Posted on 07/13/2010 5:24:46 AM PDT by James H. Shott
Pathetic. That’s the word for it. A huge number of Americans don’t have the faintest idea what their country is all about. Most know that the 4th of July is also known as “Independence Day,” but too many have no idea of its significance.
Tonight Show host Jay Leno did a “Jaywalking” feature in which he posed questions about July 4th to random Americans on New York streets. The degree of ignorance about their country’s origins was nothing less than astonishing.
I don’t mean to make excuses for the Americans Jay interviews, but he looks for idiots and we only se the idiots he interviews.
We don’t see the ones who know the answers.
But I’ll bet they all know how to put a condom on and that the founding fathers were filthy slave holders..
Very true. However, every day I run into college-educated folk that would have had trouble with some of those questions. If a person never studies a subject (in school or simply as a self-motivated seeker of truth), then he or she will remain ignorant.
One year, the incoming freshman of a well-known college were given blank a map of the state they were in and asked to put an “X” where they were. Most could not; some with the excuse that they had come in by airplane.
I’m old enough to remember ‘citizenship’ classes in elementary school.
They quit doing that about 25-30 years ago.
I was relieved when the grandfather schooled his children and grandchildren.
I’d like to imagine that, once the cameras stopped rolling, he smacked those idiots upside the head.
Recently in my nursing class ( new career - very competive to gain entry) our teacher had a gimme question on our test on July 6th.
Here’s the question
American gained it’s independance from France on July 4, 1776. True or False.
She made it worth 10 points ( a full letter grade)
25% of the class got it wrong...
We as a class were appalled, then analyzed who missed it.
EVERYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 28 GOT IT WRONG.
If you were 28 or older - you got it right.
These were people from all over the counry, so it’s not just one school system. They just didn’t know, and suprise, generally didn’t care to know.
Whatever happened to civics in the school system?
I am a control freak and need to know where I am and have a photo image of where things fit. Trusting kids who are dependent on parents for all (many don’t know how to change a lightbulb) are very unprepared for adult life. With all the info out there, I can understand the need for selective memory. Not once have I needed to use, or know that I was using a principle of, algebra. :)
Note also that some of our politicians think that we have 57 states and other politicians think that Arizona does not share a border with Mexico.
Most Americans “KNOW” the evil capitalist are destroying the planet in order to make a profit.
This has been well taught in the government schools.
Unlike math, reading, history or respect and love for God and country.
Jay’s walkabouts are edited for comedy. No one who knows anything will be included except maybe at the end to show there are at least a few folks out there who know their butts from a hole in the ground. Take it for what it’s worth, a chance to laugh at morons.
How do you know he wasn’t handed the answers off camera?
And at least one who thinks the astronauts planted a flag on Mars!
BTTT
I’m thinking that grandfather wisely remembered that his children and grandchildren are going to be taking care of him when he’s older. He doesn’t want to tick them off.
If he was too dumb not to know the answers he would’ve been too dumb to remember them even two minutes after they were given to him.
And a lot of people will say stupid things just to get on TV. Everyone knows if Jay Leno approaches you with a microphone, the easiest way to get on TV is to answer his questions incorrectly.
Hmm. He seemed like a pretty bright guy to me. Chances are he did know the answers and they weren’t hard at all but you never know.
what passes for education is marxist indoctrination...and dumbing down....look at the gal you work for...
Meaning someone now 28 started school in the late 80’s, which was when I was graduating and going to college. That was about the time the steady decline in education started turning into an avalanche. Just the difference in my school between freshman and senior year was appalling. Sounds about right.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.