So how is that "Smart Power" working out?

[cpwill]

That's what we were promised, right? Ineffectual bumbling around the Middle East was done because the smart people were in charge. The world wasn't a mess of incompatible national interests, difficult trade-offs, no-win situations, and irreconcilable differences, but merely a rubix cube, waiting for the Smartest President Ever to come in and Be Wonderful Enough To Solve It. Remember?


So. How's that working out?

 

[Gimmesometruth]

I suppose if one completely forgets 2001-2008, where having "dumb" people execute "dumb" policies which has caused directly and indirectly much of the instability in the Middle East today.....then one could incorrectly define "Smart Power" and whine about the situation in the ME.

What depth of understanding and vision!

 

[sawyerloggingon]

Academics should stay in the class room or the teachers lobby and discuss theory, they just don't have what it takes to actually govern. The real world is far more complex and messy than the ivory tower.

 

[spud_meister]

Academics should stay in the class room or the teachers lobby and discuss theory, they just don't have what it takes to actually govern. The real world is far more complex and messy than the ivory tower.

Yeah, who wants their country to be run by someone with an 'education' anyway.

 

[davidtaylorjr]

Yeah, who wants their country to be run by someone with an 'education' anyway.

He may be educated but he is not smart.

 

[Gimmesometruth]

Academics should stay in the class room or the teachers lobby and discuss theory, they just don't have what it takes to actually govern. The real world is far more complex and messy than the ivory tower.

Well, there is another vote for the "dummies".

 

[sawyerloggingon]

Yeah, who wants their country to be run by someone with an 'education' anyway.

An education is great but if all you have in your resume is an education and then you step into the real world armed only with an education, well you have seen how that's working out, not so good.

 

[longview]

I am not sure we have enough choices on the poll.
Our foreign policy has taken a hit, but this to shall pass.
Only 40 months left of Obama!

 

[sawyerloggingon]

He may be educated but he is not smart.

Many people confuse the two.

 

[Gimmesometruth]

He may be educated but he is not Nostradamus.

Fixed it for you.

 

[Gimmesometruth]

"If there is anyone in the world today who doubts the seriousness of the Bush Doctrine, I would urge that person to consider the fate of the Taliban in Afghanistan, and of Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq."

Dick Cheney, 2003

 

[spud_meister]

An education is great but if all you have in your resume is an education and then you step into the real world armed only with an education, well you have seen how that's working out, not so good.

I agree, politicians should do something to help communities or go traveling around the world or work as a lawyer or something before entering politics...

 

[davidtaylorjr]

Many people confuse the two.

Very true.

 

[sawyerloggingon]

I agree, politicians should do something to help communities or go traveling around the world or work as a lawyer or something before entering politics...

Having an understanding of business by running one or working in one would help too. Just having a real job in the real economy for a while would be nice.

 

[ocean515]

I suppose if one completely forgets 2001-2008, where having "dumb" people execute "dumb" policies which has caused directly and indirectly much of the instability in the Middle East today.....then one could incorrectly define "Smart Power" and whine about the situation in the ME.

What depth of understanding and vision!

On the other hand, for those challenged by the concept of taking responsibility, the years 2001-2008 have sure helped dig holes for many to bury their heads in.

 

[spud_meister]

Having an understanding of business by running one or working in one would help too. Just having a real job in the real economy for a while would be nice.

What's a real job then?

 

[Boo Radley]

Academics should stay in the class room or the teachers lobby and discuss theory, they just don't have what it takes to actually govern. The real world is far more complex and messy than the ivory tower.

Yes, smart is not desirable. Dumb is. I get that. So do students btw. :coffeepap

 

[Gimmesometruth]

On the other hand, for those challenged by the concept of taking responsibility, the years 2001-2008 have sure helped dig holes for many to bury their heads in.

What? Bush/Cheney and the whole neocon crowd have taken responsibility for their actions? Really? I think someone is ignoring that huge hole in Crawford.

 

[ocean515]

What? Bush/Cheney and the whole neocon crowd have taken responsibility for their actions? Really? I think someone is ignoring that huge hole in Crawford.

Or perhaps its the sand in the ears causing some to imagine there is a hole...

 

[sawyerloggingon]

What's a real job then?

Where you go to work every day to a business that needs to make a profit to survive.

 

[Gimmesometruth]

Or perhaps its the sand in the ears causing some to imagine there is a hole...

That appears to be either Iraq....or Texas.

 

[sawyerloggingon]

Yes, smart is not desirable. Dumb is. I get that. So do students btw. :coffeepap

I guess you think that meant something? :lol:

 

[ocean515]

That appears to be either Iraq....or Texas.

Actually, I believe it's the State of Mind. A place many observe ProgLibs are in daily...

 

[humbolt]

The political left loves to make excellent arguments which deny reality. We saw this just yesterday with the president. The reality is that even though there are many, many signatories to the Geneva Conventions, that does not mean they will automatically line up to blow the living hell out of Syria because the president says it's required. Reality is a stubborn thing which steadfastly refuses to succumb to argument, no matter how eloquent.

 

[Boo Radley]

I guess you think that meant something? :lol:

I do. It's commentary of comments that exhibit hatred for education. it's one of the larger issues in schools today: the attitude that knowing information, having been educated is a bad thing. These comments propagate that mentality.