Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Don't Know Much About History ... Sam Cook

History still a mystery for 12th-graders

.... the survey found that only 22 percent of 12th-graders could identify China’s role during the Korean War. Most didn’t know that the country backed North Korea during its fight with South Korea and the U.S. and its allies.

Other questions focused on the Civil War, the civil rights movement, colonization, the world wars and other events [Ahem].


Some experts believe more uniform curricula across the country could help, but unlike math and reading, attitudes among educators differ across the nation on what should be emphasized in history classrooms. [Full]

Problem number 2

MoSup says she  caught this from a telly playing at work (in a patient's room).  She thinks it was tuned to the History Channel.

"Andrew Johnson is the only president to be impeached."

48 liberal lies about American history
My brother-in-law once rebuked me for saying that Clinton had been impeached.  "No he wasn't; the vote failed."  One of those things that's been emphasized in history classrooms.

We, who spend much time listening to various History/ Learning channels,  are used to misstatements; even dueling versions of history and science.   I've watched two hours on the Little Ice Age, and the convergence of natural phenomena that caused it,  followed in the next hour by  dire predictions from the man-caused climate change lobby. All this on the Science Channel.

It almost seems like "divide and conquer" rules are in effect. In a lifetime things that made us a great and successful nation—   a common language, institutions, religion, and historical experience have disappeared.  And here we are.


8 comments:

vanderleun said...

To be fair both you and your brother in law are correct. He was charged and arraigned and tried but not convicted.

Interestingly the "purjury" charge failed not only to be carried with the 2/3rds vote but failed to garner even a simple majority (45-55) which included 10 Republicans. Probably because the Senators had a much clearer idea of what the meaning of "purjury" is than laymen. Obstruction also failed at 50/50 votes. Hence, whether we like or not, Clinton was not guilty of the high crimes and misdemeanors specifically charged.

Still a bitter pill after all these years and still met with the "yes, but..." sputter, but still the truth.

Anonymous said...

Truth is that the Senate is a pre-suborned jury.

Casca

Rodger the Real King of France said...

Vandy - Neither was Andrew Johnson convicted, but he was like Clinton impeached (indicted) by the House of Representatives. Two different things. Hopefully our current sumbitch will succeed where those two failed.

Rodger the Real King of France said...

Casca - clap clap clap

renojim said...

My twelve year old niece told me a few months ago that her teacher told the class that cows farting contribute to global warming. Couldn't believe this is still going on. Encouragingly, she said "don't worry, we all know how stupid that is". So thankfully the 11 year olds are smarter than their teachers, so maybe there's still hope.

Anonymous said...

I was watching one of those whacko greenie shows, and this young female skull full of mush was flying over the tundra looking for lakes that had methane bubbles, because, like, you know, methane is a greenhouse gas. With tremendous effort, she snorkeled out into the lake and bagged the bubbles so that she could take them ashore and confirm they were methane. What a shocker, they were. No doubt funded by a government grant. I wish I could have asked her about the sanctity of polar bear farts.

Casca

Kristophr said...

So, does she want to fill in all lakes?

Anonymous said...

and buffalo never ever pharted.

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