It was a real struggle for me to read this clearly RW viewpoint (link below the orange squiggle), because I can't reconcile the intelligence that the author appears to possess with the clearly absurd content.
The way it's written -- maybe it's not the best writing in all time, but it's definitely way above average -- suggests strongly that the author possesses a good amount of at least some forms of intellect.
But the content, for an article written today, Feb. 8, 2014, bears so little resemblance to the picture that's been emerging from the vast collection of facts already uncovered -- which anyone familiar with the entirely non-fictional NJ drama has come to suspect is just the tip of an iceberg too large to contemplate.
There's a live, intelligent person writing stuff that is so delusional that it becomes really interesting to ponder the question: how can it be? Is it a hoax? And if it's not a hoax, I would love to find some explanation of this phenomenon.
http://elm.washcoll.edu/...
Post-Script (after reading the Comments up until 8:30'ish pm):
1) I need to clarify why it seemed to me like the author possesses above-average intelligence.
I work in a profession regulated by the FDA (at a major biotech manufacturer, with extensive global presence, and major global market share). There are several functions (entire departments) that generate, record, and maintain communications, most consisting at least somewhat of narrative -- brief descriptions of observations, memos, and all the way up to extensive, comprehensive reports.
The more of those written communications I've come across in my 10+ years of working in this field (during which my role always involved creation and/or review of FDA-mandated written communications), the more dismayed I've become about what seems like a basic flaw in our educational system -- one that fails to provide intelligent kids with the important skills that produce high-quality written communication. That's a whole other serious subject, but I hope this clarifies why the writing sounded above-average to me.
2) More importantly, I need to clarify why I felt compelled to share this student's POV with the DKos community -- and to ask for the community's input.
One of the Comments questions the value of thinking any further about the linked article. And I can totally see why many people might feel that way; in fact, I was puzzled at first as to why I kept thinking about it so much, and the growing intention to share it with the DKos community surprised me. But in the end I went ahead with the diary, because eventually I figured out why I couldn't just let it go.
I think the reason it's hard for me to let it go is that this absurd delusional thinking is not that uncommon (or, I should say, IS alarmingly common) among intelligent, educated members of our society.
It has always been a source of puzzlement for me. And it's easy to get angry and frustrated about it (which I experience on occasion...), but I honestly want to be able to understand this intelligent-absurd phenomenon. Because I think it might help me have more constructive dialog with people who embody this paradox.
I suspect that it's an inescapable aspect of the human condition, and that it therefore affects individuals regardless of political affiliation, worldview, etc.
But it sure seems far more common on the "right" side of the political spectrum. Is that true -- or is it just how it seems to every progressive liberal?
If it is true, then I'd like to understand if there's something inherent on that side of the political spectrum that is somehow better than the left at perpetuating the intelligent-absurd paradox.
Because ultimately, from my progressive-liberal perspective, winning debates and elections should be only one of our goals.
The way I see it, another major goal of the progressive liberal community is the creation of a truly intelligent, well-informed voting public. I believe future generations will thank us if we make good headway toward that goal. Because I believe it's a vital requirement for creating and sustaining a truly intelligent government, one that fulfills its mission of governing for the people.