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20th October 2009, 12:10 PM
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Reps: 692,329,274,203,046 (power: 0) | | Originally Posted by Cabal  Yeah, can you explain this one to me? The American Dream (tm) where anyone can rise from nothing to become a successful academic or a profitable businessman - and where everyone else espousing the dream is TERRIFIED of you, and creates conspiracy theories to discredit you.
Um...what?
I wish I could explain it. At this point I can only make observations.
Medical science has had astounding measurable successes, e.g., the obliteration of horrific childhood diseases. Yet there is a non-trivial number of people who refuse to get their children vaccinated because despite all data to the contrary they believe the vaccinations cause autism or whatever. These people choose not to trust the experts. Why?
During the last election here the Republicans described Obama as an elitist, clearly using it as a derisive term since he's well-educated. It was an expected tactic, but odd nevertheless. Being well-educated and intellectual ought not to be considered bad things in candidate, and yet they often are. Why?  |
20th October 2009, 12:17 PM
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Reps: 692,329,274,203,046 (power: 0) | | Originally Posted by Pete Harcoff The American Dream is more routed in the ideals of equality and liberty, and blue-collar ethics than anything. I.e. work hard and you can accomplish things.
Intellectuals are viewed, in some circles, as being "ivory tower" types, aloof, know-it-alls, etc, and this can be looked down upon. Hence, the anti-science sentiment that pervades parts of American culture.
This probably gets at it better than my thoughts. The aloof, ivory tower perception is ironic since much of actual scientific work is physically demanding labor. Spending a summer in the desert digging up fossils or on a glacier drilling for ice cores is not for sissies. |
20th October 2009, 12:28 PM
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Reps: 38,330,407,492,018 (power: 38,330,407,495) | | Originally Posted by GoSeminoles! During the last election here the Republicans described Obama as an elitist, clearly using it as a derisive term since he's well-educated. It was an expected tactic, but odd nevertheless. Being well-educated and intellectual ought not to be considered bad things in candidate, and yet they often are. Why?
Because most Republicans are against anyone who can speak without a drawl, stand up straight, walk whilst chewing gum, doesn't own a big hat or at least a small anti-tank weapon, they wrap theselves in the flag, they use Mom and apple pie as weapons and if you don't see what's best for America the way they see what's best for America you're a traitor to America and it's people and you should be shot, hanged, poisoned or gased depending on which state you happen to be in. |
20th October 2009, 12:31 PM
|  | Neither Theist nor Atheist.
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Reps: 9,296,062,942,268,832 (power: 9,296,062,942,274) | | Originally Posted by godsmission It's exactly what is says it is, a dream, there must be more con men per head of population in the US than anywhere else on earth, the name of the game is the fast buck, don't work hard work smart, get an angle, get someone else to do it and you reap the benifits, it's the American way, they don't mind how you make your money just as long as you make it, there are more religions in the US than you can shake a stick at so that alone tells you there are plenty of con men.
Not true in all cases but I bet I'm pretty close.
Not really Fair, you know. The UK has just as many morons as America, per ratio.
__________________
John Lennon--"I believe in everything until it's disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists, even if it's in your mind. Who's to say that dreams and nightmares aren't as real as the here and now? Reality leaves a lot to the imagination."
Although I am an avowed atheist I believe in Jesus' message. Therefore I consider myself a Christian;
- tanzanos (defunct member)
If necessity is the mother of invention then Macgyver is the father. |
20th October 2009, 01:01 PM
|  | The Rapture can take a hike
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Reps: 5,038,481,752,567,930 (power: 5,038,481,752,583) | | Originally Posted by DrkSdBls Not really Fair, you know. The UK has just as many morons as America, per ratio.
just so happens that godmission/consol fits neatly into that demographic too.
__________________ simul justus et peccator |
20th October 2009, 01:09 PM
| | Neither Theist nor Atheist.
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Reps: 9,296,062,942,268,832 (power: 9,296,062,942,274) | | Originally Posted by theFijian just so happens that godmission/consol fits neatly into that demographic too.
WHAT! You mean Godmission is really Consol?
Wow. He's been so beneith his usual degree of Insane Ranting that I hadn't noticed.
__________________
John Lennon--"I believe in everything until it's disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists, even if it's in your mind. Who's to say that dreams and nightmares aren't as real as the here and now? Reality leaves a lot to the imagination."
Although I am an avowed atheist I believe in Jesus' message. Therefore I consider myself a Christian;
- tanzanos (defunct member)
If necessity is the mother of invention then Macgyver is the father. |
20th October 2009, 01:13 PM
| | Member
| | Join Date: 27th July 2009 Location: UK
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Reps: 38,330,407,492,018 (power: 38,330,407,495) | | Originally Posted by DrkSdBls Not really Fair, you know. The UK has just as many morons as America, per ratio.
Yes unfortunately you're right we do have more than our fair share of morons, and sadly the numbers are increasing all of the time. |
20th October 2009, 01:15 PM
| | The Rapture can take a hike
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Reps: 5,038,481,752,567,930 (power: 5,038,481,752,583) | | Originally Posted by DrkSdBls WHAT! You mean Godmission is really Consol?
Wow. He's been so beneith his usual degree of Insane Ranting that I hadn't noticed.
i would have listed the other sockpuppets but i couldn't remember them all!
__________________ simul justus et peccator |
20th October 2009, 02:07 PM
| | Neither Theist nor Atheist.
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Reps: 9,296,062,942,268,832 (power: 9,296,062,942,274) | | Originally Posted by theFijian i would have listed the other sockpuppets but i couldn't remember them all!
Automan.... That's another.
He also changed his Paragraph Format too. Also why I missed it.
__________________
John Lennon--"I believe in everything until it's disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists, even if it's in your mind. Who's to say that dreams and nightmares aren't as real as the here and now? Reality leaves a lot to the imagination."
Although I am an avowed atheist I believe in Jesus' message. Therefore I consider myself a Christian;
- tanzanos (defunct member)
If necessity is the mother of invention then Macgyver is the father. |
21st October 2009, 04:55 AM
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Reps: 10 (power: 0) | | | I would of thought the American dream is more about new beginnings, travel to a new country and not be judged by your family or past life.
But I guess that doesn't apply so much now. | | |
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