For your next blog response, finish reading Michael Moore's "Idiot Nation."
Then answer either #1, #3, or #4 on p. 149.
Due: Before our next class meeting
Length: One to two well-developed paragraphs
p.s. I'm going to go ahead and cancel the conferences that you all signed up for at our last class. I realized that they're going to be too rushed. However, if you would like to stop by my office hours to get feedback on your thesis, you're more than welcome!
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Michael Moore has much to complain about in this section. He rages on and on about the state of American education, putting most of the blame on the "stupid white men" that lead this country. He focuses a good chunk of this selection on former President George W. Bush and his incompetence, as well as other government officials who are representing the people in legislature. Moore seems enraged that budget cuts are being directed at the education system, shutting down libraries, over-crowding schools, and under-paying teachers; some schools on the East Coast were even opening without administrators.
ReplyDeleteI agree that schools are some of America's most important tools, and that they are being taken advantage of. Americans should feel lucky to all have the resources to go through the education system, and put their children in school too, unlike many countries who don't have what Americans have. Unfortunately, during rough economic times, school necessities are being thrown by the way side instead of utilized and encouraged no matter what state the economy is in. Moore would like to see teachers appreciated and paid more for undertaking one of the most difficult jobs in America, he wants competent people running our nation, and he wants children to be given equal opportunity to get as much out of their education as possible; this means getting the best teachers in the country, having libraries available for research and learning, and reserving more money than before for the education system. The education received by each and every American basically determines how they'll grow up and what they'll become; we want America to be the smartest, most successful nation there is, so that means many changes must take place immediately.
Q# 1
ReplyDeleteMoore’s argument that America was a nation of idiots was supported by evidence that he went out and gathered. Such evidence as; two interviews with popular radio hosts, statistics about how government is cutting funding for our already under-funded schools, a nation electing a ‘C’ college student President, and how unappreciated teachers are. I think that the evidence provided in his written work is inadequate to judge an entire nation. I wouldn’t say that everything in his article is not true, however I wouldn’t take his word, him having a clear pre-bias opinion. His limitations in his question and answer format were; he would ask obscure questions that only active teachers and professors would know.
Being brought up by a mother (who happens to be hardcore Mormon)and a diehard republican and a father who is Atheist and a liberal, I can definitly see both sides of religion and politcal views. However, I do not take sides with either one because I see that there is good and bad in EVERYTHING. Our country does have many things wrong with it. And yes! Michael Moore does a fantastic job screaming his head off about it. He does make good points about how government is taking away money from education and most of it is true for the most part. Teachers make next to nothing by American standards. Students do not get the best books... got it dude!
ReplyDeleteAlthough Moore makes some good points, I can easily spot hipocrisy (remember my parents and organized religion) hipocrisy is written all over that mess... Michael Moore is spitting some bull about how students in school are drinking cokes and getting fat. Meanwhile he's goin around the country shoving twinkies in his face by the carton and looking like a slob trying to tell us how to live? I don't thinks so bro! As far as politicians go, there is no such thing as a "clean" politician.
Moore believes that the politicians are primarily responsible for America’s idiocy because they aren’t setting their priorities right. According to Moore, the political leaders “have decided it’s a bigger priority to build another bomber than to educate children” (pg 135, Rereading America). Many schools across the country have overflowing classrooms, outdated facilities, and below average teachers; qne politicians, he believes, are doing nothing about it.
ReplyDeleteMoore would probably like to see politicians change their focus towards education throughout America. He would like to see schools and libraries be remodeled and updated, better qualified and more teachers hired, and new textbooks bought for the students.
I partly agree with Moore that the politicians are at fault for America’s mal-education. Politicians should be focusing on education because today’s students are the ones who will be affecting tomorrow’s history and future. But I believe that parents and us citizens are also to blame. We need to take action and become more involved in our schools instead of expecting politicians to do all the work. One way to help improve education is by making sure libraries are kept up-to-date and aren’t cut from school budgets. Another way is by petitioning for nutritious lunches to be served at the school cafeterias so that students are provided with the vitamins and minerals needed to focus during class. Parents should also petition to eliminate time-wasting homework that is useless and doesn’t teach the students anything. This will ensure that kids are getting enough sleep to be able to focus the next day druing class. Parents should also support the teachers and provide help in any way they can instead of blaming them for students doing poorly. We can go on and on about whose fault it is that America is an idiot nation, but what really matters is who is going to fix it. If the politicians aren’t going to do anything about our young peoples’ education and future, then we need to take action and work together to improve America’s education.
In “Idiot Nation”, Michael Moore speaks bluntly about America’s intelligence. He really takes a mean approach towards explaining how United States is currently handling schools. From my perspective, I believe that Moore does a good job with providing examples to support his side; however, I don’t think that he paints an accurate picture of the typical American classroom. Moore stated that schools are using soda companies such as Coke and Dr. Pepper to fund their educational needs but that only seems to me that it is very select few schools. The school district that my high school was a part of banned soda machines. You would never see soda at that school only unless it was bought from elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteAlthough there are libraries shutting down and janitor closet-classrooms, I disagree with Moore’s picture of the typical classroom. He really makes it seem like America is a third-world country ran by ignorant, fifth grade leaders. Sure there may be tons of budget cuts but only a very small portion of American schools may be “without toilet paper.” In the neighborhood or Diamond Bar alone, there are about 5 libraries that all have legit computers and good to average conditioned books. But, I do agree with Michael about American teachers and the staff who support them. Teachers seem to have so little say in what their students get to do or not to in the classroom and still receive an unfair salary for all they go through. Overall, Moore shouldn’t point fingers on any one person such as Bush because everyone’s ignorance to school budget cuts and failures contribute to the big picture.
Q#1:
ReplyDeleteMichael Moore is very blunt about his feelings when it comes to America's education. He uses many examples of how America is defined as an "Idiot Nation" and blames politics as the reason for our stupidity. One example he uses is the multiple choice test that was given to what we consider Americas most prestigious university graduates. His test proved to many of us how ignorant Americans can truly be. Another example Moore provided us with was how a "C" average college student was elected President without any concern from our population. I agree with Moore because it seems farfetched that the leader of our nation could be as low as a "C" student. That makes me feel like the government is compiled of those who have connections with people rather than those who really deserve the position. Moore's "Idiot Nation" sheds light on problems with America, and does so with a very stiff-minded approach.
Q#4: In Michael Moore's view, America's political leaders are responsible for America's schools and "we", the people that vote for them. I would agree with Moore's opinions to full extent, because it is absolutely true that politics would rather spend and take money away from schools to use it for war and neglect children that need updated books and the proper tools for education.
ReplyDelete"We", the people could be the solution to lack of money for education by removing the politicians we voted in but we rather blame teachers for; lack of preparation, low test scores and even adultery with the student. Just maybe if teachers were appreciated more and given plenty of tools for accurate teaching, America wouldn't fall into the "Idiot" description; academically. I recommend a 20% higher wage to all teachers with excellent records and a national holiday.
Moore feels as if the politicians are the ones responsible for the sorry state of America's schools.He feels as if politicians aren't caring enough about America's education. Moore states in his text "They would rather hold hearings about the depravity of a television show alled jackass than about their own depravity in neglecting our schools and children and maintaining our title as dumbest country on earth"(135). Today's education towards children in America is not taken seriously. Education is one of the most important thing people need in America in order to survive. According to Moore Political leaders rather focus on building a new bomb for the war then paying for better books and classrooms for students to learn in.
ReplyDeleteI somewhat agree with more. America should focus more on eductaion for students. Education is what builds up this country, and we as a country shouldn't take or schooling forgranted.People all around the world move to America just to get an education and become successful.I do feel as if the goverment should but more effort in our schools. Schools today are extremely full, classes are old,and not enough equipment nor books for students to learn from.Teachers are getting cut and causes students to lose classes.In my highschool spanish for nonspanish speaking students is no longer bing taught because the teacher got cut. I find that extremly unfair.
Moore would like to see better, clean classrooms and new updated books that are going to be used to teach students.Teachers should also get more respect and equipment to teach their students.Moore just wants America to be aware on how education is slowly fading away and not being payed attention to.Us people, teachers, students, parents should all step up and make a change,after all we are a demorcratic counrty and we as people make the decisions. We should all show more concern in our education and prevent ourselves from losing our education.
Question #2
ReplyDeleteMy overall public education experience has been all over the place. Comparing my experience with Moores it is pretty close to what he had gone through. Although i do remember some teachers going out of their way to make class more engaging and were more helpful, most of my teachers really didn't care about how we did in class. Their duties were just to make sure we completed the assignments while we were on their time. Majority of the time while i was in school, teachers didn't have the adequate materials to teach us. Moore definitely has a bad attitude towards today's schooling, but has many evidences to back up his opinions. I agree with him mostly that we are down grading greatly and that if we continue to stay on the path we are on, we will become a illerate nation.
Question # 2
ReplyDeleteThe experiences Moore shares can definitely relate to my grade school experiences to a certain extent. The main thing is that most teachers really don't seem to care about the student nowadays. A lot of them are all about themselves and it is as if all they want to do is get paid and get home. Now that doesn't go for all teachers because i have definitely had some teachers that really care about the student and that teaching is a profession to them rather then a boring job. It is obvious that Moore has a bad attitude toward schools, it doesn't take more than reading the title to figure that one out. Like i said earlier i agree with what Moore is saying and his attitude toward the schooling system in American today, to a certain extent. He has many good points and also some that he exaggerates.
4. In Moore's view, the American government is mostly responsible for the sorry state of America's schools along with the older leaders of communities. He supports this statement through much conducted research and surveys of questioning the average active teachers to whom, cannot seem to succumb to an adequate educated answer.
ReplyDeleteI agree to a certain limitation that the education of America is on the verge of a downfall, however, through Moore's eyes there are just too many expectations that in my opinion, only people who are currently doing a paper on the subject, such as "How many known species of plants and animals are on the brink of extinction?", would know the answer to (142).
As a reader, I think Moore would like to see more effort and action taken in lending loans to schools for the better improvement and just overall, less ignorance and more education for the well being of our people.
Question #1
ReplyDeleteMoore gives many examples to show how idiotic the people of America really are. By talking about how people with high power in the community talk about students' need to learn while they themselves have trouble knowing things is one. I agree with him in the way he questions the school system about needing to focus more on it and to worry less about other things like war which are usually caused because of a lack of knowledge.
#1
ReplyDeleteMoore offers support to his argument that America is a nation of idiots by saying that the government and politics are the ones to blame for for poor education and the people that are suppost to be in charge are not doing their jobs. He even makes fun of the George W. Bush and his poor lack of education saying he was a "c" student at Yale and rages on the fact that how can someone like him could be the leader of America. He also blames the government for the poor system of education.
I have to agree with some of the things he says but at the same time i believe he should not be the one talking because according to him he dropped out of college because he couldn't find parking which is a very dumb reason to drop out of school. He talk so much about all the things that are wrong with the nation but yet he does not even have a college degree so why are we listenig to this person that seems to have no idea of what education really is and has no listed sources where he gets all this information from so I believe he should not be writting if he has no real sources of information to back up his argument.