i think we've managed to successfully talk past each other here, as usual.
to be honest, i don't know much, because i wouldn't ever bother to take the time to learn for myself. much too self-absorbed.
gathering knowledge for one's self, forming one's own opinions, and actively fighting against bias to maintain perspective...these
are quite difficult things to do (for most people, i'd imagine, including myself).
most of the time, these "discussions" are only about expressing one's viewpoint, and that's it. it's about being right, not learning anything new with an open mind. this is based largely on my low opinion of human nature, EF people certainly not being an exception. it may not apply to all, etc., etc...
as for me, my opinions are also based on a great deal of emotion. someone here might present a cogent argument explaining why obama isn't intelligent, or why palin isn't a worthless telecunt, but i'm not likely to see most of it, because i have too much emotive power invested in differing opinions.
that said, i just wanted to say these things:
1. i'm not an obama fan. i do think of him as intelligent and articulate, and i am happy to have someone that comes across as he does, as opposed to a fucking fuck like bush. i do want to see him assert himself, like he apparently has recently (GOP conference Q/A session ?). he may be a poor leader making poor decisions which aren't "smart", but that's not the same thing as actually being unintelligent. unfortunately, i do not expect anything from him. no real strength or true character. in such a time, he must do and say things that people will not expect, even those that think him capable. a true and bold leader would have to make unpopular decisions (i.e. not bailing out every faggot on The Street), not merely give us talk while delivering more of the same. i'd love to see him tell more people to fuck off. we'll see what he's actually accomplished at the end of his term, but i'm not holding my breath.
2. i wouldn't simply dismiss gwb as a moron, despite his (at times) horribly comic presentation, but i've always seen him as a failure and a joke, despite his ascension to the highest office in the land - which is no mean feat. also, i don't think i've ever seen eye-to-eye with him.
3. the democratic party are a bunch of weak fucks, just horribly retarded and without any cohesion. but either way, they're politicians, and like the republicans, they are never, ever, ever to be trusted. ever. along with corporate america, government is anathema. if many of these people died, i would smile. the older i get, the angrier i am. there's no accounting for all these crimes - not by man, maybe god, if he's up there. one day, perhaps soon enough, something will snap. nothing lasts forever, and those in power shall be torn down from their high perches.
4. news outlets, specifically fox, but also cnn, etc...are worthless. cnbc too. merely entertainment, with 1% news. whether it's o'reilly, or hannity, or palin, or cramer...i want these people dead too. the only "news" i enjoy is the daily show, because he at least acknowledges and focuses on the utter absurdity of it all.
5. there's very little, perhaps nothing at all, in modern life that seems trustworthy or sacred. everything out there seems to be a farce, even though it pretends otherwise. i realize these feelings are poisonous and short-sighted, and don't leave much room for growth in life, but feel them i do nonetheless. it all rings true.
6. some of these are just my (relatively) superficial impressions based on what little i've seen and read. the truth, in all things, is rarely easy to get to. everything presented to you could be a lie, and often is.