Is Sarah Palin smarter than Barack Obama?
True, this question is pretty inane, but not because its answer is overly evident. First, Barack Obama's IQ had been reported at either 116 or 124. While above US national average, both are relatively low for an ivy league University graduate, whose mean IQs are generally in the 130s. Most often, achievement in IQ non-intensive fields such as Law and applied Social Sciences is driven by one's conscientiousness and ambition rather than the ability to understand abstract concepts and make accurate assessments. The fact that Barack Obama is black, black in a society that highly values universal equal representation on a racial basis should not be ignored when considering his achievements. Second, there is a significant number of people that despite being able to brilliantly joggle with ideas and concepts they've come in contact with, won't appear as "smart" to the casual observer -- due to a lack of knowledge, disregard for erudition, not being challenged, sheer laziness etc. etc. Intelligence doesn't refer to the quantity of data one has memorized, but to the quality of one's interpretation and manipulation of said data. So, while highly unlikely based on what we've seen of her, Sarah Palin being smarter (having a higher IQ) than Barack Obama is fully within the realm of possibility. I find it quite disappointing that so many on Quora dismissed the question so arrogantly and so lightly. Kind of ironic to show such disregard for inquisitive thought on a topic that's about intelligence, don't you think?Edit:Article regarding Obama's intelligence and qualification. I'm not familiar with the journalist or the outlet, so I can't comment on its validity. Still, an interesting read. http://www.realclearpolitics.com...
Why were Navy SEALs selected for the raid on Osama's compound in Pakistan? Wouldn't the Army Rangers or Delta Force have been a better option?
A lot of it was likely political. The guy Leon Panetta went to with the possibility of taking on this mission was Admiral McRaven the commander of JSOC (joint special operations command) and a Navy SEAL. Rangers are definitely not the right force for a small surgical strike like this and the SEALs were doing this kind of operation every day in Iraq and Afghanistan so they were potentially the most elite unit with the most experience at this kind of operation. Of course the Admiral was predisposed to pick ST6 over Delta. Just luck of the draw though timing and availability might factor into any decision like this.I don’t know nearly as much about Delta force as I do about the SEALS and to a lesser extent the Rangers. On the day Osama Bin Laden was killed the SEALs were actually deployed to more than 10 other locations doing exactly the same type of operation. The entire time we were in Afghanistan and Iraq there was such a high op tempo that today’s SEAL’s have more combat experience than at any other time in their history.When ever there’s a high profile mission the services jockey for a piece of the action, it’s almost inherent in the nature of the beast. You have these elite warriors trained to a razors edge and during moments of peace there’s often little opportunity to unleash them so everyone wants to show what it can do. It leads to some unfortunate circumstances but that’s just the reality of politics.The “Captain Phillips story” never mentions that Obama wanted to use the FBI HRT team to handle the situation (reportedly because of some distrust he had with the military) but the SEALs are better prepared to deploy and the SEALs can additionally parachute at night into the ocean and be picked up by a small boat from the Navy ships on scene which the HRT isn’t prepared for and allowed the SEALs to get to the fight unannounced to the pirates.
I don't believe that Osama Bin Laden was actually killed. I think it's propaganda by our government. Does anyone else agree?
Ok…so you don’t believe it.And….?Al Qaeda believes it.Since the death of OBL it has largely fallen by the wayside as an effective organization. Whether his reported death was the primary reason for this or whether it was also the result of attrition, internal disputes AND OBL’s death remains to be seen. It is clear that the organization is largely rudderless now and that likely wouldn’t have happened had its leadership not been dealt with in some manner.The people gathered with President Obama in this photo believe it:There is simply no reason for any of the members of this assembled group to lie about what they witnessed happening. If they were ever caught or the “truth” was revealed as not reflecting what truly happened, their respective legacies would be damaged or destroyed. While they all might be “loyal” to the President, that loyalty would only extend so far.NOTE: Bob Gates (shown in the white shirt on the LRH side of the photo) in fact wrote a scathing critique of the President when he left office, and so was clearly not a fan of Mr. Obama or many of policies and practices.The SEALS who went on the mission believe it.Are you perhaps stating that your own insight is somehow superior to the men who flew into a compound inside of Pakistan at night and did the job? Are they lying or exaggerating about what they claim to have done? Do you have any proof that they did not do what they did beyond your feelings? If so, it’s a certainty that the Navy SEALS would like to see it as it would seem to conflict with their objective reality.So questioner…the fact that you “don’t believe” Osama bin Laden is dead is frankly, meaningless. You haven’t provided any proof that in any manner disputes the commonly held narrative, you haven’t been to Pakistan or seen the compound, you didn’t know bin Laden and your reasoning conflicts with both standard military doctrine as well as the core tenets of international diplomacy.You have every right to believe or disbelieve what you’d like to.However, if your disbelief conflicts with objective reality, then unless you have proof to support that disbelief, it begins to resemble delusion more than anything else.
Does it seem to you that the Republicans want the dumbest and most obnoxious people representing them?
YES IT DOES Count Acumen It's not that it seems, they do want the dumbest most obnoxious people representing them. Unfourtionaly for most of them they are less informed then there Democrat counter part which is sad. I'm was really surprised to find your question for I have gave this a lot of thought over the last couple years. In the last few months Ive read thousands of political answers with responding too just few of them. Trying to find a reasonable explanation for this very strange following in our country. The Following Defined: Believing in opinion that suit them, Not able to rationalize, Like members of a cult Would like to mention in my research the word nitwit came up hundreds of times referring to the Democrates.Thought if the nitwits have the Presidency, the house and one seat away from super majority in the senate whats that make the Republicans? This is what I have determined there are three factors involved. 1. Individual geological location: Such as the big red state where the left wing radio is not available. So they only hear one side of a story that's been taken out of contents. This is a fact the republican base is less informed its the only way to keep there members from declining. 2. Individual personality: Hard headed we've all met the type they will never admit there wrong no matter how obvious the truth is. This is were you will find the "Blue Collar Conservative" a term that's contradictive. What can you tell a person with two black eyes a fat lip and holding a foreclosure notice? Nothing because hes already been told three times. The Timid: Blind believers these people will bend over touch there toes because they were told it's not going to hurt at all. There afraid to make a decision or form a opinion on there own. 3.The Just Plan Stupid. This can also be the person with 10 years of college. When it come to certain subject they don't have a clue what there talking about but think they do. This particular person is a follower.
What are the best political jokes?
Try this one:President Obama walks into the Bank of America to cash a check. As he approaches the cashier he says, "Good morning Ma'am, could you please cash this check for me?" Cashier:"It would be my pleasure sir. Could you please show me your ID?" Obama:"Truthfully, I did not bring my ID with me as I didn't think there was any need to. I am President Barack Obama, the President of the United States of AMERICA !!!!" Cashier:"Yes sir, I know who you are, but with all the regulations and monitoring of the banks because of impostors and forgers and requirements of the Dodd/Frank legislation, etc., I must insist on seeing ID." Obama:Just ask anyone here at the bank who I am and they will tell you. Everybody knows who I am." Cashier:"I am sorry Mr. President but these are the bank rules and I must follow them." Obama:"I am urging you, please, to cash this check." Cashier:"Look Mr. President, here is an example of what we can do. One day, Tiger Woods came into the bank without ID. To prove he was Tiger Woods he pulled out his putter and made a beautiful shot across the bank into a cup. With that shot we knew him to be Tiger Woods and cashed his check. Another time, Andre Agassi came in without ID. He pulled out his tennis racquet and made a fabulous shot whereas the tennis ball landed in my cup. With that shot we cashed his check. So, Mr. President, what can you do to prove that it is you, and only you, as the President of the United States ?"Obama: Obama stands there thinking, and thinking, and finally says, "Honestly, my mind is a total blank...there is nothing that comes to my mind. I can't think of a single thing. I have absolutely no idea what to do and I don't have a clue. Cashier: "Will that be large or small bills, Mr. President?