I read a recent article in the Washington Post that stated Americans are the stupidest people in many aspects of life. As an american I was shocked!!!! Apparently we feature as one of the worst countries in the world for Geographical knowledge of places outside of our own country, with some countries commenting "Yanks, don't know the difference between their ass or their elbows". What do we need to do to re dress this theme. Is it possible to launch pre emptive strikes against countries that are cleverer than us or countries we haven't heared of?

Some americans are stupid yes. But that goes the same in any society. There are stupid mexicans, there are smart mexicans. There are stupid canadians, and there are smart canadians. In our society however, stupid people seem to excell, while the intelligent people seem to quietly shy away. Most entertainers (and dont argue with me) are morons, and that's who the rest of the world see in movies and on television: idiots. That's what people in our nation see when they watch television: idiots on moronic reality shows like who wants to marry a midget or whatever the hell they have now.

as compared to the large chinned ignoramus that opposed him? in the end all of our recent presidential canidates have been just about the worst man for any job much less high office. We have a whole nation to pick from why the hell do we end up with complete idiots in charge (both parties are dead guilty of this)

the president may not teach us, but he affects the school system drastically (no child left behind) and I don't think this is supposed to be about americans being bad in school I think it's about the choices our government makes and the fact that the majority of the country re-elected a baboon.

I just want to respond to the people who say that it's partly the government's fault for our supposed stupidity. The government, which some would say is bad, is only bad to you guys because you don't like the president. But if the president is to blame for our stupidity, that would only account for a small percentage of our population who are affected by him. Our stupidity does not stem from our government. The President or the Supreme Court do not teach us in our classrooms. So, it's not their fault we're stupid to others.

you know why i think we might be considered stupid? first the choices our government has made have been, well... for another thread...

but another reason might be because as americans we try to do everything and spread ourselves way too thin. we don't have many that are highly trained in specific areas. japan for instance has countless people who are masters of a couple things. thats just our differences.

also we are declining when its comes to technology... we need some math/science majors!!!!

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Originally posted by Williamson:
When I was 12, I was my middle school Geography Bee champion.

Congradulations. My school never even had a spelling bee. And in my geography class in 7th grade, it was only for one semester and we learned how to make topography maps. Pretty useless huh?

I do feel that many Americans are ignorant about some things (especially about events outside the country), but that doesn’t automatically make them stupid. Nor are we the only ones.

As for the re-election of America’s president...ever hear of the Electoral College? In the end, the Senators and Representatives don’t even have to vote the same as the voters of their state did.

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Probably have a geography class in high school or college....that might help. When I was 12, I could care less where Turkey was on the map.

I took classes in the School of Global Education in high school. I received more education than most in current events, but it took away from regular curriculum in history and government.

There was a class offered the semester after I left high school called "Current Geography." I was bummed that I couldn't take it, and it didn't show up in the next course catalogue. I think every high school student should be required to take that class in order to graduate.

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Originally posted by Holliewood:
Probably have a geography class in high school or college....that might help. When I was 12, I could care less where Turkey was on the map.

When I was 12, I was my middle school Geography Bee champion.

Probably have a geography class in high school or college....that might help. When I was 12, I could care less where Turkey was on the map.

Sounds good too me.

So in essence, both Canada and the United States are equally multicultural. All clear?

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I think that's an ignorant thing to say. America is a bunch of different cultures. Canada is what? English and French? The US is English, French, German, Russian, African, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Scandanavian, etc.

In case you were not aware, Canada supports ALL of these cultures and more. Hmmm...I think that you are ignorant for saying that Canada is only English and French. Yes, English and French are our national languages but we have NO official culture.

According to my Social Studies Text-book (valuable resource) America is known as the "melting pot society." Canada is known as the "mosiac society." Out of 33 million people in Canada, only 5000 valid complaints are made each year for discrimination. This is LOW.

I am not the ignorant person here for I have studied the United States meticulously. I know what I am talking about I think some should brush up on Canadian geography, particularily its peoples. Thanks, and I hope I didnt hurt anyones feelings. aLlison

We all bring some special bit of culture with us and that's what makes America unique. We should see each other as plain human but celebrate the cultures that stand strong behind us. My own Kilts, Food and Proud Warriors, Beer and Brats and Lederhosen. We all bring something that's American. We are a nation of immigrants I am only a third gen citizen 2nd gen born in this land of the free. American culture is a combonation of what makes os unique and things that are truly American from the Marine Corps and Baseball to Apple Pies and the need to right the wrongs and help those worse off than us that's what I see America as.

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I truly do not find America multi-cultural. Canada is multi-cultural.

I think that's an ignorant thing to say. America is a bunch of different cultures. Canada is what? English and French? The US is English, French, German, Russian, African, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Scandanavian, etc.

I don't know, I think the US is more of a fruit salad than a melting pot...much as we would like it to be.

I think it would be awesome if everyone who lived in this country were more concerned with assimilation. It seems as though today, diversity is so celebrated, that we forget our unique ties, that things that make all of us Americans...

When you think of American culture, all you really think of is fast food, hot dogs, apple pie, baseball and the Fourth of July. But aren't we so much more than that?

That's true; America keeps pushing the whole "majority rules" thing, but rarely takes individual rights into account. LAME.

Originally posted by Checkyoursix:
[/QUOTE]America has citizens from every country in the world. We're not just one ethnic group, so saying America is stupid is like saying humans are stupid (which is debatably be true).[QUOTE]
America is known as the melting pot society! They want everyone to be the same. I truly do not find America multi-cultural. Canada is multi-cultural. I find America discriminatory to minority groups. I am sorry to all the Americans out there (I am Canadian) but I think that America acheived its success initially from capital from rich English and their aggresive nature. SORRY! a!

A very intellectual debate is unfolding i see