No Clue WW11
Today at Costco passing through the electronic section on my way to check out approaching two young ladies in their early to middle twenties, one of them very nicely inquired if I was interested in a cell phone. Told her thank you I have one at home for distance trips, without going into details a conversation evolved from that point. It developed to a point of my asking them who we fought in WW11, they had absolutely no clue.
Our conversation must have aroused some curiosity with some young males, working in the area; they also had absolutely no clue. Same with Korea, not even sure they knew what Korea was. Didn't go as far as Viet Nam, I was in shock,
I have experienced this a couple times in the past on an individual basis, this was a total of five in a group with no clue of what I consider our recent history, On top of this. These totally uninformed people are. if registered, eligible to vote, damn that is scary. It is unbelievable our education system has sunk to such a low point. Was going to see where they leaned in politics, told myself you have had enough shock, don't go there. What do they teach these kids about our History and what has occurred, good or bad, to this point of time?----Today they received a History lesson, bet it will stick
Our conversation must have aroused some curiosity with some young males, working in the area; they also had absolutely no clue. Same with Korea, not even sure they knew what Korea was. Didn't go as far as Viet Nam, I was in shock,
I have experienced this a couple times in the past on an individual basis, this was a total of five in a group with no clue of what I consider our recent history, On top of this. These totally uninformed people are. if registered, eligible to vote, damn that is scary. It is unbelievable our education system has sunk to such a low point. Was going to see where they leaned in politics, told myself you have had enough shock, don't go there. What do they teach these kids about our History and what has occurred, good or bad, to this point of time?----Today they received a History lesson, bet it will stick
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It progressed from them giving you a pitch for buying a cell phone to you giving them a quiz on US history? The conversation in between must have been interesting. 0 -
Seen that Code Pink Stuff in Berkley. Saying all marines Are war Criminals.
To include those from Korea and WWII. Said WWII was an Unjust War. Dumb brat even asked the giving the interview. "Why were we in Hawaii anyway"[xx(]0 -
now granted my cliantell is well . . criminals, one asked me the other day and i quote "What country is Vietnam in?" 0 -
I always tell them Texas fought with Mexico in WWII ... then when they look at me in
disbelief, I always say, "Haven't you ever heard of the Alamo!?"
.... then they look relieved and agree.
[:D]0 -
Why do we blame the kids for not knowing history? Should we not blame the parents for failing to instill a love and knowledge of history? How many parents know enough to teach?
Ford 23, Can you explain the inportance of Enigma and who gave it to the Allies? What battle in the Pacific is considered the turning point of the war? How was Billy Mitchell a visionary?
I agree with you that not to even know who we fought is absurd, but the current high school history books are far superior to what I used in school. Grab one and check it out for yourself. Parents must teach their kids to learn. My pop was in WWII as an infantryman. He taught me well.[:)]0 -
quote:Originally posted by dnelson457
Seen that Code Pink Stuff in Berkley. Saying all marines Are war Criminals.
To include those from Korea and WWII. Said WWII was an Unjust War. Dumb brat even asked the giving the interview. "Why were we in Hawaii anyway"[xx(]
oh don't go there! whoever said that would land me in jail if I was careless on the exflitration...of course they would be eating soft food for a while [:D]
and yes, WWII was an unjust war...the f@glets on the axis side comitted all kinds of war crimes [;)]0 -
was In Denver,CO at the stock show years ago....anyway was at an ice cream shop kids serving us asked where we was from....said South Dakota....kid didn't know where that was at! 0 -
SkyKing, yes I can answer your questions. When I was in school our text books had little to nothing relating to the WWll, it was too recent of an event. Korea at the time was raging, only thing I knew of the Korean conflict at the time was from newspapers, plus what parents of kids, I knew, over there were writing home to them and telling us
I may be fuzzy on dates and maybe names, I can carry a conversation in reference to our major wars, but I was interested. Learned and still learning from Vets, books, etc, even on this Forum
I don't expect everyone to have an interest, nor study the conflicts the US has been in. But a simple thing of who did we fight and not knowing is astounding, no matter which conflict is referred to
Makes you wonder what goes through these kids' heads when watching Saving Private Ryan, Band of Brothers. Movies and TV. Maybe they think they are fighting on Mars or someplace, Next time I will use Zipper's Texas/Mexico thing
They sure are well informed relating to the guy (can't think of his name) that recently OD'd in New York recently or Spears or Hilton0 -
I'm pretty sure some of my Kids might stumble on the WWII battles, but they'd get most of the questions right.
Doug0 -
My ex-wife and I were in a store a few years back, discussing our Christmas card list while we waited in line. Hearing us mention a family friend who lives in England, the cashier said, "Is England by Boston? I got a friend who lives in Boston."
Worse -- much worse, as far as I'm concerned -- last night I was out eating with this kid who hangs out with me, working, shooting, etc. I mentioned McCain's stance on amnesty for illegal aliens. The kid, a seventh-grader, didn't know what an "alien" was or understand how it could be illegal to be in this country. He got educated in a hurry, but obviously it wasn't because the schools here are making current events (much less history, recent or otherwise) any kind of priority.
On a related note, an old fellow for whom I work, a past supporter of the ACLU, showed me their most recent Indiana newsletter. In it is an article explaining how much the illegals contribute (in a POSITIVE sense) to our society, and how the ACLU's stance is that, when the founding fathers referred to "we, the people" they gave no indication that it mattered whether those those "people" were here legally -- or not. Apparently, once having made it onto American soil, you're "on base" (as in safe, baseball-wise) and can't be touched. Where is the base for me after I've committed a crime? Do I get to keep the money if I elude capture for a set period of time? Do the police have to stop chasing me if I outrun them a certain number of miles? I seriously doubt the ACLU is going to be there to defend me if I take the attitude that it violates my civil rights to obey the law.
Sorry, don't mean to hijack the thread. It just seems to me that the ignorance of our history and the lack of understanding regarding illegal aliens arise from the same basic causes -- a lack of concern on the parts of parents and other elders, and a school curriculum that ever-so-politically-correctly avoids either celebrating this country or criticizing those who are in the process of tearing it down.0 -
This information makes my head hurt[B)[V] 0 -
Wow. You'd think if they'd even seen one WWII movie, they'd know.
One factoid I recall is that something like 20% of High Schoolers can't find the United States on a map.
The one that really frosted my marbles was when Joe Foss was hassled by the ex-gang-bangers at airport security because they thought the pointy edges on his Medal of Honor were too dangerous to let him take it on board with him.0 -
These anti- war, anti- military kids are going to be shocked by the reinstatement of the draft if Osama Barama gets elected. I have it on very good authority that re-ups in the military will decline and enlistment will go down if this happens. No body wants to work for a distant relative of the people that killed almost 4000 of our country men. 0 -
You guys really amaze me sometimes. By that, I mean I find it incredible that you are SO NAIVE about "teaching history" or ANYTHING of any value in our schools.
Do you think the government WANTS smart people? No, they want SUBJECTS! A dumb person is a SUBJECT, and just does whatever the government wants.
The "dumbing down" of our schools is NOT an accident. It is a deliberate method to ensure they have a steady supply of cheap labor, as well as people who are easily brainwashed.
To find out just how truly STUPID people really are, work retail for a while. You'll be lucky to not blow your head off at the end of the day sometimes.
My favorite thing to say to really dumb people is "Did you know that the word "gullible" isn't in the dictionary?"
80-90% of the time, they'll go "Really?"
Sad.......these are ADULTS, too.
Merc0 -
quote:Originally posted by dnelson457
Seen that Code Pink Stuff in Berkley. Saying all marines Are war Criminals.
To include those from Korea and WWII. Said WWII was an Unjust War. Dumb brat even asked the giving the interview. "Why were we in Hawaii anyway"[xx(]
By todays liberal standards, they would be war criminals.
It's well documented that in the Pacific, Marines took very few Japanese prisoners. This was partly due to the Bushido Code where the Jap soldiers fought to the death or commited suicide. But due to the known Japanses torture of captured Marines, very few Japanese soldiers who surrendered, survived. Bonuses such as leave time had to offered to get the GI's to bring ANY in alive.
Likewise in Korea. My father who fought at the Chosin Reservoir w/the 1st Marine Div., has told me that they routinely killed prisoners. Stretched too thin and simply didn't have the resources to maintain and transport them to the rear. Said they'd interogate them, give them a friendly cigarette, and shoot them in the back of the head.
Similiar occurances happened in Europe as well. We've all seen the instances (reportedly true) in "Band Of Brothers" and "Saving PVT. Ryan" where POW's or enemy soldiers attempting to surrender were killed.
These datys any soldiers kown to have committed such acts would be prosecuted.0 -
Jay Leno had one of his battle of the Jaywalk all stars things with three people answering questions. Two college girls and a black guy, just an average guy, sort of.
Leno asked a girl; In 1939 Germany invaded Poland and started what war?
Her answer was: "The Code war!"
Jay said he had never heard of that war. How polite!!
He then asked the next girl and gave her a hint by saying it was World War, what???
She said "one, "no two, no wait" He asked her to make up her mind and she went with "one"!!!
The black guy knew the answer.
Then they showed a picture of the Parthenon and the first girl said it was the Colosseum, the next said it was Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.
There were many more similar exchanges and considering one was a senior going to be a teacher it may indicate that as dumb as our students are today they may be a lot smarter than the next crop.
May God have mercy on our country because our enemies won't.
Wulfmann0 -
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
Ford 23, Can you explain the inportance of Enigma and who gave it to the Allies? What battle in the Pacific is considered the turning point of the war? How was Billy Mitchell a visionary?
Why stop there?
Who were Gen Lee's 3 Corps Commanders at Gettysburg? [:)]0 -
quote:Originally posted by Fatstrat
quote:Originally posted by dnelson457
Seen that Code Pink Stuff in Berkley. Saying all marines Are war Criminals.
To include those from Korea and WWII. Said WWII was an Unjust War. Dumb brat even asked the giving the interview. "Why were we in Hawaii anyway"[xx(]
By todays liberal standards, they would be war criminals.
It's well documented that in the Pacific, Marines took very few Japanese prisoners. This was partly due to the Bushido Code where the Jap soldiers fought to the death or commited suicide. But due to the known Japanses torture of captured Marines, very few Japanese soldiers who surrendered, survived. Bonuses such as leave time had to offered to get the GI's to bring ANY in alive.
Likewise in Korea. My father who fought at the Chosin Reservoir w/the 1st Marine Div., has told me that they routinely killed prisoners. Stretched too thin and simply didn't have the resources to maintain and transport them to the rear. Said they'd interogate them, give them a friendly cigarette, and shoot them in the back of the head.
Similiar occurances happened in Europe as well. We've all seen the instances (reportedly true) in "Band Of Brothers" and "Saving PVT. Ryan" where POW's or enemy soldiers attempting to surrender were killed.
These datys any soldiers kown to have committed such acts would be prosecuted.
I'm sure part of that has to do with the fact that the Japanese tended to try to kill you after they were captured.
I read of an incident where a PT crew picked up a Jap survivor after a naval battle, the Jap knifed a crewman who was trying to give him water...after that SOP became to machinegun any Japanese floating in the water ("A Two Ocean War" by Samuel Elliot Morrison)0
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