September 25, 2006

• A People Better Than Stupid

  President Bush, responding to allegations that his administration was wholly incompetent in its handling of Katrina. 

   

  “I think we were better than wholly incompetent.”

   

  Why is education important?  Why is it important to be smart?  Why should everyone struggle to be as smart as they can be? 

  I think it’s because the downfall of civilization will come at the hands of a stupid people.  Less and less am I blaming Bush for what he has done (or not done).  Not that he shouldn’t be accountable, but it is only because “the people” allow it, that he can do (or not do) anything (or something).  When the people are gullible enough to allow it, someone will always take advantage of them. 

  Which brings up an interesting question:  Is gullible the same as stupid or is it a symptom of stupidity?  Maybe it is a type that can manifest even in otherwise brilliant people.  Certainly we can’t any of us know everything.  Thinking you know what you do not or believing something regardless of facts might be in my definition.  I don't think we have to be like that.  We can, most of us, learn to think, and to reason, even when we don’t (yet) know all the facts.  We can be open to new information, and we can approach life with an ear to listen, “certainty” on hold, a healthy skepticism and always a commitment to the difficult task of finding the best answer.  That wouldn’t be stupid.

   

  • 11:48 am
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