By John Q. Hosedrinker 
A recent Public Policy Polling report revealed that 30% of Republican primary voters would support bombing Agrabah, the fictional kingdom from Disney’s *Aladdin*. The poll surveyed over 530 Republican primary voters on various foreign policy issues, including the hypothetical bombing of Agrabah. The poll also found that only 13% opposed bombing Agrabah, while the remaining respondents were unsure. Furthermore, the polling data indicated notable support among Republicans for other controversial ideas like banning Muslims from entering the US and creating a national database of Muslims.
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Poll: 30% of GOP voters support bombing Agrabah, the city from Aladdin… and the first thought that springs to mind is a mixture of bewilderment and a slightly morbid amusement. It’s the kind of headline that feels like it should be from The Onion, a satirical jab at the absurdities of the political landscape. Yet, it appears to be a real poll, or at least one that circulated years ago, revealing a disturbing trend of, let’s say, misinformed political views. It also makes you wonder what the modern figure would be.
The article, and the accompanying discussion, highlight that this is not a fresh revelation. The original poll, or the discussions around it, date back a decade or so. The consensus from the comments is that the core issue is not new, it’s just getting older. It seems that the political climate has evolved since then, and not always in a positive way. One can only speculate that the number of people supporting the bombing of a fictional city would likely be higher today.
The core issue seems to center on the idea of a certain segment of voters who might not be fully aware of what they’re supporting. The poll results are taken as a reflection of a broader problem: a lack of critical thinking, perhaps fueled by a distrust of education, or a willingness to believe what they’re told without question. The fact that the city in question is from a children’s movie, a place of magic and adventure, seems to be beside the point for many.
It’s easy to dismiss this as an isolated incident, a fluke of polling, or simply a group of people who didn’t understand the question. But the comments paint a different picture. There’s a persistent feeling that this is just a symptom of a larger issue. A significant number of voters, it seems, are voting against their own best interests, influenced by forces that prioritize emotion and loyalty over reason and understanding.
The discussion frequently pivots to the concept of the “uneducated” voter, a sentiment that might strike some as elitist, yet seems to capture a certain truth. The comments draw a connection between a lack of education and the ability to distinguish between reality and fiction. The idea is that an uninformed electorate is an easily manipulated electorate, susceptible to demagoguery and misinformation.
And it’s not just a matter of ignorance. The comments touch on the idea of political opportunism and the idea that some politicians might be appealing to this demographic for votes. The insinuation is that these leaders are willing to exploit the ignorance or biases of their followers, often with divisive rhetoric that plays on fear and resentment. It’s suggested that this is a case of leaders who are manipulating the masses rather than leading them.
The comments also reflect a certain cynicism. The belief is that this particular group will always be there, that no matter the context, a certain percentage of people will support a controversial idea, even one that seems patently absurd. They may simply be looking for the same support they offered previously. This is partly fueled by the realization that it’s not really surprising. Perhaps it’s a grim acknowledgment that this segment of the population is, and perhaps always will be, a consistent factor in the political equation.
The discussions also reveal the often-held perception that the political divide is deeply rooted in identity, ideology, and a sense of belonging to a “team”. This, in turn, makes it more difficult to have rational discussions or engage in critical thinking. The idea is that if you’re not on “their side,” you’re the enemy, and that’s the only thing that matters. This can explain the comments that mention that if the polling was done today the number would be even higher, a stark suggestion that such sentiments are increasing.
Ultimately, the poll, and the discussion it generated, are a sobering reminder of the challenges facing any democratic society. The need for critical thinking, education, and an informed electorate is more important than ever. The fact that some voters would support bombing a fictional city from a Disney movie should be viewed as a call to action. It should remind us that the fight for a more informed and engaged citizenry is a constant one.