Comments (31)

On 3 Sep 2007, Mr. Dunne wrote: “On 29 Aug 2007, Rob wrote: Most Americans couldn’t find the earth on a globe.” And yet hundreds of thousands of people put themselves in harm’s way every year just for the opportunity to clean our toilets. Methinks there’s some sort of cognitive dissonance taking place. To paraphrase an important economist (Whom I can’t remember because I’m obviously too obtuse as an American): The United States is the worst country…except for everyone else. Chew on that while your parochial, self-righteous brains explode. And yes, Miss South Carolina is as dumb as a box of rocks. Don’t confuse a beauty pageant contestant as typical of our country. It’s as ludicrous as judging a country by their soccer hooligans. “The British Empire was far, far more powerful than anything modern America brings to the table”. Don’t confuse power with being repressive. I’ll remember this statement the next time I read the details of how “powerful” Britain was when they begged for the Lend-Lease program during WWII. How many American pilots fought for the Brits during the air war prior to official American involvement? Learn some respect and perspective of history.

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On 3 Sep 2007, LJ wrote: Nabob: Funny indeed. However, you should bone up on your history a bit (failing of the American education system here?). The British Empire was far, far more powerful than anything modern America brings to the table. Not to mention the Roman Empire etc etc. The fact that you even brought it up in such moronic terms is proof positive that work needs to be done.

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On 1 Sep 2007, Bill Worden wrote: I read some of the responses and it is so sad to see people make excuses for the dumby. If she spent more time studying and less time on myspace and her cell phone, she might be in college getting a worthwhiloe degree rather than parading herself around like a prize hound at a dog show. NO BEST IN SHOW FOR YOU MS. SOUTH CAROLINA!

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On 30 Aug 2007, zola wrote: Several comments. 1. Don’t blame the influx of immigrants. They obviously found the US quite fine. A substantial number of them especially from Africa and Asia come with advanced degrees. 2. We spent most of our resources in the 80s ensuring that we were raising kids who could be ‘winners’. Miss S.C. was not a young woman who was confused. She was incredibly self-assured in the delivery of her unlettered response. Her self-esteem was so high she could have had a nose bleed. Hopefully, this ridiculing will bring her back to ground. Spoke too soon. Her Facebook page sites ‘jealousy’ and ‘haters’ as the problem. 3. Cultural priorities have changed. Our educational system, perhaps as a clandestine rebuttal to desegregation, removed the emphasis on cross-cultural learning. Having left high school not too long ago, I can assure you that debates are kept low brow as to not ‘offend’ anyone. 4. We are a rich and powerful nation. So we place the power in the hands of an elite few and wallow in our false sense of protection. This affords us the ability to be self-indulgent and unknowing of the world. American brand stupidity is unique because it is a choice. And that is the most shameful kind.

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On 30 Aug 2007, Kc wrote: I don’t personally know anyone that can’t find the US on a map. Too bad all the freaking immigrants invading our country knew where to find it!

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On 30 Aug 2007, Nabob wrote: Funny thing. If Americans are so stupid how come we are the most powerful, the richest, and the most free country in the history of the world? It sucks not to be American, doesn’t it?

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On 29 Aug 2007, John wrote: The question: “Why do you think Americans can’t locate the U.S. on A map?” Maybe it was a map of Europe. Though it may not have made any difference, the pageant should have made sure that their questions were clear and concise. The ambiguity of the question ‘could’ have led to the bewilderment of the answer. I do not think so in this case.

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On 29 Aug 2007, Kristi Turner wrote: Most students are taught on a map of the US that has boarders of the states and does not show the attached countrys so that a student cannot recognize it on a globe without the shape and states outlined.

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On 29 Aug 2007, Rob wrote: Most Americans couldn’t find the earth on a globe.

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On 29 Aug 2007, Tori wrote: I think it is because schools now concentrate more on learning about other places than our own.

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On 29 Aug 2007, sarah wrote: I was a teaching assistant at a top ranking mid west university. we had a diverse population of students from many countries. we had a geography test with a blank map of the Carribbean and many people thought the US was the alantic ocean. over many years people got it wrong and I feel that people don’t think that geography is important. how ever many geographers work behind the scenes in many companies to do studies on people and places.

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On 28 Aug 2007, jenny wrote: I think many people are not looking for the right shape…not used to seeing it connected with Mexico and Cananda

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On 28 Aug 2007, George wrote: I have been educated in both South Africa and America. From my experience I can safely say American students are amongst the most ignorant in the world

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On 28 Aug 2007, Fred wrote: Teacher’s can’t or won’t teach anymore, they babysit.

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On 28 Aug 2007, Alison wrote: the big reason that childred are behind in the basic subjects is that in this Ccountry the educators are more intrested in the sports programs than the job of educating the children. In Europ if a chils wants to play sports it is paid for by there parents not the taxpayers. It is not considered part of the school program. The sports program should be treated as an extra activity and not allowed to interfer with the regular class scedule.

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On 28 Aug 2007, Mike Raymond wrote: The US is lagging behind in many subjects. We are behind many 3rd world countries, like we have a higher infant mortality rate. Remember the 80’s, when we heard that they are dumbing our kids down, to man computers for Corporations, and Government pawns in the military. A Republican named Eisenhour, as he was leaving the presidency, warned us of the military industrial complex. Truman warned us of the CIA, then President Kennedy being murdered after he was going to side step the Vietnam war, and dismantle the CIA. We now have the dummest and worst president since the conception of the US. There are way too many tax dollars wasted on war to make money, instead of valuing life, as well as too little on education, etc. With this lack of intelligence, they worship money more than life on earth and the Earth itself. The young lady was under too much pressure. She has a 3.5 GPA. Take everything into consideration.

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On 28 Aug 2007, Marci wrote: I was not surprised when I read “Miss Teen” South Carolina’s response. I grew up under the British system, and as a class we had to draw the continents; insert their Capitals, rivers, mountains, staple crop etc. We also learned their National Anthem. What does it say for your standard of education? Finally, what I find most degrading as the nation must have watched was your judges actually rewarded her for her lack of knowledge. Shame on you, and Shame on them!

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On 28 Aug 2007, Bethanie wrote: I think the reason that 15 % of “Americans” cannot find the United States of a world map is because the majority of them are all aliens or immigrants that come from foreign countries, such as Mexico, Cuba, and Puerto Rico.

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On 28 Aug 2007, Angela wrote: I would first question the statistic…not sure it is accurate. However, part of the education problem is obviously beauty pageants. So many people place more emphasis on beauty than intelligence. Miss Upton said she still placed 3rd runner up. Why? Maybe because she is so cute she doesn’t need to make sense. Our “Heroes” are the Rappers, Pro-Athletes, Movie Stars, and everyone like such as… Do we admire the Scientists, Teachers, Doctors, and Engineers?

10 agree

On 28 Aug 2007, Kim wrote: The reason that more people can’t find the US on the map is because they value beauty contests, celebrities and other superficial things more than their own education.

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