David Sirota: 10 American ABCs We May Soon Forget

[marmar]

from truthdig:



10 American ABCs We May Soon Forget

Posted on Jan 5, 2012
By David Sirota


By far, the laziest, most vapid articles annually published during this post-holiday season are lists of the past year’s top 10 words and aphorisms. Admittedly, the sloth of such an endeavor tempts me. But as a new dad obsessed with my 1-year-old son’s future, I think I’ve got a more worthy list to add to the pile—one of current words and phrases that my kid may never know because they might end up as relics of a lost vernacular.

Here are those harrowing 10. I hope I’m wrong but fear I’m not.

10. “Civil liberties”

My son will surely read the U.S. Constitution in civics class, and he’ll see stuff about rights to jury trials, due process and protection from unreasonable searches. But these freedoms have been extinguished by presidents successively claiming powers of indefinite detention, warrantless surveillance and assassination of American citizens without charge. Assuming there’s still an ACLU that sends me mail and assuming my son sees the mail, he might ask, “What are civil liberties, Dad?” My response: “Good question.”

9. “Public school”

With the for-profit education industry successfully pushing to privatize public education, I pray there’s a decent public school left for my son to attend—at least then there’s a chance he’ll know what one is. ................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/10_american_abcs_we_may_soon_forget_20120105/

[yurbud]

1. great list

[Solly Mack]

2. K&R

[getdown]

3. #5