Opus 2014-11: What Do Saddam Hussein and Bing Crosby Have in Common?

Saddam Hussein is already being forgotten.  Move over Bing Crosby, Wilbur Wilberforce and Benedict Arnold.

It was a normal day at school.  I was trying to discuss issues and relate history to what is happening around us.  I was trying to get the students to think.  That is when they get really rebellious.

I have introduced a session of class time that I am calling “Hot Topics.”  The idea is to get them to reach into what is going on around them and start a discussion.  We have touched on what used to be called “global warming,” California’s new Transgender bathroom law, legalizing drugs, due process, search warrants and other topics.  Yesterday one of the students asked about the withdrawal from Afghanistan and in the conversation I mentioned the name of Saddam Hussein.  I got a bunch of blank stares.  Finally one student asked, “Who is Saddam Hussein?”

Keep in mind that the one who asked is a very bright child who is well behaved and has a wonderful personality.  She is the kind you would not mind having as your own.  She is a delight to be around.  And at 13 she had no clue who Saddam Hussein “is”.  No one else in this “gifted” class had any idea either.

You wonder why they like Barak Obama?  You wonder why the same fools keep getting elected to congress?  You wonder why they accept global warming?  You wonder why.....?

I cant’ blame this totally on the schools.  This is the kind of information that should be filled in at home, by parents and family.  This is data that should be clearly presented by the media.  This is a symptom of our culture.

Of course, I anticipate the day when people will ask, “Who is Barak Obama?”

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