A recent Roper -National Geographic study showed that 83% of the Americans,
18 to 24, quizzed could not find Afghanistan on a map. This quiz was given
the US invasion of Afghanistan. More surprisingly a vast majority did not
know that it was the home of the Taliban or headquarters of the Al Qaeda.

Before the home schoolers chime in with diatribes on the failure of public
schools I would make one point. The fact that they couldn't find Afghanistan
on a map shows lack of education. The fact that they did not know it was
home to the Taliban or Al Qaeda shows lack of interest. This information was
being blasted at everyone in America on every possible outlet, TV, radio,
newspapers, e-zines etc. Not knowing these facts shows the apathy as well as
the ignorance of the electorate. The study also showed that this demographic
knew where various vacation spots were; once again proving that interest or
lack thereof was a large factor.

The most disturbing thing was when asked what the population of the US was
over 60% said between 1 and 2 billion. I believe that this shows the opinion
most Americans have of themselves and their country. America-centric does
not even begin to describe it. Americans, especially the American-in-Chief,
have a picture of themselves that is totally out of proportion.

See the quiz at: http://cybercafe230.nationalgeographic.com/geosurvey/

The opinions expressed herein are my own and not necessarily those of my
employer.
Yosef Rosenblatt

* To join/leave the list, search archives, change list settings, *
* etc., please visit http://raven.utc.edu/archives/hp3000-l.html *