University of Nebraska-Lincoln Study Goes A Long Way Toward Explaining Why Republican “Culture Of Fear” Exists And Why It Works…
While the world is discussing the filthy, fear-mongering (Source: Swampland) campaign of “Meester Bipartisan Maverick McCain-Kennedy Open Borders” Señor Juan McCain of Arizona PANAMA Para Èl Presidenté, conservative media and bloggers are conveniently hoping nobody will be learning of the very telling findings of a study recently conducted in the Great State of Nebraska.
This study also helps explain why certain Republicans, for example; President “Surge” W. Bush, the “maverick rancher”, is so frightened of horses, “bad people”, law abiding U.S. Citizens, etc.
Study finds conservatives more easily startled
If scary sights easily startle you, that might reveal that you’re politically conservative.
That’s the conclusion in a report published today in the journal Science about a study conducted by University of Nebraska-Lincoln political science professor John Hibbing.
The study indicates that people who are frightened by scary images and flinch at loud noises are likely to lean conservative and often favor increased spending for the military and support the death penalty and the Iraq war. …”
(Snip!)
“… Hibbing theorized that those who are easily startled might have a heightened, innate urge to want to protect themselves and the people they love. They may bring that view to the country as a whole, which may explain why they favor federal efforts to protect America from terrorists and other things, Hibbing said.
“Outside of what your environment suggests — you know, like how your mother raised you — there might be some physical attributes that play into (political views),” said Hibbing. “We just wanted to better figure out why people act and think the way they do.” … – SW Iowa News
Wow, this goes a VERY long way to explain why paid GOP staffer and serial killer, Ted Bundy was so frightened of prostitution, he chose the path of Republicanism before his fellow Republicans eventually executed him for his crimes. Come to think of it, let’s do a quick checklist of “GOP Greatest Hits” just to test this theory out, shall we?
Timothy McVeigh? CHECK.
McCain-Palin? CHECK.
Bush-Cheney? CHECK.
RealID? CHECK.
USA Patriot Act? CHECK.
Now, remember, dear readers, many of whom are of the “conservative” persuasion — this study simply highlights a TREND, not a “100% of all conservatives are ready to shoot the place up everytime somebody sneaks up and pops a paper bag behind them” type of conclusion.
Please — don’t shoot me; I’m just the “messenger” here. Not to mention, this is one Liberal who will shoot back.
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Another Take From The Los Angeles Times –
And some other bloggers weigh in: Stop The ACLU (Counterpoint); Ann Althouse (Counterpoint); Drudge Retort
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6:48 pm on September 19th, 2008 1
Hmmmm….the talking head that I heard on San Franciscos KCBS radio made the comment that it was more a matter of being aware of threats and being ready to act on them rather than being afraid. Being very afraid. Nice spin though, Guns.
On a side note, I was listening to Ws little talk this morning and caught one of his Bushisms – when he was talking about people who manipulate the market, he said that they would be caught and “persecuted.” “Persecuted!” You gotta love it.
7:18 pm on September 19th, 2008 2
Oh, there was a study about 6 months after the attacks on 11 Sept, 2001, tha found gthat conservatives and gun owners were less shocked and traumatized than liberals and non-gun owners. Better able to adapt and a more realistic world view, or such was the conclusion.
12:22 am on September 20th, 2008 3
“… Nice spin though, Guns. …”
Heh… thankya, bro — “Spin-N-Grin” around here — you oughtta know by now
7:08 am on September 20th, 2008 4
I read the same report during the 2000 election and the 2004 election. It seems it turns up every 4 years by someone new. In this case professor X most likely samples a couple dozen of his students and reaches a conclusion that conservatives are “fraidy kats.”
What should be pointed out is that it does not take a liberal or a conservative to realize that McCain and Obama both want to rape our public coffers in the name of votes.
We should all be “Fraidy Kats.”
McCain wants to keep giving tax breaks to the rich while this nation wallows in poverty and a humongous deficit.
Obama wants to tax the rich more but then give it to the middle class who already pay almost no taxes at all and in fact most of them get a cash back rebate check from the government.
Our government is full of Nitwits, morons and retards. How much of this needs to go on before term limits become a reality?
11:20 am on September 20th, 2008 5
You know this is one study that I can agree with. I am not being snarky or trying to make fun of the study. I am from a small town where fear is the driving force when it comes to electing people to office.
They are afraid I am telling you. That is why they cling to their guns and religion. It makes them feel safe.
I tell people back home that I walk to work and the question they always ask nm is “You not afraid of being mugged,”
I tell them it is Fort Worth and they have a policeperson at every corner.
But fear runs rampant in their minds. They believe terrorist are just around the corner waiting to blow them up.
Liberal is a term that they pair with anarchist. They feel that Liberals will allow anything to happen and turn the other cheek when accountability rears its ugly head.
They want John Wayne to help them although John Wayne is not a hero but an actor. Their myths plague their minds. They are afraid.
12:38 pm on September 20th, 2008 6
I was surprised to hear that they have schools in Nebraska…
1:34 pm on September 20th, 2008 7
I tried to read your post, I really did, but I couldn’t make it all they way through, I was too scared
I’m pretty scared of girardia’s gravatar, it might bite me. I’m even more scared of Joe Lovell’s.
The thing that scares me the most, though, is what will happen to our country if Obama is elected.
1:47 pm on September 20th, 2008 8
Obama becoming president is almost as scary as McShameless becoming president, but either way we’re in for some pretty hard times because coservatism is proving to be a catastrophic failure that will be relegated to the dustbin of history. But I’m not afraid.
6:40 pm on September 20th, 2008 9
Actually our nation was founded on conservatism and its served this country very well. The problem is not conservatism. Its the practitioners of the art.
Just as there are good hookers and bad hookers. If you get a bad hooker that gives you the clap that does not mean all hookers are bad.
If your pimp is ugly that does not mean his girls are. So one has to keep things in perspective when you discuss politics. Whose your pimp. Obama or McCain. Or are you going to sit this ride out and cheer from the safety of your condom…..er condo?
9:51 pm on September 20th, 2008 10
All right Compass, I guess I can go along with that. It may be that despite appearances, conservatism is not a failure at all, but rather, that the people who have been elected by the conservatives in this country, or who perhaps have just managed to steal the elections somehow, are actually the catastrophic failures. The way Bush and his cronies have been squandering our national treasure is anything but conservative. Starting a pre-emptive war is anything but conservative. I kind of like Ron Paul, but no way, no how, no McCain! This guy will say anything to get elected. What a shameless fear-mongering liar!
10:57 pm on September 20th, 2008 11
Actually you are very correct. GWB is a neocon. Neocons believe in big government and waving a big stick around. IN this regard many people claim Ronnie Reagan was a good old fashioned Conservative when in fact he was a Neocon. He brought us big debt, bigger government despite claims to the contrary and he waved a mighty big stick.
I guess 911 changed a lot of things. It made the Neocons want to do more then wave their stick. They wanted to use it. The problem for America is that GWB and friends decided that the way to wage war was against terrorists and Democrats. Thus the war was lost from that moment forward.
It was no longer Americas war on terror it was a partisan shouting match and the true enemy seemed to be lost in the hate that divided this country over who was more loyal to the flag.
So as I have said. The GOP has failed mighty badly in the last 8 years. (The economy is EQUALLY the fault of both parties.) Time to give the democrats a try and see what they can do. My bet is…..they will do pretty badly too because the GOP will just sling mud at them for the next 4 or 8 years till America grows tired of them as well.
11:24 pm on September 20th, 2008 12
I still believe mightily in this country. I think we can get past this partisan divide. Unfotunately it takes a real kick in the pants for us to do it but I think we’re about to enter some REALLY hard times that will bring out the best in us. We’ll be OK. I’m not afraid.
Good luck in all you do…
12:04 pm on September 22nd, 2008 13
The reason conservatives are fearful when it comes to politics is simple. We actually own stuff, and if there is any lesson in the politics of the past 50 years, is that government is primarily used to take stuff from us. This trancends party to the extent that a Democratic party run government will take GTL’s guns just as quickly as mine. A Republican run party will take my porn just as quickly as GTL’s. Any party’s government will take anyone’s money that isn’t on “their” approved list.
Hell, I’m surprised all y’all Lefties aren’t more conservative than you are.
12:42 pm on September 22nd, 2008 14
The problem with Chuck’s comment is that there is a lot of truth to what he is saying.
We should be very afraid of anyone who wants to tell us what to do and how to live from both sides.