# Should the US bomb Agrabah? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 19, 2015, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-bomb-agrabah/740818 "2015-12-19T00:08:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-bomb-agrabah/740818/101 "2015-12-26T19:49:03Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Or, they had high hopes for us, that we had finally turned away from the madness and hubris that made the Iraq war seem sensible and worthwhile. They had high hopes for him. Not sure they had such hopes for “us”. > [@](#): > > And let it be further noted, in the interests of the clarity that favors my views, Norway is not Europe. Just like Minnesota is not the USA, though it might be better for all concerned if they were. The Peace Prize decision was made in Norway, but if you remember, Obama was treated like a rock star on his European tour prior to being elected. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-bomb-agrabah/740818/102 "2015-12-26T23:15:23Z")
Well, yes, hard not to be ashamed and embarrassed at such unseemly warmth and friendliness. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2015, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-bomb-agrabah/740818/103 "2015-12-27T02:05:28Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Certainly. There are many differences. > > But those differences are not relevant to a conclusion about the stupidity of poll respondents in believing that Agrabah is a real-world locale and a suitable target for bombing or a real source of refugees. No but it does speak directly to the “America, Fuck Yeah” attitude that pisses so many people off. So when you combine stupidity with an attitude of American Exceptionalism the results truly suck ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Kumquat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2015, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-bomb-agrabah/740818/104 "2015-12-27T05:29:35Z")
> [@eulalia](#): > > You seriously can’t see a difference between wanting to help people without knowing who they are, and wanting to bomb people without knowing who they are? See, posts like this are why the board needs a like button. You have accurately and concisely framed the issue with Bricker’s post, and there should be an easy way for others to add “quite right” Though it could be argued that “like” is too facebooky, too light and fluffy. Could we maybe get an Emoji of Chuck D saying “Word”? ---
**Author:** ![eulalia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eulalia/32/457_2.png) [@eulalia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eulalia)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2015, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-bomb-agrabah/740818/105 "2015-12-27T07:08:50Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Certainly. There are many differences. > > But those differences are not relevant to a conclusion about the stupidity of poll respondents in believing that Agrabah is a real-world locale and a suitable target for bombing or a real source of refugees. > > So if someone were to offer that poll result to claim, for example, the Republicans are more hawkish than Democrats for their willingness to bomb, or that Democrats are more willing to accept immigrants than Republicans, the surveys would support such conclusions. > > Do you understand the distinction now? It’s not so much stupidity, as ignorance of pop culture and geography. I freely admit that I wouldn’t know where Agrabah was, or what the names might be of the actual origins of particular bunches of refugees or radical Islamists, for whichever case we’re talking about. I think I would probably try to find out before answering a poll, but some people might be more trusting of pollsters than I am. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2015, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-bomb-agrabah/740818/106 "2015-12-27T07:31:38Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Well, yes, hard not to be ashamed and embarrassed at such unseemly warmth and friendliness. Are you vying for the _non sequitur_ of the year award? ---
**Author:** ![Rune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e68b1a/32.png) [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2015, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-bomb-agrabah/740818/107 "2015-12-27T08:12:35Z")
You can get people to sign everything. There’re a bunch of videos with women signing petitions to [End Women’s Suffrage](https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=58&v=c1J8uX9_-Bg). Or what about a [petition to support ISIS](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5AROSM3uF8) Or a [petition to execute all gun owners](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n02qgqtpRKY). [Petition for mandatory Euthanasia for Senior Citizens](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4BEY1lZDyg) ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2015, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-bomb-agrabah/740818/108 "2015-12-27T09:08:30Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Are you vying for the _non sequitur_ of the year award? No, you can keep it. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2015, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-bomb-agrabah/740818/109 "2015-12-27T12:27:00Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > They had high hopes for him. Not sure they had such hopes for “us”. > The Peace Prize decision was made in Norway, but if you remember, Obama was treated like a rock star on his European tour prior to being elected. There must be something in Greek mythology that expresses the situation where unabandoned relief ensues at a change - any change - from relentless institutional stupidity. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2015, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-bomb-agrabah/740818/110 "2015-12-27T12:29:26Z")
> [@eulalia](#): > > It’s not so much stupidity, as ignorance of pop culture and geography. I freely admit that I wouldn’t know where Agrabah was, or what the names might be of the actual origins of particular bunches of refugees or radical Islamists, for whichever case we’re talking about. I think I would probably try to find out before answering a poll, but some people might be more trusting of pollsters than I am. You don’t need to do that. It sounds middle eastern right? Middle easterns live there - just bomb the stupid fucks, blow their kids into tiny pieces already. It’s not like they’re going to do … oh wait. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2015, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-bomb-agrabah/740818/111 "2015-12-27T12:35:20Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I think the OP is taking pot shots at Americans, rather they trying to play Democrats off Republicans. Look at post #71, for example. Many non-Americans aren’t especially impressed with the different between Rs and Ds when it comes to foreign policy. Obama isn’t feted in Europe so much these days as he was when he was the Nobel Peace Prize wining superstar president. This is dumb, really dumb. It isn’t about the “OP”. It’s about some dumbwit candidate for the presidency of your country thinking it’s okay to announce a war crime as his foreign policy because he thinks it will enhance his credentials. These people make GWB look like Abraham Lincoln. ---
**Author:** ![Unpronounceable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9de0a6/32.png) [@Unpronounceable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unpronounceable)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2015, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-bomb-agrabah/740818/112 "2015-12-27T14:18:50Z")
> [@Rune](#): > > You can get people to sign everything. There’re a bunch of videos with women signing petitions to [End Women’s Suffrage](https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=58&v=c1J8uX9_-Bg). Or what about a [petition to support ISIS](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5AROSM3uF8) Or a [petition to execute all gun owners](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n02qgqtpRKY). [Petition for mandatory Euthanasia for Senior Citizens](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4BEY1lZDyg) And then, of course, there’s all the people who _can_ spot a BS poll, but just like to dick with pollsters/reporters…not that they’ll ever figure that out. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2015, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-bomb-agrabah/740818/113 "2015-12-27T16:42:53Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > No, you can keep it. No u. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2015, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-bomb-agrabah/740818/114 "2015-12-27T16:46:16Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > This is dumb, really dumb. It isn’t about the “OP”. It’s about some dumbwit candidate for the presidency of your country thinking it’s okay to announce a war crime as his foreign policy because he thinks it will enhance his credentials. > > These people make GWB look like Abraham Lincoln. Oh, that makes sense. Especially this part: > [@OP](#): > > This isn’t Trump, this is a chunk of the US electorate ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2015, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-bomb-agrabah/740818/115 "2015-12-28T14:38:16Z")
> [@XT](#): > > And you might get a reversal of those numbers if you couch the question as something like ‘Should we send more humanitarian aide to Agrabah?’ or ‘Should we accept more refugees from Agrabah?’ (or some other silly place)…something that more Dems would support than Republicans as a base position regardless of the silly place you tack on to make folks look stupid. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2015/12/25/more-on-agrabah-and-political-ignorance/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2015/12/25/more-on-agrabah-and-political-ignorance/) [It appears that Bricker alluded to this specific survey, from his use of the 44% number, but I didn’t see anyone link to it.] ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2015, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-bomb-agrabah/740818/116 "2015-12-28T17:13:10Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2015/12/25/more-on-agrabah-and-political-ignorance/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2015/12/25/more-on-agrabah-and-political-ignorance/) > > [It appears that Bricker alluded to this specific survey, from his use of the 44% number, but I didn’t see anyone link to it.] Nu uh. That’s a lie by Faux news. Only repubbicans are allowed to be dumb. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2015, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-bomb-agrabah/740818/117 "2015-12-28T17:21:17Z")
> [@](#): > > …The WPA survey does not even succeed in making Democrats look as bad or worse than Republicans on this specific issue. WPA’s website does not report the results for the Republican part of their sample. But if they had done so, it seems likely that many Republicans – perhaps even a majority or plurality – would have joined the 27% of Democrats who say they oppose admitting refugees from Agrabah… Wait, what? They don’t “report the results for the Republican part of their sample”? Forgive me for entertaining a suspicion here. Like, maybe, they didn’t do it because the didn’t want to? Still, the citation is valuable, I might never have known that this fellow had written a book on political ignorance, that is available for purchase. And look! How very convenient, at the bottom is an offer for a free subscription to the Volokh Conspiracy newsletter! My day is made… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-bomb-agrabah/740818.md?page=5)