Here lately, I haven't wanted to blog quite as often. Quite honestly, my new project at work requires about 10 hours a day of computer time, and when I get home, I don't want to even SEE a keyboard! Or, on the occasions where I wouldn't mind, my creative side of my brain is completely drained, or I'm so tired I just don't want to short change my efforts, so I sit down and crochet instead. DC...DC....DC...ch3 and turn....very therapeutic until my gym finishes the racquetball courts they're putting in!
Anyway, this morning, I feel like writing, but have no substantive topic in mind, so this will be one of those occasions where I write merely to write and get words out and clear my head. Fluff blogging, if you will... In going back through some news articles I emailed myself earlier in the week, there's one that inspires a feeling of utter indignation at the appalling cluelessness of America these days.
Here's the issue. How many of the Simpsons can you name? No Googling, no cheating...just list 'em off.
Got that? Okay. Now how many provisions of the First Amendment can you name?
Didn't do as well on that one? Neither did the rest of America. A new study showed that 22% of Americans could name Madge, Homer, Bart, Lisa and little Maggie. Only one in 1,000 could name freedom or speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, and freedom to petition the government to redress grievances (yeah, the last one's a doozie, but an important doozie!)
One in one thousand people. I'm at a loss to what to call that. Sad? Pathetic? Shameful? Those words don't even begin to describe it to me. Those are the freedoms on which our entire society is based. Without those freedoms, we wouldn't HAVE the Simpsons, and if we did, their humor would have absolutely no edge to it because everything they find funny would not be protected speech and therefore would likely not make it onto TV to start with.
Here's another one for you...more people could name the three American Idol judges than could name three First Amendment protections. I can understand not remembering freedom to petition the government in redress of your grievances...but press, religion and speech are the three biggies! I suppose Paula, Simon and Randy are even bigger.
Venting time is over. Now pardon me while I go join the rest of the lemmings out there and clear the American Idol results show off my DVR so I have room for tonight's Simpsons. I hear it's a new one ;)
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11 comments:
Those are some interesting numbers! However, don't be too harsh on the 999 people who couldn't name the main provisions of the First Amendment ... As I see it in an oppressive society, the lack of these freedoms is so acute that all people can do is think about them (or the lack of it)! When you have the majority of the people comfortable enough with their surroundings and secure in their freedoms, they no longer need to remember them everyday. Homer, Marge, Maggie, Bart and Lisa become more important.
Ofcourse we can argue that by forgetting the freedoms, we risk losing them. But I hardly think its gonna happen. Bloggers like you will keep on reminding the rest of the folk 8-)
It's even more shocking than that: no one could say who the nominees are for tonight's "achievement in film editing" academy award.
Fluff Blogging?
I love it!
Anyway, I think the numbers you posted to contrast what people know. If you think about it, the Simpsons and Idol judges are jammed down out brainstems numerous times a week. How many times did Ryan Seacrest come out and start spurting the First Amendment?
maybe if they brought back those G.I. Joe public messages, more people would know that kind of stuff.
And now you know, and knowing is half the battle.
G.I. JOE!
The First Amenduh-what?
(Sorry, I was distracted picturing you as a fluffer....)
Don't feel bad, you should be outraged. Part of the problem we have in America is lack of interest and pride in our country. Maybe it's because I'm getting older, but I pay much closer attention, and I plan on teaching my children all about our history, as best as I can, and push them to understand the bedrock that our system is built on. It's a start.
I think this doesn't necessarily indicate that most Americans have a lack of pride in their country, rathermore that they have a lack of understanding of exactly what it is that they have pride in.
I've rarely encountered a prouder people.
I think people are generally happy not to dig into the machinations of the system they inhabit, so long as they believe that they have no need to, despite what country they live in.
Toast - This isn't my blog, but I found your comment reply-worthy. Basically: thank you. I'm not accustomed to hearing anything positive about my country, from anyone here or abroad. I really appreciated what you said. And what a clever observation.
I've been delinquent at responding to my blog. AACK!
Yoda, That's my job... social cattle prod :)
Wordnerd, Anytime!
mr. Schprock, I could tell you one of them cause he was from my old stomping grounds.
Flash, I fluff-blog all the time! Or at least, I feel like it :)
GO JOE!
Farrago, a fluffer? Do I want to know?
Scott, Please do teach your children so they have a strong grasp of those freedoms. If no one understands them then no one thinks to fight for them because they feel entitled, and if no one speaks up, then when the battle lines are drawn, they come ever closer and closer until they eclipse us. That's all I'm saying.
Ultra, I don't know you well enough yet to say whether that was a mere satement or a compliment. I can see the argument either way. But I do agree that people everywhere are happy to live in a system without delving into it's inner workings.
Both your and Scott's comments make me think of the passage by Pastor Martin Niemoller:
First They Came for the Jews
First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.
"so I sit down and crochet instead"
When do we get to see some of that? If all of us create a racket, will you show us?
Yoda,
I'm nearly done with my latest project. Let me finish the edging and maybe I'll figure out how to post a picture on here.
Okay, okay. I'll be the one to tell Claire.
Claire,
A 'fluffer' is the woman who 'preps' the males for their starring shots in pornos. I'll leave the rest up to you.
Fluff-blog. Hardly. You pointed out something that is kind of f***ed up. Bringing attention to such things is not 'fluffy' but actually quite serious, and I appreciate anyone who brings these things to light, whatever opinion anyone has. Nice, Claire.
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