Quote:
Originally Posted by abaya
I certainly didn't intend for it to be fair. It's called sarcasm.
EDIT: Just noticed your Daily Show reaction. Well, no wonder you don't like my sense of humor, lol.
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Ab!! Sorry, I didn't catch your sarcasm at all, but I was merely trying to present a different perspective.
Quote:
Originally Posted by abaya
But really, is it really so elitist that I expect the average American voter to exercise critical thinking skills and to not be totally swept away by the lowest-denominator propaganda that is shoved at them on a daily basis? I have the same expectations when I am teaching. I expect my students to use their brains. When they don't, they get punished for it in the form of grades. Does that mean all teachers are elitist because we have high standards for people to actually think and evaluate and NOT say things like, "I just can't imagine an American president with the name Barack Obama... that's why I won't vote for him." (Yes, I actually heard this a few days ago, from a mother of one of my close friends.)
Funny, I thought that it was a good thing to expect that the average person has the brains and skills to pick their way through a presidential election... should I keep lowering my standards? That's the message I'm getting in this election.
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Yes you are absolutely correct Ab, and I would tend to agree. No one is asking you to lower your standards, but one of the effects of having a diverse and varied population is people have different criteria, standards, and priorities. For some, pro-life/choice is THE issue and they will vote accordingly no matter what. Others find the economy to be the most important so will vote that way. Still others may prefer someone who represents them best, be it male, female, young, old, black, Asian, white etc.
In fact, Ab, many people are voting for Obama simply because he is young and perceivably hip. Or because they like Michelle Obama. Others will vote for Obama because Oprah tells them too. Do you think that is lowest-common denominator propaganda? Many Americans will vote McCain because he is a military man and they identify with that. To each their own.
Yes I to have heard some ridiculous comments like you: My personal favorites:
"I'm voting Obama cause he's so cute!"
"I's voting Obama cuz he black an' representz da hood yo. Word."
And everybody's favorite:
"I'm NOT voting Obama cause he's Muslim."
I can understand your frustrations but rather than berating people for their opinions and beliefs, it would probably be better to engage them in a thoughtful more meaningful manner.
Just my opinion.
-----Added 22/9/2008 at 06 : 36 : 45-----
Quote:
Originally Posted by abaya
Well hey, I gotta take my high horse out for a ride at least once a day...  |
Perfectly acceptable, but you may have to make some room for me too.
