Posted on 09/05/2007 4:50:53 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued
I want to comment further here on the Miss Teen South Carolina answer. She was asked a question in a pageant: "Recent polls have shown a fifth of Americans can't locate the United States on a world map. Why do you think this is? " Here was her answer: "I personally believe the US Americans are unable to do so because some people out there in our nation don't have maps, and, uh, I believe that our education, like such as South Africa and, uh, the Iraq, everywhere like, such as -- and I believe that they should. Our education over here in the US should help the US -- should help South Africa and should help the Iraq, and the Asian countries, so we will be able to build up our future for our children." Now, this is sad. This is sad, and people played this audio all over. It's over ten million hits on YouTube, Mr. Snerdley. You've got the audio? (sigh) Okay, I'll play it, but I'm not doing this to make fun of her. A lot of people did this. I'm not trying to make fun of her. There's a reason for this. There is an explanation for this answer.
(Excerpt) Read more at rushlimbaugh.com ...
On an anniversary (maybe the 5th in 2005) of the USS Cole attack, I was in a restaurant waiting for my to go order. In came a 20-something student who placed an order, too. We chatted a bit, she told me she was some sort of teacher's aide at a local college and she glanced at an overhead TV screen -- volume muted -- as images of the Cole were shown.
She asked me what was on TV and I told her "The USS Cole attack in Yemen." Immediately, she blamed the US and the presence in the Middle East; President Bush's name was mentioned. Well, skipping through the rest of the conversation, I realized she thought the attack was that day in 2005 -- meaning live or recent images.
I told her it was from 2000 and that Bush was the last person who should be blamed. At that point, she looked at me and said "And who was elected President in 2000?" and eventually got her food and thankfully left.
Remember, this was some sort of teacher's aide in college.
Thanks for your post. Most of these girls in pageants do far more community work and volunteer programs than the average adult. While some sit anonymously behind a computer screen and bash this poor kid, I truly wonder how any of them would have replied to this question. Not being able to think about the reply and type it out, go back and edit, delete and add, but just to come up with The Answer rightnowimmediately.
I’ve heard people twice her age blurt out some goofy stuff. And honestly, I don’t know how *I* would answer that question with absolutely no time to think about it. Probably not very intelligently (lol). I could do better if they gave me 15 minutes to think of a concise and coherent reply.
“Nevermind that Canadians like to be called Canadians and Mexicans are fine with Mexicans, etc. And never mind that “United States-an” doesn’t really work. We use the title “American” to be mean and arrogant, apparently.”
Nevermind? Nevermind that we are the only country that has America in its name. Nevermind that we have been calling ourselves Americans as a group of states since practicly the beginning. Nevermind that other american countries happily call themselves by the names that most closely reflect the names of their countries. Nevermind that if their was a Europa in Europe they could rightfully call themselves Europeans. Oh, nevermind.
Giving presentations and demonstrations in 4-H in front of judges works pretty well also.
A good example of our student population. Not only can’t they find places on a map. They can’t even speak properly.
That’s a liberal education for you.
You keep going off on that 'She's just a kid' bit. She is a young woman, capable of bearing young, and would have probably been married and doing just that not too long ago, before this PC 'She's a kid' mantra.
'Kids' her age went across the American plains in wagons, 'kids' her age worked in defence plants 60 years ago... the idea that her being a 'kid' in a Socialist construct which you have bought into. I know you hate to believe this, this she is a typical product of our government schools, taught by women who call them kids.
Which helps explain the quality of education kids are receiving in the public institutions they’re sent to.
Wives and mothers don't have a working brain already? Perhaps you said more about yourself than you intended. It kind of renders moot the rest of your post.
Funny, the legal immigrants I know that have taken and passed their citizenship requirements are very proud to announce; *Today I have become an AMERICAN!*
What should we call ourselves USAers? United Statesers?
Everyone knows what is meant by Americans and it’s just an identifying label, not mean or arrogant. Speak for yourself.
Sorry....missed your sarcasm point.
So did lots of other people. Clearly someone needs some work in writing so that others thoughts aren’t misinterpreted as theirs.
When that many people see something the same way, the problem isn’t with all of them.
If I'm not mistaken, I believe there is some sort of 'junior' Toastmasters group.
Well, I'm not sure, but I'll bet most got it. Read the whole thing and you see it is too outrageous to be serious. Ergo, it had to be sarcasm without a tag. But when I finished reading the post, I did think to myself 'Oh Dear...' And sure enough... LOL
” Recent polls have shown a fifth of Americans can’t locate the United States on a world map. “
Is this an urban myth or really true ? I just can’t believe it .
What struck me is how few of the Hollywood stereotypes applied. Not only are these kids impressive, they're incredibly supportive of each other. If there was any cattiness (if that's a word), I didn't see it. My wife didn't see it. My daughter didn't see it.
Sadly, we see all kinds of poor behavior elsewhere (e.g., sports, school, unfortunately... church, etc.).
The contestants are all acheivers. They focus on doing better by performing better, not by hoping others fail. I think this makes pageants profoundly conservative.
i’ll pretend you did not say what you said.
I wouldn't. Be much too frustrating. As pretty as she is, the poor child is vacuous. Too much empty space between the ears.
When she was talking I just couldn't see any evidence of cerebral activity in the eyes. Lights on, nobody home upstairs.
She’s in a pageant....”critics have been cruel?” She has to know going in that whatever she says and does will be up for SCRUTINY. Welcome to the real world.
Is this an urban myth or really true ? I just can’t believe it .
Good catch. You're absolutely right...
Newsbusters reveals that 94% of American youth can find the U.S. on a map.
Of course, 100% should be able to find the U.S., but it's better than the 30% consistently liberal Americans who can't find a clue.
Thanks !
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.