Obama's Intelligence Agenda: More of the Same from the "Change Administration"

[Myra Bronstein]

Dave: It's just that Americans so want to believe our pols can and will make a difference. We all fall for it, even those of us who are aware of the powers that be. And I think some come to the office with every good intention. Jimmie Carter, Bill CLinton ( well then there's Mena...) and certainly Obama. So I am keeping an open mind. While cynical. Only I call it informed.
Dawn

I think that's really the bottom line--exactly what Dawn says. From what I've seen many Americans decide what to believe based how how the information makes them feel. If it makes them feel bad they tend to recoil from the truth. The 'big bad' is too awful to let in.

Other Americans manage to open their minds to horrible truths even though it's traumatizing. I think they're in the minority.

Is that peculiar to Americans, or is it typical of people everywhere?
I wonder if other nationalities use this emotional filter to the extent that Americans do.