nytimes.com— What had been the Republican Party’s disdain for liberal intellectuals has slipped into a disdain for the educated class as a whole.
Oct 10, 2008View in Crawl 4
Duckley, you're implying that everyone in America is either a "good ol' boy" or an "intellectual" (meaning liberal, I guess). I argue there's a large group that's in between.I grew up in South Carolina, so I guess my hometown would automatically fall into your category of "good ol' boys". Well, most of our neighborhood consisted of either engineers with Ph.D.s who work at the Savannah River Site or medical professionals who work at the Medical College of GA. Highly educated, but all politically conservative. Go figure. Here's my point. The Northeast and West Coast "intellectuals" seem to think that anyone who's not liberal is some sort of Bubba. Not so. The whole rest of the country is out there. They're just good, regular folks. They're educated, but they've chosen to live a different way. They're working and keeping the country running by growing the food we eat, transporting it to the cities, doctoring everybody's kids, etc., etc. God, Mom, and apple pie. (Yes, some of us even go to church too.) Everybody keeps trying to draw absolutes and make this a black and white issue, but you just can't do it.It's all a matter of respecting people as intelligent human beings, not judging them by what city they live in or how many degrees they have.
Angrykeyboarder, I think the whole political system is self destructing. As I watched the last debate I kept thinking, "Gee is this the best we can do?" Both candidates have lost their energy and passion. When I saw Obama speak at the 2004 convention, I thought he was really genuine and on fire. Now he just looks arrogant and he spouts generalities. He has this funny way of smiling, tilting his head back, and looking down his nose. I'm not sure he understands where real folks are coming from.On the flip side, McCain looks embalmed. He's a real American, but he can't seem to connect to the crowd anymore. His "maverick" flame is burning out. I really think he lost the election once and for all during that last debate.Too bad we can't vote "none of the above".
You are someone I can have a conversation with and still disagree (though I don't with your comment) - I'm in the middle, the forgotten middle. But I must protest that the republicans have minimized intellect with the dumbing down of their followers - Fox Fantasy News, Limbaugh, Hannity (oh my) - they just take it at face value and don't have curiosity - like palin and the shrub. People like you are the hope for our country.
teaoliveOct 10, 2008
Duckley, you're implying that everyone in America is either a "good ol' boy" or an "intellectual" (meaning liberal, I guess). I argue there's a large group that's in between.I grew up in South Carolina, so I guess my hometown would automatically fall into your category of "good ol' boys". Well, most of our neighborhood consisted of either engineers with Ph.D.s who work at the Savannah River Site or medical professionals who work at the Medical College of GA. Highly educated, but all politically conservative. Go figure. Here's my point. The Northeast and West Coast "intellectuals" seem to think that anyone who's not liberal is some sort of Bubba. Not so. The whole rest of the country is out there. They're just good, regular folks. They're educated, but they've chosen to live a different way. They're working and keeping the country running by growing the food we eat, transporting it to the cities, doctoring everybody's kids, etc., etc. God, Mom, and apple pie. (Yes, some of us even go to church too.) Everybody keeps trying to draw absolutes and make this a black and white issue, but you just can't do it.It's all a matter of respecting people as intelligent human beings, not judging them by what city they live in or how many degrees they have.
angrykeyboarderOct 11, 2008
He's just quoting from the op/ed that resulted in this digg.
teaoliveOct 11, 2008
Angrykeyboarder, I think the whole political system is self destructing. As I watched the last debate I kept thinking, "Gee is this the best we can do?" Both candidates have lost their energy and passion. When I saw Obama speak at the 2004 convention, I thought he was really genuine and on fire. Now he just looks arrogant and he spouts generalities. He has this funny way of smiling, tilting his head back, and looking down his nose. I'm not sure he understands where real folks are coming from.On the flip side, McCain looks embalmed. He's a real American, but he can't seem to connect to the crowd anymore. His "maverick" flame is burning out. I really think he lost the election once and for all during that last debate.Too bad we can't vote "none of the above".
zenbudOct 11, 2008
You are someone I can have a conversation with and still disagree (though I don't with your comment) - I'm in the middle, the forgotten middle. But I must protest that the republicans have minimized intellect with the dumbing down of their followers - Fox Fantasy News, Limbaugh, Hannity (oh my) - they just take it at face value and don't have curiosity - like palin and the shrub. People like you are the hope for our country.
msartgeekOct 12, 2008
> Too bad we can't vote "none of the above".Sure you can, his name is Ron Paul. Or Ralph Nader. Or Bob Barr.