Why do YOU think Americans have trouble with maps?

[Grapes]

Here's what Miss South Carolina thinks..

Counterarguments? Supporting statements?

[Grapes]

Just trying to get a dialogue going here

[ebbomega]

This video's showing up everywhere over the past couple of days.

I hope that chick won. Totally represents the American Teenager of today.

My counterargument is that I personally believe that if we look to Iraq, Afghanistan and South Africa then we should totally be able to do that, and that would be available to the people so it would be good!

[gnosis]

O.
M.
F.
G.
!!!!
!

Has that nation really become that totally 'tarded?!?

This is a serious question!

I don't pay much attention to mass media, especially from AhmehriKKKa.

Frosty
(cowers in fright from prospective mass ignorance)

[Senior]

and these people have nukes?????!!!!!!!

[Grapes]

Originally Posted by ebbomega

I hope that chick won. Totally represents the American Teenager of today.

My counterargument is that I personally believe that if we look to Iraq, Afghanistan and South Africa then we should totally be able to do that, and that would be available to the people so it would be good!

I think she came 4th. (Out of 50??)

And Dave, if you think about it, looking to Iraq, South Africa, and those Asian countries isn't going to help with, such as, I believe, U.S. Americans who need maps to help with... our future... for our children

[Grapes]

Try starting it up and then leaving it on in the background while you do other stuff.

I found it sort of develops a soothing rhythm...

*yaaawnn* getting sleeeeepy....

Zzzzzzzzzz

[frogprincess]

Originally Posted by Grapes

I think she came 4th. (Out of 50??)

And Dave, if you think about it, looking to Iraq, South Africa, and those Asian countries isn't going to help with, such as, I believe, U.S. Americans who need maps to help with... our future... for our children

She came in 3rd : |

[ebbomega]

As I posted on another forum, I guess that Stupid Spoiled Whore Video Playset her parents got her at a young age finally paid off...

[galaxie]

Let's keep in mind she is in a BEAUTY pageant, not an intelligence pageant.

Yes, some Americans are fucking stupid. Guess what? So are some Canadians. I have actually encountered Canadians who believed that the US was larger in land mass than Canada. So, in defense of the educated, intelligent Americans out there, I'd just like to point out that there are idiots everywhere, but it's often the stupid people we tend to focus on, rather than the ones that are educated and actually know what they're talking about.

[Jonny Dubbs]

^
If you listen to the question she is being asked, it clearly states that
statistically Americans in general have a very low score when polled on geographical questions.

The US education system has degraded significantly in recent years - Americans are not even close to being on par with other modernized countries in terms of education. I will agree some Canadians can be equally as ignorant, but if you look at the statistics we are not nearly as bad.

[galaxie]

^ I bet that girl went/goes to private school and has had nothing but the best education. She's just an idiot.

In some areas of the US the education systems are atrocious. Others are top notch. Often, it depends where you went to school and if mommy and daddy had money or not. My boyfriend went to a public high school in a reasonably small town in Florida, did pre-IB and IB, and got a great education. IMO, it starts with the government but comes down to the teachers. If you have great teachers, chances are you'll get a great education. Crappy teachers = crappy education.

[esoter1c]

I have to agree with Galaxie that stupid people are everywhere.

Esp. malls, you're walking forwards but looking sideways.

Yeah I just fuckin' shoulder checked your dumb ass into the GAP.

LOOK WHERE YOU'RE FUCKIN' GOING ! :evil:

[Grapes]

Originally Posted by galaxie

Let's keep in mind she is in a BEAUTY pageant, not an intelligence pageant.

We don't ask for miracles here Nat. Just that, if you're going to be crowned MISS (insert state here), please be able to string a fucking sentence or two together. And respond to a question with ... a response to the question.

Don't you think it speaks to a fundamental concern when we can't find people who are beautiful AND intelligent (or at least coherent!!) to be compete in these competitions? I mean, like you say, they are out there right?

Wait a minute... anyone with a lick of common sense wouldn't compete in these things anyways.

Nevermind.

[robyn]

Miss South Carolina Teen USA Explains Her TV Meltdown : People.com

[decypher]

wow a 3.5 GPA in High School. Sounds like they are doing a real good job down there.

[Grapes]

Man why do people have to explain everything these days. Can't they just let the magical moments speak for themselves :(

Robyn when's the next spelling bee!

Spelling bees >>> Beauty pageants!

[Grapes]

Originally Posted by decypher

wow a 3.5 GPA in High School. Sounds like they are doing a real good job down there.

Didn't you read her explanation?? They don't even know what the question's going to be when they go up there!!!

[cubed]

I just got back from New York where both my dad and brother are teachers in separate districts for the State, one teaches in an upper class district and the other in a lower class district. After hearing about how hard it is to actually fail someone I'm not surprised by this at all. The "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND" policy is ridiculous, the amount of bureaucracy involved in failing a student is mind boggling, especially seeing how school funding is based around overall grades and test scores. All these kids that should be failing are getting pushed along just to keep budgets afloat for the schools. The only ones getting hurt in all this are the kids that are being told that they're good enough to be moved along instead of actually learning the proper things whether it takes them more than one go.

[Grapes]

This is great, I'm actually learning why Americans have trouble with maps. An unexpected side benefit of all my condescending chortling!

[esoter1c]

Originally Posted by Grapes

They don't even know what the question's going to be when they go up there!!!

Imagine if thats how it was for Dubya.

[esoter1c]

Originally Posted by cubed

I just got back from New York where both my dad and brother are teachers in separate districts for the State, one teaches in an upper class district and the other in a lower class district. After hearing about how hard it is to actually fail someone I'm not surprised by this at all. The "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND" policy is ridiculous, the amount of bureaucracy involved in failing a student is mind boggling, especially seeing how school funding is based around overall grades and test scores. All these kids that should be failing are getting pushed along just to keep budgets afloat for the schools. The only ones getting hurt in all this are the kids that are being told that they're good enough to be moved along instead of actually learning the proper things whether it takes them more than one go.

[esoter1c]

From here on in I will reply with just pics of Dubya.

[Grapes]

Oh really?.............

[galaxie]

Originally Posted by cubed

I just got back from New York where both my dad and brother are teachers in separate districts for the State, one teaches in an upper class district and the other in a lower class district. After hearing about how hard it is to actually fail someone I'm not surprised by this at all. The "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND" policy is ridiculous, the amount of bureaucracy involved in failing a student is mind boggling, especially seeing how school funding is based around overall grades and test scores. All these kids that should be failing are getting pushed along just to keep budgets afloat for the schools. The only ones getting hurt in all this are the kids that are being told that they're good enough to be moved along instead of actually learning the proper things whether it takes them more than one go.

The same thing happens here. Teachers here generally can't fail kids, they get put in a split class with a lower grade the next year and hope they catch up.

IMO, there is no need for kids to be failed. Failing kids is not the answer. The answer is smaller class sizes and more special needs teachers = more attention given to each student.

The Richmond school board failed with me and a few other kids I was in school with who should have skipped grades. We were way ahead in all of our studies but they didn't have the resources to push us ahead. It's not ONLY the kids with learning difficulties that lose out. When I was a kid, those of us who were identified as "gifted" weren't given any sort of extra challenging work, classes, etc., it was more of just an "FYI we tested your kid, she's gifted, the end." So we were constantly bored and there were no special programs for us until grade 8. In Florida, my boyfriend had the same experience with being identified as "gifted", however, he was immediately put into advanced classes and actually had "gifted day" on Tuesdays when kids from several elementary schools in the district would gather for special programming.