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U.S. Kids Don't Understand First Amendment
l4m3z0r writes "This rather alarming article discusses a study of high-school students in which they were asked about censorship, protected speech, and other aspects of the first amendment. The results are extremely worrisome: "Only half of the students said newspapers should be allowed to publish freely without government approval of stories." and this "Three in four students said flag burning is illegal. It's not. About half the students said the government can restrict any indecent material on the Internet. It can't.".."
I blame Bush and Neocons. Also, Halliburton... I blame them for everything that is wrong everywhere. If only Redstaters were such dumb walmart shopping, nascar watching dummies.
People die to defend these rights, and some of our students don't even know what these rights are?
I've never polled these people, but people go into the military for 2 reasons. 1) They can't do anything else, and one fateful decision can give them up to 20 years of something to do. 2) They want to defend "the greatest country on Earth" to keep it that way. If you actually look at the behaviors of many of the military (enlisted, not officers) they are pretty immature and clueless people. Look at the silly businesses that cater to military people around bases for an example.
Hey conservatives! Maybe if instead of worrying about absitence only education and attacking Darwinism you spent your efforts in communicating why and how we are a free society, and why that is of tantamount importance, we could all get along here, hm?
1st. Freedom is completely a myth. Now we did initially have rights given to us in retaliation of the ways we were treated in other countries. But we've forgotten about that. That was a long time ago. The government is all about control. Why is it in my state (Virginia) that I am not allowed to have penis in vagina sex when I am legally bound in some kind of contract with a woman? What kind of freedom is that? Does the Patriot act ring a bell?
One thing to take note, is that we are a nation in crisis and confusion. The past 2 elections can demonstrate this, and the bozo in office should be sufficient to illustrate this confusion. But, even if these students are not good students, Bush has hope for them:
"To those of you who received honours, awards and distinctions, I say well done. And to the C students, I say you, too, can be president of the United States."
-- George W. Bush, speaking at Yale University's 300th commencement ceremony
In times of crisis we look towards silly comforts like bubblegum pop stars and donuts and we strive for some sense of control and sense to our lives. Since 9/11/01, bible sales are on the rise and so are government controls and the popular opinion that the government should have these controls.
In summary, most Americans are ignorant and proud of it.
But actually, I'd like to know what similar studies have been conducted in years past.
A large scale study was carried out in Germany, Japan and Italy in the 1930s and '40s. Whole nations patterned their thoughts and behaviour behind totally irrational megalomaniacs. More recently similar smaller scale studies have been carried out in Cambodia, North Korea and Microsoft, and one larger scale study in China has been going on for over fifty years now.
Maybe they believe it because he was.
Saddam Hussein's regime has opened talks with Osama bin Laden, bringing closer the threat of a terrorist attack using chemical, biological or nuclear weapons, according to US intelligence sources and Iraqi opposition officials. The key meeting took place in the Afghan mountains near Kandahar in late December. - Saddam link to Bin Laden
Oh, and check out what Janet Reno has to say about the threat of WMD.
I'm sure it has NOTHING to do with the liberals who won't even let teachers SHOW kids the Declaration of Independance and other documents because it references God.
How do you expect a kid to learn about history if you censor it so they can't even SEE WHAT THEY ARE LEARNING ABOUT because some little group that accounts for 0.0002% of the population is "unconfortable" with it?
Comment forecast: Bits of genius surrounded by a sea of mediocrity.
I have to disagree with this statement. It's interesting to note that many who do not believe in a higher being routinely dismiss those that do to be unintelligent and to have "checked their brain at the door", so to speak. This is far from the truth. I am a devout believer in Jesus as my Savior. I also happen to love science. This is an incredible universe that has been created by an intelligent creator.
I actually find it humorous to watch so called "experts" in science change their theories of "pre-historic" events to suit every new finding that doesn't match with their previous theory. Especially when in fact all these findings can be attributed to a Divine creation and a world-wide flood (as accurately recorded in the Bible).
I truly believe all these so-called scientists and the rest that adamantly accuse those who believe in a higher being to be intellectually challenged really have their own agenda to push. They don't want to believe there is absolute truth and an absolute morality which their lives must be measured against.
And then there's the base question for all you evolutionists.... where did all the stuff that the universe is made of come from. No matter have far back you go... where did what that came from come from?
But back to the subject. You're #2 point was actually quite on, and I couldn't agree more. There is very little personal responsibility being taught today, especially at home (which can be seen in the court system today... you stub your toe somewhere, and it's an opportunity to sue someone). And much of school is teaching how to feel good about yourself, how to be tolerant of everyone (except for those believer people), how to put a condom on, etc. Let's get back to academics!
Perhaps it's a matter of the kids today seeing where liberal higgledy piggledy-ness has taken us? Remember the saying, "out of the mouths of babes..."
Karma: Bad is the liberal way of saying this guy won't drink the kool aid here on slash dot. I wear my Karma with pride
"Looks like the kids are not the only ones in need of education about the First Amendment?"
Our president for one.
Here's the plan. We ID the students who selected the choice "newspapers should NOT be allowed to publish freely without government approval of stories". Then we round each one up, and bind their hands & feet. We make their parents kneel in front of them, and then we execute their parents w/ a bullet to the head. Then we gouge the kids' eyes out so that their dead ma & pa are the last things they ever see. Then we throw them out of the country.
How can I justify this? Easy: self-defense.
[o]_O