Where should the USA invade next for war on terror?

Published on January 22nd, 2007

Ok, this sort of thing is specious and I suspect you could go to any country and do a “man on the street” test like this and find a bunch of dummies who have no clue about anything. Jay Leno’s Jaywalking has done this bit for a decade only he actually finds teachers and college students who seem to know nothing. Someone needs to do this in Canada. That said there is a low-level ignorance that permeates the entire country as is pointed out by people sticking a needle into Australia and saying that it’s North Korea. Cripes.

46 users responded in " Where should the USA invade next for war on terror? "

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# 1 Raff said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 12:37 pm

I vote for Iran and North Korea.. both at the same time.. then Russia and China.. again.. both at the same time.. If we win that, I think everyone else in the world would get the idea.. if not.. well it probably won’t matter anyway.

# 2 SN said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 12:38 pm

Canada. First, it’s the only country that has the US surrounded, i.e., it’s east, west, north and south of us! Second, they’re fricking spying on us man! And third, one word. One utterly horrific word (women and children should avert their eyes!): Loverboy!

# 3 mxpwr03 said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 12:45 pm

I’m going to have to agree on Canada also.

# 4 tallwookie said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 12:47 pm

I say we invade Rome. The right-wing neo-con conservative religious wackos are always harping on what the Pope Hat disctates. NUKE THE POPE!

# 5 Pete said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 12:49 pm

As a Canadian I feel safe. Most Americans have no idea where we are.

# 6 SN said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 12:56 pm

5. “Most Americans have no idea where we are.”

Marge: It took the class 40 minutes to locate Canada on a map.

Homer: Oh, honey, anyone could miss Canada. All tucked way down there.

# 7 jbellies said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 1:04 pm

Long before Jaywalkers, the riotous Canadian TV satire “This Hour Has 22 Minutes” (a double entendre joke which any Canadian aged 50 or up gets immediately) had a frequent segment hosted by Rick Mercer, entitled “Talking with Americans”. Over the years, my reaction to this segment evolved: first it was really funny; later, disgust at how ignorant the Americans were about the world outside (in this instance, Canada); finally, doubt that Harvard professors (inter alia) could actually be so ignorant combined with thoughts that they were put up to it. Maybe Rick said to them, here’s a Franklin, I’ll give it to you if you say this incredibly stupid thing to the camera. So in the end, I couldn’t bear to watch it. Mercer and Mary Walsh have their own shows now. 22 Minutes is still funny, even without them.

Ever notice how few world geography questions there are on Millionaire?

Anyway, in the video, at least one of the interviewees was deadpan joking. I hope.

# 8 Named said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 1:13 pm

2,
Everyone’s watching, to see what you will do
Everyone’s looking at you, oh
Everyone’s wondering, will you come out tonight
Everyone’s trying to get it right, get it right

Everybody’s working for the weekend
Everybody wants a little romance
Everybody’s goin’ off the deep end
Everybody needs a second chance, oh
You want a piece of my heart
You better start from start
You wanna be in the show
Come on baby lets go

Everyone’s looking to see if it was you
Everyone wants you to come through
Everyone’s hoping it’ll all work out
Everyone’s waiting they’re holding out

# 9 SN said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 1:18 pm

8. I’m not listening! I’m not listening! Na na nana na!

# 10 Roc Rizzo said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 1:18 pm

The US should drop a bomb on Crawford, Texas the next time Dumbya is there cutting brush!

# 11 Awake said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 1:19 pm

Lets invade Mexico! At least 50% of the highly edumacated citizens of the USA should be able to find it (if we include the latino population), their army sucks, and they want to be here anyway.
They should welcome us with open arms and dancing in the streets, just like they did in that other country…
Of course, maybe we should make even the slightest plans for what happens after the “Mission Accomplished” banner goes up… my idea? We make them pay for our invasion with their petroleum… it worked so well in the other place…
And while we are at it, we can put all Mexican Catholics in Guantanamo since they would be a security risk…

# 12 SN said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 1:20 pm

11. “Lets invade Mexico!”

Heck, we should at least take southern California back first!

# 13 Named said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 1:23 pm

You’ve read it… you can’t unread it!

Maybe moving the USian border north of Cali would be easier?

# 14 John said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 1:24 pm

I say, invade two places at once: 1600 Pennsylvania ave,and Number One Observatory Circle…

# 15 RTaylor said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 1:24 pm

Should we talk about the billions spent on the war against terror or the trillions spent on public education in the US?

# 16 tallwookie said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 1:24 pm

#7 – I feel almost like breaking into a song & dance routine -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blame_Canada

need I say more?

# 17 Improbus said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 1:27 pm

It doesn’t surprise me that most people in America are willfully ignorant. I see it every day. I have come to expect it as normal. [heavy sigh]

# 18 Named said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 1:38 pm

17,

It’s not just the US… It’s everywhere. Brave new world is here. We just need Soma.

# 19 SN said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 1:38 pm

13. “You’ve read it… you can’t unread it!”

I didn’t read it, I was lucky enough to be able to shove two pencils in my eyes after only reading the first three lines!

# 20 Named said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 1:46 pm

19,

And I KNOW you’re humming the tune and just gagging on it…

(i am… CURSE YOU for mentioning their most hallowed name!)

# 21 SN said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 1:48 pm

20. “And I KNOW you’re humming the tune and just gagging on it…”

Actually, I’m playing it safe and am only humming Mr. Bungle’s version of it.

# 22 Jägermeister said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 2:14 pm

Andorra… they’ve been asking for it for a long time…

# 23 tcc3 said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 2:35 pm

Im not sayign these folks are rocket scientists, and they *should* know better, but this whole thing is a setup. The countries are labeled incorrectly.

At least Leno doesnt set folks up for the fall. He may point out their stupidity, but he usually doesnt really trick them.

# 24 Mark said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 3:07 pm

23. Come on, even though the countries are leabeled wrong, you’d have to be a complete numbskull pointing out Australia as Iran or Korea.

8. Thanks for ruining my day, I can get that fucking song out of me head now, I’ll have to listen to some Tool to counteract the effects.

# 25 John C Dvorak said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 3:09 pm

IS this open mic at a comedy club?? Sheesh.

# 26 Dallas said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 3:15 pm

Now you know why guys like Bush make it to office and then get re-elected. These people represent the bulk of American simple minds that can be persuaded to support ,say, an invasion of North Korea because “… they have a bad attitude..”.

The same people have no idea they end up paying for it. They think money is just ‘printed’ when you need more. I say, there should be a minimal level of education to earn your ability to vote. Let’s start small – like you need to know where your country is on a globe.

# 27 Tom 2 said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 3:26 pm

Bulgaria.

# 28 Blues said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 3:55 pm

Apparently 9/11 was just a big mistake. They were using an amusingly doctored map and thought the building they were flying into was was in Brazil.

# 29 Blues said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 3:57 pm

The same people have no idea they end up paying for it. They think money is just ‘printed’ when you need more.

I thought that was the cornerstone of US fiscal policy.

# 30 tcc3 said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 4:09 pm

24. See, thats why I prefaced my comment with “Im not saying these folks are rocket scientists”

Yeah its a bonehead thing to do. No they arent going to win the geography bee.

My point was that its a setup meant to cause confusion. This is much meaner spirited than the typical “Jaywalking” segment

# 31 Mr. Fusion said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 4:47 pm

My question would be how many were asked to come up with the group they showed. At least give some credit to the two girls that found Sri Lanka.

# 32 bac said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 5:44 pm

No wonder we are loosing the war on terror. We have our troops in the wrong location. The troops should be on the big island in the south hemisphere. You know the island with many names like France, Korea and Iran.

I am glad tax payer’s money is well spent.

# 33 Slappy said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 6:11 pm

I vote for Elisabeth Hasselbecks house.

# 34 ChrisMac said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 6:59 pm

In Canada…

It’s more important to carry a condom.. Than a gun

# 35 tallwookie said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 7:49 pm

#34 – and how useful is the condom gonna be in a gun fight?

# 36 Greg Allen said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 8:01 pm

It’s nice to finally see the 24% of Americans who still think that Bush is doing a great job in Iraq!

# 37 matt said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 9:10 pm

Greenpeace animation with a South Park Twist

http://tinyurl.com/y22oh6

Blame Canada (and España)!

(even if I live in Canada)

# 38 harry ballzonyah said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 9:12 pm

I hate it when they find these morons.

Did anyone really look close on the video? The people have the countries labeled wrong also, Australia is really labeled North Korea I believe. Why does the Australia in the video go onto two lines after only a few letters? I wish there was a better quality so I could look at it.

Not all of us college students are useless sheep. Some care about the world around them and international relations and how some people in power are leaving the new generation a giant pile of shit and hatred to clean up after.

# 39 Greg Allen said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 10:31 pm

#38

It’s a funny video but I think we all understand that most Americans aren’t quite that dumb about the world — but the “stupid American” is the predominant stereotype around the world.

It used to be, more, “friendly but stupid” but the Bush administration has widely shifted that to “thuggish but stupid.”

As others have argued here, stereotypes have their basis in reality.

# 40 Greg Allen said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 10:48 pm

By the way, Matt, you are totally on-to something. Good observations.

Here is one screen grab from the middle, you can’t exactly make it out but it definitely isn’t “Australia” — It’s either Iran or Iraq I think.

http://tinyurl.com/3amqpq

Now look at this screen grab from nearer to the end:

ttp://tinyurl.com/39fmr4

That is two words — you can’t make them out but I’m guessing Saudi Arabia.

This is clearly a “hit piece.”

# 41 Greg Allen said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 10:56 pm

Oops — messed up the second URL:

http://tinyurl.com/39fmr4

# 42 Greg Allen said, on January 22nd, 2007 at 11:07 pm

Sorry to keep posting — Australia is almost surely mis-labeled as “North Korea” and some small Island below it is labeled “South Korea”

You get pretty-much surmise it in this screen grab

http://tinyurl.com/39hhx2

What a cheap shot!

It reminds me of Dan Quayle’s mis-spelling “Potatoe” Even though I was no fan of Quayle, I never faulted him when I heard is was misprinted on his card. I would have deferred to the card too.

# 43 ChrisMac said, on January 23rd, 2007 at 12:16 am

#35 Perfect canadian situation.. If i can’t use the condom I may aswell be dead

you may aswell be afraid of killer frogs

the war on terror is a mytrh

# 44 Malcolm said, on January 23rd, 2007 at 12:37 am

Less than 10% of US Citizens have ever traveled overseas according to the Bureau of Statistic.

Life is hard for the average Americans.

# 45 Named said, on January 23rd, 2007 at 6:45 am

42,

If you’re brain don’t work right, I guess you have to believe what’s on the paper held by the important looking person.

# 46 Greg Allen said, on January 23rd, 2007 at 7:26 am

#45

You have a point — it still is pretty dumb to not notice that Australia is mis-labeled as Iraq!. Australia is one of the most recognizable items on a world map. And what they _say_ is stupid — invade Italy? What the heck? Italy was in the coalition until just a couple months ago.

As for Dan Quayle — I have to say, I just can’t fault the guy because I can so pictures myself making that same mistake. Even though I know the correct spelling of “potato” I would second guess myself for a second if the card in front of me said “potatoe” — and that’s all it took to make that mistake.

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