Scratch 0 #1 November 20, 2003 I have done a lot of lurking and not much posting in recent months. This makes for an interesting read though, in light of the recent spat of 'flag waving' http://iafrica.com/news/worldnews/286308.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FliegendeWolf 0 #2 November 20, 2003 Amen!A One that Isn't Cold is Scarcely a One at All Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FrancoR 0 #4 November 20, 2003 ditoIf it does not cost anything you are the product. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyIvan 0 #5 November 20, 2003 Amen__________________________________________ Blue Skies and May the Force be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #6 November 20, 2003 very true Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #7 November 20, 2003 ditto... ...sorry just wanted to keep the one word post theme going. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydyvr 0 #8 November 20, 2003 Very true! We're slowly becoming a nation of dumbed-down shitheads, and there is one major political party to thank for it. . . =(_8^(1) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #9 November 20, 2003 Just remind me Skrytch, Ameri-who?-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,150 #10 November 20, 2003 QuoteVery true! We're slowly becoming a nation of dumbed-down shitheads, and there is one major political party to thank for it. Yes you are, but at least there are enough well educated immigrants in the US to run the place. P.S. Knowledge of history, science, spelling and grammar is a national disgrace too. Take a look at the list of US Nobel Laureates. It's remarkable how many of them were educated overseas.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #11 November 20, 2003 Ignorance is, more often than not, a liability, and a danger.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #12 November 20, 2003 Once again, I'll post the link that is continuously ignored regarding the reason for the disgraceful education system in this country. Until people understand this, it will never e fixed. http://www.thememoryhole.org/edu/school-mission.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crapflinger2000 1 #13 November 20, 2003 Yeah, I agree, all except the English only thing... I don't think we mostly speak English out of pride. Rather, why bother? The only people who may need to learn another language are the folks in the southern border states. People in Europe speak multiple languages because if they drive for 4-5 hours in any direction, they will likely find themselves in another country. It is a necessity. There is no necessity in this country. Here we can drive for days and only encounter different accents. What random languages are we supposed to learn? Who will we speak them to? __________________________________________________ What would Vic Mackey do? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #14 November 20, 2003 QuoteWhat random languages are we supposed to learn? Who will we speak them to? Your trading partners, your enemies, those you are trying to resolve conflict with among many others. Learning a language is a great step in learning more about the culture you are dealing with. This whole issue of only thinking within the boundries of your own country is exactly what this article addresses. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crapflinger2000 1 #15 November 20, 2003 I do not disagree with the article that we need more people who can communicate effectively with the folks outside the US, in their language. But the fact is, the rank and file (those who are ignorant of the outside world), will not, and have no need to, learn another language. Joe Sixpack, who doesn't understand that Burma and Myanmar are the same place, and only wants cheap gas, is NOT going to be picking up the phone to some guy over in Saudi Arabia. My point: The article starts off addressing the correct issue that most people in the US are ignorant of the larger world. Bust most people in the country will not be dealing with "Your trading partners, your enemies, those you are trying to resolve conflict with among many others." __________________________________________________ What would Vic Mackey do? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #16 November 20, 2003 QuoteBut the fact is, the rank and file (those who are ignorant of the outside world), will not, and have no need to, learn another language. Did you miss the point of the article?Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #17 November 20, 2003 QuoteBust most people in the country will not be dealing with "Your trading partners, your enemies, those you are trying to resolve conflict with among many others." Part of the problem is there aren't enough qualified people with the language skills to do so. Just look at Gitmo and the fact we had to use unreliable translators who turned out to be traitors. By the time someone decides they want to get into a line of work that requires language skills, they're too old to effectively learn a new language. If everyone were exposed to language skills at a young age, they would then be better equipped to make career choices and there would be a larger pool of qualified individuals with language skills for jobs that require it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crapflinger2000 1 #18 November 20, 2003 Furthermore, this country is pretty multilingual. It is the melting pot (well, maybe just a big bag of trail mix at this point) after all. There is just a large problem in getting those people with the language skills into the right arena. However, that speaks to the immigrant population. I agree that the "native" good ol boys need to start thinking beyond their SUVs, Playstations, and Joe Millionaire. __________________________________________________ What would Vic Mackey do? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crapflinger2000 1 #19 November 20, 2003 I don't think I disagree. I just think that rather than expose people the languages, you first need to get them interested in the underlying cultures and history outside the US. Anyway, it is a dumb debate. Our education system is a friggin joke and will be the ruin of this country. That and Sebazz. __________________________________________________ What would Vic Mackey do? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #20 November 20, 2003 QuoteFurthermore, this country is pretty multilingual Really, how many official languages are there? It was mandatory for me to take 6 languages in high school. How many are offered in US High Schools, never mind how many of those are mandatory. The whole point is that so little people are aware of the world outside of the US and that it can create problems. Learning the language is the first step in learning some of that culture. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crapflinger2000 1 #21 November 20, 2003 No. I just think the point is a teensy bit off target. My point is that you do not have to know the language of Korea/Egypt/Pakistan/Russia to have at least a basic understanding of it's history and people, which is beyond many Americans I am sure. I think it would be just as effective to have most of the US population get a very good foundation in world history and world news, as it would be to have a smaller subset with better language skills. Which is the major point of the article. __________________________________________________ What would Vic Mackey do? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crapflinger2000 1 #22 November 20, 2003 When I got out of high school, I was funtional in German. If you dropped me in the middle of Hamburg I could have gotten around. Now, all I remember is, "Ach, diesen fahrplan kann ich nicht verstehen!" Why? Because there was little to no opportunity to practice it. See my original post. I guess I used the word "multi-lingualism" wrong. I think that implies one guy speaking multiple languages. I think there is a lot of bi-lingualism in this country. Sorry. Again... I only think we disagree on the order of things. I think cultural interest and understanding comes first, language second. If you said to me, "learn Japanese!" I would be, "aw hell, what the fuck for?" If you said, "Here is abook about the Shogun, imperial Japan, interactions with the rest of Asia, etc, wanna learn Japanese?" I would be more likely to get into it. __________________________________________________ What would Vic Mackey do? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #23 November 20, 2003 From the report: >The report points out that the gap separating Americans from the > rest of the world became particularly evident on that tragic day when > most Americans were forced to ask themselves the anguished and > confused questions: "Where did this come from?" and "How could > anyone want to do this to us?" Huh? I've been told that the reason is simple - they hate freedom. Don't tell me there's more to it than _that_! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
feuergnom 29 #24 November 20, 2003 for the language-discussion: there was a statistic on how many people in the u.s. actually speak english and how many don't use it at all. if i remember right, english-speaking people weren't the majority – anybody help me out with numbers?The universal aptitude for ineptitude makes any human accomplishment an incredible miracle dudeist skydiver # 666 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #25 November 20, 2003 Quote Anyway, it is a dumb debate. Our education system is a friggin joke and will be the ruin of this country. That and Sebazz. Our educational system is a friggin joke - look how many votes Gore received bwaaaahahahahahaaaaaaa . All kidding aside I do believe that our poor educational system is a threat to national security. However, Sebazz will save our nation once my write in campaign to elect him President takes hold. Oh yes.......the sneaky little Anvil has been plotting this for quite some time.....Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
