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2004-06-05 Home Front: Culture Wars

WSJ Opinion: Too Much, Too Late (Excellent)

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Posted by .com 2004-06-05 01:00|| || Front Page|| [4 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 today's endless ovation for World War II vets doesn't change the fact that this nation has behaved boorishly, with colossal disrespect. If we cared about that war, the men who won it and the ideas it suggests, we would teach our children (at least) four topics:â¢ The major battles of the war.â¢ The bestiality of the Japanese.â¢ The attitude of American intellectuals. â¢ The veterans' neglected voice.
Amen! The WWII vets are treated with bemusement by a country that seems to have rediscovered them. Almost like the fascination with the Civil War during the Centennial celebrations in the 60s. This is more the result of ignorance than bad manners. I doubt if an average high school student could name any Civil War battle other than Gettysburg. Don't even bother to ask about WWI, Korea, the Spanish American War, the Mexican War, the War of 1812, or the Revolution, let alone anything that involved Europe. If it was fought by dead white guys, it doesn't fit into today's multicultural educational process. Our schools turn out monumentally ignorant people with a very rigid, orthodox view of the world (multicultural, environmental, feel-good claptrap). This lack of knowledge about American history, American culture, and the way the world works leads them to not appreciate what they don't understand. How can they appreciate what their grandfathers did if their knowledge of WWII is gleaned from Hogan's Heroes and video games? Shame on us. The fools who got caught up in the 60's antiwar movement and the bigger fools who, knowing better, let them set the agenda for our generation. We have done ourselves, our children, our nation, and most of all, our parents a tremendous wrong.

Posted by RWV 2004-06-05 2:57:16 PM|| 2004-06-05 2:57:16 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 I sorta hoped this would get some notice - because it's dead-solid-perfect-true. I wonder about our future. Without understanding of and appreciation for the past, much of what exists in the present is not fully understood or appreciated. We all stand upon so many shoulders.

I always view timelines as essential tools for making sense of what is, why it is, and where to go from here - and you have to know how events unfolded, in what order / when and the context of that moment, to keep your path straight and your goal clear.

Without this perspective, methinks we're lost.

Posted by .com 2004-06-05 10:28:07 PM|| 2004-06-05 10:28:07 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 I know it's late but a few thoughts regarding the victoms of the educational industry. They are the same crew that are doing the killer job that is going on.

I'm impressed by the them! And thats because our republic is so much better than the pricks who would have us piss it away.

Posted by Lucky 2004-06-06 1:28:48 AM|| 2004-06-06 1:28:48 AM|| Front Page Top

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