Political historians will tell us the election of 1800 was indeed the most foul in our nation’s history. Politics it seems is capable of destroying the bonds of brotherhood seared together by serving our nation. Jefferson and Adams, best friends, were able to overcome this most difficult period, and each with their last breath saluted the other man.
Do you think anyone is capable of this today?
Yes! George H Bush, Bob Dole, Walter Mondale, and Jimmy Carter are. But they are old school. They never did vilify each other the way Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity vilify other “great Americans.” On this Veterans Day can we find a way to honor all Americans, and not just those on our political side of the spectrum?
I fear for the future of our country on this day when we honor our bravest and best. Our mission in education has changed from producing citizens who share traditional American values, to a mission of producing employees. (Missing of course is who will be the employers. They come from thinking outside the box, which in today’s lingo means private school). I teach Social Studies, but I can’t teach about Veteran’s Day. It’s not in the core curriculum. Gone is the teachable moment replaced by preparation for a standardized test. Gone is reflection and building values, replaced by knowledge someone else thinks is important.
So I sadly honor our bravest and best, while our conversations are dominated on the airwaves by our nation’s worst ambassadors. I wish I could say forgive them Lord because they know not what they do. But these are intelligent men, and they do know the damage they are causing. They revel in it and receive financial reward for it. They condemn those who would burn the flag, while they unravel the strands of diversity woven into the Red White and Blue.
November 11, 2009 at 5:12 pm |
My family is filled with vets all the way back to my grandfather who fought in WW II. My father fought in Vietnam, and my brother fought in Iraq. I personally like Rush Limbaugh and think he does a good job. It’s sad that you cannot talk about Veteran’s Day. But diversity for diversity sake gets all of us nowhere, or worse. Look at what happened in Ft. Hood recently.
November 12, 2009 at 12:35 pm |
I get tired of the outrage and the outlandishness of their comments. However, they tend to get louder as the rest of us become quieter and become more willing to accept the way things are. The general mentality is “What can we do, it’s out of our hands.” I see kids thinking this, and it’s reinforced through the curriculum to just sit and take it. But that’s not how our government was designed to run, and I don’t feel we as teachers are challenging them to stand up and think, question, or be active in their government. These pundits are annoying, but I think they’re trying to rattle the rest of us out of our slumber and at least question what’s going on. I think this is why the “Tea Party” movement has picked up. It’s fascinating to watch, and I hope that Social Studies teachers are pointing this out, despite the curriculum.
November 22, 2009 at 12:23 am |
Josh, “diversity for diversity’s sake gets us nowhere or worse,” what does that mean?
Hassan pales in comparison to Timothy McVeigh and didn’t even inflict as much damage as what happened at Columbine. So are you talking religous diversity or ethnic diversity?
I’m glad you like Rush. Please explain to hiom we can’t teach about Veterans day because of Bush’s bad education policies. Somehow I expect he’ll find a way to place the blame on Obama.
November 22, 2009 at 12:24 am |
Chrissy:
I really enjoyed your comments. It gave me food for thought and sparked some optimism.