Posted on 08/26/2013 10:08:55 AM PDT by jazusamo
Many years ago, I was a member of a committee that was recommending to whom grant money should be awarded. Since I knew one of the applicants, I asked if this meant that I should recuse myself from voting on his application.
"No," the chairman said. "I know him too — and he is one of the truly great phonies of our time."
The man was indeed a very talented phony. He could convince almost anybody of almost anything — provided that they were not already knowledgeable about the subject.
He had once spoken to me very authoritatively about Marxian economics, apparently unaware that I was one of the few people who had read all three volumes of Marx's "Capital," and had published articles on Marxian economics in scholarly journals.
What our glib talker was saying might have seemed impressive to someone who had never read "Capital," as most people have not. But it was complete nonsense to me.
Incidentally, he did not get the grant he applied for.
This episode came back to me recently, as I read an incisive column by Charles Krauthammer, citing some of the many gaffes in public statements by the President of the United States.
One presidential gaffe in particular gives the flavor, and suggests the reason, for many others. It involved the Falkland Islands.
Argentina has recently been demanding that Britain return the Falkland Islands, which have been occupied by Britons for nearly two centuries. In 1982, Argentina seized these islands by force, only to have British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher take the islands back by force.
(Excerpt) Read more at creators.com ...
He comes across better on TV. In person he is just arrogant, condescending and staggeringly stupid. He has a sort of script running in his head — if you get him off that script and discuss something which is not rehearsed, he comes across as profoundly incoherent.
I get the feeling that he is just reading a prepared script which he does not understand, nor has he practiced. He is concentrating on making deep rich sounds with appropriate pauses and gestures.
He not only hits it out of the park regularly; he is also one of the great masters of conciseness. He can accomplish more in a brief article than some can with an entire book. Indeed, his conciseness highlights just how verbose and pedantic many thinkers/writers are.
Does he ever miss? I haven’t seen it yet. This man should have been our first blaack President.
“I don’t think anyone ever corrects him. I don’t think he really listens to his advisers.”
You’re right.
But, I don’t think “O” encourages anyone NEAR him who has what you’d call an ‘education’ or who is in possession of actual facts.
His sphere is only people who are tuned to getting him elected/re elected. The ‘truth’, the specific and properly stated facts are entirely incidental.
“The victor will never be asked if he told the truth.” Adolf Hitler
I might add, no one will ever question the ‘style’ of the victor.
All the putrid Amoeba EVER does well is read speeches prepared by others and lie. Bob
“Like, where is this guy coming from?”
If we knew that, we cold send him back.
He will laugh loud and long. Because this is exactly what he wants!
And no, Obama is not a genius. It is always easier to destroy than it is to create.
Yep - the only difference was that Chance (from all appearances) was actually a GOOD man...
An important observation and one which gets to the heart of our country's political problem.
Both parties are guilty but I would say that Liberals are munch more guilty of this. Truth doesn't matter at all. I can't be bothered with facts. I just want to "win" the argument -- perhaps shouting you down and preventing you from talking is a good way for me to win? Can I get elected if I make up stuff? Okay, I'll make up stuff.
It's all about the power. Telling the truth, educating people, leading people, building a better society? Ain't nobody got time fo' dat!
Sure, most Americans don’t know Malvinas from Maldives. Heck, most couldn’t say whether Savannah is on the Gulf of Mexico.
But most people don’t mouth off with opinions about the Malvinas, either.
And every one of them words rang true
And glowed like burning coal
Pouring off of every page
Like it was written in my soul from me to you
Of course!
But THATis why we are SUPPOSED to have an objective media which will function in the best interests of the public.
The MSM is supposed to be the watch dog, keeping everyone honest... but, it can’t because it is completely in the tank for Liberals!
Also, the MSM has a real poor record of vetting its very own tribe if low information, Hollywood wannabe’s passing themselves off as journalists, who do not know (or care about) the historical facts and who can’t pronounce things properly, either!!
I knew one of the applicants
I’ll make the wild guess that Sowell is referring to Cornel West. I’ve met the man. Probably the biggest phony I’ve ever spoken to.
And creepy looking to boot!
That the mainstream media continues to "carry water" for an unprincipled demagogue, while it continues to ignore all of the evidence to which Dr. Sowell refers, tells us a lot.
William Flax
He’s like Dan Quayle on steeroyds!
...an empty head.
I don’t know how people can listen to his incredible gobbledygook without breaking out laughing.
I can't. He's funnier than 99.95% of the stuff on the comedy channel.
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