So, Sarah Palin's response to President Obama's "Sputnik Moment" is WTF.
Really. What is he talking about? How could he be so stupid as not to know that the Soviets won the space race. We shouldn't be celebrating that. And, since everyone knows that the Soviet space program brought down the communist regime, is our president actually endorsing the fall of our government?
And those foolish, brainwashed eighteen percent of our population gave her a resounding
"Way to go, Sarah!"
My mind can't help but wander to that science nerd in Norway, who keeps up to date on the happenings of the world through the internet. Or the geek in India who is ready to cash in on technological knowledge that years of hitting the books will finally pay off.
America is not a threat to their success. As far as they understand it, as long as Sarah Palin and others like her continue to show the world how out of touch with basic math (yeah- tax cuts will reduce the deficit) science (the world was created 6000 years ago) and history (oh take your pick- too many to mention), America is no longer the country to go to for major breakthroughs.
Look at Texas. That infamous school board is doing their very best to ensure that the next generation will have no hope in competing on the global stage. But that's OK, because as far as they see it, the global stage is not important.
What is important? Keeping the masses dumb. Fill their minds with nonsensical non facts, blurred half-truths and fear-mongering bigotry.
That way, they can maintain control. Nobody will have the smarts to challenge the rhetoric.
When Sarah Palin first made that ridiculous statement about then candidate Barrack Obama 'palling around with terrorists', I thought she would have been laughed out of town. But no. Instead, Mr. Obama had to issue a statement concerning his relationship with that 'terrorist', and guarantee the American people that he would have no place in his administration.
He had to respond.
And Sarah Palin was off and running.
I cannot express into words how this mind control of the electorate is affecting me. There are so many people who believe like Virginia. If it's in the media, it must be true.
And since critical thinking skills are soon a thing of the past, along with research and independent thought, even debunked challenges get washed over as 'well, that's what you say, but I know the truth.'
President Obama was right. We need to take on this "Sputnik Moment". We need to focus on the future, by educating the next generation with the standards they will need to compete in a global market.
But we also need to start shouting louder than the idiots who are pushing the lies. They need to be embarrassed. They need to be laughed off the stage.
How about a drive to start mailing them history books? Or Basic Math books? How about someone sending Sarah a copy of President Kennedy's speech about putting a man on the moon? Or Eric Cantor a 4th grade math book?
America needs to get smart in more ways than one. We need to find a way to reach those poor souls who believe all the lies.
Because, really, WTF?