ARE LIBERALS SMARTER THAN CONSERVATIVES?

[Lurker Deluxe]

65. Nonsense

First off, attempting to measure someone's intelligence is a futile exercise. Sure, there are tests that can give you an idea on what someone knows or doesn't know, but much of that relies on education and experience.

My father is a die hard conservative who really truly believes that you get out what you put in. Period. He has been knocked down so many times it becomes hard to believe after a while. You name it ... illness, personal, professional ... he has faced some form of tragedy in every aspect of his life, throughout his life and he just keeps moving forward. I know it's a crazy cliche but that is who he is, he's 80. I found his war ration card in an old box and gave him shit about it, "you didn't miss many meals" HAHA ... He told me he had given most of that to other people "in town" because "we were on a farm and had all we needed and then some".

Is he smart? By most definitions I would say no. Then again, can you lay out a set of stairs of the hip of a roof with a square, tape measure, and a pencil? He can. He knows things that I will never know, he's done it. He was in the "sea-bees" in the Navy for 12 years and traveled the world fixing stuff, and learning skills that will be lost by next generation. The man can literally fix anything mechanical.

I have some of that, from just being around him for the last 48 years ... but will never have the skill set he does. He has just done so much in his life. Am I smarter than he is? He can't set the time on the kitchen stove, struggles to send e-mails and still doesn't "get texting".

I was working last weekend but hadn't spoke with him in a few weeks so I called him to see what he was up to. He was out helping the lady across the road with her gate because he noticed her struggling to open it. I reminded him that they did not get along and he replied, "doesn't matter if I like her, she needs a little help".

What can you do but shake your head ...

Is he smart?

Smarter than most.