Politicians hide behind three things: The Flag. The Bible. And education! "I'll tell you what they don't want. The owners of this country don't want a population of citizens capable of critical thinking. They don’t want well-informed, well-educated people capable of critical thinking - they’re not interested in that. That doesn’t help them. That’s against their interests.And now they're coming for your Social Security. "It's a big club. And you ain't in it". That brings up America's number one export: bullshit!--George Carlin
Carlin poses the question: how long does it take you to spot someone who is full o'shit?
An update:
How Bush Allowed an Army of For-Profit Contractors to Invade the U.S. Treasury
How is it done? How do you screw the taxpayer for millions, get away with it and then ride off into the sunset with one middle finger extended, the other wrapped around a chilled martini? Ask Earnest O. Robbins -- he knows all about being a successful contractor in Iraq.You start off as a well-connected bureaucrat: in this case, as an Air Force civil engineer, a post from which Robbins was responsible for overseeing 70,000 servicemen and contractors, with an annual budget of $8 billion. You serve with distinction for thirty-four years, becoming such a military all-star that the Air Force frequently sends you to the Hill to testify before Congress -- until one day in the summer of 2003, when you retire to take a job as an executive for Parsons, a private construction company looking to do work in Iraq.
Now you can finally move out of your dull government housing on Bolling Air Force Base and get your wife that dream home you've been promising her all these years. The place on Park Street in Dunn Loring, Virginia, looks pretty good -- four bedrooms, fireplace, garage, 2,900 square feet, a nice starter home in a high-end neighborhood full of spooks, think-tankers and ex-apparatchiks moved on to the nest-egg phase of their faceless careers. On October 20th, 2003, you close the deal for $775,000 and start living that private-sector good life. ...
15 comments:
The baby boom generation has been described as the best educated in all of history.
But, judging by the abysmal cultural and historical illiteracy displayed by most people I come across, most with university degrees, I’ve often wondered what is meant by the word “educated”.
Since the vast majority of Americans have completed post-secondary education, why are they (I use “they”, since I’m not American) so culturally illiterate?
Could it be that when we say someone is “educated” we should really say they are "technically trained" to be an investment banker or physician, or whatever?
So, being merely "technically trained", they won’t necessarily know when World War One was fought, or where Finland is on a map, or that Jussi Bjoerling sang opera, or who Sinclair Lewis was, or who Gore Vidal is – the sort of cultural knowledge which should be in the mental inventory of anyone who considers they are "educated".
If, for instance, more Americans knew history, particularly 20th century world history, they would see parallels between what Hitler and Mussolini said and did, and what George Bush has said and done, and would therefore do more to prevent what he has perpetrated in the name of the American people.
And if more generation “X”ers knew more about the adventure in Vietnam, or about the history of European colonialism, they would see the Iraq adventure in a totally different light.
The irony of current American life is that, while the people are subjected to brainwashing from the mass media (or what used to be called the “popular press”) never have they had more opportunities to find out the truth, courtesy of the internet.
But, as Noam Chomsky and his ilk have said over many decades, most people won’t devote the time and energy needed to research the facts, and, instead, simply swallow what they hear on their TVs or what they read in their corporate-owned newspaper, because it's so much easier to do so.
“The price of freedom is eternal vigilance” said Thomas Jefferson. George Bush must be thanking his God each night that so few of his fellow Americans have heeded what Jefferson said, and have thus enabled him to have gotten way with all he’s gotten away with.
George Carlin speaks honestly and always makes me laugh, till I cry happy tears!
Yes, politicians do hide behind the flag, how they revere our flag. Many times they will waste time in Congress creating another new law, to protect the flag.While at the same time ignoring precious legislation like ending the Iraq War.
Yes, politicians spout off words of wisdom, and prayers of redemption most times sounding more like a Man of God then the Preacher. While wanting to stop abortions, yet striking down funding for school lunch programs to feed the children who often go hungry.Children that are already born, yet they seek to deny these children, but want more children to be born in poverty. Of course, this is in the name of God.
Education, George Carlin is right on,This group doesn't want us educated Lord only knows the people in this Country might fight back.
Christopher I said...
judging by the abysmal cultural and historical illiteracy displayed by most people I come across, most with university degrees, I’ve often wondered what is meant by the word “educated”.
So do I. There is, of course, "willfull ignorance". The Religious Right, for example, chooses to be ignorant. Worse --they will espouse crap knowing it to be crap. They lie to you and themselves. Thanks to the unholy alliance of religious right folk and the GOP, the unspoken idea that "truth" no longer matters strikes hard against our society and the very underpinnings of civilization itself. My education was a process by which "truth" itself became the supreme "value" against which everything else is measured.
Could it be that when we say someone is “educated” we should really say they are "technically trained" to be an investment banker or physician, or whatever?
I agree. Many people are abysmally stupid outside a narrow specialty. What is even more worrisome is the lack of curiosity. Many people just don't want to know anything and are not in the least bit interested in anything outside their self-imposed limits.
If, for instance, more Americans knew history, particularly 20th century world history, they would see parallels between what Hitler and Mussolini said and did,
You are absolutely correct. The US is now paying the price for having short changed the "humanities", including history. I was lucky. My father was a history "nut" and I had some no nonsense "profs". I might not have appreciated them as much then as I do now.
But, as Noam Chomsky and his ilk have said over many decades, most people won’t devote the time and energy needed to research the facts,
Chomsky is correct, of course. In many areas, ignorance is no excuse. But, in other ways, the MSM must be blamed for taking advantage of the fact that most individuals are not in a position to double check every stupid thing said by young, stupid reporters who might not even know any better. Walter Cronkite was trusted, in part, because he had been there and covered it.
Diane B said...
George Carlin speaks honestly and always makes me laugh, till I cry happy tears!
Yep! Carlin is a national treasure. If he were British, I would support Knighthood. But there must be some other way that we can show this guy how important he has been not only to our generation but younger folk who need someone like Carlin.
Fuzzflash sez...
Great to and fro; something happenin' here, guys and gals. Unlike Mr.Jones, we're all hip to what it is.
"But there must be some other way that we can show this guy how important he has been not only to our generation but younger folk who need someone like Carlin."
Regularly featuring Carlin's clips on blogs like this is one highly effective way, Len. From finding his work for the first time on EC, I've shown his clips to a dozen people "live", and Johnny Appleseeded links of his clips on YouTube throughout the weblogosphere. The nature of the www is that once the buzz gets out, it proliferates. Yesterday's word of mouth is today's blog link. The agenda is ours to set. People are booting up, tuning in, and turning on to the truth. Dropping out is how one views it.
The "system" is never going to acknowledge Carlin. They'd can't stand the truth, let alone ridicule. In cyberspace, once the cat's out of the bag, not even Shrodinger can re-sack it.
Chrispopher i, great point about the difference between technically trained functionaries AND educated human beings.
In your last para. the god that B43 worships each night is Moloch, but for the right kind of money George will seamlessly become a Mammon man, like any faith-based, family values president would.
Fuzz sez...
Len, Sad and especially you Damien who patiently, and with passion, humour and dazzling research laid out the dots for us to connect.
Slowly they turned, inch by inch, step by step...
Robert Fisk: Even I question the 'truth' about 9/11
Published: 25 August 2007
http://news.independent.co.uk/fisk/article2893860.ece
Fisk has thirty odd years of journalistic cred on the line here. He's highly unlikely to have tossed it away on a "bullshit" conspiracy theory. If he's as hard nosed an old pro as I think he is, he's going to give as much as he gets on this one.
Not really a good time for Bobby to be putting himself about Beirut or undertaking travel, so to speak.
Fuzzflash sez...
From finding his work for the first time on EC, I've shown his clips to a dozen people "live", and Johnny Appleseeded links of his clips on YouTube throughout the weblogosphere. The nature of the www is that once the buzz gets out, it proliferates. Yesterday's word of mouth is today's blog link. The agenda is ours to set. People are booting up, tuning in, and turning on to the truth. Dropping out is how one views it.
Thanks, Fuzz...Carlin's is a unique voice. He recognizes no "box". His thinking is as fresh now as when he was just the young "Hippy Dippy Weatherman", a routine that was released as a 45 RPM single. It was an instant hit.
The most memorable bit was his "stoned" forecast of a "line of threatening thunderstorms " etc etc..."but radar also shows a line of Russian ICBM's. So I wouldn't sweat the thunder showers!"
The US might have become an ally of Nazi Germany and would have gone fascist if FDR had not won. Many industrialists and powerful bankers envied Adolf Hitler's solutions to the Great Depression, and they wanted to emulate that model. They detested FDR's high taxes on the rich and social programs for the poor.
They even tried to overthrow him according to Gen. Smedley Butler:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_Plot
Thanks Len....posting Carlin is a great service to younger folks who don't understand what real "straight talk" is....
I'm always conflicted when I listen to George Carlin though....
I know deep in my soul that he's right about the lies, the owners, the bullshitand on and on...but I would still like to hold onto some hope that we can change things and Carlin doesn't seem to give us much hope....
Maybe Carlin's greatest value to us is to open our eyes and force us to take action...to ultimately make things better by seeing how truly bad things are.
I've got to think this through some more.
Again thanks
hizzhoner
c
hizzoner,
I understand. Carlin doesn't give us a lot to hang onto. The facts are simply this: the murders of JFK, RFK, Martin Luther King, Jr, Paul Wellstone, JFK Jr were the work of right wing, a rabid right wing of no conscience or compunction. The CIA and the Military are, in essence, "privately owned" THUGS hired to protect a tiny ruling elite, made even tinier by the back to back policies of Ronald Reagan and Bush Sr. Clinton was a tiny bump on the log and even he was the target of an attempted assassination --a character assassination. Tragically, sadly, the GOP, a criminal conspiracy by any legal standard, will continue to bully its way into power, ripping off and impoverishing millions as they do it.
Diane B said :
"This group doesn't want us educated Lord only knows the people in this Country might fight back."
It's exactly why they DON'T want anyone educated.
These people have done an outstanding job of co-opting the operating model the organized religion has been using for years.
"Keep 'em in the dark and feed 'em BS."
Great for mushrooms. . . .not so good for the rest of us.
bluesbasscat said...
It's exactly why they DON'T want anyone educated. These people have done an outstanding job of co-opting the operating model the organized religion has been using for years. "Keep 'em in the dark and feed 'em BS." Great for mushrooms. . . .not so good for the rest of us.
Indeed! See my latest article: Why and How Governments Betrayed Our Dreams of Freedom With Lies and Incompetence
I never wanted to be a teacher...but isn't it time we educate? The slaves did it in secret when their 'Masses' forbid it. And may GOD have mercy on their souls....the people won't.
Great blog; BTW!
Len, I enjoyed the Carlin videos more than I can describe. I ran out and bought his book, "When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?" a couple of years ago. I love anything he makes available. Thanks for treating us to this. He is successful enough now, but will likely be recognized as one of the greatest comic geniuses later. Humans, historically, dont' realize what they've got till it's gone.
Thanks, Zena, and welcome to the Cowboy.
Jon Gregory said...
Len, I enjoyed the Carlin videos more than I can describe.
I became a Carlin fan when he released a "single" ---the "Hippy Dippy Weatherman". Great stuff and he's only gotten better. Like fine wine.
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