Ben Carson’s cringe-inducing foreign policy ignorance: Israel edition

[KamaAina]

http://www.salon.com/2015/03/24/ben_carsons_cringe_inducing_foreign_policy_ignorance_israel_edition/

Ben Carson is a living, breathing example of why being a celebrity among Fox News viewers doesn’t qualify someone to be president of the United States. For starters, he has a tendency to say deeply insane things: That America in the Obama era is increasingly like Nazi Germany; that prisons prove homosexuality is a choice; and that gay people are akin to murderers, for instance. Over the last few weeks, the neurosurgeon-turned-2016 hopeful has also demonstrated an understanding of foreign policy that makes one pine for the sage cosmopolitanism of Sarah Palin. Carson appeared ignorant of the fact that the three Baltic states belong to NATO and argued, in an interview meant to combat the perception that he’s unschooled on international affairs, that we should figure out a way to “just sort of slip” the Palestinian population down into Egypt. Can’t you just see this guy strolling out to “Hail to the Chief”?

The April issue of GQ contains yet another Carson foreign policy blunder. While Carson touts himself as a stalwart defender of Israel, Jason Zengerle reveals in his profile of the Republican that Carson lacked even a rudimentary understanding of the country’s basic political dynamics. As he waited to catch a flight to Tel Aviv in December, Carson struck up a conversation with his Israeli guide, asking her, ”In the United States, we have Republicans, Democrats, and independents — what do you have?” Zengerle relates that the guide explained the Likud, Labor, and other smaller parties that animate Israel’s political scene and jockey for power in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset.

“And what is the role of the Knesset?” Carson begged.

After his guide launched into a disquisition on the legislative body, Carson replied, “It sounds complex. Why don’t they just adopt the system we have?”

What a !

We now return you to your regularly-scheduled Ted Cruz bashing.

[guillaumeb]

1. Ben Carson is a retired neurosurgeon. A job requiring a very high intellect.

Is he also an Autistic savant: A person with autism who is exceptionally gifted in a specialized field. That field may, for example, be mathematics. The autistic savant may be able to do rapid, complex mental calculations. Or the field may be music. The autistic savant may be able to perform an entire piece of music after hearing it only once.

Carson is gifted in a specialized field, but demonstrates no particular ability or understanding in any other field. Could this be one of the reasons?

[KamaAina]

2. Dear FSM, no! Haven't we suffered enough with that Putin thing?!

But srsly, the phrase "autistic savant" is falling out of use. In any case, it would be unheard-of for the savant skill to require fine motor skills such as neurosurgery.

[guillaumeb]

4. some examples that may change your mind

http://www.neatorama.com/2008/09/05/10-most-fascinating-savants-in-the-world/

[Vinca]

3. That never occurred to me, but I bet you're right.

I've been trying to explain the weirdness of a person who is partially brilliant and partially dumb as a stump. Savant. Of course.

[napkinz]

6. "partially brilliant and partially dumb"... and a total hypocrite

[joeybee12]

5. Thing is, judging from this interview, he seems very proud of his stupidity...

Like it's a badge of honor.

[SummerSnow]

7. The stupid is strong in this one.