September 4, 2010 5:29 AM

Free speech is sometimes uninformed and phenomenally ignorant speech

I have little interest in continuing anything resembling a discussion on Glenn Beck’s “I Have A Scheme” speech. Beck’s world-class historical ignorance and dishonesty have been discussed at some length by those more willing to do so. No, what fascinates is the truly-world class arrogance and ignorance of those who flocked to the National Mall to have their empty minds filled with Beck’s looney-tunes propaganda.

Nationalism is nothing new or exclusive to America (Having lived in Serbia, I can attest to this truth.). What makes American nationalism truly unique, and truly disturbing, is the combination of arrogance, ignorance, and inflexible belief in American exceptionalism. The interesting (and frightening) thing about this video is the number of folks who make broad, dramatic statements, and then, when asked to elaborate, cannot. It’s as if the mere act of belief renders that belief incontrovertible and therefore no explanation is needed. It’s the political/ideological version of “Jesus said it. I believe it. That settles it.” The air of intellectual arrogance and superiority is astonishing…well, it would be, except for the reality that these folks are absolutely, incontrovertibly convinced of the absolute correctness and infallibility of their views…and they vote.

This, I suppose, is the singular brilliance of American democracy- rampant, unchecked ignorance bordering on brain-death is no hindrance to one’s right to participate. It also goes a long way toward explaining why we’re in the mess we are today.

VOTE REPUBLICAN- IT’S EASIER THAN THINKING!!

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This page contains a single entry by Jack Cluth published on September 4, 2010 5:29 AM.

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