General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSomeone please help me with this question about Ben Carson.
Everyone laughs it off when he said the Pyramids of Ancient Egypt, of the most powerful civilization in global history, were used for grain storage. But everyone throws a fit over a fib about West Point? Am I the only one who thinks our priorities are a little off?
HuckleB
(35,773 posts)What's to prioritize?
bravenak
(34,648 posts)KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)cwydro
(51,308 posts)The media has to tread lightly there, but a good solid lie like this West Point bull hockey they can sink their teeth into.
Nevernose
(13,081 posts)Everything he says, from the factual to his own religious beliefs, is totally fictional.
My guess is that there are so many stupid people watching the news that they don't want to correct even the factually wrong. They're terrified of drawing the ire of anti-intellectuals (which is not hard).
Also, one thing proves he's dumb; the other proves he's dumb AND a liar. They're aiming at just the two-fer target.
oldandhappy
(6,719 posts)uppityperson
(115,677 posts)struggle4progress
(118,295 posts)but lying about being offered a spot at West Point could very well harm his relations with the military, of which he would be C-i-C in any time of war
MADem
(135,425 posts)You want to hear him making sense?
Watch this:
It's the most sense he's ever made--even if they aren't his actual words...
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)I mean talking snakes? Wine turns into blood in your throat and unleavened bread turns into human flesh? (Transubstantiation is a belief of the largest single religion in the US, Catholicism)
On the other hand lying about military service is considered a big deal by most veterans.
CBGLuthier
(12,723 posts)Under that type of logic I could never support any candidate for american office as they all tend to believe in what I consider to be an imaginary being and his make believe son.
napi21
(45,806 posts)I'm anticipating his #'s will soon fall,.
immoderate
(20,885 posts)Needs no other, and defies any further explanation.
--imm
Buzz cook
(2,472 posts)America has a military fetish.
jmowreader
(50,560 posts)The guy is a religious extremist. He can't admit the Pyramids have non-Christian religious significance...hey, grain bins!
The West Point story, and also the "I was a teenage hooligan" story that's since been pronounced a lie, point at Carson's character or severe lack thereof.
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)Mayberry Machiavelli
(21,096 posts)It's like if the church taught him that white Europeans built the Great Wall of China, the historical and archaeological evidence proving otherwise was explained to him, and he doubled down on his "theory" anyway.
Not too hard to see how this is relevant to someone wanting to be President.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)We're pretty used to giving a lot of slack to religious beliefs.
tabasco
(22,974 posts)when his imaginary sky fairy told him to do so.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)over half all Americans to support or remain passive over the murder of billions in a religious war. Pew said 30 million are specifically awaiting and supporting Armageddon.
tabasco
(22,974 posts)Humans have not evolved far enough to reject destructive superstitions.
I doubt that the species will survive.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)the effects of a nuclear war -- and thus frightened, while today's versions, fundamentalists particularly, feel that their special relation with God would somehow make fallout, nuclear winter, etc., not a problem for THEM.
As for the species, I expect it will survive, but if we don't somehow keep a leash on these sorts survival could become the new priority.
tabasco
(22,974 posts)our destruction of the natural world has earned us a death sentence. The sad thing about it is that we are taking along so many wonderful and beautiful creatures with us.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)just badly out of balance. That happens all the time with other animals that overmultiply, leading to dieoff from starvation, disease, etc.
We'll either get ourselves in better balance, or the rest of nature will force it. Both are actually happening now to some degree, the first very weakly and belatedly of course. A big move to sustainable development is definitely being encouraged by global warming, diminishing supplies of fresh water where we need them, etc.
My only comfort for the tragedy we're inflicting on other animals is that many dedicated people are storing genetic material for species we may one day be able to bring back from extinction.
tabasco
(22,974 posts)"Asteroid, shmasteroid."
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)when the same people would not think that was ok for a secular person. 'Oh he's the Pope, what do you expect of course he believes in demons but he must lead us on climate change because he is scientist and always right!!!'
Arugula Latte
(50,566 posts)It's Okay If You Are Religious