Based on the reaction to today’s column, I’m right. Calling out willful ignorance makes people uncomfortable. As it should. www.usatoday.com/story/opinio... - ThreadSky

rexhuppke.bsky.social • 63 days ago

Based on the reaction to today’s column, I’m right. Calling out willful ignorance makes people uncomfortable. As it should.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2025/01/05/trump-presidential-election-certification-embrace-stupidity/77409672007/

Comments

recluse2567.bsky.social•63 days ago

The GOP Senate is prepared to confirm all things stupid.

lp7.bsky.social•57 days ago

Hell yes.
Celebrating ignorance is not ok. In fact, it will kill people.

maudelebowski.bsky.social•63 days ago

Chuckleheads, knuckleheads, dunderheads, oh my!

jon-richardson.bsky.social•56 days ago

America starts at a disadvantage. Only 54% believe in evolution, reflecting a deeply embedded culture of irrationalism and magical thinking in parts of the nation.

soupee23.bsky.social•57 days ago

Agree wholeheartedly.

imagegod.bsky.social•63 days ago

Respectfully disagree: Shame is a contracting, debilitating emotion healed by love, acceptance and forgiveness. Instead of 'embarrassment', we can make a commitment to honesty and truth.

imagegod.bsky.social•63 days ago

Choosing a convicted sex offender for Presidency, or choosing to IGNORE said conviction is choosing to be a victim—Women CHOSE a convicted sex offender; Jews CHOSE an Anti-Semite; Blacks CHOSE a racist. NO ONE can stop the electorate from CHOOSING to be victims—Peace 🙏

imagegod.bsky.social•63 days ago

When half the electorate simply 'doesn't care' about treason and insurrection and violence and dishonesty and criminality, then half the electorate simply doesn't care about being victimized by their own ignorance and stupidity. Peace.

planningforall.bsky.social•63 days ago

Remember, it was only 49% of those who voted. Not half of those who COULD have voted. I think a lot of them have been swayed by misinformation or believe the insurrection was justified or think the alleged criminality is just a witch hunt.

constabledooley.bsky.social•63 days ago

Bravo, citizen!

mrmucketymuck.bsky.social•57 days ago

They should also declare war on the right wing propaganda media machine. Over the decades, Fox and others have brainwashed their listeners into believing liberals are responsible for every thing that's bad in America.

annleftwapo.bsky.social•56 days ago

The battle has probably already been lost. Remember when Americans declared that Al Gore “was too smart” but they felt like they could sit down and drink some beers with W? W, who is a recovering addict, doesn’t drink.

kheine.bsky.social•57 days ago

Yeah, but what do we do about the stupid people? Do we think they’ll actually listen?

kathyswords.bsky.social•57 days ago

I join you in this war

uglygoose.bsky.social•57 days ago

The war on stupidity demands turning the lens inward, but modern-day America lacks self-reflection. Propaganda, amplified through social media and right-wing channels, creates an illusion of righteousness, always just one screen-tap away.

bgj-25.bsky.social•62 days ago

Honest to god I thought it was an Onion article or Andy Borowitz... perfectly written and thanks you

optimisticdoomer.bsky.social•63 days ago

That war was over the minute it just became "cancel culture" and the right has turned that into something they just write off with their propaganda. You're 16 years late. It doesn't matter what they do or say, any consequences called for are just "cancel culture" which they are reflexively against.

optimisticdoomer.bsky.social•63 days ago

Their people don't care what they say, because "they know whose side they're on" and "they're just trying to cancel them".

janepor00325520.bsky.social•56 days ago

Truth.

jeyges.bsky.social•57 days ago

Decades ago, we should have implemented testing of intelligence, mental health & cognitive developmental level, and screening for psychopathy, sociopathy & dementia, as prerequisites for voting & holding office (& preferably reproduction).

Now it's too late.

jeanmoulin4ever.bsky.social•57 days ago

planningforall.bsky.social•63 days ago

Excellent opinion piece. To feel shame one must be self aware and not be a sociopath or narcissist. That's why Trump feels no shame. As to somebody like Mike Johnson, I believe he does feel shame but his ambitions have gotten in the way. MTG is pure ambition.

luckorcunning.bsky.social•57 days ago

Well said.

https://luckorcunning.blogspot.com/2024/12/democracy-equality-and-stupidity.html?m=1

vigilantedinosaur.bsky.social•63 days ago

Unfortunately, stupidity already won the war back in November.

kimathome.bsky.social•62 days ago

YES! I saw a meme that said,
“Are we great yet? Cause all I’m feeling is embarrassed.”
Call it out-give them the facts. Eventually they MIGHT begin to question those idiots.

lando-yaounde.bsky.social•55 days ago

I would argue instead of trying to make Republican leaders feel shame, that effort is better spent publicly making the case to their base the connection between bad policy and the impact it'll have on their lives. Fracturing that base support would cause greater pressure on their political leaders

lando-yaounde.bsky.social•55 days ago

I'm afraid this advice is not effective because Trump and the Republican party have hardened themselves against shame due immovable support from their base. Example J6, the base knows it's wrong hence why they frame it as "tourists walking around" but they remain steadfast in support.

usnthem.bsky.social•57 days ago

For many, it's not willful ignorance. They're aware of the facts. They're just bad people.

sosboss.bsky.social•56 days ago

This is such a good article and exactly what we should be doing.

jdmd2fl.bsky.social•62 days ago

This column is the best, most accurate and concise opinion about Trump and his kind that I’ve ever read. Thank you!

awoaca.bsky.social•56 days ago

Most offensive is their revealing in that ignorance.

ambwce.bsky.social•63 days ago

Good column. But not funny.

jzdeath.bsky.social•56 days ago

This is true for many but many others simply don't know any better because their diet of information is garbage. If you trust and believe Mike Huckabee, we'll of course it would be stupid to not support Trump.

mcsweeney.bsky.social•63 days ago

More than 90M eligible more than voted for either candidate sat out the vote. Forty percent of eligible voters couldn't be bothered. It's not just willful ignorance but also willful apathy.

jackieraimo.bsky.social•63 days ago

I have zero tolerance anymore and have lost that (nice) impulse to assume the best about people. This time around, it is hideously clear that people KNOW full well what they are supporting, and I absolutely will not condone it. It’s hard when that means cutting off family or friends, but so be it

mikeparwana.bsky.social•57 days ago

But you can’t set fire to stupidity in the street. You can’t flip it over and light it on fire. We’re fucked.

mothragator.bsky.social•57 days ago

There are those who are actually proud of their ignorance.

carlrosin.bsky.social•57 days ago

Charles Dickens had something to say against Ignorance (Stave Three of A Christmas Carol):

zebsfolly.bsky.social•56 days ago

I've been saying this for years. Disdain and disrespect is an appropriate civilizational tool. Maga should be viewed and treated with derision.

rwr.bsky.social•62 days ago

Your column perfectly describes the inane challenge of the times we face. Thank you for it.

bozanzian.bsky.social•56 days ago

Great column. Thanks for addressing this widespread disease that has overtaken us.

nancyjami.bsky.social•63 days ago

So true. I've been saying for 9 years that we could solve our issues if we just deported stupid people. Not immigrants or uneducated as you say, but MTG type stupid. A dose of shame wouldn't hurt either!

layladog.bsky.social•62 days ago

Rex-Today’s column is Royko level stuff. It’s the highest compliment I’ve got.

flick131.bsky.social•57 days ago

authoritarian leaders aim to control what people think and believe by drowning them in misinformation while punishing intellectuals or dissenters who seek the truth.

joe645.bsky.social•62 days ago

Thank you Rex, you have given me a reason to cancel my USA Today subscription.

joe645.bsky.social•62 days ago

Thank you, you given me a good reason to cancel my USA Today subscription.

kenlblack.bsky.social•62 days ago

Maybe you need to provide extra impetus for this, as I fear too many of Trump's (and others) lies get overlooked. I realize it may not always be humorous, but I wonder if you could do a weekly "Lies of the Week" column? Someone NEEDS to expose the lies in a national platform. Can it be you??

2sunmoonstars.bsky.social•57 days ago

That we live in such a stupid, spineless, selfish society is exactly what depresses me the very most. 😞

rayturner.bsky.social•62 days ago

Great column. Best line: "... most of the people Trump surrounds himself with are highly educated but dumb as fence posts."

gill-h.bsky.social•57 days ago

“There’s no cure for stupidity” - so yes, an education is no cure.

radiopirate99.bsky.social•57 days ago

Pretty remarkable that this appeared in America’s #1 “Don’t Make Waves” newspaper.

karthiksriram.bsky.social•57 days ago

I wish Americans declare war on stupidity. But as with many problems, for you to fight the problem, you should acknowledge it. Most Americans think they are above average in terms of intelligence and smarts.

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