Boobs, Boobs, Boobs

No, this isn't a post about the new recommendations on breast cancer screening for women (I wrote about that yesterday).

This is about the ancient wisdom of never underestimating people's intelligence.  We've had some recent examples of real dumbness in several areas.  The other day I mentioned the burglar who used his victim's computer to access his (the burglar's) Facebook page, but then failed to log off.  Another source of examples, often, is the Saturday column in the Washington Post in which A.J. ("Average Joe") Reader can write in to express his view on the really important issues of the day, like how a certain comic strip last week insulted his dog.

But today my attention was drawn to two separate items on the evening news (ABC, in this case).

One was contained in a report on reactions to yesterday's breast cancer recommendations.  In a hospital, a medical professional told the tale of a woman in her 40's who called in to cancel scheduled surgery on a suspicious lump in a breast.  Reportedly, the patient said that since the new guidelines said women didn't need to be screened until age 50, anything that was discovered when she had been screened (age 41) couldn't be really dangerous.  Wow, and she figured that out all by herself!  Frankly, I doubt anyone can be that dumb; I suspect if reporters tracked her down, they'd find someone who called in to make a political point, who will reschedule her appointment tomorrow.  Or maybe it was Sarah Palin. 

Speaking of Sarah, the other example comes from a woman-in-the-mall interview at her first book signing in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  One woman waiting in line for her copy allowed herself to be photographed saying that Palin could win the Presidency "if the media leaves [sic] her alone."  Actually, that's not dumb.  Palin probably could win the Presidency if the media allowed her views to go unreported.  What's dumb is to suppose that the media should "leave her alone."

So yes, there are boobs everywhere.  Some even get elected to Congress, and occasionally one makes it to the White House.  Two in 20 years would be a bit much, though. 

Comments

[Joseph Lott]

To the boob list, I would certainly add the person who said that Glenn Beck would make a good running mate for Sarah Palin in 2012 (oops, that person would be Sarah Palin).
Also, I'd add Sen Tom Coburn (Rep, OK) who has single handedly stalled reform of Veterans health care by using the special "hold privilege" to stop widely supported legislation that was over 2 years in the making and would have fixed some serious inequities in Veteran's care. No explanation for his actions were given and no indication of what he wants to do instead. Perhaps "The Family" told him to do it.

[Jhawk23]

Thanks for bringing up the issue of hold privileges, which is a great lead-in to the topic I planned to discuss today - the need to reform Congress.