When Smart People Say Completely Idiotic Things

The world's greatest cat always thinks before she speaks.

Recently, CNN host Erin Burnett asked former First Lady Laura Bush if America needs to accept antisemitism in order to have better relations in the middle east. One has to wonder what kind of answer Ms. Burnett was expecting to hear. "Oh of course, Erin. After all, antisemitism has ONLY led to the deaths of six million innocent people in the last century or so.....",

In case you're curious, Ms. Burnett also wondered aloud if we should tolerate anti Americanism, as well. Sure, Erin. Maybe we can let members of Al Qaeda bring loaded guns to the conference table at our next big summit. 

Truth be told, I don't think Ms. Burnett is a bad or prejudiced woman. I don't think she's stupid, either. She simply tried so hard to think in depth that she lost her ability to think critically. Let's face it, we live in a shallow age. Intelligent movies are virtually non-existent and most shows on television don't exactly make for stimulating viewing, either.

Therefore, it's actually refreshing when a public figure digs deep and tries to look at a problem through a variety of different angles. There's simply too much gray in today's world to see everything in black and white. Still, looking at a problem through the wrong angle doesn't make you sharp or nuanced. It simply makes you mistaken.

Being open minded is essential. Being open minded to terrible ideas, however, is idiotic. There really is a line to be drawn in the sand and, if we're not careful, we can somehow convince ourselves to excuse all sorts of terrible behavior. Sure, Ted abuses Tammy and the kids. Where would they be without his income, though?

See how easy it is? 

In the end, we have to be mindful of our need to delve beneath the surface of things. Believe it or not, we really can go too far - even in spite of our best intentions. 

Just ask Erin Burnett.