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March 02, 2006
The Right to be Ignorant
A survey (reported on today in the Chicago Tribune and to us angelinos in our little Tribune Co. subsisdiary called the Los Angeles Times) showed that only 1% of Americans can name all five rights enumerated in the First Amendment to the US Constiution, as opposed to the 20% who can name all five members of the Simpsons family. Let me say first that I am shocked and outraged at the low 20% figure. Secondly, while the 99% who can't name the rights of the First Amendment are "ignorant," as the article says, the 38% who said the right to "take the Fifth" is part of the First are just plain morons. The ones who don't know who's buried in Grant's Tomb, I'll bet. Forty percent is roughly the moron fraction I've been assuming for a few years now, and it's nice to see it confirmed in sound figures.
Columbia U law professor Michael Dorf was quoted in the article as suggesting a Simpsons episode on the Constitution. Capital idea, and it just may happen, too. 'Cause you know Lisa knows!
Posted by johnn at March 2, 2006 01:28 PM
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Dude, there is a Simpsons episode on the Constitution. It's the one where Marge successfully campaigns to make Itchy and Scratchy less violent, and one of the cartoons aired in its place is a Schoolhouse Rock parody. "I'm an amendment to be, yes an amendment to be, and I'm hoping that they'll ratify me..."
It scares me a little that I didn't have to consult any source to provide that little tidbit.
Also, I had assumed a much larger moron fraction. But then, I have little faith in humanity.
-Brittany
Posted by: Aerin ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.anthroblogs.org/norvell/nav-commenters.gif)
at March 4, 2006 12:51 AM
Thanks for that. I thought I remembered something of the sort and was sure the Simpsons has at least mentioned the Constitution a couple of times. Very impressive that you pulled that citation and the quote from memory!
Posted by: JohnN at March 5, 2006 09:22 PM
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