Sunday, November 23, 2008

Responsible citizenship

The Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) has designed a civics quiz that is a good measure of one's overall grasp of our nation's history, as well as of a few basic economic concepts. Unsurprisingly, but sad nonetheless, elected officials had a collective average of 44%. Unelected citizens did slightly better, with a 49% average.

Here is a paraphrased sample question: What was the subject debated by Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln during their campaign for Illinois Senate? Don't google it! As Brad Hamilton said to Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times At Ridgemont High, regarding the observance of the No shoes, no shirt, no service policy at the fast food place where Hamilton worked, "Learn it, know it, live it".

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Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent

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