US House passes anti-flag desecration measure

[E30godz]

No shit? I thought voting was to see what flavor blow-pop they come out with next year? A deep thinker, yea? :roll:

And what exactly are you trying to insinuate here?
I'm assuming that you are attacking my level of intelligence. Would this assumption be incorrect?
-pete

Im insinuating that the string theory and illegal immigrants share some commonalities.

[KenC]

the government relies on voting to understand what their population believes about certain policies.

If only it were true. The simple fact is that the majority of the nation's voters don't even understand what they believe about certain policies. Whether or not that is actually irrational or not is for another discussion...

Ken
- BS in PS

*if you're interested in public opinion (or lack there of) read some Converse

[MattE30]

I concur with those who think the flag burning hippies should end up in jail. Lat time I checked we live in the best country in the world. With the best living conditions, the most opportunity. Why do you think we have an illegal immigrant problem? I dont see other countries sending American citizens back to the US all that often. The flag represents our country and all that it stands for. You dont like shut the fuck up and deal with it or get the hell out of here and move to Canada

Arrogance and naiveness will be the death of our country.

[PeterCip]

As far as stepping off my "political high horse":

"eat a penis"

Now there you go!

1) You're missing the point.
2) Was the confederate flag reference a shot at me living in North Carolina?

1) I know exactly what you are saying... but we will have to agree to disagree...
2)yup, poking fun at the south.. Red States Suck.

Well that pretty much sums it up, your opinion sucks ; )

I'll step aside and take that lightly...

Theres a difference between sugar coating and being respectful, sweety.

Sorry, but avatars have to gain my respect...

but seriously, get over yourself.

Looking down your nose will give you a headache; take caution..

Im insinuating that the string theory and illegal immigrants share some commonalities.

Please tie the theoretical physical model to immigration please.. I'm interested to learn their "commonalities".

If only it were true. The simple fact is that the majority of the nation's voters don't even understand what they believe about certain policies. Whether or not that is actually irrational or not is for another discussion...
Ken
- BS in PS

Very True.
*Incoming opinion* More than half of the population are also complete morons. Same reason i feel that respect has to be earned.. Not handed out like food stamps..

[E30godz]

*Outgoing Opinion*

I think a british breakfast has too much grease in it.

[KenC]

If only it were true. The simple fact is that the majority of the nation's voters don't even understand what they believe about certain policies. Whether or not that is actually irrational or not is for another discussion...
Ken
- BS in PS

Very True.
*Incoming opinion* More than half of the population are also complete morons. Same reason i feel that respect has to be earned.. Not handed out like food stamps..

Only if you believe that ignorance is synonymous with stupidity. How rational, or feasible for that matter, is it for each citizen to be completely informed about every policy measure which affects them? Don't we all rely on some form of 'elite' for our information? There is simply too much information for us (ordinary people) to 'digest.' Albiet, there is necessarily bias from these elite sources, but there is no alternative. (That is unless you're a jounalist obtaining information first-hand.)
Citizens/voters aren't as 'dumb' as most people think (read The Rational Public by Page and Shapiro for some insight). Isn't it possible that most people's ignorance stems from rational self-interest?

[PeterCip]

Only if you believe that ignorance is synonymous with stupidity. How rational, or feasible for that matter, is it for each citizen to be completely informed about every policy measure which affects them? Don't we all rely on some form of 'elite' for our information? There is simply too much information for us (ordinary people) to 'digest.' Albiet, there is necessarily bias from these elite sources, but there is no alternative. (That is unless you're a jounalist obtaining information first-hand.)
Citizens/voters aren't as 'dumb' as most people think (read The Rational Public by Page and Shapiro for some insight). Isn't it possible that most people's ignorance stems from rational self-interest?

I'm not talking about the ignorant; I’m talking about the stupid.
Here is how i define a moron:
1.If you can't retain a certain amount of information, enough to construct a simple opinion, then you are a moron.
2. If your beliefs are structured solely on what has been conveyed to you by a single source, then you are a moron.(IE religious fanatics that do more wrong than good like the KKK etc.)
3. If you don’t' have the mental capacity to realize the difference between right and wrong, then your a moron.
4. If you never have the longing to learn about something new, then you are a moron.
5. If someone changes something in your life that directly effects you negatively, and you do nothing about it, then you are a moron..

I could keep going, but I’m sounding a little too much like Jeff Foxworthy.

I don’t' like malicious stupid people. Actually, I don’t' like most people... it seems that many of the people that i have interacted with are intolerable morons. They do more wrong than good.

I certainly do not expect a person to know all that happens around them. I do however expect them to realize that there IS stuff going on around them. I also expect people to retain certain moral values. Unfortunately i have not observed this in my travels. It is for that reason that i said that 50% of the population is stupid.
-pete

[KenC]

1.If you can't retain a certain amount of information, enough to construct a simple opinion, then you are a moron.

Over 90% of the population is unable to do this regarding a multitude of topics/issues... most likely yourself and I included.

Read some works by Philip Converse and you'll become even more cynical :)

[Rob]

this is still going on?

[KenC]

this is still going on?

I've created a tangent! :D

[PeterCip]

1.If you can't retain a certain amount of information, enough to construct a simple opinion, then you are a moron.

Over 90% of the population is unable to do this regarding a multitude of topics/issues... most likely yourself and I included.

Read some works by Philip Converse and you'll become even more cynical :)

Perhaps you should speak for yourself...

this is still going on?

yah except the one person i was arguing with backed out all together... what fun is that?
I'm gonna start up a bible beater thread. That should throw some fuel on my fire!
-pete

[KenC]

1.If you can't retain a certain amount of information, enough to construct a simple opinion, then you are a moron.

Over 90% of the population is unable to do this regarding a multitude of topics/issues... most likely yourself and I included.

Read some works by Philip Converse and you'll become even more cynical :)

Perhaps you should speak for yourself...

I'm willing to be that I'm far more informed than the 'average' citizen (one would only hope so after completing a bachelor's degree in political science).

However, unless one is a dedicated student of politics (career politicians and political analysts included), then there is no feasible way to have a completely informed opinion regarding every (or even half) issue which affects that person.
This, to me, is perfectly fine. Most people still manage to become informed on the issues which they feel strongly about (whether or not they actually are affected by them is another issue :?).



Read the following (I have ;) ). They'll give you some insight into the psychological aspect of political opinions:
Converse, Philip. “The Nature of Belief Systems in the Mass Publics”
Zaller, John. The Nature and Origins of Mass Opinion. Chapter two should suffice from this book.
Converse, Philip. “Assessing the Capacity of Mass Electorates.”

Or if you want some contradicting information, read:
Page and Shapiro. The Rational Public.
- It's a pretty easy read

[E30godz]

No im still here Petey.

As far as gaining respect....insulting 147.5 million people on the basis that you've encountered a bunch of "intolerable morons" on your far and wide "travels" is not going to get respect from anyone.

and you tell ME to stop looking down my nose?

I assume that when you met all of these people, you told them of your 5 easy "you might be a moron if.." statments?

I had no idea however, that this forum was visited by some of the super-elite, such as yourself.

[Rob]

I pooped a hammer

[PeterCip]

No im still here Petey.

As far as gaining respect....insulting 147.5 million people on the basis that you've encountered a bunch of "intolerable morons" on your far and wide "travels" is not going to get respect from anyone.

and you tell ME to stop looking down my nose?

I assume that when you met all of these people, you told them of your 5 easy "you might be a moron if.." statments?

I had no idea however, that this forum was visited by some of the super-elite, such as yourself.

Do you fall into one of those catagories? Is that why you are so offended right now? And don't call me petey; you lousy piece of shit.

However, unless one is a dedicated student of politics (career politicians and political analysts included), then there is no feasible way to have a completely informed opinion regarding every (or even half) issue which affects that person.

Ken that’s not what I meant..
Just for clarification purposes; I don't expect people to fully understand all of the events and circumstances that affect them indirectly. I do expect that people don’t latch onto the beliefs/opinions of others. In order to survive in society effectively, you have got to be able to form your own opinions.. Otherwise you might as well be in a vegetative state, living vicariously through someone else.