Scary

[Snapp]

Okay.. So I was talking to a friend of mine a bit ago.. and mentioned that John Kerry was on MTV and that she should watch (knowing that she loves her some MTV). Her answer.. "Who's John Kerry?" So I thought, she's having a blonde moment and said "The presidential candidate?" She still drew a blank.

The thing that's scary is that she's 18, about to graduate high school.. incredibly book smart, in AP classes, and has all kinds of scholarships coming her way. How can these high school kids get this far and know nothing of modern politics? I have a lot of high school kids working for me and I see it a lot. Is this that common? It's just scary that they are the future of our country.

[ThisOtherKingdom]

Apparently one of her AP classes isn't U.S. Government.

[Satira]

Of course that's common. High school teaches you nothing. It teaches you memorization.

The kids who were in the top of the class never had any life experience or common sense. As a matter of fact, one of my friends was third in her class and she's a complete moron.

If you're doing homework the entire night, I'm sure you aren't going to have any time to be in touch with the real world.

[HarmNone]

I hear you, Snapp. Hopefully, she will wake up when she grows up, eh?

HarmNone

[DeV]

It is very common unfortunately.

[Artha]

I'm in high school, there's lots of people who know about politics (and lots more who think they know about politics). It might be widespread elsewhere, though.

[Latrinsorm]

Originally posted by Lady Satira
Of course that's common. High school teaches you nothing. It teaches you memorization.Your high school maybe. Not mine.

I don't know how, but I remember knowing about McCain, Lieberman, and other stuff from the 2000 election. I'm almost positive I wasn't watching the Daily Show (had to get up too early) but I can't think of anywhere else I would get news.

[Zeyrin]

Dude, cover one of her ears and blow hard.

[i remember halloween]

almost all young people have no idea about politics. why do you think most of them are liberal? liberalism is typically seen as a type of rebellous stance as it pertains to the 'conservative' establishment. that, not the actually politics of it, are what attracts the mindless.

[peam]

She might be dumb, but I bet she's a kinky bitch in bed.

[Edaarin]

I take it as a sign that women have no place in anything regarding politics. Kudos to that school. :yawn:

[peam]

High-five to Edaarin for the woman hating tag-team.

[Scott]

Because most high school classes don't require a person to know about current events. It's all about what's in the book, and that's all you need to know. Most kids are out partying and having fun and don't bother with the news, in which case you'd never know about this type of stuff.

If it isn't in the book, you don't need to know it according to high school.

[peam]

Originally posted by Gemstone101
Because most high school classes don't require a person to know about current events. It's all about what's in the book, and that's all you need to know. Most kids are out partying and having fun and don't bother with the news, in which case you'd never know about this type of stuff.

If it isn't in the book, you don't need to know it according to high school.

Thankfully, I went to a school who had a teacher that went above and beyond the call of duty.

Mr. Hammond was his name. He taught World History, US History, and Geography. His teaching was wonderful. He had slides from his travels of all over the world.

Aaaaand one of the requirements for the class was that 2-3 people presented a current event every day, so it would be about two weeks before the class cycled through.

Beyond that, we were given a test every month or so dealing with major domestic and wordly events, the key players, and the outcomes.

I can't begin to give that man's teaching justice. He was one of the best teachers I've ever had, and is the reason I read the newspaper, watch the news, and keep up with world events in general today.

It really is a shame that one can get through the US public school system and be as ignorant to the happenings in one's country as this girl apparently is.

[Souzy]

Peam! You just reminded me of my US History teacher. He taught World Civ and one of our Law classes too. The guy is awesome. He taught us the REAL history and the important crud, as well as current events. He didn't believe in books, so we never had one for his class, he just told us if we paid attention and took notes, we'd pass the tests. I loved Mr. Foley. The man use to play for the Celtics like way back when and use to drive into school with his Porshe, so of course he was good with the majority of the students.

Well, I think he retired cos the Principal yelled at him for not stoping a fight that broke out in his class. He's too old to try to jump into fights, so I don't blame the guy. So, unfortunately my nephews who are attending that HS will not be able to have Mr. Foley teach them. And if anything, my old HS lacks in good teachers. The only kind of teachers left there are undercover cops and old bitchy hags.

[ThisOtherKingdom]

I had a U.S. government/history teacher similar to peam's, and he was my favorite teacher all throughout high school. Everyone hated him because he used to call everyone "idiots, blockheads, meatheads," whatever he could think of. What they never got was, he didn't call you names as long as you participated in class, and showed an interest in what he was teaching.

He's also the reason why I'm still interested in politics and world news. Good ol' Mr. Rajowski, he retired after my senior year.

[Miss X]

I was just listening to a report on my way to work, on the radio. Apparently over here one in four 16 year olds surveyed thought Hitler never existed and that Xena warrior Princess did. There were a lot of other things, like they thought the battles in LOTR actually happened. Shocking, my history teacher was great. School must have changed since I was last there. (which was only like, 4 years ago!)

[Souzy]

Originally posted by Miss X
I was just listening to a report on my way to work, on the radio. Apparently over here one in four 16 year olds surveyed thought Hitler never existed and that Xena warrior Princess did. There were a lot of other things, like they thought the battles in LOTR actually happened. Shocking, my history teacher was great. School must have changed since I was last there. (which was only like, 4 years ago!)

You're joking right? Where do you live again?

[Zanagodly]

Unfortunately a lot of parents dismiss Hitler's existance to their children.

Mike

[Miss X]

I live in the UK and I wish I was joking Lalana. I am pretty disgusted by it, I mean even if someone isn't picking up basic history in their informal education (home, friends etc) then they REALLY should be picking it up at school.

[Souzy]

Hitler actually interests me. Besides him being a hateful Nazi, he could've taken over the world. Now that's power from one spiteful man. Him, Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and I'm sure there are more. I just find it interesting how 1 person can influence thousands. But, I'd want my children to be interested in World History, just for reference, not only what the schools teach you, but the dirt behind it, that part is always fun.

[Souzy]

Originally posted by Miss X
I live in the UK and I wish I was joking Lalana. I am pretty disgusted by it, I mean even if someone isn't picking up basic history in their informal education (home, friends etc) then they REALLY should be picking it up at school.

It would be so cool if Xena did exist though. :D

edit there was an unwanted H lurking in that post.

[Edited on 4-5-2004 by Lalana]

[Warriorbird]

My wife, who's a college graduate and probably "smarter" than I am by most standardized testing couldn't tell me when World War 2 occurred.

[Myshel]

I don't leave it up to the schools to teach my kids everything. We have political discussions (okokok arguments) at home. We also discuss history, religions and human conditions. My college age daughter just recently told me that she went to dinner with her friend and her family. She said Mom they made us look like freaking geniuses, all they did was listen to the Dad spout off and make fun of each other.

[crazymage]

Originally posted by Miss X
I live in the UK and ....

'Nuff said.

[Parkbandit]

Originally posted by Snapp
Okay.. So I was talking to a friend of mine a bit ago.. and mentioned that John Kerry was on MTV and that she should watch (knowing that she loves her some MTV). Her answer.. "Who's John Kerry?" So I thought, she's having a blonde moment and said "The presidential candidate?" She still drew a blank.



The only thing scarier was John Kerry's claim that he really enjoyed rap music. Well... maybe one thing even scarier is that many people will actually believe him.
:lol:

[Nakiro]

Whats the point in voting anyway Snapp?

Seriously. Look at the last election. Of all the elections that take place, your vote has the least direct influence on the presidental election.

[Snapp]

Originally posted by Nakiro
Whats the point in voting anyway Snapp?

Seriously. Look at the last election. Of all the elections that take place, your vote has the least direct influence on the presidental election.


Yes, I know, voting is for losers.