Americans are seeing something radically new in the news that they rarely see… satellite photographs of Europe.Wait a minute…Where??!!
The Eyjafjallajokull volcano (no, I can’t pronounce it either) in Iceland has erupted sending an atmospheric ash plume over northern Europe, bringing airline traffic virtually to a standstill.
Now normally anything that happens in Europe, actually anywhere outside the good ol’ US of A, is of no interest whatsoever to most Americans. So then why has the Eyjafjallajokull volcano eruption garnered any news airtime at all?
Because it affected Americans – American tourists and American dollars!
It is estimated that New York is losing tourism dollars due to 12,000 fewer tourists a day. And of course, this European problem is causing Americans to not be able to return home, forcing them instead to cough up more Euros as they camp out in luxury hotels waiting for their canceled flights to be reinstated. Awwwww.
The frightening thing is that most Americans can't find Iceland on a map, let alone the European continent. Case in point...
And it only gets worse...
14 comments:
I didn't have the heart to listen to their answers. Why not make them wear school uniforms and give them personal tuition?
Bananas Unfortunately these two are prime examples of the "de-evolution" process that has begun in our public school system. I expect that our American culture will continue the trudge backward toward the Primordial soup in record time.
Stupidity is definitely 'in'!!!
All one has to do is watch a tea-bagger rally.
No question, our society and the US itself is at risk due to the ignorance of the general population, and, the overwhelming endorsement of stupidity as being cool. Without an educated poplulace, our democracy is doomed. I was a bit heartened to see the smirks on the kids' faces as they listened to the contestant try to figure out the answer to the quiz. The "beauty queen" was just plain scary.....
Kay The most astonishing aspect of these displays of stupidity is that people are so willing to put themselves out there and reveal for everyone to see just how stupid they are!! How stupid is that??
BackRow I also noticed the kids as well and wondered if they were selected from the best in their classes? The show wouldn't ant to risk the premise of ths show (that the 5th graders are smart) by risking selecting from the average literacy level.
But I share your fear for the future of democracy if people are so easily led to unquestionably believe a load of crap.
The videos just got on my nerves. I can't even talk about it. It is too disappointing to watch the next generations flounder. Words come out of their mouths, even adults and lots of them traveling the country inciting the rest of the numbskulls.
I have another video like these two on my blog—I think I've swallowed a few dozen flies watching them with my mouth open.
About the volcano. Martha's boss was to travel to Germany last Friday for a trade show. The flights were cancelled, of course, he had refundable tix, but the airline won't give him money—only exchange for another ticket. The problem is he never flies that airline.
TechnoBabe I feel the same way about the TeaBagger videos, I almost cannot bear to watch them... it makes my head hurt. Meanwhile the Texas school text book commission is working to get all references to Thomas Jefferson out of the history texts. It's a Brave New World out there.
Charlis Martha's boss may be able to get redress through his credit card company; it's worth a shot. He should press the issue with the airline; maybe he can have the tickets transferred to a partner airline or to another person. We always buy trip cancellation insurance now when we travel.
Well, to be fair, I think a lot of Europeans would struggle to name many of the states in the US.
And didn't Hitler start trying to erase similar crucial facts and people from German schoolbooks during his time in power?
It does seem a shame that these ladies are confirming the theory that in order to be beautiful you also have to be thick.
I was laughing more at the guys saying that all women wanted to hear was their own thoughts in a deeper accent :)
Joanna I think all your points are valid. And the comment about the opinions women expect... hmmm, well though my wife would likely take issue, I think it is quite true. (Don't tell her I said that, though)
the only people who should've been allowed to fly during this time is the beauty queens.
Kara Unnecessary... the Beauty Queens usually take the train to Europe.
God. That hurts. But I could have lived without Foxworthy's woman-bashing. I've seen plenty of idiotic men on that show and I'm not convinced he's a brain trust either.
SecretAgent Yes, that comment made me cringe as well. There are plenty of dolts to go around in both genders.
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