This past week my students and I read the book A Very Important Day that chronicles many New York City families’ trip downtown in a snow storm for their citizenship ceremony. We learned that to become a citizen of the United States that petitioners need to have lived here for five years (legally), speak English (so they don’t run us over on the road), take a test, and pledge an oath of loyalty.
We also spoke how most of us are what a supplemental book we read called Auto-Americans because we were born here or born to American citizens. As such, we do not need to jump through the hoops of learning about the United States. It is assumed we know these things. Perhaps that is an assumption we should not make.
For instance, if one wants to be President of the United States, shouldn’t he be able to pass the test that naturalized citizens are expected to pass? I think that is fair for a basic level litmus test. If the president cannot answer these questions, I think it is fair to say he is deficient in the requisite knowledge to lead the country.
Check out question #97. It states:
Why does the flag have 50 stars?
The answer is, of course, any of the following:
because there is one star for each state
because each star represents a state
because there are 50 states
Contrast those acceptable answers with the answer the presumptive Democrat candidate gave yesterday:
While I was out today my mother sent me a series of e-mails. They went from asking about Trikkes to sending me video. As I poked around, I found some more. I had never heard of these previously. I think I would enjoy this, but am not certain I want one.
This is the advertisement running in North Carolina that is getting all the attention the last couple days? As far as I am concerned, it is much ado about nothing. I don’t think it is particularly effective, but I have no issue with it.
Ah, the joys of living in Boston. I used to love Patriots’ Day (aka Boston Marathon Monday). Boston is on holiday today. One wakes up very early. If you are one of the “good” people, you head out to Hopkinton to start the race. If you are one of the “regular” folks, you begin drinking. We liked Heartbreak Hill, but one year I worked on Boyleston about a block away from the finish line. What a scene!
After the marathon, one heads immediately to Kenmore Square for the Red Sox game. More partying. Good stuff. And if one is still going, he heads into town after the early game to finish off the day.
I will say Patriots’ Day in Boston is unlike any Monday in any other city.
Drew over at Ace of Spades posted the following video. How humiliating.
