Draginol Draginol

Yikes! And we care what the world thinks?

Yikes! And we care what the world thinks?

911-world-poll.jpg

Good lord.

Something to keep in mind next time someone argues that we need to care what other countries think.

140,232 views 42 replies
Reply #26 Top

After all, why would you bother to contribute to a thread about what the rest of the world thinks if you really didn't care what the rest of the world thinks?

For the fun of it!  Why else? ;)

Reply #27 Top

What an asinine, elitist stance to take.

And these turds call Obama elitist!

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Reply #28 Top

America has a case for ignoring the opinions of others if and only if it is better informed. If it is not, then it is in no position to ridicule the rest of the world. I have still seen no evidence to support claims that America occupies any kind of high ground on this issue.

It would seem Americans are at least as well as informed as "other countries".

American's don't ridicule the rest of the world. They just don't care about it. And the world gives little reason for Americans to care.

Reply #29 Top

It would seem Americans are at least as well as informed as "other countries".

It would? How so? There are no stats relating to the USA in the table you posted. In the absence of any evidence to support your claim, it remains mere supposition.

Reply #30 Top

Actually, I think there is a difference between being interested in learning what people in other countries think about the US and Americans and wanting to base domestic policy and laws on how they do things in other countries.

I know when I have travelled, or met people here for other countries, I am often interested to hear what they think about the US and Americans.  I'm also usually interested to learn the differences between how we see them and how they really are.

So I do care, I just don't want our elected officials, judges or diplomats to let what others think be the driving justification for decisions or actions.

 

Reply #31 Top

Quoting Furry, reply 32


It would seem Americans are at least as well as informed as "other countries".
It would? How so? There are no stats relating to the USA in the table you posted. In the absence of any evidence to support your claim, it remains mere supposition.

You do know, there is this whole Internet thing where these stats are readily available.  Are you saying you've never seen it?  It's 75/25 (75% al queda, 25% all others combined).

Reply #32 Top

You do know, there is this whole Internet thing where these stats are readily available.

Very droll. Doubtless you are equally aware that one can find 'evidence' in support of almost any argument one chooses, no matter how bonkers, if one trawls widely enough.

That said, I accept that your supposition may well be right. However, given that the study you cite did not include a sample from the USA means that it remains just that - a supposition.

It's 75/25 (75% al queda, 25% all others combined).

So, assuming we're taking Al Quaeda as the 'correct' answer, what we have here is an American 'high ground' based upon an error rate of one in four. Surely this should be regarded as less an opportunity to dismiss the opinions of the rest of the world than cause for questioning domestic perceptions.

Reply #33 Top

Quoting Frogboy, reply 10
DK = don't know.

And here I was thinking it was Donkey Kong...

Reply #34 Top

So, assuming we're taking Al Quaeda as the 'correct' answer, what we have here is an American 'high ground' based upon an error rate of one in four.

(Yes, I know it's cheesy to quote oneself, but please bear with me.)

Since my last post, it occurred to me that it might be revealing to look at the statistics Draginol cited not as percentages of national populations, but in terms of absolute numbers. This led me to put together the following table:

COUNTRY POPULATION NOT AL QUEDA (%) NOT AL QUEDA (NUMBER)
Palestine 3761646 58 2181755
Jordan 5924000 89 5272360
Kenya 37538000 23 8633740
Taiwan 23000000 47 10810000
South Korea 48224000 49 23629760
France 64473140 37 23855062
Italy 59619290 44 26232488
UK 61186000 43 26309980
Ukraine 46030720 58 26697818
Germany 82169000 36 29580840
Nigeria 148093000 29 42946970
Turkey 70586256 61 43057616
Russia 141815000 43 60980450
Egypt 75338000 84 63283920
Mexico 106682500 67 71477275
USA 305219000 25 76304750
Indonesia 228322555 77 175808367
China 1326230000 68 901836400

The table is sorted on the final column, in ascending order.

The reader will notice that, when it comes to numbers of people who believe that the 9/11 attacks were NOT instigated by Al Quaeda, the USA has more than every other country surveyed except Indonesia and China. Indeed, the USA has more than Palestine, Jordan, Kenya, Taiwan, South Korea and France COMBINED.

So - an illuminating alternative view of the statistics Draginol cites as 'Something to keep in mind next time someone argues that we need to care what other countries think', or just 'lies, damned lies and statistics'? You be the judge.

Reply #35 Top

The reader will notice that, when it comes to numbers of people who believe that the 9/11 attacks were NOT instigated by Al Quaeda, the USA has more than every other country surveyed except Indonesia and China. Indeed, the USA has more than Palestine, Jordan, Kenya, Taiwan, South Korea and France COMBINED.

So - an illuminating alternative view of the statistics Draginol cites as 'Something to keep in mind next time someone argues that we need to care what other countries think', or just 'lies, damned lies and statistics'? You be the judge.

Yea, that stupid little thing called percentages gets in the way.

Considering we have 20% loons on the right, and on the left, plus the obligatory flat earthers, the percent for the US is not surprising,  But I fail to see how you showing 2 wrongs proves a right.

Reply #36 Top

But I fail to see how you showing 2 wrongs proves a right.

I didn't, and it doesn't. I did not mention 'wrong' or 'right', and claimed neither for this alternative presentation of the statistics. On the contrary, I offered a specific invitation:

You be the judge.

That you chose to respond not to what I wrote, but to what you obviously wanted me to have written, speaks volumes, oh doctor of naught.

Reply #37 Top

That you chose to respond not to what I wrote, but to what you obviously wanted me to have written, speaks volumes, oh doctor of naught.

Ah, another sycophantic moan!  And here I thought you had your own brain. 

As you clearly had a point to make by pointing out several issues with the numbers you posted, that was what my question was directed at you about.  Since you dont have a brain apparently, I can see how you would miss that, and just bleat what your handlers want you to say.

Reply #38 Top

Ah, another sycophantic moan!

sycophant - n. A servile self-seeker who attempts to win favor by flattering influential people. (American Heritage Dictionary)

How can a 'moan' be an attempt to flatter, and just whom did you have in mind as the influential party it was supposedly directed at? The use of long words is not quite so impressive if it is clear from the context that the writer doesn't know what they mean.

And here I thought you had your own brain.

Sticks and stones. Abuse is the most common indicator of a lost argument.

Reply #39 Top

Sticks and stones. Abuse is the most common indicator of a lost argument.

I agree and since you did it first, apparently you lost.  Thank you for conceding.  And better get a new dictionary if you cant figure out the sycophantic moan part.

Reply #40 Top

i wonder how many of the "other" were cases where people answered bin laden...

Reply #41 Top

I agree and since you did it first, apparently you lost. Thank you for conceding.  And better get a new dictionary if you cant figure out the sycophantic moan part.

Balderdash (Bowdlerised). I called you a 'doctor of naught', which is no more and no less than precisely what you are. But tell me, how is life in kindergarten?

Reply #42 Top

Balderdash (Bowdlerised). I called you a 'doctor of naught', which is no more and no less than precisely what you are. But tell me, how is life in kindergarten?

I see - so in your world,only what you say is name calling is name calling (and indeed I did not call you a name, just said that your lacked a brain).  Since you clearly dont know what I have, it is clear you were just being childish with your school yard taunts.  Granted, it was not very sophisticated or clever, but then the names you decide to use are not my choice. .Although it seems that you want to make the choice for everyone else.

It does not work that way.  But as far as kindergarten, I left it 45 years ago.  WHy?  You applying now?