2010 Olympic Mascots revealed. Artists forget that Vancouver is in Canada, not Japan.

Originally Posted by cubed

Stop jumping on a small point of what I said, over all the secondary school levels in the united states are completely lacking to the rest of the world.

THIS IS FACT.

Unless they are in an IB program or such, they're not getting taught anywhere near the level that the students are being taught here in Canada or the rest of the world for that matter.

THIS IS FACT.

Grade 11 students in Canada regularly score 1100 or higher on the SAT's.

You're fighting an up hill battle here nat, you're picking an argument with someone who not only has family members in the education system down there; but also grew up south and north of the border.

You forgot to mention that religion is NOT tot in puplic US schools, but the study and comparison of the worlds major religions is brought up several times in Canadian curriculum in public schools.

[robyn]

Originally Posted by galaxie

I agree with this 100%
Some Americans just vote Republican, it's just the way they were raised and religion plays a part in it as well. As surprised as I always am when I meet young people who say they're "conservative", I learned that most of them don't even understand what it means to be conservative. It has everything to do with being raised Christian and often coming from a military family or town. Even though this seems stupid to us, it's just the way it is in the States. Americans have two options - Republican or Democrat. If you're somewhere in the middle it can be difficult to figure out who you should be voting for.

And while we're on the topic of electing idiots, I don't think we Canadians can really talk. Does the name Stephen Harper ring a bell? I don't know if he's more or less of an idiot than Bush since he's basically Dubya's lap dog!

it's not a two party system here, only 1/3 of us are idiots.

[galaxie]

Originally Posted by R Wellbelove

You forgot to mention that religion is NOT tot in puplic US schools, but the study and comparison of the worlds major religions is brought up several times in Canadian curriculum in public schools.

Religion is taught in some US public schools. The curriculum is different in each State just like the curriculum is different in each Province.

When I was in school we only really learned about Christianity, Judaism, a bit about Buddhism and Shintoism and ancient religions of the Mayans, Aztecs, Greeks and Incas. I think it would have been more beneficial to learn more about Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism and Hinduism as we may encounter these religions throughout our lives.

Originally Posted by galaxie

Religion is taught in some US public schools. The curriculum is different in each State just like the curriculum is different in each Province.

When I was in school we only really learned about Christianity, Judaism, a bit about Buddhism and Shintoism and ancient religions of the Mayans, Aztecs, Greeks and Incas. I think it would have been more beneficial to learn more about Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism and Hinduism as we may encounter these religions throughout our lives.

In grade 8 SS your suppose to go over Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Budism as they are recognized as the 4 major religions of the world. Hinduism is also talked about, but not to the the same extent. However it varies depending on the teacher as my grade 8 teacher talked about Hinduism and Budism more than any other religion imo. But regardless if a teacher chooses to cover it or not, its all in your text book.

In grade 9, the different kinds of Christianity are talked about regarding the French and English revolution. Although they are not heavily studied as a religion, they are looked at how they effected the people and the cause of the revolutions.

I learned a lot when traveling and meeting Americans which finally changed the stereotypes I had of them. But do understand that even "smart educated" Americans admit that the reason their ppl are so "sheltered" is because all they learn about is American history for the most part.

Also look at American television. I personally cant stand american news as I find it very bias and contains a lot of sensationalism which basicly turning facts into stories as a way to attract more ratings. This in turn makes the news reports a more americanized report than a report on its own.

Also if you watch television around the world (including Canada) there is often a mix of the countries own programs mixed with other programs from major networks such as the US and the UK. However if the US its self is already a major network full of programs, why would it bother to include programs from other countries? But than the same could be said about the UK, however the UK is apart of a continent that has many more countries and cultures close by unlike the US.

But at the same time I think ANY country's education system will base their SS curriculum on their own country before exploring others. I dont know why ppl are complaining about other countries having a stereotype about us, when we pretty much hold steryotypes and ALL country's and cultures our selfs.

[NinjaBoy]

Originally Posted by galaxie

And while we're on the topic of electing idiots, I don't think we Canadians can really talk. Does the name Stephen Harper ring a bell? I don't know if he's more or less of an idiot than Bush since he's basically Dubya's lap dog!

I really hate this line of arguement. Since it's a parliment system, you should be voting for your local MP, not the party leader.

Technically they didn't vote in Stephen Harper the individual, but the conservative party, which made him their representitive.

[Gusto]

Originally Posted by R Wellbelove

In grade 8 SS your suppose to go over Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Budism as they are recognized as the 4 major religions of the world. Hinduism is also talked about, but not to the the same extent. However it varies depending on the teacher as my grade 8 teacher talked about Hinduism and Budism more than any other religion imo. But regardless if a teacher chooses to cover it or not, its all in your text book.

that's neat, but it was not part of my SS class at all though.

[cubed]

Originally Posted by Gusto

that's neat, but it was not part of my SS class at all though.

yeah, but you're from the island.

you guys are wierd to begin with.

[omega_image]

Originally Posted by NinjaBoy

I really hate this line of arguement. Since it's a parliment system, you should be voting for your local MP, not the party leader.

Technically they didn't vote in Stephen Harper the individual, but the conservative party, which made him their representitive.

lets also just remember what has happened in both countries since each came into power

CANADA 1
US 0

[diva]

Mad Canuck: Canada's National Inferiority Complex

[NinjaBoy]

Originally Posted by diva

Mad Canuck: Canada's National Inferiority Complex

While I do enjoy that the article's tone is "American's are content". When he talks that they aren't worried about the economy, or what other cities in Europe and Canada are doing it's not being content so much as it is ignorance.

[SEAN!]

Originally Posted by omega_image

that in itself is a conundrum.

anyways, here's the deal. trying to argue that americans are as smart, or nearly as smart as canadians, on a canadian board is a moot point.

but aside from personal views of americans, how can you even begin to argue when you have the laughing stock of the world as your president?

well stadardised tests indicate that american children consistently underperform canadian children in both math science and reading comprehension.

In fact british columbia is in the top three. where america is either 14th or 17th, can't remember.

[-evil-duerr-]

Originally Posted by SEAN!

well stadardised tests indicate that american children consistently underperform canadian children in both math science and reading comprehension.

In fact british columbia is in the top three. where america is either 14th or 17th, can't remember.

bc just makes the rest of the world look like a steaming pile of shit. high fives!

[ebbomega]

Originally Posted by NinjaBoy

I really hate this line of arguement. Since it's a parliment system, you should be voting for your local MP, not the party leader.

Technically they didn't vote in Stephen Harper the individual, but the conservative party, which made him their representitive.

Not to mention he's the PM of a minority coalition government, which means there's a billion more checks and balances that are keeping him relatively honest - He cannot pass legislation without approval from at least one other party, and he cannot make wild sweeping promises without facing non-confidence.

Not to mention, to at all equate Harper to Bush is freaking ridiculous. Bush is a puppet of his cabinet that essentially rubber-stamps all directives so he can a) dissociate himself from the decisions ("Oh, that was Cheney's idea...") and b) provide a smokescreen for the general population wanting to know what's happening in Washington.

Harper is an eloquent speaker and argues logically. While I don't agree with his platform or his policies, I respect his authority and position.

Why is it always an us vs. them mentality? It's that type of partisan politics that is exactly WHY Dubya got elected (appointed?) in the first place. Let's not look for the Liberal or Conservative candidate, let's look at WHO WILL REPRESENT YOU BEST IN PARLIAMENT.

If you vote on that principle, you'll never make the wrong choice. Too many people looking at the party and not paying attention to the candidates is EXACTLY why David Emerson was able to get away with what he did.

Vote for representatives, not leaders. That's how our system is designed and as much as you may think you don't have any sway in parliament unless you vote for the winning party, that's just plain not true (as the last two governments will attest to). Democracy is about representation of the people, not authority over them.

[galaxie]

Originally Posted by Gusto

that's neat, but it was not part of my SS class at all though.

Me neither, and I went to a gifted program. You'd think that with an advanced curriculum they'd be able to expand on each religion even more. Everything I know about Islam and Hinduism, and almost everything I know about Buddhism and Shintoism, I learned on my own. We barely touched on these ideas in school.

Originally Posted by galaxie

Me neither, and I went to a gifted program. You'd think that with an advanced curriculum they'd be able to expand on each religion even more. Everything I know about Islam and Hinduism, and almost everything I know about Buddhism and Shintoism, I learned on my own. We barely touched on these ideas in school.

Thats probably why they didn't teach it to you in the gifted program, they figured you were smart enough to figure it out on your own. Also if your teacher didnt verbally teach it to you, its in your text book.

But a large part of my argument wasnt just the education system, but what is exposed on tv/media/movies etc. Almost anywhere in the world you can see American movies, programs and news... but how much of other nations tv programs and news can you catch in the states?

[galaxie]

^ Lots of Spanish programming in Florida :P

[cubed]

Originally Posted by galaxie

^ Lots of Spanish programming in Florida :P

it's telemundo, that's like one step up from a polka party mixed with a brazilian novella.

[galaxie]

^ lol, there's like 15 Spanish channels, not just Telemundo!

[cubed]

Originally Posted by galaxie

^ lol, there's like 15 Spanish channels, not just Telemundo!

each just as bad as the last.

Originally Posted by galaxie

^ Lots of Spanish programming in Florida :P

HA but seriously... Spanish is also one of two OFFICIAL american languages. Its nearly the equivalent to the Canadian French Channel. I wonder if the states have an aisan and east indian channel like we do here in Vancouver?

But my point is not just about language, its about where the origin and the culture influence comes from. American culture has a huge influence on the rest of the world (media wise including music), where as there is very little culture from the rest of the world influences the US. Take for instance one of many popular American shows The Simpsons. During my travels I was amazed with how many back packers of all languages and origins would congregate to watch this one particular show. IOW people all over the world are getting a glimps of American culture.

Also take into consideration that the US is one of the most diverse multi cultural collective countries in the world... yet stereo types depict Americans to be the most arrogant. That doesn't make sense? Well this may be due to the American dream and belief to be a loyal American and noting else. Americans are not as open to culture or religion as Canada or other nations.

You cant determine a country's "worldly-ness" by a test on geography and maps, but also the understanding and openness to other cultures and religions.

Im not saying all Americans deserve that stereo type, but by judging by their news, media, and culture... its very easy to get an "american veiw" of the world.

[robyn]

actually america doesn't have ANY official languages. i'm annoying.

[wishbone]

Originally Posted by robyn

actually america doesn't have ANY official languages. i'm annoying.

there's talks to make it bilingual like Canada, though!

But Robyn is indeed accurate.
toot toooooot

[Grapes]

Accurate and annoying, that's our robyn!