Since the election of 2000, we have heard lots of whining from Blue State Americans about how dumb the Red Staters were/are. Well, according to a survey taken recently, 50% Of Americans have IQ's below 100, including the president. It is neither a crime, nor a stigma to not be intellectually well endowed. It is however, both, not to know one's own limitations. Practicing above one's competence is a moral crime nd is a regular occurrence these days.
However, that is not the worst of it, Americans ought to realize that a good many things trump intelligence. Recall the films, Blue Angel, Of Human Bondage-recall Nixon, Napoleon, Lindbergh, and the Neo-cons? Emotional trauma, emotional ineptitude, and/or lack of common sense or conscience, bigotry, avarice and other human errors, often trump Intelligence and education. It is also true that some people who are not of the highest intelligence often make better common sense decisions, than smarter, more well-educated, people, who may be emotionally crippled, including being taken-in by charlatan politicians and Organized Religionists.
As far as the 50% below 100 hundred on the IQ chart, maybe the church was correct. Maybe, some Americans thought they were smarter than they really were. Maybe they were guilty of practicing above their competencies, going a bit overboard in anal-retentive controlling attitudes, including controlling birth rates. In the long haul, that appears to not have been a very enlightened decision. Those who deny that truth are copping out.
The Birth rate warnings, which Margaret Sanger and others trumpeted across the nation, were a scare tactic. Many of the upper crust and Sanger were frightened at the rapid rate of population growth among Catholics and other minorities. Eventually, however, even Catholics and the other lower classes responded. They, too, wanted to acquire material signs of wealth. Some of those who wished for it all, allowed materialism and selfishness to trump common sense and the intellect, as well as education. How? While those who thought they could have it all, were being mesmerized by drug company, Birth Control, TV commercials, which were blared to mesmerized Baby Boomers and their younger copy-cats, teenaged girls, substituting in lieu of close parental controls, tacit permission for the unmarried to have sex, au-natural, using oral contraception pills, but boosting STD's. They were comforted by the fact, that if pills didn't work they could easily have an abortion. They had fallen for the Sanger upper crust BS propaganda. The upper classes were worried, because the old adage; The rich make money and the poor make babies, was working it's magic again.
Meanwhile, outward signs of upper middle class materialism, the lower classes thought, could enhance their lower than middle class standing. Therefore, if they avoided pregnancy, with both working, they could afford, more things, and thus traded their integrity for acquisitive consumption: driving fancier cars, building larger, more luxurious homes, signing adjustable rate mortgages, and no principle, reduction of debt mortgages, taking expensive vacations, eating at the best restaurants, hiring immigrant gardeners, maids and sitters, until children were old enough to use a latch-key.
Parents bought off their consciences and their children, immersing themselves in narcissistic, cultural pleasures, by simply ignoring nature and responsibility and going into heavy debt, not by raising families, but by buying irresponsibly. They assiduously avoided hands-on growing and investing in a family.
In the early 19th century Malthus made a population prediction that people would be standing shoulder to shoulder and on top of one another across the world by the mid-20th century. People labored under the Sanger excuse that the world was over-populated. Sixty years later, he nations other than America who practiced birth reduction are very much regretting that decision. The birth rates are so low in Italy that the population is scheduled to be cut by 33% in two generations and their economy beginning to show signs of following suite. Meanwhile Italy is constructing incentives for motherhood, because if the rates do fall as low as predicted the economy will be even more seriously affected. Russia and other European nations are not far behind.
America, however, so far, is only overpopulated by the Litters of the Christian Right (of which they are neither), which elected the Bushites and were so practicing above their competencies that they were unaware, (and remain so) that it was their children not those of the Bushites which were fighting, dying and being blown to bits in this abominable oil "war."
Really, is there an Earth users manual that says China and India can each have over a billion citizens, but we, who are far wealthier, can only have 289,000,000? No, sounds more like a selfishness excuse to me.
Sounds more like the Conspicuous Consumption, Group, known in previous times, for their sensuality and common sense, now days, can only reproduce one or two children spread over 20 years, while the Neo-con, uptight, missionary position only, stiff minded, lower IQ group are producing in litters every ten months and staying home to raise them. The working class and Democrats kissed off responsibility whole-heartedly bought into upper class Neo-Con lifestyles.
Well, guess what? While pregnancy, avoiding, conspicuous Consumptioneers, were in an acquisitive mode, busy practicing birth control, those with IQ's below 100, were also busy-busy Missionary positioningly, coitusing their brains out and reproducing in litters like rabbits. In addition, they reproduced enough brain-dead, dummies to get Bush into office, twice, fixed elections or not. Did you see the bumper sticker that says, "Your one or two kids may have been on the honor roles, but my eight kids who barely passed exams to progress from one grade to another, helped elect one of their peers to the White House and more to Congress!"
The dumbing down of America is one of the last stages of modern usurpation of principles. How did it happen that the middle and lower economic classes went from being Democrats to being Republicans? The Johnson administration and Viet Nam, which attacked with reverse discrimination some of the very people, which fought for Civil Rights. That did not help; it sent white middle classes racing to Reagan. Another unhelpful thing which sent workers in droves to support Reagan was the union's abandonment of the worker by hiring as business agents those lacking passion-hiring men and women who would never put themselves on the line for those they represented. I come from a family of union executives (And medical people) who worked their way up the regular members ladder from worker to business agent, to executive, in the days when corporate goons attacked union workers but they never lost the passion and had no fear. They were fighting for their children, an almost unheard of concept these days.
Many of those with advanced degrees who entered the hierarchies of unions in the late sixties and seventies were pussycats and used to smooth passage and no conflict. They abrogated their responsibilities by under-representing and betraying their regular members, taking the easy way out whenever a conflict arose. They dumped whistle blowers and conspired against those who wanted justice, because they wanted a nine to 4:00 job with no stress. They helped send many over to the dark side.
Middle class households buying into a materialistic life style with gusto. It strongly appealed to the sons and daughters of working class families, whose parents had sacrificed to send their children through college. However, those children did not appreciate the sacrifice and they eschewed the lack of luxuries. They did not want to be like their parents. They wanted to be like their bosses. They became sycophants and in the process sold out their heritage. Shameless self-promotion, oneupsmanship and becoming a pawn of corporate America, was the goal, at any cost, and the cost was their own souls and those of their progeny. Parents had failed to inculcate in their offspring, the importance of self-control and an austere lifestyle.
While we are discussing how personal selfishness, has a backlash, how about the 60% of Americans who were too busy working and/or shopping, to vote? The largest group was single, working, women-Thanks to them; they and we, innocents, have Bushites with which to contend and 1,100,000 human casualties.
There is also another disgusting phenomenon, the revelation that many of those Democrats we sent to Washington to protect us, our nation, and our sacred documents, are so very busy being entertained, bought-off and betraying not only the voters but our national heritage, our Constitution and Bill of Rights, that they have no time to read proposed laws-bills! Wasn't it Congressman Conyers who when asked why he voted for the Patriot Act/Military Commission's Act of 2006, replied that, "... we don't read most of the bills we vote for..." What in the Hell do these fools think we elected them for, to party and live high off the hog? Do they think we sent them there to be worshipped by the Satan of DC, the lobbyist? To go on junkets, eat exotic foods and drink, and carouse? What Conyers casually admitted to, walks, like, sounds like, and smells a lot like, incompetence, misfeasance, malfeasance, gross misrepresentation of constituency, and ineptitude-Democrat or otherwise. Why did whomever he represents send him there, and was he speaking for himself or are there others like him, which are taking their salaries under false pretenses? Even Jerry Seinfeld's pal George is not that insensitive.
Professor Bagnolo is a Renaissance man: Cultural Anthropologist, Architectural designer, painter, writer, novelist, theologian. As a child prodigy, abed with polio for almost two years, with an off the charts IQ, reading at the graduate level by 5th grade, offered an opportunity to skip three grades at age 8. Later He was a recipient of an Art Institute scholarship at age 11, a Ford Foundation Fellowship in Anthropology and in Painting and a merit scholarship in art, and was appointed a Graduate Research Assistant position in college. He holds a triple bachelor's degree in Painting and Drawing, Anthropology, Architectural Design Advertising. MA's in Cultural Anthro, Painting and more. After being tenured he taught; architecture, anthropology, Theology, advertising, painting and drawing, entrepreneuring and Creative Profit Making. He produced a star-studded Music festival, had a radio talk show in Chicago, and cable TV show. Now, retired from Teaching, he paints, writes, and pursues other ventures.
The above bio harvested from the comments of Deans, colleagues, students, clients and collector's.
We have a One-Party Government and it is a SNAKE with two heads.
So far we agree, now I'm waiting to hear what you believe we can do about it.
MEANWHILE, I recommend IMPEACHMENT!
pledgetoimpeach.org is delivering all the petitions we can dig up on May 1st. I hope you've sent yours in --- or better yet, BRING the petitions you've collected and join the Tea Party on capitol Hill!
by
mary-ann (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 55 comments)
on Monday, April 9, 2007 at 3:18:07 PM
Prof Pete: I hought your readers might like to know if their own "representative" is on the list.
According to SourceWatch, as of November 2006, (BEFORE the election) the Conyers bill had the following 38 co-sponsors (listed with sponsorship date)
THIRTY EIGHT !
Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) - 1/31/2006 Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) - 1/31/2006 Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.) - 12/22/2005 Rep. Michael E. Capuano (D-Mass.) - 3/9/2006 Rep. Lacy Clay (D-Mo.) - 1/31/2006 Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) - 3/30/2006 Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.) - 2/7/2006 Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.) - 4/27/2006 Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.) - 3/30/2006 Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.) - 2/7/2006 Rep. Michael Honda (D-Calif) - 2/8/2006 Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) - 4/27/2006 Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) - 12/22/2005 Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) - 2/1/2006 Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) - 2/7/2006 Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) - 2/7/2006 Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) - 3/14/2006 Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) - 1/31/2006 Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-Ga.) - 2/7/2006 Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) - 2/14/2006 Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) - 1/31/2006 Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) - 2/1/2006 Rep. John Olver (D-Mass.) - 2/16/2006 Rep. Major Owens (D-N.Y.) - 1/31/2006 Rep. Donald Payne (D-N.J.) - 12/22/2005 Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) - 12/22/2005 Rep. Steven Rothman (D-N.J.) - 9/6/2006 Rep. Martin Sabo (D-Minn.) - 3/2/2006 Rep. Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.) - 3/9/2006 Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.) - 1/31/2006 Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) - 1/31/2006 Rep. John Tierney (D-Mass.) - 2/16/2006 Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.) - 2/14/2006 Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif) - 12/22/2005 Rep. Diane Watson (D-Calif.) - 11/14/2006 Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) - 12/22/2005 Rep. David Wu (D-Ore.) - 3/14/2006 Additionally, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) co-sponsored the legislation on December 22, 2005, but withdrew on January 31, 2006.
AFTER the election, they have all reniged.
When questioned by the founder of pledgetoimpeach.org in March, DAVIS, and staff of Conyers, & Watson agreed to bring it before the House IF THEY ARE SHOWN ENOUGH SIGNATURES FROM THEIR CONSTITUENTS.
That is why we are trying to get every group who has been petitioning to Impeach to either send or BRING their petitions to present them with pledgetoimpeach.org on May 1st!
We are told that Pelosi gave Conyers the choice of dropping his impeachment movement or being dropped from his Committees, etc... if this is true, she should be recalled. OUR elected politicians are SWORN to uphold the Constitution and to REPRESENT THE PEOPLE! Pelosi and her AIPAC loyalty is smack-on WRONG to share Bush's "my-way-or-the-highway" mentality!
by
mary-ann (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 55 comments)
on Monday, April 9, 2007 at 3:39:25 PM
I'd prefer to see a SPECIAL PROSECUTOR appointed. Then the Dems can get on with business and allow the slings and arrows of Outrageous fortune blow the war criminals into jail. Somebody needs to give her a strong drink (Booze!) She acts as though she has a crush on Bush. I don't know who is advising her, but it sounds like the same idiots who advised on the 2000-2004 elections. They were run by incompetents and she is beginning to look like one of them. Maybe she does need to be recalled.
Thanks for the names. I'll sign your petition but prefer the SPECIAL PROSECUTOR. That would have more bite and more punitive after effects.
First article I've read of yours (I'm new to OpEdNews); you have some interesting points. Regarding indictment / impeachment... What chance is there of having a "special prosecutor" appointed to examine this Administration? Even Patrick Fitzgerald could only go so far and no further, in my observation (i.e., he *could have* rightfully taken Plamegate to the very TOP). I concur re your take on Pelosi! I haven't taken the time to even try to understand where she's coming from (AIPAC?), but I NEVER had a sense of "stateswoman" from her pre-Speaker days. So, she's a hard worker. But IMO her allegiance is to The Party above The People or The Country or The Truth *and* her strategic theories are going to backfire on the Dems, methinks. I never "voted" for her; I WISH she could be recalled!
Listen, DO visit http://PledgeToImpeach.ORG -- Prof., it's the only *real* game in town or country re impeachment from the grassroots. Strike and boycott -- the only real leverage We the People have in times like these against a dictatorial regime. In 1900, 75% of Congressional business was the result of "private petitions" brought by The People to their Representatives. Today, that figure stands at 3%. With a little IMAGINATION and massive action from the assorted discontents, Pledge To Impeach has THE plan to kick the bums out, end the Iraq War, and prevent an attack on Iran. I see NO other way this is going to happen, and I have no hope for the future of this Republic should we allow 2008 to come w/o drawing the line, setting a precedent with this most imperial Presidency. The only hope, IMO, is to get at the root--which starts with impeachment and then the system in D.C. Just swapping out Repubs with Dems will deliver, I fear, more of the same, just with a more refined "left brain" IQ?
by
PeaceWarrior (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 3 comments)
on Monday, April 9, 2007 at 5:57:29 PM
Thanks for writing. I'll check out the site. Don't know what the chances are of a Special Prosecutor and don't know what is holding the Dems back. Fear of losing in 2008?
Thanks for reading my column. Stay in touch and keep reading.
wow, seems the exact opposite will happen... and I'll be right there campaigning against them! ....who in the world will vote for Dems that defy the will of the People?
Rep. Danny Davis to Constituents: Make Me Impeach Bush Mr Lindorff's article today pretty much describes the twisted thinking that puts Congressmens "Party-Loyalty" ahead of their SWORN duty. (and let's be clear about the meaning of 'Party Loyalty' = that means they place their personal career advancement & oportunities for committees ABOVE their duty to represent We The people.
If we allow Bush to be "the Decider" in the White House and Pelosi to be "the Decider" in Congress... what the hell are we giving all our tax money to the rest of them for?
I liked your article, Prof Pete, and thanks for your valuable contribution, but have to agree with the other post, an Investigator (independent or otherwise) would be just ONE MORE joke on the Taxpayers pocket book... we haven't profited much by investigations lately, despite the thickness of the book produced. How about IMPEACHING them first THEN investigating their crimes in Court?
The Corporate Media Monopoly (remember when we were upset about the FCC doing that - and Bush proudly proclaimed: "That's my Support Base!") Corporate Media has managed to LOCALIZE all the grassroots demonstrations, so that John and Susie Q Public are not aware that most of America is as unhappy as they are. While people in one state demonstrate, either none of it is shown to the rest of the country, or simply a passing mention with a quick 'close-up' is all they see... instead of the long shots that show what a huge crowd there was. We who are activists, know to look on the internet for the protests, but John & Susie Q come home from work and watch Corporate TV 'entertainment news' & read their Corporate Morning paper - and never know about the Demonstrations.
It's the same psy-ops method used to keep our returning KIA's out of sight/out of mind. That's why the BEST method yet is gathering ALL the Activist Groups together at ONE place on ONE day to hand in copies of ALL the petitions and letters they have EACH collected - and taking them all at ONE time to present to Congress.
Otherwise it's like a million-man-march, but with all the million marching in different directions on different days...
In the face of BushCo's Monopolized, Neo-fascism it's imperative to recognize the need for Unity. We have to realize that things have been changed - grassroots has been gagged and hogtied.. May 1st could be the beginning of Reclaiming America...
I hope you'll write about exposing the 38/39 Congressmen who defrauded the Voters by co-sponsoring the Conyers Bill PRIOR to the Election but reniged AFTER the election ?
Let's all join PledgeToImpeach.org - it can't 'hurt' and it doesn't cost a dime! May 1st could well be the New Tea Party when we can throw the BUMS overboard instead of the tea...... all we need to do is u-n-i-t-e
by
mary-ann (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 55 comments)
on Monday, April 9, 2007 at 11:55:42 PM
6 comments
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