Posted on 08/18/2010 9:45:19 AM PDT by george76
Most young Americans entering university this year can't write in cursive, think email is too slow, that Beethoven's a dog and Michelangelo a computer virus...
To students who will get their bachelor's degrees in 2014, Czechoslovakia has never existed, Fergie is a pop singer, not a duchess; Clint Eastwood is a sensitive movie director, not Dirty Harry...
Few students in the class of 2009 knew how to tie a tie and most thought Iran and Iraq had never been at war with each other.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
sad
Your public education dollars at work.
But they’re pretty good a brainwashing the kids to think liberal.
Most Americans are unable to identify even a single department in the United States Cabinet...
64% of Americans could not name any of the Justices of the United States Supreme Court, has now uncovered a similar lack of knowledge with respect to the Executive Branch of federal government.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article5158.htm
This current crop of youg men and women are astonishing ignorant.
N.E.A...mission accomplished.
They can text, but have no idea how those letters get through the air.
They don’t have watches, but couldn’t design the most basic digital clock.
They have no idea what the “cell” means in a cell phone.
All of their “knowledge” is contained within their memory chips.
And, thanks to impulse producers and jammers, we engineers can cut these idiots off at any time we choose.
Heh.
Bet they think Plato used to be the last planet in our solar system too.
Betcha they know who Rosa Parks, Harriett Tubman and Sacagawea are though.
They also think America is bad, communism is good and islam is peaceful. NEA mission accomplished, indeed, Ben.
Heh...most Americans think Obama was born in Hawaii, is a Christian and a capitalist.
Hey kids...Clint = Rowdy Yates
Dependence, weakness, hatred of American, collective salvation and acceptance of the mediocre vs. excellence...
Saul and Karl should be proud.
It’s THEIR loss! I can’t remember when I did not know about classical music or genius art!!
All the magic of education must be gone if those things are not presented to young people.
And the old fuds and geezers were still had their panties in a twist about Watergate and Vietnam, stuff that happened when I was 12 or 13.
Now I was a political ‘science’ and history major, so I was well ahead of my contemporaries in understand the actual significance of stuff that happened when I was 7 ior 8, but my point is that anyone who thinks the historical ignorance of our yoots is anything new is as bad as what they decry. If I hadn't had a dad who fought in both world wars, etc, I'd have been just as bad, and no different from know it all kids going back to the time that Roman families sent their little ones off to Greece for a proper education.
just a cranky .02, every time I see some ignoramus spout off that things are so much worse than they were since we began to think about ‘history’ as a concept.
Sadly, you’re absolutely correct.
Our son will be returning to college in a few days. He just we just bought one of his “American History” books. I told the family that after he completes this course we’re going to have ourselves a book burning.
Unbelievable. Thankfully we’re home educating our children. Our kids recognized the difference between history and revisionist history.
Home educate yours kids, or enroll them in a conservative private school.
Or a claylike substance for kids to play with.
They probably can’t tell time on an analog clock, either.
I remember when our daughter was 4 or 5. We were talking one day and she mentioned Michaelangelo. I said, “you mean the Ninja turtle?”(very popular at the time). She gave me a disgusted look and said, “No, mom. The artist”.
Not all kids are dumb as rocks. There is still hope for our generation, but a small one. A friend sent me an e-mail the other day about a 31 year old woman who had no idea who Hitler was or his historic significance.
Interest in hair and nails is no excuse for ignorance!
Or the name for Disney cartoon character.
I never knew Beethoven was a Bush supporter./s
If you are as ignorant as a pile of rocks, thank a teacher (and their union).
Rosa Parks hit a grand slam homer in the final game of the Peoria Womens World Series.
Harriet Tubman was the Fat Lady in a Barnum and Bailey Circus.
Sacagawea is not a person, its a bag full of Columbian marijuana.
RedStateRocker,
I disagree with you. Our GenXer’s are not as educated as you and I, and our national test scores, despite the fact that schools now focus on teaching kids in order to pass tests (must show those “high” test scores), still rank low on the chart.
Here is the reason why:
Communist Goals (1963)
Documention below
Congressional Record—Appendix, pp. A34-A35
January 10, 1963
Current Communist Goals
EXTENSION OF REMARKS OF HON. A. S. HERLONG, JR. OF FLORIDA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, January 10, 1963
Mr. HERLONG. Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Patricia Nordman of De Land, Fla., is an ardent and articulate opponent of communism, and until recently published the De Land Courier, which she dedicated to the purpose of alerting the public to the dangers of communism in America.
At Mrs. Nordman’s request, I include in the RECORD, under unanimous consent, the following “Current Communist Goals,” which she identifies as an excerpt from “The Naked Communist,” by Cleon Skousen:
[From “The Naked Communist,” by Cleon Skousen]
CURRENT COMMUNIST GOALS
1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.
2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.
3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament [by] the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.
4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war.
5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites.
6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination.
7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N.
8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev’s promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N.
9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress.
10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N.
11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.)
12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party.
13. Do away with all loyalty oaths.
14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office.
15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States.
16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.
17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers’ associations. Put the party line in textbooks.
18. Gain control of all student newspapers.
19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack.
20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions.
21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.
22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to “eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms.”
23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. “Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art.”
24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them “censorship” and a violation of free speech and free press.
25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.
26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as “normal, natural, healthy.”
27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with “social” religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a “religious crutch.”
28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of “separation of church and state.”
29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.
30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the “common man.”
31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the “big picture.” Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.
32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture—education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc.
33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.
34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities.
35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI.
36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.
37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business.
38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand [or treat].
39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals.
40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.
41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.
42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use [”]united force[”] to solve economic, political or social problems.
43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government.
44. Internationalize the Panama Canal.
45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction [over domestic problems. Give the World Court jurisdiction] over nations and individuals alike.
I have shown “studies” like this to my 19 year old daughter and her typical response is that the writer should take a high school final from the late 1800’s and see how they do.
It is not “all “ the kids, maybe just yours.
“Home educate yours kids, or enroll them in a conservative private school.”
####
That is ideal.
But thank God kids are sometimes smarter than we think.
If your pre-emptively defuse a lot of the propaganda that is shovelled into them, it can go a long way toward neutralizing some of the destructive propaganda.
My daughters went to private Catholic school (unfortunately much more liberal that I would prefer).
I constantly poked fun at the “social justice” mantra ground into them, as well as proactively mocking Al Gore’s piece of trash movie that they were REQUIRED to view.
They got MY message.
They can’t write cursive; but boy can they CURSE!;)
The following is excerpted from a series entitled, "Lessons on Liberty," by La Vaughn G. Lewis, Co-Editor, "Our Ageless Constitution" & "Rediscovering the Ideas of Liberty." The "Lesson" contrasts the Founders' Ideas of Liberty", which they intended were to be taught to rising generations, with the Counterfeit Ideas being promoted in the so-called "public schools" of America for decades.
“The God who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time; the hand of force may destroy, but cannot disjoin them.” (Jefferson - 1774)
“Statesmen may plan and speculate for Liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone which can establish the principles upon which Freedom can securely stand.” (John Adams - 1775)
“The Sacred Rights of Mankind are not to be rummaged for among old parchments or musty records. They are written, as with a sunbeam, in the whole volume of human nature, by the Hand of the Divinity itself, and can never be erased or obscured by mortal power.” (Alexander Hamilton)
“Without God, there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life. Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first and the most basic expression of Americanism. Thus the founding fathers saw it, and thus, with God’s help, it will continue to be.” (Dwight Eisenhower)
“The same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe, the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God.” (John F. Kennedy - 1961 Inaugural)
“…it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor….”(George Washington)
“Now the virtue which had been infused into the Constitution…and was to give it…the stability and duration to which it was destined, was no other than…those abstract principles…proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence—namely, the self-evident truths of the…unalienable rights of man…the…sovereignty of the people, always subordinate to a rule of right and wrong, and always responsible to the Supreme Ruler of the universe for the rightful exercise of that sovereign…power.” (John Quincy Adams, on the occasion of The Jubilee of the Constitution - 1839)
"Today, across our nation, we see consequences of decades of gross neglect and outright censorship of the Founders’ ideas from textbooks and from our public discourse. We have allowed counterfeit ideas to dominate the public square, and the Founders’ principles have been crowded out. Unwittingly, many teachers and other unknowing officials have participated in the agenda of an unelected mind-controlling elite whose tyrannical actions have robbed generations of Americans from reading or studying the ideas that made America free. Like termites, they have eroded our foundations as effectively as if they had burned the books. Yet, not once have they been willing to call it by its rightful name—censorship. Once, in America, stifling ideas about the Creator and Creator-endowed liberty was considered unthinkable. . . .
"The ideas of liberty must be passed on from generation to generation if liberty is to survive. These ideas, when they are allowed to be examined freely, will prevail, because their appeal is to reason and to the love for liberty that is deep in the human heart. John Adams warned: “The people of America now have the best opportunity and the greatest trust in their hands, that Providence ever committed to so small a number…if they betray their trust, their guilt will merit even greater punishment than other nations have suffered, and the indignation of Heaven.”
“The idea of God is the keystone of a perverted society. The true root of liberty, equality and culture is atheism.” (Karl Marx)
Our thinking is enlightened “in the degree in which we cease to depend upon belief in the supernatural.” (John Dewey, father of ‘progressive education’ and 1st President of American Humanist Society)
“…democracy is a human faith and movement, unencumbered by supernatural preconceptions.” (John Childs, a protégé of John Dewey at Columbia)
“…the majority of our youth still hold the values of their parents, and if we do not alter this pattern, if we do not resocialize ourselves to accept change, our society may decay.” (John Goodlad, 1971 Report to President, Schooling for the Future)
“As in 1933, humanists still believe that traditional theism, especially a faith in the prayer-hearing God, who is assumed to love and care for persons, to hear and understand their prayers, and be able to do something about them, is an unproved and outmoded faith.” (Humanist Manifesto II, 1973)
“…the most important factor moving us toward a secular society has been the educational factor. Our schools may not teach Johnny to read properly, but the fact that Johnny is in school until he is sixteen tends to lead toward elimination of religious superstition.” (Paul Blanshard, The Humanist, March-April, 1976)
“It [the Nat’l. Education Association’s publication list] includes the delegitimizing of all authority save that of the state, the degradation of traditional morality and the encouragement of citizens in general and children in particular to despise the rules and customs that make their society a functional democracy. The NEA is drifting into exceedingly dangerous waters, and probably carrying more than a few teachers and pupils with it.” (Chester E. Finn, Jr., Ass’t. Sec. Of Education & Prof. Of Education & Public Policy, Vanderbilt Univ., 1982)
--------------
“Now, my countrymen, if you have been taught doctrines which conflict with the great landmarks of the Declaration of Independence…let me entreat you to come back. Return to the fountains whose waters spring close to the blood of the Revolution.” (Abraham Lincoln)
18 yrs from now, graduating seniors will say “the US has always been socialist”
We’re not born knowing our history and it does not come via osmosis. People know whats happened in their lives and whats going on right now and they will know nothing more unless they go out and find it. That goes for every generation. It’s not even worth talking about what’s taught in public school.
At this point, if TV shows, commercial ads, billboards all had stuff about history then kids would know things about history. They don’t so they don’t. Some people are born inquisitive and want to know and learn about history. Most aren’t. Therefore some people will know and learn about history and most won’t.
When you were born there were 50 States. When I was born there were 48. I bet 90% of the know it alls on this thread have no idea what are the fewest years difference in our age.
I further bet that they won’t go to a library or their own book shelf to do the research. They will go to Google just like the kids they are bad mouthing.
Very good post, BTW.
“And, thanks to impulse producers and jammers, we engineers can cut these idiots off at any time we choose.”
It’s the Morlocks and the Eloi.
I suspect those same 68% would no trouble tell you who was kicked of The Survivor Island last week, though.
But I’m sure they know how to put on a rubber and applaud of the virtues of homosexuality...
Harriet Tubman was a 'character' on the old Bill Cosby show
Sacagawea is an old Three Stooges comedy routine. ;)
Eloi, the other white meat! (H.G. Wells ref)
“My daughters went to private Catholic school (unfortunately much more liberal that I would prefer).”
As you know all too well, not all private schools are better than public schools in terms of the administrations overall goal in educating students. You’ll note that I said, “...conservative private school”
I salute parents such as yourself in countering the propaganda that is being taught to your children. Rather than spend our time reteaching and correcting the lessons taught to our children, my family would rather invest our time and money in providing a sound education for our children.
Whether parents like it or not, their child’s education and world view will reflect what is being taught throughout their years of training. I also add that they will also value the same views as their peers whether it be social fads and relationships, political views, etc.
“Eloi, the other white meat! (H.G. Wells ref)”
Got any matches?
:^)
Rosa Parks is a contestant who got blown out in the semifinals of American Idol two seasons ago.
Harriet Tubman played the fat antagonist with the horrible makeup on The Drew Carey Show.
Sacagawea is an alternative post-grunge band from Vancouver.
Last night I went to a new sports bar (which tried to be too many other things so few tv’s were actually showing sports). While trying to watch the ballgame, my piece was interrupted by a TRIVIA CONTEST through the loudspeakers.
The 20-something reading the trivia questions was embarrassing himself. The first clue was when he couldn’t pronounce Bill Romanowski. Okay, I can give him a pass on that. But then he butchered Roethlisburger. Then he mispronounced Arizona. Then he repeatedly couldn’t pronounce Steve McNair. Then we got to Super Bowl trivia and he admitted he couldn’t read roman numerals.
I felt like telling him to just stop before it got any worse. But on it went. The bartender and I actually applauded when he correctly pronounced Testaverde.
My point is that when you run a sports bar, you should at least find someone who knows something about sports. And if you can’t, please don’t torment us with trivia contests.
Rosa Parks is the set- aside green space for processing illegal immigrants in sanctuary San Fransisco.Harriet Tubman was the first female lumberjack to win on Wide World of Sports.
Sacajawea is the old Farsi language for 'tea bagging'.
“And if you can’t, please don’t torment us with trivia contests.”
I think it was a ploy. The owner wanted sports fans to buy more alcohol just to forget about the 20-something botching up the trivial pursuit questions.
“Sacagawea
A great woman.”
####
Well, she certainly played a crucial role at certain critical junctures of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, but as portrayed in revisionist modern American “history”, was not the star of that show, by any means.
I am just beginning to read the posts, but I bet someone has pointed out that your average ignorant American couldn't name his senators and representative if he was blindfolded, handed a cigarette, tied to a post and told of the consequences of not knowing.
At least they didn’t think Beethoven was Austrian.
Austria - Still trying to convince the world that Beethoven was Austrian, and Hitler was German.
Burt Ward is on the phone for you.
That’s nothing. When I was born, there were 57!
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