Jul 11, 2012
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A set of standards that will determine what Nebraska school children will learn about American history is causing controversy after an initial draft left out the Founding Fathers – and another promoted cultural equivalency over American exceptionalism.
The debate focuses on drafts of Nebraska’s social studies standards. Every school district in the state must adopt the standards or enact their own of equal or greater rigor, Omaha.com reported.
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An early draft has already been rewritten after it excluded George Washington and Benjamin Franklin – along with other Founding Fathers and historical dates.
And while Nebraska Board of Education member John Sieler is glad to see the Founding Fathers restored to the standards, he said there are other serious problems. He said the standards teach global warming as fact, promote cultural equivalency and fail to promote American exceptionalism.
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“We need to specifically reject this concept that all ideas are equal or all cultures are equal,” Sieler told Fox News Radio. “All cultures are not equal. All ideas are not equal and we need to state that in a positive manner instead of glossing over this and having some ‘Kumbaya let’s all get along, everybody’s wonderful’ feeling.”
Sieler said he’s received at least 30 emails from constituents who are upset that the draft process was not open to the public. Among the chiefs concers — no mention of American exceptionalism.
“I strongly believe in American exceptionalism,” he said.
Instead the draft instructs schools to make sure high school students can “analyze and evaluate the impact of people, events and symbols upon history in the United States and abroad,” Omaha.com reported. It also called on students to explore history from multiple perspectives.
Sieler said the state needs to adopt a specific statement recognizing American exceptionalism.
“That is the key to the whole thing,” he said. “We need to teach that we are the good guys. That doesn’t mean we have to hide some of the things that we are not proud of as a nation. We’ve made some mistakes but we are on the right course. We’re not out to conquer countries and enslave people.”
Donlynn Rice, the state’s administrator of curriculum, instruction and innovation, stressed that the draft is “not a completed document.”
“Certainly the standards are very strong in the fact that America is a great country,” she told Fox News Radio. “What exact terms we use remains to be seen as we work with the draft.”
Rice said she was not sure if the term “American exceptionalism” is in the draft.
“We’re talking about the importance of understanding different cultures,” she said. “We certainly want students to be aware there are many different cultures both in our country and across the world.”
Rice said they are listening to public input and used the re-inclusion of the historical figures to illustrate that point.
“It was a bit premature for people to get so concerned that they weren’t going to be there when in fact they were looking at a very, very early draft of the standards,” she said.
Sieler also expressed concern about how capitalism and free market enterprise are conveyed in the standards.
“We need to say free market enterprise is good,” he said. “Socialism is bad. To me, it’s black and white.
He also said the standards teach global warming as fact instead of a theory and incorrectly used the terms democracy and republic.
“We are a representative government,” he said. “We don’t have direct democracy and there’s a big difference.”
Sieler also said the standards promoting “global government.”
“The U.S. Constitution does not recognize a global government,” he said. “We recognize the government of the United States.”
Rice said the standards are meant to focus on what students should know and be able to do.
“We don’t teach beliefs in our standards,” she said. ‘We teach the content, knowledge and the skills.”
But Sieler said it’s necessary to know and learn some facts before you can talk about concepts.
“How can you discuss something like the Civil War if you don’t know who Abraham Lincoln is?” he wondered.
Rice said the draft will be in development for several more months – and welcomed the heated discussions on the document.
“I think it’s wonderful that people are interested,” she said. “Of all the content areas, social studies is citizenship in action. Social studies is about our history and our government. It’s really an area we live every day. The fact that people are interested and people are passionate is a great thing.”
Sieler said he worries that political correctness might be behind some of the controversy.
“The other side would say I’m being conservatively correct or whatever,” he said. “Maybe I am. But I think we need to teach the right standards.”
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Can we make an even trade with China? Send them all the America-haters and they can send us all the China-haters. I'm ever thankful for my Catholic education. It was neither dumbed-down nor liberal.
Conservative Americans need to show up in droves and vote!
Conservative Americans need to show up in droves and vote!
God help us all if that happens.They'll send us backwards to the failde policies of the Bush years.They are already instituting Jim Crow like laws to keep the minority vote low.Republicans are simply un-American.
The GOP wants to disenfranchise up to 10% of all Pennsylvania voters. Hard to see how that's representative of American values.
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America's Exceptionalism has been flushed down the toilet by the politicians, left-wing "educators" and everybody else who does not stand up to them.
There should be no debate here. Why in the world would anybody want to reject American Exceptionalism? America comes to aid for so many and so often and always takes the heat for being calculated and self serving when the truth is in the pudding: we are a nation founded on Judea / Christian principles. If we follow the progressive agenda we will lose our heritage…I have well informed my children of these very LIES that the public school is pushing and both my boys are homeschooled. God Bless: you, America, and to all who will listen. As for me and my family: we will serve the LORD!
Thats the problem… "liberalism", socialism and progressivism are ALL a bit like chemo therapy. a little, at the right time is beneficial. Too much will kill. America has had enough of all three.
Founded on what? No, we were NOT founded on Judean/Christian values, but rather the rule of law.
Why would anybody else reject the concept of A.E.? Well, let's see. If we only go back to post-WW II, we supported the French in retaking their Vietnamese colony, even after we'd struck a deal with the V's for help against the Japanese. He supported the tyrant in Cuba. He overthrew the legit ruler of Iran and replaced him with our puppet, who ran a horrific regime. We've supported dictators throughout the Mideast, including Saddam, until he didn't do our bidding any longer. We invaded Iraq, which was a gargantuan mistake, the largest in our history. Our record on civil rights was abysmal, going into the 1960's. Shall I go on? These factors all reflect on how other countries perceive us.
Jeff, I will not for 1 moment try to convince you that America has done everything correct. Are you actually American? I grew up with "yankee doodle went to town" and now am raising kids to the tune of "political correctness". Why can a child no longer sit "Indian Style" anymore? Now a child in the face of political correctness must sit criss cross applesauce.
Ultra Nationalism errr I mean "American Exceptionalism" is ridiculous and has no place in any form of education.
The United States, is a country. Its rights are no more powerful than any others. This is why the United States is so hated world wide, because we can't leave well enough alone. We can't settle with living in our own culture and allowing others to do the same. We have to flaunt our perceived superiority, entering countless wars and entangling alliances that lead to trillions of dollars in deficit spending and a reputation forever tarnished.
The belief that your country is the greatest, is a forerunner to other beliefs like that your race is the greatest, your religion is the greatest. All of these are forerunners of war, violence, and regression.
wow.. how sad it must be to be you. This country IS the greatest country on the planet.. the fact that your limited ability to understand that doesn't mean it isn't true. Obviously, your education is sadly lacking. I am a Vet. Go serve your country, put your life on the line, THEN come back and whine.
Zak. Shut up. If you hate on America & are gonna complain so much, leave.
YOU are the kind of American that gives other Americans a bad name.
Ignorant, conceited, ethnocentric, and arrogant.
@ZakDrab – Your post belongs in the pile with other clueless anti-American fools who have no idea what they are talking about.
Kyle VanderWal You gonna make me kyle?
Seems to me it's the neocons who are doing most of the complaining, yet telling everybody else to leave. How incredibly arrogant to think that you get to decide who stays and who goes.
If you knew Zak like I do Jeff, you'd know that he has never said a positive thing about America. He also sits there and non-stop complains at every single law and bill passed. All day every day, on Facebook. He has made me fed up to this point. We care because we plan on living here under what we have been founded upon. You don't like it, that's fine. Once you get enough money you're free to live where you want and how you want to be ruled. Don't complain about the country I've loved and lived in my lifetime.
Jeff Scheidel – Seems to me that there are still a few of you who refuse to look up what American Exceptionalism really means. If you did, you wouldn't continue to waste time and space posting ignorance and left wing ideology…quite pathetic really.
Kyle VanderWal who says I can't complain? Are you going to stop me? I have the right to voice my opinion like everyone else, if you don't like it then boohoo
Nationalism, or any other sort of ridiculous and unwarranted fanaticism is why wars and genocides happen. Period. You cannot dispute that. So if you are okay with chilren being drone striked for "freedom" in Pakistan. Go right ahead. I won't be an accomplice to murder.
Zak Drabczyk – Now you are just being a most complete ass. Needless to say, you are still off topic, still clueless to the definition of what intelligent people are discussing here and now you are proving to be simply anti-American since you insist on publishing propaganda.
Nice adhominem. Got any real arguments or just more huffing and puffing?
Zak Drabczyk – I respond to your inane posts. I've made several arguments except you just can't seem to string a sentient response together. The problem with you is that you refuse to acknowledge a real argument because all you have is your baseless opinion…and, your still off topic.
Huh? It took you four lines to say nothing?
Zak Drabczyk – Thanks for proving my point. You see you think my post is 'saying nothing' because you are illiterate…and have nothing.
Two words for you: private school. I know not everyone can afford it for their kids but it is one of the last places they will be taught the truth or receive an education of any worth. Sending your kid off to public school today consists of them having a liberal "we hate America and have to change everything about it" agenda forced on them. The easiest way for them to mold these kids is simply to not teach them any history and instead only teach them the highlights of liberalism. I feel for the kids that are in school now. By the time they are my age this country is going to be overrun by one of these other "peaceful cultures" that they learned to love at school and they won't have a clue how to stop it or defend themselves. I'm not surprised this is going on at school though. The President of this country doesn't see the Constitution as anything more than a minor inconvenience so why bother teaching the kids about who wrote it or why.
One of the issue in the country is that the school system is indoctrinating our young people into believing anything but this country being a great country. I, personally, am tired of all of these people bashing our great nation spouting that socialism and communism would be a better route. Unfortunately, I have been in socialist and communist countries. I would very much like to see if these people who bash our great nation could last one month in one of these countries. Lets see how long your ridiculous position would last in one of these countries. Your would either be put in jail and/or never seen again. Respect this country and its values or go live someplace else.
Why is it right wingers think they have the right to determine who can stay and who can go? How about YOU go live someplace else?
"American Exceptionalism"? Got it! Our history is rich and we should be proud as we have helped the world at many points in our short history BUT…… generally, American are about as non "wordly" as any nation can be a whole. We're in full decline. Most think we're number 1 in everything but many have zero clue. Our crime rate is 3rd world, our infrastructure is about on par with Poland (or worse) – lets not mention we're not close to civil on our roads (where we can't even follow basic rules such as the left lane on the HW is for passing only; that's standard everywhere and folks obey), our educational standard doesn't even come close and is 4th rate (but our Universities are top notch), trash is everywhere, most of laws treat citizens as idiots, our culture is Hollywood and Big Mac's….. Yes, I took my US Gov provided Tax Payer pension and let the door hit me on the way out. So happy that I retired from the US Military in Germany – Yes, I pay 40% taxes on my job here but I get my money's worth to include a free University Education. I love America; just hate our politics and the BS we fight about.
okay…well now i'm totally depressed. i hope you have an extra room available in your house because now i'm gonna leave the US and go move to Germany to live with you!
You can live with me anytime but I charge for "extra" services:)
It's disappointing how ignorant we are about geography, world history, science, math, politics and the climate, compared to other countries. When I travel abroad, I find so many people who are plugged into what's happening around the world. Whereas at home, it's astounding how few people know what's happening in other countries. We're the ONLY civilized country that pumps so much of our healthcare costs into shareholders' pockets rather than actual healthcare. THAT is why it's so costly. We are the ONLY civilized country where you can go bankrupt for the crime of getting sick. And the "exceptional" tag was fairly crushed when we invaded Iraq.
Well said Jeff and cheers to you!
I'll take you out for a beer once a week to compensate you for those extras!
Jeff Scheidel – Disappointing indeed but you won't admit why; it is our liberal-run educational system that teaches little fact but seems to do well when discussing left wing ideology. When you "travel abroad" you find 'so many' that agree with your left-wing BS…I know, because that is what I find. It is no bulletin that you find socialists in socialist run countries…Italy, Spain, France, Greece etc…Care to guess why they are all going bankrupt and failing??? Care to venture a guess why those there that actually have money come here for specialized healthcare? And lastly, it remains evident that you simply refuse to research the true meaning of American Exceptionalism…I'm still laughing at you. Nevertheless, thank you for making my point about the abject failure of our educational system.
Wait, so we're NOT socialist (doh!)? And you think we're any better off economically than a lot of those other countries? And plenty of people from THIS country go to India for what is commonly called medical tourism, for critical operations. Lots of people go to Mexico to get their teeth done. it's cheaper to get quality care in those countries than it is to pay deductibles and get it done here. It's a complete myth that Canadians are flocking over the border to get care here that they can't get there. And since American Exceptionalism is just a right wing feel-good term, there's no "research" to do.
We are heading toward Socialism under this administration yes. And yes we are better off economically that all of those countries but if we keep running $1T deficits every year under O'Bama, we will join them all for sure. People do go to India and Mexico for surgeries but because it is quite cheap…NOT GOOD, but cheap; no surprise. It is not a myth that Canadians and Europeans come here for SPECIALIZED needs they either can't get or must wait for long periods of time. IF you were in great pain and could not walk because you needed a hip replacement, would you want to wait 8-mionths? I think not…that is a fact that they frequently admit…same in the UK. Lastly, you still don't comprehend and evidently refuse to educate yourself as to the meaning of the term American Exceptionalism…As I've suggested many times in this forum, it takes about 45-seconds to confirm the actual meaning. Do it.
Yes, yes, yes, Tony. A.E. is the theory that we're supposed to spread liberty and democracy. Well, not everybody works that way, number one, and number two, I don't want to pay my taxes toward spreading much of anything when we've got bridges and roads to fix.
Jeff Scheidel – Well Jeff, I am happy to see you have researched the term but I respectfully submit that your conclusion is somewhat narrow and oversimplified.
Initially, the term was used by Communists as a derogatory implying that the US would not ever comply with their ideologies since we were not founded upon a dominant working class. In actuality, the correct contextual origin stems from the Revolution Era root concept that the foundation of America is based on the ideas of liberty and self-governance rather than in ethnicity or royal domain; this is what actually makes the United States “exceptional” – in other words, what holds Americans together is not ethnicity (as in the countries of Europe) or the rule of a Monarchy.
While no one should accuse us of being perfect, our beliefs in liberty, equality, constitutionalism, and the well-being of ordinary people is what generally separates us. Further, since we know through a long world history that Socialism/Communism fails, why not promote Capitalism and Freedom? Have we made mistakes? Of course. But that does not preclude us from trying to support those that agree with us or oust those who are antithetical to those tenets; especially brutal dictators or religious fanatics that abuse their “citizens.” While I agree that the US is currently hard pressed to be the world police, since we understand the potential ramifications of ignoring issues and or appeasing despots, we can hardly sit idle while innocent people are being abused and or butchered. We also know from history that doing nothing, is typically far worse and costs far more than doing something. No, aid and comfort is the humane thing to do and, we have repeatedly proven to be the most generous and compassionate country in the world.
I will easily acknowledge your right to prefer that your taxes be allocated toward repairing our infrastructure, I just happen to believe we can accomplish both providing we eliminate waste and grow our own economy…but these are different subjects. Appreciating the proper perspective of freedom and independence and turning our backs to Socialism, I remain convinced that America is indeed an exceptional nation.
So here's the essence of the disagreement: I too believe that the USA has been exceptional. But to teach it as a FACT, in school books, is ridiculous. Exceptionalism is an opinion, not a verifiable, measurable FACT. Therefore it should not be part of any curriculum.
My point exactly. I was a neo conservative at one time until I woke up and saw the world. Americans redefined the term "socialized" and the conservatives like to blame "liberals" for everything. I'm about to retire from 26 years of our military as an officer. 7 Combat tours, wounded twice and ohhhhh, the US military is Socialized everything! Free health care, free ed benefits, free or subsidized this or that …. you know what, it's good for the society! I don't advocate the gov providing a free ride but also know that if you left it up to the individual, you get "America we know and believe is true and THE BEST" – the crappy roads, trash, crime, BS idiot laws we pass and never enforce, poor schools – you can't even compare to almost 90% to Europe. If we don't pay for our infrastructure, our economy goes to crap yet the conservatives don't want to pay for that – it's Business 101. Is it really ok that kids (regardless if legal or illegal) can't get healthy and see a doc without some insurance even if the state paid; to even question that I have to question "America". Folks like to cry "socialized" and "illegal"! Folks in the US try to compare the US to Europe – here's a fact, we are MUCH MORE broke than Spain, Italy, Ireland per % of GDP and folks want to state "we'll end up like Spain" – even now, Spain is better off than the US. We're way passed that and it has little to do with entitlements and more to do with bad laws, poor oversight and spending on questionable war. The Germans tax the rich more and quess what, it works – the best economy in Europe and running better than the US with a MUCH better standard of living across the country unlike "segments" in the US. I question that 250K is the right level to raise taxes on but to raise it on 400+K is good. Like I said, I would gladly pay higher taxes if our gov was efficient. Last point – the person who said to get rid of the Dep of Ed? Why? We are towards the bottom of the the entire world in our secondary ed standards because we don't have standards. Why have over hundreds of school districts with all different standards? Why not ONE standard and some "mandatory classes for each state"? You'd save BILLIONS. Same with the Police? Or at least change our fake Democracy (we're a republic) and be totally democratic! Our system is broke!
Good to see you on FB, please add me.
Why waste your time squabbling over what curriculum will be applied to all children in a region when the problem is that there are people who decide what curriculum will be applied to all children in a region.
What a bunch of knee jerk reaction from conservatives regarding yet another misleading article on Faux "News". It's an INITIAL DRAFT, people. Try reading the article before posting your apoplectic comments.
@JayShepherd – Seriously? Trust me my dear liberal, we DID read the article and there is NOTHING misleading about it; nor does it contain anything "new." FYI, "initial drafts" are working documents which often get approval as is. I've seen and read through some of today's "textbooks" and have been appalled. Despite your left leaning proclivities, if you would extricate your head from your rectum long enough to read something, you would know that today's educational system is an oxymoron. The real issue here is to understand WHY this stupidity has been included in ANY draft since it is PC crafted nonsense. Get a clue before you poke your liberal finger in the eye of conservatives who are actually informed on an issue in which you are literally clueless.
You and the other commenters are ill informed and reactionary. You are worse than knee jerk liberals.
You and the other commenters are ill informed and reactionary. You are worse than knee jerk liberals.
Good 'ol lame try from someone who is clueless. Not only is it still obvious that you the terminology escapes you, you make no attempt to refute anyone's content…because you cannot.
Anthony De Rubeis
Your comments are ridiculous on their face. They need no refutation.
@JayShepherd – Your position is false and ridiculous since you can even define what we are talking about. You are an empty ideologue who can only repeat the absurdities he gleans from left wing blogs…an empty vessel. Your position cannot be defended so you attack me…weak/lame/pathetic.
Yes, you are pathetic.
Ouch! You still have nothing…
You are too uninformed to even argue with!
LOL!
It's a completely uneducated, blanket neocon statement to say that the American educational system is completely messed up. I know plenty of kids who are excelling in public school, because they want to succeed and their parents are involved. Good grades, scholarships, and some semblance of career picked out. The far righters don't like public education because it usually includes dangerous notions like evolution or climate change, those scientifically-backed ideas that educated people around the world accept, but which American ideologues don't because their corporate masters tell them not to.
Right. Knee jerk, reactionary, "the sky is falling"…"the sky is falling" chicken little arguments that the right-wingers are so good at making and the sheep that follow them are so good at swallowing.
Jeff Scheidel – Sorry Jeff, you are either naive or an ideologue. Are there kids in the system that are doing well? Of course. Are there parents that are indeed paying attention to their children's education and nurturing them? Of course. However, these are obvious but ignore what is actually happening. American educational standards have continued to fall and our history is being rewritten which is what this article is actually about. I've tried to convey what American Exceptionalism actually means and sadly, only a handful of people in this forum get it right…others, simply refuse to spend 30-seconds to research it. I assure you, I am hardly uneducated or a neocon and I have done literally years of research into the public school system and, personally know scores of teachers at every level so please save your pedantic progressive assessments unless you are just trying to amuse fools like Jay. For the record, I feel that 'far-righters' are just as foolish as 'far-lefties' – the truth is Conservatives, Libertarians and those in the center don't like our educational system because it is indeed failing. It fails in substance, it fails to graduate more people, it fails to get more through high school and fails to get more into college. Immigrants to this country are embarrassing our students by their superior motivation and subsequent achievement. Our liberal-run school system answers with keep the lowering the standards so children who learn at a slower pace won't feel so bad; which is nonsense. It literally has nothing to do with your nefarious conspiracy laden theory. Returning to the issue at hand, American Exceptionalism has NOTHING to do with arrogance or flexing our muscle around the world but has EVERYTHING to do with the fact that America is unique because of how it was founded by the many different people that came here and sacrificed to make it a great country…in other words, America is not based on one culture, one religion or one ideology. Still don't buy it? Look it up.
Revisionists and Progressives all living out the words from the novel '1984'. It offends me that Islam can be taught as part of History classes in California. Where the activist judges of the 9th District Appelate Courts ruled that schools can force children to take Islamic names, wear Islamic garb, be forced to recite text from the Quran. Yet, deemed it unConstitutional to teach those same kids anything about Christian history. We live in very scary times, where old fashioned values now makes you a RADICAL EXTREMIST, but teaching RADICAL EXTREMISM is deemed appropriate.
Let's not forget that our schools, via the Fed, have now decided to teach our children about homosexual relations as part of SEX education. Appalling, that in less than 50 years education went from local control to control by publishers and Progressives. Home schooling is fast becoming the only way we can Parentally control what our children are exposed to in the classroom.
What you posted is pure nonsense. There has never been a ruling that says teaching about any religion in a HISTORY class is unConstitutional. That's just plain nuts.
Mr Scheidel, I believe you need to review the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in California before you go off telling me I do not know what I am posting about…as it was several years ago, early 2000s that the same court was involved in a decision of a family vs a school district, and it was ruled that the school violated the girls rights by teaching Christianity. Then in the mid 2000s the same court was involved in another family, actually turned into several families, who protested and motioned that Islam could not be forced up on their children at which time the Judge did rule that it was legal…..Now, I am not a legal scholar so I dont know how to go about searching databases, I simple recall reading the stories as they occured! So, before you call anything pure nonsense, I would hope you could back your assertion up!
And, check your child's Health Book, if you in fact have a child…I cannot recall the publisher or the school district, but there is a Health Book that includes as part of its educational material homosexual relations. There are even school districts that have chosen to use the information as part of the education curriculum, and I in fact contacted my child's schools to ensure that this was not happening at hers…..So, live like an OSTRICH…but I choose not to!
There was a ruling in April of this year allowing Bible study class in public schools in California. There was also a recent case absolving a teacher of wrongdoing for ridiculing creationism (being that is has no basis in fact). Last year there were two rulings (one reversing the other) with regard to a teacher displaying Christian-related material in his classroom. You say you recall reading the stories as they occurred, but that's not a lot of documentation.
The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a lawsuit by two Christian students and their parents, who accused the Byron Union School District of unconstitutionally endorsing a religious practice.
“The Islam program activities were not overt religious exercises that raise Establishment Clause concerns,’’ the three-judge panel said, referring to the First Amendment ban on government sanctioning a religion.
During the history course at Excelsior School in the fall of 2001, the teacher, using an instructional guide, told the students they would adopt roles as Muslims for three weeks to help them learn what Muslims believe.
She encouraged them to use Muslim names, recited prayers in class and made them give up something for a day, such as television or candy, to simulate fasting during Ramadan. The final exam asked students for a critique of elements of Muslim culture.
U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton ruled in favor of the school district in 2003, saying that the class had an instructional purpose and that students had engaged in no actual religious exercises."
Well, I fouund this in my notes, but cannot recall from where I found it exactly! So good try in trying to sound like you could shoot down my comments!!! And if the teacher admits that the learning material is to "help them learn what Muslims believe" then how in the world could that not be thought of as indoctrination?
Let's not forget that our schools, via the Fed, have now decided to teach our children about homosexual relations as part of SEX education. Appalling, that in less than 50 years education went from local control to control by publishers and Progressives. Home schooling is fast becoming the only way we can Parentally control what our children are exposed to in the classroom.
“We certainly want students to be aware there are many different cultures both in our country and across the world.”.
I think everyone is quite aware that there are different cultures from around the world. What there should not be is different cultures within the country. We are supposed to be a melting pot, not a salad bowl. We are supposed to retain the parts of our past cultures which are good, and discard those which are not so good, to make a single unique culture.. American. Those who wish to destroy America want us to be divided, and the way to do that is to emphasize our disparate cultures and languages. The only way people are united is when one places emphasis, not upon our differences, but upon those things we have in common. And the more we have in common, the stronger we become.
There is a good reason why the word "Diversity" has "divide" as it's root word.
Remember the jackass who said " I believe in American exceptionalism just like Greeks believe in Greece's exceptionalism"?
That f v cker is going back to his ghetto in November.
country has had its ups and downs, good and bad.
Breaking away from the Brits was Exceptional, but allowing and having slaves was cowardly.
Coming up with the constitution was Exceptional, but the way we dealt with the Indians was despicable.
Building a supper power & leading the industrial revolution was Exceptional, not allowing woman to vote or own land not so Exceptional.
WW2 one of are most Exceptional moments in history but allowing dictators to run countries just so we can get what we want not something I am really proud of.
We are and Exceptional country one of the best in the world we have and will also make Exceptional mistakes its how we deal with them that will keep this country great.
We do need to do some sole searching as a country and ask how are we, the so called greatest country in the world, but we can’t find a way for all of the citizens in this country to have health care, how 1 child could ever go hungry in the US of A.
How do we deal with the rest of the world when the world is no longer black or white?
Are we going to be a country run by CEO‘s, lobbyist or those with money & power,
OR
a country run by the people, for the people?
A shameful attempt to push brain-washing propaganda into factual "history" lessons.
It would be nice if they could stick to empirical events for which there is documented evidence. Where it involves nationalist narratives and propaganda, I think the ability to see from multiple perspectives is very important.
It's all very well teaching "America is the best" and "we don't enslave or invade people", but it would be helpful to study it from the perspectives of all the other countries who have either been directly invaded, or have had terrorist groups funded by the US, or uprisings and revolutions planned and executed, or trade embargos and sanctions forced upon them because markets are not open to American corporations.
In the U.K we are not taught that the U.K. is intrinsically good. We learn about some good things about the U.K, but also some truly awful things from our past. And we spend a great deal of time studying about other countries and their histories from their perspectives. It would be a good idea to do the same in the US. Then the customary reaction from people around the world wouldn't be that many Americans are pretty ignorant.
That's not to say I dislike America or American policy. In case I got the fictional nationalist self-identity raging, I'd quite happily say that America has done a lot of good things, and has had positive influences as well as negative ones.
It's far easier to control the future when you can re-write the past.
standards teach global warming as fact, promote cultural equivalency and fail to promote American exceptionalism.
And we wonder why we have the most ignorant generation of American youth in history?
"Standards" don't teach global warming as fact – science does. Pseudo-science claims its not happening. It also demonstrates Evolution, and many don't believe that. And you wonder why we have the most ignorant generation of American youth in history?
And yet global warming IS a fact, backed up by 98% of all scientists. A large number of those who oppose the notion are found to have taken money from oil interests. That's called a CONFLICT of interest. Why are right wingers so afraid of science?
This is just crazy. America has been the greatest force for good the world has ever seen. These so-called teachers are taking tax dollars and teaching the children of those same taxpayers that their country is terrible? It's a shame these children are too young to recognize the hypocrisy in all this; it's the "teachers" that are terrible!
It is called dumbing down, political corectnesss, level the playing field, affirmative action, pro homosexual accpetance of their perverted lifestyle choice, anti American, anti Christian; this is the agenda of the NEA and DEA in the government indoctrination schools not public. Add 40 years of dumb drip by hollyweird and guess what?
WTF is happening in my home state? Leaving out the Founders? That's retarded. American exceptionalism – eh I can do without. I don't agree that we are "exceptional" or better than anyone or that we have an original idea but I digress. But global warming as "fact?" What?
But then again, many of the Founders never expected the U.S. to last this long.
Where is God?
Dead.
Dead.
Where is God?
They should all be required to read, then report on the book "Guns, Germs and Steel" by Jared Diamond. It pretty well spellis it all out Revisionism is not the answer.
Sickening isn't it….. our schools and our government selling out America!
The idea of American exceptionalism is fast going by the wayside in almost all cities/counties in America….Don't blame
teachers (although many are liberal fanatics). Look instead to the liberal Dept. of Education. Arne Duncan and his cronies are capable of destroying American ideals and exceptionalism in exchange for a concept known as GLOBAL AWARENESS!
Indeed Evelyn. And, the largest reason why we are being so vilified overseas is due to what these liberals are fomenting not just in our schools but in what is published. The current discussion thread is a PERFECT example since those that are attempting to detract from the subject, have proven they don't even understand the terminology AND, they refuse to spend 45-seconds to look it up. The term has been twisted by the liberal media to imply "our arrogance" but as we know, the term has nothing whatsoever to do with anything remotely attached to that. Further, if we succumb to a "global awareness" we will relinquish nearly all that has made us great and as such, we are doomed.
Devon….Great countries, like great men, have great faults too….America is still the greatest nation in the world.
Ian, Devon…..Delta is ready when you are!
Looks like it's time to fire the whole board in Nebraska and start over.
It is not a surprise that you kid liberals think there is no such concept as American Exceptionalism. You certainly are not part of it, never learned about our exceptionalism in our centers of demo indoctrination (schools) or had pride in what we represent because you have no idea what that was, sadly. A severe shock is in store for you guys but the thing is you don't know that because you are ignorant. Boy did we screw up letting government and teachers interfere.
In 2009-2010, this same culture war played out in Texas. However, in Texas the State Board of Education, supported by hundreds of mainstream Texans, rejected America-hating "educators" agenda to hijack U.S. history standards and create their negative view of America. Nebraska might consider using Texas as its model, in order to teach its kids to be proud Americans. The Texas story is well documented in the book, TEXAS TROUNCES THE LEFT'S WAR ON HISTORY, available for review and purchase at http://www.WNAenterprises.com.
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