C-Span Attracts Idiots

Every once in a while I will tune into NPR or C-Span radio while running errands around the DC beltway. It's my consistent attempt to educate myself on the news of the day and multi-task.

And every time I loose more hope for humanity. The constant stream of conspiracy theorist and disillusion news junkies makes my head spin. I find myself talking to the radio and trying to rationalize with them. (... making me look like a crazy person.)

I don't mind a good debate of ideas but I feel that the callers act more like novice press assistants reading off talking points with no context or facts to back up their statements.

Working on campaigns I found these people often. (way too often.) They would tell me "I am not voting for McCain because he is Bush II and Bush lied and people died." I looked at them with a blank stare upset they had just taken away precious seconds of my life that I would never be able to replace.

Sometimes I would ask them to explain and that I was interested to learn more, usually they had no explanation just repeated the statement or rant about the war but could not tell me anything of substance. It easy to shut these people down when you read two or three actual news article instead of DNC talking points. Sometimes I would just let them be, stupid is as stupid does.

In general I must give it to people who want to learn more and listen to NPR and watch C-Span. Yet I wish they would take the time and read, research and educate themselves. The world can not be understood or explained in a sound bite, nor was it meant to be.

P.S. Reading now: Don't Know Much About History: Everything You Need to Know About American History but Never Learned (Don't Know Much About...) NOTE: It does have a liberal edge but I like learning the "other" perspective.