Oklahoma Republicans: AP U.S. History Test is Anti-American

[Balrog]

Yahoo

OKLAHOMA CITY (Reuters) - Oklahoma lawmakers are trying to block funding for Advanced Placement U.S. history courses, saying the curriculum is not patriotic enough, as they aim to join others in halting a program designed to prepare top students for college.

A new framework for the course introduced in 2012 has sparked controversy. Cultural conservatives blast the changes they see as questioning American exceptionalism, while supporters say the course offers students a balanced way to analyze how American history has unfolded.

This week, a bill to cut funding for Advanced Placement U.S. History courses in the state passed an Oklahoma House committee along party lines, with 11 Republican voting for the measure and 4 Democrats opposed.

"We don't want our tax dollars going to a test that undermines our history," Dan Fisher, a Republican lawmaker who authored the bill, said during committee debate.

Nearly 4,000 colleges and universities allow those who meet a certain score on AP tests to be given college credit. The tests, which cover a wide array of subjects, are also seen as advancing academic achievement and can help those who qualify for AP courses to be looked on favorably by college admissions boards.

Opponents say the revised guidelines for the history course cast the United States in a harsh light by giving undue emphasis to topics such as slavery and the treatment of Native Americans, while distorting events such as the U.S. involvement in World War Two.

Last year, the Republican National Committee passed a resolution calling on the College Board, which administers the test, to revise the curriculum. The party said it sees the framework as a "radically revisionist view of American history that emphasizes negative aspects of our nation's history."

In September, the Texas State Board of Education, which is dominated by Republicans, requested the College Board to rewrite the AP U.S. history curriculum.

In Colorado, hundreds of students walked out of class to protest a move by conservative school board members proposed changing the U.S. history course.

Officials for the College Board said the framework, which has yet to be implemented, has the overwhelming support of AP U.S. History teachers and college-level U.S. history professors.

"This debate, and the resolution itself, has been marred by misinformation. The redesigned AP U.S. History course framework includes many inspiring examples of American exceptionalism," said Trevor Packer, a senior vice president for Advanced Placement and instruction.

I honestly wonder if these people think even mentioning the fact that bad things happened in American history is "anti-American" or if it a case that they think too much weight is being given to said bad things, then do a comparison of what they think would be an appropriate focus versus what is actually in the texts.

[Iroscato]

Ah, that old The-Stupid-It-Burns feeling is flaring up again. Part of growing up and becoming an adult is accepting the mistakes you made in the past, owning up to them and seeking ways to repair them if possible. These twits seem to be lacking in that department, though I can't say I'm bowled over in surprise.

[Joun_Lord]

Being a patriotic American I could see where they are coming from if these courses actually did only speak about the bad aspects of American history while downplaying the good, like a course about Germany only talking about them ol' Nutty Nazis while minimizing them Krauts numerous contributions to the arts and science and their greatest invention the busty Bavarian bar maid or a course of merry old England speaking only of the bad like colonialism, creating famine in India, exploitation of natives, and Russel Brand while not talking 'bout the good they've done in the world like Monty Python and bowler hats and thats probably about it.

Of course not being a (total) moron I know these idiots think any airing of America's dirty laundry and shit stained Superman underwear is being "anti-American" and will not accept any version of history except the sanitized one that paints America as the greatest of greats that invented everything and never did anything wrong (except being best buds with France back in the day). Spaceflight, french......I mean freedom fries, computers, the atom bomb, the pizza, democracy, and the gun, America did all that. Even Jesus was American, atleast the white, blond haired, blue eyed version who couldn't give a shit about poor people.

Frankly thats just bullshit. A true patriot would admit the bad shit so as we can learn from out mistakes so we don't repeat it. An American proud of their country would admit it isn't perfect, what is beyond the ham sandwich, and point to the bad shit as crap we did but managed to overcome because we are that awesome.

But these people aren't patriots. They are akin to religious nutters who can handle no criticism of their beloved Gawed.......I mean America. They are like the opposite of the knob-jobs who take every opportunity to bad mouth Murica even when the topic has nothing to do with Columbusland but both equally strong in their zealotry.

Times like this I do envy the Eurocommies. Seems like in alot of those countries even people who love their country (but aren't full on nationalist, xenophobic idiots like Americans across the pond are) are only too willing to admit to that country's failings, unlike their American't counterparts.

[Flagg]

Umm... At this point, how in God's balls can you "love" America? I'm not trying to pick a fight, I just honestly cannot think of a single reason to be Patriotic about a country with Americas track record.

[Joun_Lord]

You questioning my love of my country? Thems fightin' words!

Seriously though, its a valid question. I'll admit my love of Murica is not all together logical and quite often goes into loathing at times, but still the love is there. Its very easy to see where people can loath or even hate America.

America does bad shit, terrible shit actually, but can do great shit. The people can be total cunts but can come together and actually do good and even great things. The ideals of freedom and democracy may not always be upheld but they are still good ideas to strive towards.

Its not perfect, no country is, but many countries are far worse. But if Germans can love the Fatherland after such things as the Holocaust and making David Hasselhoff have a number one hit, Frenchie surrender monkeys can love France after it became Germany's bitch, and tea swilling dirty Limey's can still love Queen and Country despite the arguably worse shit they did, an American can still hold some love for their land.

Plus a place that invented the paper clip and machine gun can't be all bad.

[Crossroads Inc.]

ON the Topic of US Education... Or the lack there of...
This just happened....

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is dismissing "elitist" critics who say his lack of a college degree could work against him should he run for president.

Last week, former Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean brought up Walker's lack of education, saying, “The issue is, how well educated is this guy?”

"I worry about people being president of the United States not knowing much about the world and not knowing much about science," Dean said on MSNBC. "I worry about that."

"That's the kind of elitist, government-knows-best, top-down approach we've had for years," Walker told Fox News' Megyn Kelly Tuesday.

The Republican governor and possible presidential hopeful turned the criticism into a zinger against President Barack Obama, who earned his bachelor's degree from Columbia and a law degree at Harvard.

"We've had an Ivy-trained lawyer in the White House for six years who's pretty good at reading off the teleprompter, but has done a pretty lousy job leading this country," Walker said. "I'd rather have a fighter who's proven he can take on the big government special interests and win."

Walker dropped out of Marquette in 1990 during his senior year to take a full-time job at the American Red Cross and focus on politics.

"We have people who helped found Microsoft, Apple, Facebook, plenty of other successful businesses and enterprises across this country who did the exact same sort of thing I did," Walker said. "I've got two sons in college. I hope they finish, I expect that. ... We value college for those who want to pursue a career, but in the end you don't have to have that."

Walker, who made headlines during a tour of London last week when he declined to answer an interviewer's question about evolution, addressed that controversy, too.

"I think God created the earth," he told Kelly, but added: "I think science and my faith aren't incompatible."

[Thanas]

Part of growing up and becoming an adult is accepting the mistakes you made in the past, owning up to them and seeking ways to repair them if possible. These twits seem to be lacking in that department, though I can't say I'm bowled over in surprise.

I would argue that most of US politics is about hiding mistakes made in the past.

[K. A. Pital]

Is there a reason to be patriotic in any large country? In any powerful country? I think not. Not even in many small countries.

Hell, the few places where patriotism would make sense is the countries that were a long time occupied, then freed themselves from colonial rule and managed to achieve a high life standard for their people. And they didn't occupy and bully others once they got there. Countries that have a token army, renounce agressive war, keep friends with others, do not torture prisoners...

Hmm... Not sure there are many such countries.

[Thanas]

Countries that have a token army, renounce agressive war, keep friends with others, do not torture prisoners...

Hmm... Not sure there are many such countries.

None come to mind, certainly no important countries.

[Alyrium Denryle]

Countries that have a token army, renounce agressive war, keep friends with others, do not torture prisoners...

Hmm... Not sure there are many such countries.

None come to mind, certainly no important countries.

Maybe Norway?

[Edi]

Is there a reason to be patriotic in any large country? In any powerful country? I think not. Not even in many small countries.

Hell, the few places where patriotism would make sense is the countries that were a long time occupied, then freed themselves from colonial rule and managed to achieve a high life standard for their people. And they didn't occupy and bully others once they got there. Countries that have a token army, renounce agressive war, keep friends with others, do not torture prisoners...

Hmm... Not sure there are many such countries.

Estonia and the other Baltic states (which still have a number of problems, but they have come really goddamn far in the past 25 years).

[madd0ct0r]

Japan, albeit with a pretty black past.

[K. A. Pital]

Countries that have a token army, renounce agressive war, keep friends with others, do not torture prisoners...

Hmm... Not sure there are many such countries.

None come to mind, certainly no important countries.

Wrong. There are not many, but certainly there are. Edi brought up Estonia just a few comments lower. It may not have a stellar record, but it is certainly trying. Now that its disenfranchisment problem is solved, I am inclined to agree with him. There is also Singapore. Maybe some Latin American nations could also qualify, though not sure which.

[Thanas]

Wrong. There are not many, but certainly there are. Edi brought up Estonia just a few comments lower. It may not have a stellar record, but it is certainly trying. Now that its disenfranchisment problem is solved, I am inclined to agree with him. There is also Singapore. Maybe some Latin American nations could also qualify, though not sure which.

Singapore's amnesty record isn't exactly a clean one. and most Latin American countries do not really have a rule of law. Though I'll grant you that Estonia is really trying.

But Estonia isn't really what one would call a powerful country. Norway....eh, maybe. Their colonial record looks a bit better, though the indigenous of Greenland didn't have it easy under them either. Though much easier than the other indigenous people, I grant you that.

So Norway I would agree with except for one qualifier - is Norway a powerful country on the world stage? And where do we draw the historical line at which point prior crimes should not count for the purpose of this discussion?

[K. A. Pital]

Norway is a good example. Why the hell does it matter if it is influential? Being a patriot of an influential, but belligerent nation that invades and conquers others is a no-no.

I'd rather prefer a nation that is maybe not so significant (and there are many such nations, trying to make their way), but non-belligerent.

But, back to the point: big nations rarely ever acknowledge wrongdoing. Germany had to be bombed to the ground to make it acknowledge wrongdoing, and occupied thereafter. Big nations cover up their crimes. They reject responsibility until all those who could claim wrongdoing are dead (like Britain's contemporary useless apologies about its involvement in the slave trade).

So why be patriotic? Why not just be neutral, and observe all nations from the perspective of humanism and all mankind - a more cosmopolitic view, perhaps.

Maybe the day will come when history of humanity will be told without the history of nations.

[Gandalf]

So why be patriotic? Why not just be neutral, and observe all nations from the perspective of humanism and all mankind - a more cosmopolitic view, perhaps.

I've often thought that people are patriotic for the same reasons that they follow sports teams fervently; it makes them feel a part of something bigger.

What's not acknowledged is at the same time they become a tool for those who own said team, whether it's buying overpriced merchandise or being a part of the country's latest imperial misadventure.

[Simon_Jester]

Patriotism can serve the useful function of mobilizing the populace to do difficult or strenuous things, like throw out an invading army, or build up national infrastructure.

Personally I've always looked at the refusal of various pro-austerity factions in the developed world to invest money into their own nation's infrastructure and underclass... and attributed it to lack of patriotism.

Because if you truly love someone, you will be willing to feed them when they are hungry.

[Gandalf]

Patriotism can serve the useful function of mobilizing the populace to do difficult or strenuous things, like throw out an invading army, or build up national infrastructure.

Or murdering innocent people in order to prevent the country from losing face. Patriotism is a tool arguably only as good as those wielding it.

Personally I've always looked at the refusal of various pro-austerity factions in the developed world to invest money into their own nation's infrastructure and underclass... and attributed it to lack of patriotism.

Because if you truly love someone, you will be willing to feed them when they are hungry.

Hence humanism. Same idea, but you get to love everyone except just those within arbitrary borders.

[Thanas]

Norway is a good example. Why the hell does it matter if it is influential?

Well, arguably, most of the crappy stuff starts to happen once a country got influence and uses it on others. Norway in the (admittedly very far away) past was no exception to that. In other words, for a "good" country to be still considered "good" it has to resist the temptation of doing wrong despite having the means to do so. Not just not doing wrong for lacking the means to do so, because someone who only does good because he lacks the means to do bad is not a "true" good guy.

[Raw Shark]

What qualifies as "important" in this context? Brunei doesn't have the greatest civil rights record, but it's improved its infrastructure a lot recently, has universal heathcare now (including expensively flying people to other countries if they need medical care that isn't available locally), and overcame getting conquered a few times. Also, they produce a shit ton of natural gas.

[Thanas]

What qualifies as "important" in this context? Brunei doesn't have the greatest civil rights record, but it's improved its infrastructure a lot recently, has universal heathcare now (including expensively flying people to other countries if they need medical care that isn't available locally), and overcame getting conquered a few times. Also, they produce a shit ton of natural gas.

I would think that as soon as you fulfill the three criteria of:
1) having the power to dominate and exploit your neighbours/other nations
2) a situation arises where unethical actions would provide you with a net gain
3) you resist that temptation because doing so would be unethical
you fulfill the definition. So "important" would be having 1).

[fgalkin]

Switzerland, other than the horrible racism of its inhabitants, and complicity in Nazi war crimes.

Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

[Thanas]

Switzerland, other than the horrible racism of its inhabitants, and complicity in Nazi war crimes.

This is getting too much into "Country A, if we eliminate X, Y and Z" territory.

[madd0ct0r]

isn't that the point?

[Thanas]

Maybe, I am German and thus suck at detecting irony and humour.