13 @ 8:44PM

Damn, I'm glad it is getting late. Arnie and Poop, oops Perp, I mean Purp ... rats, Violet have gone to their bedroom to play with ... oh, whatever. What a terrible thread they create with their sniveling.

Joe D.| 1.10.13 @ 4:09PM

You have a good point. However, we need to get people, again, excited about being different and thinking different. Applad them when they stick their heads about the groupthink crowd.

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Letter to the Editor View all comments (250) | Leave a comment Leave a comment

Aristocat| 1.9.13 @ 6:14AM

Von Mises Jr| 1.9.13 @ 11:28AM

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 11:29AM

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 12:05PM

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.9.13 @ 12:42PM

Von Mises Jr| 1.9.13 @ 1:03PM

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 2:41PM

Von Mises Jr| 1.9.13 @ 2:58PM

Anthony| 1.9.13 @ 3:01PM

Von Mises Jr| 1.9.13 @ 3:35PM

Tom Kyba| 1.9.13 @ 1:05PM

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 2:43PM

CJW| 1.9.13 @ 3:21PM

Bob Grant| 1.9.13 @ 5:01PM

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 8:50PM

Bob Grant| 1.9.13 @ 8:59PM

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.9.13 @ 10:11PM

Bob Grant| 1.9.13 @ 10:39PM

spike59| 1.10.13 @ 5:37AM

Seek| 1.9.13 @ 10:38PM

spike59| 1.10.13 @ 5:40AM

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.9.13 @ 7:45AM

Von Mises Jr| 1.9.13 @ 11:18AM

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 12:06PM

Von Mises Jr| 1.9.13 @ 1:06PM

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CJW| 1.9.13 @ 3:22PM

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Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 8:23AM

Nancy in NC| 1.9.13 @ 8:45AM

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 9:00AM

C. Vernon Crisler | 1.9.13 @ 9:33AM

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 9:47AM

spike59| 1.9.13 @ 10:07AM

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 10:19AM

Norman Conquest| 1.9.13 @ 10:33AM

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 10:48AM

Von Mises Jr| 1.9.13 @ 11:20AM

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 11:26AM

Drunken Sailor| 1.9.13 @ 11:41AM

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Tom Kyba| 1.9.13 @ 1:08PM

Norman Conquest| 1.9.13 @ 7:11PM

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 12:15PM

CJW| 1.9.13 @ 3:23PM

Larry Engel| 1.9.13 @ 9:02AM

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 9:09AM

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.9.13 @ 9:29AM

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 9:48AM

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.9.13 @ 9:56AM

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 10:02AM

Drunken Sailor| 1.9.13 @ 11:51AM

GobBluthe| 1.9.13 @ 5:27PM

SUBVET| 1.9.13 @ 11:34AM

Purp| 1.9.13 @ 12:16PM

lost| 1.9.13 @ 11:32AM

C. Vernon Crisler | 1.9.13 @ 9:31AM

spike59| 1.9.13 @ 10:09AM

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 10:22AM

holmegm| 1.9.13 @ 11:35AM

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 11:53AM

holmegm| 1.9.13 @ 12:11PM

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 12:37PM

holmegm| 1.9.13 @ 12:53PM

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 1:09PM

holmegm| 1.9.13 @ 3:16PM

Drunken Sailor| 1.9.13 @ 1:58PM

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 2:07PM

Drunken Sailor| 1.9.13 @ 2:24PM

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 2:31PM

Drunken Sailor| 1.9.13 @ 3:00PM

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 3:19PM

Drunken Sailor| 1.9.13 @ 3:38PM

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 3:45PM

Arnie| 1.9.13 @ 3:51PM