Common Sense

[mudcat100]

Why does it seem people with common sense are almost non-existent anymore? I was just watching the news and there's been a continuing story about an older American lady (76) who could not get out of her apt. in an Egyptian city for fear of her life during the riots.Her son contacted NBC news but they could not help. The American embassy finally rescued her and got her on a flight to the US. (US taxpayer funded).My question is this.Why is she there in the first place?If she was my mother,I believe I could convince her to live in the US.
Also,three American hikers are going on trial in Iran for crossing the Iran-Iraq border.Once again,with all of the beautiful and safe places to hike worldwide,why would anyone from the US with any common sense at all want to go hiking in a war zone near the border of a country that hates the US?

 

[handejector]

It has long been called 'natural selection'.
Do gooders keep interfering with the process, nullifying the benefits.

 

[beach elvis]

Seems like there's either more frequency in lemming-like behavior in western civilization or it's just being reported more. As I approach the codger stage in life, Ron White's observation seems more current than ever: "Ya can't fix stupid."

Either that or I'm just focussing more on the folly of others to ignore my own dumba** attacks. Prob'ly the latter, I'm guessin'.

 

[Bullseye 2620]

Also,three American hikers are going on trial in Iran for crossing the Iran-Iraq border.Once again,with all of the beautiful and safe places to hike worldwide,why would anyone from the US with any common sense at all want to go hiking in a war zone near the border of a country that hates the US?

To give Bill Richardson something to do as an international hostage negotiator now that he's retired as Governor of New Mexico?


Bulleye

 

[neiljrosen]

I don't have any sympathy for them, they brought it on themselves.

 

[rags]

If common sense were common, everyone would have it.

rags

 

[jlrhiner]

We spend too much time enhancing their academic credentials and not enough time teaching them anything useful.

 

[Frank237]

My Dad built a dozen or so high end, custom homes for Princeton University Prof's back in the 60's into the early 70's. The homes were built on University owned property as perks to sign or keep Prof's.

Part of the deal was my Dad had to allow a couple of Engineering or Architecture majors to work for him and the University picked up most of the wages and benefits. It was AMAZING how absolutely clueless a few of them were! Most of them had NEVER worked at all so working for a guy with an old time work ethic had to be an eye opener. A few had absolutely ZERO common sense. One hurt himself so many times they finally had the University get him another job.


Have to say though that several were amazing individuals... very intelligent, adaptable and hard workers.

 

[Capt Steve]

Not on our dime!

The US government has no (zero, zip nada), business spending dollar one of taxpayer money to evacuate American citizens who are in Egypt of their own free will. If one chooses to go to an unstable third world country do not expect the US to bail you out if and or when things go south. While I doubt it will happen I hope these globe trotting free loaders are eventually billed for all of the costs associated with their evacuation. Folks working for the government comprise a different situation all together and government should evacuate them for their safety as needed.

 

[TACC1]

The US government has no (zero, zip nada), business spending dollar one of taxpayer money to evacuate American citizens who are in Egypt of their own free will. If one chooses to go to an unstable third world country do not expect the US to bail you out if and or when things go south. While I doubt it will happen I hope these globe trotting free loaders are eventually billed for all of the costs associated with their evacuation. Folks working for the government comprise a different situation all together and government should evacuate them for their safety as needed.

"A-men, Brother!"

TACC1

 

[feralmerril]

Take a look at the perdicaris incident in 1907 where some muslem punjab kidnapped a wealthy american-greek family and teddy roosevelt sent some battleships and marines to the rescue.

Ion Perdicaris - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[armadillo]

There has been a lot said about the subject. My favorite quote is: "Common sense is an uncommon virtue."

 

[ace22]

It has long been called 'natural selection'.
Do gooders keep interfering with the process, nullifying the benefits.

lol. we gotta send all the do gooders over there, that'll cure it

 

[M falcon]

I think that they are CIA spies

MFalcon

 

[NE450No2]

Early on I heard that anyone taking a "Govt" flight out of Egypt would be billed for it. That may have changed???

 

[godlessgael]

the US government does not simply give you a free flight in situations like these. To get on the plane you have to sign a promissory note saying that you will pay the going rate for a flight (not usually back to the US either, but to a more stable country). I was just in Cairo and I think most of the hysteria and overreaction was due to the lack of communication available because of internet being shut off. Add to this that all ATM's were down and banks were closed and the shortage of cash made people act crazy. I spent on night in the Cairo aiport and many days while on vacation in Egypt, I never once felt unsafe, but then again I wasn't throwing rocks at people with guns. I will try to get some pictures up shortly.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Take a look at the perdicaris incident in 1907 where some muslem punjab kidnapped a wealthy american-greek family and teddy roosevelt sent some battleships and marines to the rescue.

Ion Perdicaris - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Wind and the Lion?

(Athough the movie isn't true to the tale at all- any movie with 1897 Winchesters in it is a good movie )

 

[Engineer1911]

Who will rescue college students on spring break in Mexico?

What a great time for natural selection! We might get a new Darwin Award winner.