"Any formal attack on ignorance is bound to fail because the masses are always ready to defend their most precious possession -- their ignorance.
by:
Hendrik van Loon
(1882-1944) Dutch-American historian and journalist
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Great Quote... It sums up the state of the country today, and often.
 -- Aisha Dew, New Haven, CT     
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    Indeed, indeed - their power is in numbers and that is where it ends.
     -- Robert, Sarasota     
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    Perhaps, but we must none the less never give up, even if it is no more than tilting at windmills...
     -- Anonymous, Reston, VA US     
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    And THAT my friends is why we are in the mess we are in. When we are ready as individuals to start thinking and reasoning ourselves, then we will see some progress.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    Yes, you are so correct - we should always make formal attacks on ignorence. Reston, where did you get "tiliting at windmills" I love that...
     -- Robert, Sarasota     
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    Yes Reston ... don't bother to educate yourself. Cling to your stupidity and never let it go, maintain it at all cost.
     -- Joe, Rochester, MI     
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    Ever tried arguing with a Liberal (Socialist)? They're incapable of complete thoughts and will defend their unfounded, illogical position as though it were Gospel. Sadly the average Conservative is just as well programmed to perpetuate a system that no longer works.
     -- J Carlton, Calgary     
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    J Carlton, if you ever run for president, you have my vote.
     -- jim k, Austin,Tx     
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    Jim K, thank you for the endorsement. I have in fact been encouraged by more than a few associates to run for office. But my wife despises politicians (I don't blame her) and made it very clear that if I went down that road...I'd be going alone. In Liberty, JC
     -- J Carlton, Calgary     
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    Again I see this quote as a "I'm superior to you mentality, a mentality that leads to totalitarianism." Some called Hitler a genius who knew all the answers, burned all the books of the ignorant and searching ones, the philosphers, thinkers, liberals, etc. Often we need to approach things with a long term rather than short term view. In the long term I suggest that the ignorant and searching ones win and the short term smart asses (like Hitler) lose.
     -- Waffler, Smith     
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    I agree on this country being full of ignorant people. Thank God their are people out there who are smart enough to realize this, otherwise we'd be in eve more trouble.
     -- Johann Hollar, St. Paul     
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    We are already in "even more trouble" and we need far more/better people to get us out. So, thank God there are people out there who realize it. Pray God, there are enuff of us to get us out of the trouble we are in!
     -- Abigail, Newport     
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    So true. Don't confuse ignorance with those still searching for answers -- the ignorant do not search, they ignore.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    Just remember that ALL of those uninformed people "out there" believe themselves to be intelligent, and they think they know what's going on. Read, HOW THE WORLD REALLY WORKS......the neo-cons have a ton of people duped into believing the Repubs are conservative....hahahaha SAVE Ron Paul, we are devoid of conservatives in our government, and that includes the 8 years of HELL in "the good ol boy's club" that Bush drug us through! (and I voted for him, TWICE, like an idiot!) True, those seeking the truth, even when they do not yet posses it are not included.....the campaign against the truth has been bought and sold to most Americans, anyone searching will find the brutal ugly truth that America ain't what most of us thought she was.......and then we shall do what is needed to restore our liberties, which are nearly gone. I don't feel this is an insult to anyone.......at any time any of us, and all of us, can choose to have a conversation that will lead to the truth coming out.......IF they are an ignoramus, they will NOT have that conversation, instead, they will shut you up, call you a quack, a "conspiracy theorist", and a commie, a liberal, a frog, etc, then leave in a red faced huff believing themselves the "intelligent" one.
     -- Krista, Palm Springs     
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    You gotta love his name.......van loon......hahahaha ~ LOVE IT! 5 stars for his great name!
     -- Krista, Palm Springs     
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    Krista, between Neo-Cons and Progressives, the White House needs a full on Fumigation. :)
     -- J Carlton, Calgary     
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    good one, J Carlton! we need to follow the Constitution, best we can, to call ourselves an American.......at this point, mentioning the Constitution in their speeches is as far as we get (more propaganda bullshi!)........I would like to give Ron Paul a shot and see if he......ends the fed, ends american imperialism/our multiple wars, ends out of control spending/DEBT, and see if he can actually keep his life through his presidency, unlike those who dared to enact REAL change and were offed as a direct result. ahhhh, someday...........(sigh)
     -- Krista, Palm Springs     
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    There's obviously an abundant supply on this blog....
     -- Anonymous     
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    "Those who lack information are unaware, Those who ignore infornation are ignorant" Those unaware are unaware of being unaware."---Merrill Jenkins, Monetary Realist (1919-1979) He wote 7 books, the first was "Money", The Greatest Hoax On Earth, long out of print bur a few available from: neatmail@gmail.com the last 6 books are free on web. Ask for site: neatmail@gmail.com
     -- Dave Wilber, St. Louis MO     
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    Krista, If we are to have any real change it has to start by completely shutting down the Fed and moving to a system of real currency. Then dissolve NATO and the UN. Then move on to the alphabet gangs...
     -- J Carlton, Calgary     
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    Hendrik van Loon truly must have been thinking about and referring to people just like Waffler, Smith when he made this statement.
     -- Mary - MI     
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    Ignorance was not progressing fast enough in Amerika so common core was introduced. Ignorance in Amerika is highly invested into by the occupying statist theocracy infesting this land. The ignorant will not give up their dole, their religion (socialism), or their slavery thus, frontal attempts to enlighten are considered worse than poison.
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    The quote sounds like a definition of cognitive dissidents to me.

    One could also say it is directed at people like Waffler which I noted gave a resounding thumbs down to the quotation, struck a little too close to home for his taste. ;) Lol!
     -- Mike, Pleasant Hill     
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    Waffler, you crack me up. Your woke religion, your job, your entire life style depends on the accuracy of this quote.
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    Admittedly, it's probably my most prominent possession, but I don't feel I defend it or value it, but I try assuredly not to underestimate it.
     -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown     
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