Aug 21 2007
One in Four Americans Read No Books Last Year
According to a new AP-Ipsos poll, mentioned here, 27% of Americans report reading no books over the past year. Let me remind you that we have a basic literacy rate of 99%.
I had prepared some thoughts on this issue, but I think they can be adequately and succinctly summarized as follows:
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?!
Also, in the interest of being politically contentious, I should point out that the poll also asked respondents to describe their political inclinations. The results: 22% of those who described themselves as “liberal” or “moderate” read no books last year, compared to 34% of those who self-identified as “conservative.”
White House spokesman Tony Fratto, who apparently has felt the need to comment, is quoted by the AP as saying: “Obfuscation usually requires a lot more words than if you simply focus on fundamental principles, so I’m not at all surprised by the loquaciousness of liberals.”
Thank you, Mr. Fratto, for causing me to shoot coffee from my nostrils.
–Michael
And yet another piece of evidence to further the gap between people in this nation. I’m glad the white house is also interested in playing into that gap, and pitting people against each other.