Home Forums Miscellaneous Topics Second Amendment Is The American Public Stupid??

Is the public stupid? <BR>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<P><BR>� 2001 WorldNetDaily.com <P><BR>Is the public stupid? It's a question that occurs to those of us who were awake during the nightmare of the last eight years. After all, the public voted Bill Clinton into the presidency twice, and Al Gore actually won a plurality of the popular vote last November. <P>So it makes sense to ask if the American public is stupid. After all, they elected a draft-dodger who supported the communist cause during the Vietnam War. And true to form, Clinton gave China, Vietnam and North Korea whatever they wanted. Even his bombing of Serbia, which accomplished nothing for U.S. interests, strengthened the regimes in Moscow and Beijing, giving them a moral argument against us. <P>So the public made a terrible choice in 1992, which was seconded in 1996. And then came Al Gore, whose extreme environmentalism, reflected in his book "Earth in the Balance," should have scared the public into voting for the Republicans by a substantial majority. But Al Gore won more votes than George W. Bush. <P>In other words, we barely escaped catastrophe in the 2000 national election. In that event, California's power shortages would only be the beginning. After four years of pushing extreme environmental policy, Gore would have guaranteed rolling blackouts from sea to shining sea. Tens of millions of Americans would have been thrown out of work. <P>Gore would have given new meaning to the term "Dark Ages." But the public is yet confused on environmental issues. Here in California the environmentalists take no blame for the lack of power. The news brings fresh stories, day by day, of power company greed. <P>Wow, all that evil in the world so I can have cheap power. <P>Better wipe those power companies out of business. That'll show 'em. And so, quite sadly, the public was easily persuaded, and continues to be persuaded, by the advocates of a new Dark Age. Add the Green Party vote to that of Mr. Gore, and you will find that a clear majority of Americans, to put it bluntly, voted to turn the lights out. <P>So one cannot avoid asking the question: Is the public stupid? <P>Adolf Hitler thought so. In fact, his career was based on the stupidity of the German public. Surprisingly, Hitler admitted this at the outset of his career. In his book, "Mein Kampf," he wrote that the Marxists of his time were the masters of political propaganda. In other words, they were his teachers. As for the political moderates and conservatives, Hitler said, "The correct use of propaganda has remained practically unknown to the bourgeois parties." <P>Propaganda, said Hitler, was to be directed against the masses. And the masses, he said, were stupid. "The content of propaganda is not science," said Hitler. The content of propaganda, he said, calls "the masses' attention to certain facts, processes, necessities, etc." But these facts need not be true. One might bring up the idea of global warming, which justifies extreme measures. One might say the rain forests are dying, as a way of extending your power while depriving individuals of power (i.e., electricity). You bring these "facts" forward, even if they are not facts. This is the basis of propaganda. This must be done skillfully, explained Hitler, "so that everyone will be convinced that the fact is real, the process necessary, the necessity correct, etc." <P>Does one have to prove something scientifically? <P>"All propaganda must be popular and its intellectual level must be adjusted to the most limited intelligence among those it is addressed to," wrote Hitler. A propaganda which only aims at intelligent people will not accomplish anything. If you demand intelligence from the public, if you expect them to rise to a higher level, you will be disappointed. <P>"The more modest its intellectual ballast," explained Hitler, "the more exclusively it takes into consideration the emotions of the masses, the more effective it will be." In other words, the public is stupid and does not think. Instead, it relies on its emotions and feelings. <P>But what is the IQ of a feeling? <P>It is also a mistake, said Hitler, to make propaganda many-sided. "The receptivity of the great masses is very limited, their intelligence is small, and their power of forgetting is enormous." <P>Because the public forgets so quickly and easily, propaganda must be repeated often. You must establish a virtual drumbeat of repetition. "Ashcroft is a dangerous right wing extremist," is something you repeat again and again. "Republicans are divisive," would be another commonly recited phrase. <P>When examined closely, these ideas are nonsense. More often than not, the people originating this propaganda are themselves extremists whose propaganda divides the nation according to race and sex. But in accusing others of doing what they do every day, they insulate themselves from attack. All eyes are turned in another direction. <P>The best propaganda is therefore simple and repetitive. Because it is repeated so often, it spreads and receives reinforcement from all quarters as the stupid public regurgitates what it has learned in common discourse. <P>"The broad mass of a nation," wrote Hitler, "does not consist of ... professors of political law, or even individuals capable of forming a rational opinion." What a propagandist fosters is not independent thought, but mass emotion. This was the formula that brought Hitler to power, and made him popular with the German masses. <P>It should be noted that Hitler's insights into manipulating the masses were not original. While many leaders ignored the social sciences, Hitler had done some reading. We are told that he had been influenced in his thinking by one of Europe's leading men of science -- Gustave Le Bon. It was Le Bon who wrote a famous 1895 treatise on the psychology of crowds. <P>Hitler and Lenin, the founding dictators of Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia, both read Le Bon and applied his discoveries. At the same time, with the exception of Teddy Roosevelt, Western leaders failed to do likewise. Consequently, the Western countries have been successfully bombarded by anti-Western propaganda messages for many decades, and these have successfully battered down our institutions and traditional ideas, destroyed our colonial empires, leaving the psychological landscape of the West unrecognizable. <P>Does Le Bon say the public is stupid? <P>In writing about crowds, Le Bon does not merely refer to large groups of people assembled together. He also means something he calls "a psychological crowd." It was Le Bon who first explained that intelligence and individuality are submerged when someone joins a large group. He noted that "certain faculties are destroyed" and "the conscious personality vanishes." He noted that people who see themselves as merged into a group see things through the filter of the group. They become "cognizant only of simple and extreme sentiments." <P>According to Le Bon a crowd is highly suggestible. In other words, it is waiting to be hypnotized. Hitler used methods akin to hypnotism in his speeches. It was even said that he "mesmerized" people. The feelings and thoughts of a psychological crowd, wrote Le Bon, "are bent in the direction determined by the hypnotizer." <P>Under such conditions, reason is powerless. Instead of saying to the subject, "you are getting sleepy, sleepy, sleepy," the hypnotist might say: "The globe is getting warmer, warmer, warmer." Hitler said that everything could be blamed on the "Jews, Jews, Jews." Communist propaganda in the '60s repeated, over and over again, the statement: "Ho, Ho, Ho Chi Minh! The Viet Cong is gonna win!" <P>This sort of madness cannot be stopped -- whether it is the madness of California blacking out, or the madness of Treblinka and Auschwitz, or the complete demoralization of the world's leading superpower in a war against a small and outgunned dictatorship. <P>Propaganda is not truth, explained Hitler. With propaganda, absurdity itself is no obstacle to success. "Not truth but error has always been the chief factor in the evolution of nations, and the reason why socialism is so powerful today," wrote Le Bon. <P>Toward the end of his treatise on the psychology of crowds, Le Bon makes a curious prediction which may apply to latter-day America. He predicted a future period of decadence. He predicted that the collective ego -- national consciousness itself -- will atrophy and be replaced by the "excessive development of the ego of the individual, accompanied by a weakening of character." Absorbed by selfish pursuits, people will be "incapable of self government." They will decline into "a mere swarm of isolated individuals." There will be no future when this happens. Such a civilization, wrote Le Bon, "may still seem brilliant because it possesses an outward front, the work of a long past, but it is in reality an edifice crumbling to ruin, which nothing supports, and is destined to cave in at the first storm." <P>The stupidity of the public goes through many phases, but no phase is more destructive than the phase of individualistic hedonism. Under this phase, ancient social structures give way to mass entertainment. The people, hypnotized by advertising and entertainment, are no longer vulnerable to a Hitler. In fact, they no longer feel like citizens of a country at all. The country is no longer very interesting to them. The question of politics becomes a question of selfish gain. Either people want something from the state or they want to be exempted from making a contribution. Such people are no longer citizens at all. They are merely consumers who watch the same TV programs and play the same video games. <P>The public is stupid, and its last stupidity -- visible all around us -- damns it without appeal. <P>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<P>J.R. Nyquist, a WorldNetDaily contributing editor and a renowned expert in geopolitics and international relations, is the author of "Origins of the Fourth World War." Each month Nyquist provides an exclusive in-depth report in WorldNetDaily's monthly magazine, WorldNet. Readers may subscribe to WorldNet through WND's online store. <BR>Visit his newly launched weekly news analysis and opinion site, JRNyquist.com. <P><BR>Chainsaw <P>

<BR> What a great post! It made me think of the lives that were lost during that time because the citizenry were not able to protect themselves. I would like to add a postscript to it. At the present time, details of actually occurring rights to own regular firearms and have them taken away from us, are not readily available. Although Ascroft just got thourgh saying that he is going to agressively enforce the firearms laws, we do not have to fear the loss of a legal firearm. In fact, if you seek to have any weapon you wish, within reason, they are available when good common sense is used. Within a "common sense" guideline, we can do whatever we want. Common sense says that we do not wish terrorists to have weapons of mass destruction, or those less fortunate in mental stability, or who have allowed the stress to our modern world to overcome them. <BR> One thing Hitler did was cause fear and terror. This caused not a lessoning of intelligence, but the beginning of counter productivity for mankind. The brains were working, but not in the right direction. <BR> Now, my name says what I am all about. I am for a clear shot for the humane harvesting of our national game. If I could, I would also clear fears that we are going to lose our individual freedoms because we like to hunt or target shoot. We must not be naive about unstable people or governments. We also must not allow ourselves to become overly fearful to the point we do circumvent our brain into allowing fear to dominate us. <BR> If in any way you promote the idea we should support indiscriminate selling of weapons of massive destruction, then I do fear you! Common sense needs to prevail before we crate a calamity to our society we will not be proud of. <BR> Instead of innuendo, which is rife in politics today, we can speak plainly. It is a mistake to think that the American people or people from other countries are "stupid". What rights are being taken from us that would lead to the reproduction of this article? Give me proof that we will lose our freedom to hunt and enjoy shooting. A free man today can stand up and speak honestly about his feelings that our guns will be taken from us and then be taken over by dictators. That right protects American citizens from becoming a victim of fear and ignorance. Please speak the truth of what you yourself really know about. <BR>

Sadly yes! And 1/2 of the voting public is too lazy to even vote. I'd venture to say 10% of the population actually thinks about issues, and maybe thats being generous, and of that 10%, its split between the liberals and conservatives.<P>The problem is the conservatives (not all) tend to be honest straighforward in their approach, and hence get their pants whipped by the lying, cheating, propagandizing liberals.

Clear shot, I can think of 2 examples where the 1st and 2nd Amenment have been trampled on. I can think of one example where the 4th amendment has been set aside for the "good" of the people. The same way Hitler did it to the masses.<P>Your compromise position is what has gotten us to the point we are already.<P><BR><P>------------------<BR>ALL THAT IT TAKES FOR FREEDOM TO PERISH IS FOR GOOD MEN TO DO NOTHING------CHAINSAW

They are not stupid, just brainwashed. They watch too much tv, and the great majority read the newspaper (the newspaper being kinda good). The problem is, all these things are controlled by the media. And the media is overwhelmingly democrat. See why they are brainwashed.

Chainsaw<BR>It is not a compromise to speak the truth. I do not wish to lose my right to own firearms. We can work together to protect our rights and I hope you agree.<BR>Clear shot

clear shot, I agree completely. We just have to get politicians to agree completely. Unfortunately the truth has not set us free as once indicated. My kids and grand kids will not have the same freedom that I grew up with in the 50/60's. Left wing propaganda perpetuated in the liberal news media has led us down the road to facsism/socialism in just 40 years. It's a rat race and the rats are winning.-----Chainsaw

chainsaw<BR>I am for never giving up. I will work within our system to be certain fascism never takes over our country. I appreciate your concern and many people are beginning to wake up to the fact that we will lose our rights to our firearm if they do not act now. Although we have enjoyed great freedoms in the past, we can be taken over by fears generated by politicians who are attempting to be elected by convincing the public that firearms are at fault for all the crimes made against them. I would suggest that you work with the NRA as they have the greatest numbers to sway our elected officials into believing we are serious about keeping our right to own firearms. It must be shown that responsible people own firearms and they are not just for the criminals. <BR>It will take a long time and hard work, but the effort is worth it. <BR>Clear Shot

Good post,I am convinced that 85 percent of americans are stupid and lazy.All most americans care about are money and possesions.

Amen. Most of them probably voted for Gore because they saw how the economy improved while Clinton was in office. They thought he improved th eeconomy, ignorant to the fact that their own blood, sweat, and tears was what improved the economy.<BR> Now that George is in office, the economy is going downhill, they say. I note that it started doing that a few monthes before Clinton left office.

BH<P>You're dead right on that one. They've already forgotten that the NASDAQ had the worst annual performance in its history under klinton/bore.<P>And they didn't start turning out the lights in Kalifornia until the election was finalized so they won't associate that with the Dem's either.<P>If things don't turn soon GW will be getting the blame while they'll be remembering the last eight years as "the good old days".

Im sure glad algore didn't get in.<P>------------------<BR>Don't do drugs...unless you have enough for everyone.

Not stupid, ignorant. There is a difference.<P>Thank government controlled education for that.<P>------------------<BR>Lest not we forget, America is a Republic, NOT a democracy. Learn the difference, spread your knowledge, help end the lie. Fear a government that fears your guns.

Stupid, because they choose to remain ignorant.

To quote Randolph Hearst:<P>"The public is one immense ass."<P>Walt

I have to go with stupid, at least half of the public. Anyone, for any reason that voted for Klinton once is ignorant, voted for him twice is just plain stupid. Hence the old adage "fool me once, shame on you. fool me twice shame on me."<P>------------------<BR>Beware the one-gun man.

"Democracy is the worst possible form of government, except for all the others."<P>Winston Churchill

A Democracy is 2 foxes and a chicken voting on what's for dinner, A Republic is a well armed chicken contesting the vote!<BR>-Benjamin Franklin<P>Doc; do you prefer the Brittish form of governing? Isn't that the country are forefathers escaped from?<P>I'll take Ben over Winny any day.<P>------------------<BR>Lest not we forget, America is a Republic, NOT a democracy. Learn the difference, spread your knowledge, help end the lie. Fear a government that fears your guns.

I know the difference. A true democracy is one in which every citizen votes on every legislative issue. The people are their own government. This system has its shortfalls once you get so many people.<BR> This nation is a democratic-republic. What that means is that we elect representatives to vote for us. This system has shortfalls that I am sure every person here is pretty familiar with. <P> Well, I guess the public is stupid for letting themselves get brainwashed in the first place.

BH;<BR>You state that "this nation is a democratic-republic" (what the he** is a democratic-republic?)<P>Says who? <P>When did the Constitution get amended? The Constitution guarentees a Republican form of government. Period. <P>The democracy in America, is the second [U]nited [S]tates , USInc., the corporation, or "US.gov" as it has been known as of late The Federal United States, which is a democracy, based in the "X" square miles known as the District of Columbia. <BR>The Federal US is comprised of D.C. and all U.S. enclaves, ie: Guam, Peurto Rico, American Samoa,Marshall Islands etc., etc., etc., And over the Federal US; congress has "exclusive legislative control" thus making them a democracy. They are not regulated by the rule of law, they are regulated by the simple majority votes of the congress d'jure, as it is.<BR>All legislation passed by the US Congress has no "lawfull" force and effect in any of the soverign 50 states, UNLESS, its written that the soverign states are included, in the text of the legislation that is being voted on, then the simple majority rule is thrown out, and the 3/4's majority that our Constitution guarentees applies.<BR>The way that our freedoms have been stripped from us, is that few people are aware of this, and "corporate by-laws" passed by the Federal government have been unlawfully applied against Americans, who unknowingly "submitted under their jurisdiction" through ignorance. (and a little deception!)<BR>If you investigate a little, you will discover that most of the Federal government is comprised of various corporations and sub-corporations. As such, they operate on "commercial" law, not "constitutional" law, and you can never mix the jurisdictions. Commercial jurisdictions are governed by the UCC. <BR>As you research the various corporations, I'm sure you'll come across two of my favorites. The Federal Reserve (talk about oxymoronic, they are not federal and they do not have a reserve!) they are a private profit making corporation that holds the "pink slip" on the bankrupt federal United States (national debt ring a bell?) My other "favorite" are the "arm breaking collectors" of the Fed. The Treasury Departments sub corporation known as the Internal Revenue Service, that was formed under 32nd Peurto Rican Trust! <BR>A former president once said, "This is no longer a nation of, by, and for the people, it is a nation of, by, and for the corporations" Do you know which president that was? <BR>For 5 more bonus points who said "corporations will become enthroned and the republic will be lost"?<BR>Cuz, I think we're there now!<P>------------------<BR>Lest not we forget, America is a Republic, NOT a democracy. Learn the difference, spread your knowledge, help end the lie. Fear a government that fears your guns.

I need to look this up, but the way I remember it, rebublican government is a form of democracy. This is so because the people vote their representatives into office, and, in theory, have some power over them to influence their vote. Of course, this is only theory. But then, we had the electoral colleges, which, if we ran according to the Constitution, we would only elect the electoral college to elect the President. Of course, the people elected them according to who they would vote for. I'm still in school, and where I got this is doing a unit on the Constitution and government last year in 8th grade. So if Im feeding you a line of Sh*t, it's because that's what they taught me. Of course, in that same textbook I read a line saying that the second amendment only applied to having a militia, and since we have the National Guard, that no longer applies. Obviously, that is bull.<BR>Just reply tomorrow and let me look this up. And in the meantime, enjoy that we have a little power over the government. We kept Gore out of office. And read my new signature.<P>------------------<BR>There are 80 million gun owners but only 3 million NRA members. What would this nation be like with 80 million NRA members?