Who's REALLY smarter?

stray bullet

God Made Me A Skeptic
Nov 16, 2002
14,875
906
✟20,457.00
Marital Status
Private
Who's Smarter?

by Cindy Osborne

The Hollywood group is at it again. Holding anti-war rallies, screaming about the Bush Administration, running ads in major newspapers, defaming the President and his Cabinet every chance they get, to anyone and everyone who will listen. They publicly defile them and call them names like "stupid", "morons", and "idiots".

Jessica Lange* (see below) went so far as _to tell a crowd in Spain that she hates President Bush and is embarrassed to be an American. So, just how ignorant are these people who are running the country? Let's look at the biographies of these "stupid", "ignorant", "moronic" leaders, and then at the celebrities who are castigating them:

President George W. Bush: Received a Bachelors Degree from Yale University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He served as an F-102 pilot for the Texas Air National Guard. He began his career in the oil _and gas business in Midland in 1975 and worked in the energy industry until 1986. He was elected Governor on November 8, 1994, with 53.5 percent of the vote. In a historic re-election victory, he became the first Texas Governor to be elected to consecutive four-year terms on November 3, 1998 winning 68.6 percent of the vote. In 1998 Governor Bush won 49 percent of the Hispanic vote, 27 percent of the African-American _vote, 27 percent of Democrats and 65 percent of women. He won more _Texas counties, 240 of 254, than any modern Republican other than Richard Nixon in 1972 and is the first Republican gubernatorial candidate to win the heavily Hispanic and Democratic border counties of El Paso, Cameron and _Hidalgo. (Someone began circulating a false story about his I.Q. being lower than any other President. If you believed it, you might want to go to _www.URBANLEGENDS.COM <http://www.URBANLEGENDS.COM> and see the truth.

Vice President Dick Cheney: Earned a B.A. in 1965 and a M.A. in 1966, both in political science. Two years later, he won an American Political Science Association congressional fellowship. One of Vice President Cheney's primary duties is to share with individuals, members of Congress and foreign leaders, President Bush's vision to strengthen our economy, _secure our homeland and win the War on Terrorism. In his official role as President of the Senate, Vice President Cheney regularly goes to Capital Hill to meet with Senators and members of the House of Representatives to work on the Administration's legislative goals. In his travels as Vice President, he has seen first hand the great demands the war on terrorisms placing on the men and women of our military, and he is proud of the tremendous job they are doing for the United States of America.

Secretary of State Colin Powell: Educated in the New York City public schools, graduating from the City College of New York (CCNY), where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in geology. He also participated in ROTC at CCNY and received a commission as an Army second lieutenant upon graduation in June 1958. His further academic achievements include a Master of Business Administration Degree from George Washington University. Secretary Powell is the recipient of numerous U.S. and foreign military awards and decorations. Secretary Powell's civilian awards include two Presidential Medals of Freedom, the President's Citizens Medal, the Congressional Gold Medal, the Secretary of State Distinguished Service Medal, and the Secretary of Energy Distinguished Service Medal. Several schools and other institutions have been named in his honor and he holds honorary degrees from universities and colleges across the country. (Note: He retired as Four Star General in the United States Army)

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld:[/b] Attended Princeton University on Scholarship (AB, 1954) and served in the U.S. Navy (1954-57) as a Naval aviator; Congressional Assistant to Rep. Robert Griffin (R-MI), 1957-59; U.S. Representative, Illinois, 1962-69; Assistant to the President, _Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity, Director of the Cost of Living Council, 1969-74; U.S. Ambassador to NATO, 1973-74; head of Presidential Transition Team, 1974; Assistant to the President, _Director of White House Office of Operations, White House Chief of Staff, 1974-77; Secretary of Defense, 1975-77.

Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge: Raised in a working class family in veterans' public housing in Erie. He earned a scholarship to Harvard, graduating with honors in 1967. After his first year at The Dickinson School of Law, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served as an infantry staff sergeant in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star for Valor. After returning to Pennsylvania, he earned his Law Degree and was in private practice before becoming Assistant District Attorney in Erie County. He was elected to Congress in 1982. He was the first _enlisted Vietnam combat veteran elected to the U.S. House, and was _overwhelmingly re-elected six times.

National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice: Earned her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Denver in 1974; her Master's from the University of Notre Dame in _1975; and her Ph.D. from the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver in 1981. (Note: Rice enrolled at the University of Denver at the age of 15, graduating at 19 with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science (Cum Laude). She earned a Master's Degree at the University of Notre Dame and a Doctorate from the University of Denver's Graduate School of International Studies. Both of her advanced degrees are also in Political Science.) She is a Fellow of the American _Academy of Arts and Sciences and has been awarded Honorary Doctorates from Morehouse College in 1991, the University of Alabama in 1994, and the University of Notre Dame in 1995. At Stanford, she has been a member of the Center for International Security and Arms Control, a Senior Fellow of the Institute for International Studies, and a Fellow (by courtesy) of the Hoover Institution. Her books include Germany Unified and Europe Transformed (1995) with Philip Zelikow, The Gorbachev Era (1986) with Alexander Dallin, and Uncertain Allegiance: The Soviet Union and the Czechoslovak Army (1984). She also has written numerous articles on Soviet and East European foreign and defense policy, and has addressed audiences in settings ranging from the U.S. Ambassador's Residence in Moscow to the Commonwealth Club to the 1992 and 2000 Republican National Conventions. From 1989 through March 1991, the period of German reunification and the final days of the Soviet Union, she served in the Bush Administration as Director, and then Senior Director, of Soviet and East European Affairs in the National Security Council, and a Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. In 1986, while an international affairs fellow of the Council on Foreign _Relations, she served as Special Assistant to the Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. _In 1997, she served on the Federal Advisory Committee on Gender-Integrated Training in the Military. She was a member of the boards of directors for the Chevron Corporation, the Charles Schwab Corporation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the University of Notre Dame, the International Advisory Council of J.P. Morgan and the San Francisco Symphony Board of Governors. She was a Founding Board member of the _Center for a New Generation, an educational support fund for schools in _East Palo Alto and East Menlo Park, California and was Vice President of the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula. In addition, her past board _service has encompassed such organizations as Transamerica Corporation, _Hewlett Packard, the Carnegie Corporation, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, The Rand Corporation, the National Council for Soviet and East European Studies, the Mid-Peninsula Urban Coalition and KQED, public broadcasting for San Francisco. Born November 14, 1954 in Birmingham, Alabama, she resides in Washington, D.C.

So who are these celebrities? What is their education? What is their experience in affairs of State or in National Security? While I will defend to the death their right to express their opinions, I think that if they are going to call into question the intelligence of our leaders, we should also have all the facts on their educations and background:

Barbra Streisand : Completed high school Career: Singing and acting.

Cher: Dropped out of school in 9th grade. Career: Singing and acting.

Martin Sheen: Flunked exam to enter University of Dayton. Career: Acting.

*Jessica Lange: Dropped out college mid-freshman year. Career: Acting.

Alec Baldwin: Dropped out of George Washington U. after scandal. _Career: Acting.

Julia Roberts: Completed high school. Career: Acting.

Sean Penn: Completed High school. Career: Acting.

Susan Sarandon: Degree in Drama from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Career: Acting.

Ed Asner: Completed High school. Career: Acting.

George Clooney: Dropped out of University of Kentucky. Career: Acting.

Michael Moore: Dropped out first year University of Michigan. Career: Movie Director.

Sarah Jessica Parker: Completed High School. Career: Acting.

Jennifer Anniston: Completed High School. Career: Acting.

Mike Farrell: Completed High school. Career: Acting.

Janeane Garofelo: Dropped out of College. Career: Stand up comedienne.

Larry Hagman: Attended Bard College for one year. Career: Acting.

While comparing the education and experience of these two groups, we should also remember that President Bush and his cabinet are briefed daily, even hourly, on the War on Terror and threats to our security. They are privy to information gathered around the world concerning the Middle East, the threats to America, the intentions of terrorists and terrorist-supporting governments. They are in constant communication with the CIA, the FBI, Interpol, NATO, The United Nations, our own military, and that of our allies around the world.

We cannot simply believe that we have full knowledge of the threats because we watch CNN!! We cannot _believe that we are in any way as informed as our leaders.

It is time for us, as citizens of the United States, to educate ourselves about the world around us. If future generations are going to enjoy the freedoms that our forefathers bequeathed us, if they are ever to know peace in their own country and their world, to live without fear of terrorism striking in their own cities, we must assure that this nation remains strong. We must make certain that those who would destroy us are made aware of the severe consequences that will befall them.

Yes, it is a wonderful dream to sit down with dictators and terrorists and join hands, talking of world peace. But it is not real.

We did not stop Adolf Hitler from taking over the entire continent of Europe by simply talking to him. We sent our best and brightest, with the strength and determination that this Country is known for, and defeated the Nazi regime. _President John F. Kennedy did _not stop the Soviet ships from unloading their nuclear missiles in Cuba in _1962 with mere words. He stopped them with action, and threat of immediate war if the ships did not turn around. We did not end the Cold _War with conferences. It ended with the strong belief of President Ronald Reagan... PEACE through STRENGTH.
 

strathyboy

Well-Known Member
Jan 30, 2002
761
2
Visit site
✟1,376.00
Today at 09:09 PM

We cannot simply believe that we have full knowledge of the threats because we watch CNN!! We cannot _believe that we are in any way as informed as our leaders.

This one has perturbed me recently. Yes, that statement is correct, we don't have all the facts (and one occasionally wonders if some of those celebrities even watch CNN). So why haven't you asked your government for those facts? Are you content with ignorance of the situation?

A further question to be raised is just who is included in this "hollywood group". Is this merely a derogatory term for all those celebrities who disagree with the war for whatever reason? Are there in fact celebrities who agree with the war?

Today at 09:09 PM

It is time for us, as citizens of the United States, to educate ourselves about the world around us.

Now is the time? :)
So, y'know, we didn't need education to decide that past US actions were right?

Today at 09:09 PM

We did not stop Adolf Hitler from taking over the entire continent of Europe by simply talking to him. We sent our best and brightest, with the strength and determination that this Country is known for, and defeated the Nazi regime.

Sigh. This is one reason why many in Europe (specifically Britain and France) feel a little bitter with the US. While they had been fighting and dying for 3 years to keep the Nazi's back and, combined with the Russians, force a stalemate, the US rushes in, the proverbial straw that broke the camels back, and claims they saved the world.
Anyways, to debate this point alone requires another thread. I'll just leave you with one thought: Germany declared war on America first.

Today at 09:09 PM

_President John F. Kennedy did _not stop the Soviet ships from unloading their nuclear missiles in Cuba in _1962 with mere words. He stopped them with action, and threat of immediate war if the ships did not turn around.

Funny how JFK rarely gets credit for giving the go-ahead on operation "this-is-how-not-to-conduct-an-invasion", otherwise known as the Bay of Pigs, which essentially caused the whole conflict in the first place. He showed remarkable skill in getting out of the mess as well, though. Only fair to give credit where credit is due.

I won't try to defend those celebrities, not that I necessarily believe them to be wrong. But I will say that being intelligent does not necessarily mean one is right; having all the information does not necessarily mean one will make the right decision.
 
Upvote 0

stray bullet

God Made Me A Skeptic
Nov 16, 2002
14,875
906
✟20,457.00
Marital Status
Private
"This one has perturbed me recently. Yes, that statement is correct, we don't have all the facts (and one occasionally wonders if some of those celebrities even watch CNN). So why haven't you asked your government for those facts? Are you content with ignorance of the situation?"



The very fact you ask that question shows how out of touch you are with reality and not worth my time.
 
Upvote 0

strathyboy

Well-Known Member
Jan 30, 2002
761
2
Visit site
✟1,376.00
Today at 09:32 PM stray bullet said this in Post #3

"This one has perturbed me recently. Yes, that statement is correct, we don't have all the facts (and one occasionally wonders if some of those celebrities even watch CNN). So why haven't you asked your government for those facts? Are you content with ignorance of the situation?"



The very fact you ask that question shows how out of touch you are with reality and not worth my time.

Thanks. I like to be insulted. And that insult made it so clear just how right your article is; I can't believe I didn't see it before. Why didn't you insult me earlier and spare me this moment of ignorance?
 
Upvote 0

Michael0701

Harley Ridin' Believer!!
Nov 13, 2002
719
6
63
Tax Free Delaware!!
Visit site
✟8,417.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
strathyboy,

either you or I missed the point of the article. As I saw it the author states:

"They publicly defile them and call them names like "stupid", "morons", and "idiots"."

and:

" So, just how ignorant are these people who are running the country? Let's look at the biographies of these "stupid", "ignorant", "moronic" leaders, and then at the celebrities who are castigating them:"


to me she was adressing the use of certian disparaging words when describing the president and his cabinet. She backed her point of view with the biographies. I thought it made a good point in that sense.&nbsp;

Now as far as the public having the right to know intimate details about the conflict, I agree but only up to the point where it will not aid the enemy, and that I have to trust my leaders to determine.

As for your view of WWII, it doesn't quite match up with what I was taught in my military history class.&nbsp; As in the monday afternoon&nbsp;quarterback, it's easy to judge history based on what we know now.&nbsp; They based their decisions on what they had to work with and it was a very different world back then to say the least.
 
Upvote 0

Doctrine1st

Official nitwit
Oct 11, 2002
10,007
445
Seattle
Visit site
✟12,523.00
Faith
Politics
US-Others
Today at 12:38 AM paulewog said this in Post #8

No, but having an education is important, and you can't be entirely dumb and get a master's.

Some people think Bush is somehow extremely stupid, though....

But you got to ask yourself, why would people think that? He really doesn't put that ideal to bed with some of the things he says.
 
Upvote 0

Miyu

Active Member
Mar 27, 2003
51
0
57
Visit site
✟164.00
Taken from the Urban Legend Reference Pages (snopes):

As to the point of this piece, it's safe to say that those who hold high positions in federal government generally have more formal education and more on-the-job experience in politics and government than film actors do, that they are privy to a large amount of information the general public does not have access to, and that they are therefore better qualified to make important policy decisions than the average actor.

The question posed by the title -- "Who's smarter?" -- isn't so easily answered. Graduating college or holding elected office exposes people to new ideas and concepts and imbues them with practical experience, but those paths don't necessarily make people "smarter," nor is treading those paths necessary for one to become a competent politician or political analyst. Some very highly regarded U.S. presidents had little or no formal education (Abraham Lincoln), did not attend college (Harry Truman), or had no previous experience holding elective office (Dwight Eisenhower), and one (Ronald Reagan) even began his career as a film actor. On the other hand, some very well-educated and intelligent men with experience in governmental administration who served as chief executive of the U.S. (Herbert Hoover, Jimmy Carter) frequently show up on rosters of "worst U.S. presidents."



http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/smarter.php
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Gerry

Jesus Paid It All
May 1, 2002
8,301
17
Visit site
✟14,307.00
Thanks for posting this article. As a Christian, Patriotic American, I think those who are against everything Christian and everything Patriotic and everything right of center, should be exposed for what they are. Stange who the ignorant are always called the informed, ignorant. Stange how the cowards always attack the Brave. These people are against those who fight to make this country what it is, but they don't mind exercising the rights those fights have bought and paid for with precious blood of the Patriots.
 
Upvote 0