This is getting really weird, guys.
People may not agree on political ideals, but it used to be that folks could at least look at evidence and data. Or, put another way:
“Facts, evidence, reason, logic, an understanding of science – these are good things… In politics, and in life, ignorance is not a virtue. It’s not cool to not know what you’re talking about. That’s not ‘keeping it real,’ or ‘telling it like it is.’ That’s not challenging ‘political correctness.’ That’s just not knowing what you’re talking about.”
It’s pretty hard to argue with this statement once it has been removed from its speaker. Sounds reasonable, and pretty bipartisan.
Okay, so now we’re ready to draw the battle lines: It was said by one President Barack Obama at a commencement speech last weekend at Rutgers University.
Donald Trump, possibly feeling that his deep embrace of ignorance as a major campaign point was being challenged, responded to this statement with thoughtfulness and tact. Just kidding, he responded with more ignorance.
"In politics, and in life, ignorance is not a virtue." This is a primary reason that President Obama is the worst president in U.S. history!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 17, 2016
Of course, this is complete nonsense. There isn’t even a basic understanding of logic here– just flinging poo at a wall, like the rest of Trump’s campaign. But it works, because Trump’s followers are like this dude:
https://twitter.com/NeilTurner_/status/732377171214401540
Racism: check. Unverified claims designed to make people angry: check. Complete lack of references: check. Perfect Trump toady hat trick! (For the non-hockey-inclined: “hat trick” is when a player scores three goals in a game. Remember this if you ever want to impress a Canadian.)
This type of gobbledygook should never be accepted as a valid point by anyone with any political ideology.
Trump’s massive ego, laughable rhetoric, and his insistence that his questionable personal style is seriously chic make for hilarious fodder for late-night punchlines. But this must never become normal to us. Knowledge is always a good thing, and ignorance is not a virtue.
In case you have forgotten about his inane goofiness, check out the video below.
Featured image by Spencer Platt/Getty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JsiGQMMoe4
