I think America's Geographic Illiteracy accounts for Political Ignorance

[demo dutch]

Quote: Geographic illiteracy impacts our economic well-being, our relationships with other nations and the environment"

MSNBC- Young Americans shaky on geographic smarts
Study finds that many fare poorly at finding Louisiana and Iraq on a map

WASHINGTON - Despite the wall-to-wall coverage of the damage from Hurricane Katrina, nearly one-third of young Americans recently polled couldn’t locate Louisiana on a map and nearly half were unable to identify Mississippi.

Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 fared even worse with foreign locations: six in 10 couldn’t find Iraq, according to a Roper poll conducted for National Geographic.

“Geographic illiteracy impacts our economic well-being, our relationships with other nations and the environment, and isolates us from the world,” National Geographic president John Fahey said in announcing a program to help remedy the problem. It’s hoping to enlist businesses, nonprofit groups and educators in a bid to improve geographic literacy.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12591413/

[Ms. Clio]

1. It's part of the reason people from Maine and Minnesota are freaking

about "illegal immigration." Absolutely no education about the history, culture, or economic realities of the U.S. Southwest.

[ForrestGump]

5. When I moved to California from New Mexico, with all my

documents based on a New Mexico address, I more than once got complimented on my English. I've experienced similar indication of geographic ignorance in this country before. The really sad thing, to me, was when the New Mexico license plates went from saying simply "New Mexico" (Land of Enchantment) to "New Mexico, USA." So sad.

It's shameful and utterly unforgiveable.

[Ms. Clio]

7. That happened in California??? Must have been a bunch of Yankee

carpetbaggers! ;)

I used to love those New Mexico licence plates, too. What a shame.

[Debau2005]

2. So

What are they learning in school these days? What happened to social studies, and geography? Oh wait, I forget we have to teach Bible, Christianity, homophobia, and abstinence.

[maxsolomon]

3. cultural illiteracy

adbuster's had a page a couple months ago challenging the gates foundation et al to sponsor a quarter abroad for every american high school student.

the catch was that it wasn't going to be in Nice or Dusseldorf.

it would be in the 3rd world. a quarter in Botswana or Bangladesh would open your fucking eyes to the reality of the planet.

[napi21]

4. Do they still teach geography in school?

I heard they don't teach Civics class anymore and that's why so many people don't have any idea how their Gov't is supposed to work!

I wonder if they still teach Geography, and if so, is it just US or is it also World?

I must admit, I was taught both in school, but I sure have heard names of places lately that I NEVER heard before! (Hanging my head in shame.)

[Greyhound]

6. All that kids are taught in school now is tests.

Tests are the be all end all of our education system now. The teachers teach the tests, not the class subject. Most importantly though, is that they don't teach students how to learn, nor how to think. Thus, amerika, land of the rich, home of the flock.

[demo dutch]

8. Yes my daughter (4th grade) gets taught geography, maybe it' an exception