Stupid Education

At what point did America decide that ignorance was patriotic and intelligence was elitist? Cliff and I were having a conversation about Socialism. Now, both Cliff and I are closet Socialists. Or, more accurately, we think the ideal system would be a mixture of Capitalism and Socialism. I have two degrees and work the evivalent of full time, but I don't get any health insurance unles I pay for it completely myself. I know many people who don't have any health insurance because they don't get it through their jobs and they can't afford it themselves. If America is so great, then why can't most Americans afford to get sick here?

But that conversation got us talking about another aspect of Socialism: education. In our country, it seems that more and more, higher education is becoming a wealthy man's playground. Money seems to be the determining factor if a person is going to get a higher education than simply graduating high school. And if you can't afford to go to college, what is even the point of doing well in high school? As long as college is too expensive for most people to attend, the message of the unimportance of education is further spread. the United States is one of the lowest countries educationally. Compared to most European and Asian students (and people in general), Americans are morons.

It is almost as if to be uneducated in America is a sign of patriotism. Bill Clinton: elitist. Al Gore: elitist. John Kerry: elitist. Barack Obama: elitist. What do all these men who have been called elitist have in common ogther than being democrats? They are all well-educated, and that was truned into a negative when they were each running for president. Now why on Earth would we want a well-educated President of the United States? After all, the last 8 years have shown us how great an ignorant asshole can be as commander and chief! I don't want a leader, at any level, who I can sit down in the backyard and have barbeque with. I want someone who impresses me and is a hell of a lot smarter than me. When did education and intelligence become bad? When did it become the bane of America? California schools are faultering, they don't have enough money, so the solution is to have them go to school a few days LESS!?! Well, way to go government. We are raising a new generation of the lowest common denominator, but by God, they'll be patriotic!

Burning the Flag

In my English 302 class we have been discussing the issue of whether burning the American flag sholuld be made illegal or if it is protected under the first amendment: freedom of speech. It has been interesting to hear and read my students' opinions on this topic. When we discussed the topic as a class, many students were initially hesitant to take a stand on one side or the other. Eventually, everyone had to choose a side (literally, as they had to move to one side of the classroom or the other). We then had a debate but the two sides had to argue for the opposing viewpoint. It was a really entertaining class. Then I read their response papers on the topic and I read a lot of other interesting views on the subject. More students felt it should be illegal than that it should be considered free speech.

So, I am going to relfect on my opinion on this topic, if you don't mind. I do think that burning the flag should be protected by the frst amendment. It is a non-violent (to people) way to protest and make a statement, and while it can't be considered literal speech, I think it should (and is, according to the Supreme Court) be considered symbolic speech, as it makes a statement and communicates a message.

One students argued that any American who burns the flag must hate America because the flag represents America. I completely disagree with that. Burning the flag is generally done to protest a particular decision or behavior of the American government (when it is done by Americans - I am not discussing when people from other countries burn our flag). You can disagree with the government and criticize the bahavior of our country while still loving our country. Many people think Michael Moore hates America because he creates documentaries that criticize it. Yet, he has said time and time again that he loves America but thinks it can be better and deserves to be better.

Another argument from several students is that people in the military, throughout history, have fought and died for the flag. I disagree with that too. They have fought and died to keep American free and protect our rights and freedoms. Therefore, by taking away rights, isn't that disrespecting the people who have fought for our country? My grandfather fought in World War II, but when Vietnam happened, he encouraged my dad and my uncle to protest because he disagreed with the war and America's role in it. Flag burning was a common form of protest during the Vietnam era.

So, I open up this debate to anyone reading this: what do you think?