What books should be required reading in schools?

Just a little something to help brain wash the young minds

{Just a little something to help brain wash the young minds}

I am really glad you wrote that! It reveals your thinking.

You consider that book "brainwashing" of young minds. OK, let's take a look at the contents; do you know ANYTHING about the book?

It is just a collection of fables, classical stories, arranged by theme. Let's see the FIRST four themes:

Chapter 1: Self-Discipline

2: Compassion

3: Responsibility

4: Friendship

First story in Chapter 1 is by Robert Louis Stevenson. Others by Longfellow, James Baldwin, Taylor and plenty by Aesop.

YOU made the assertion above in quotes. Now defend it. Explain it. Tell me how these stories "brainwash" children.

YOU MADE THE ASSERTION, DEFEND IT!

Well lets see anything that you recommend has got to be bad for young minds I see just how twisted yours is and how you want to destroy all that you fear or are ignorant of. That is unless your not the guy that has gone to other sites and recruited others to come here and troll this site. An we both know you are. Does that make you feel like a Big Man ?

You asserted the book would be used to "brainwash" children. You summarily declared a book was bad for children. I am asking you to explain it. Not use that request as some kind of platform to attack me, but to explain your assertion.

as I said why do you lie as you do? what do you have to fear from telling the truth? Oh thats right they would remove you from the site and you just hate to be told your not welcome any place. We see who you are and what your motive is.

Time to go fishing B'uh By ..!.

Bitter..... why ? I know u did not post to me, but your tongue is sharp; depressing
to read people argue like dis.

I don't like it when people put on false fronts and stalk others. Thats just what some here are doing. Others just like to run around and belittle others and degrade them and say Oh no that wasn't me. People like that are of the lowest morals.

I don't think anyone would like that. We all know there is stalkin' and false fronts,
socks/puppets, all this here at Current. And that is depressing too.

So okey, u can b e bitter and sharp, now I know why. Still sad though.

I will used that book for toilet paper. (LOL)

{lack of compassion for others.}

All, the liberal trope, "lack of compassion" of others, inferring that LEFT-WINGERS have this "compassion," of course.

"Think this right-wing politician would back a bill making books that extol the joys of a Democratic/Progressive philosophy in our schools mandatory?"

Not if he is a lover of liberty and believes in our Founding principles, of course.

Wong as always, Mishima. But hey, at least you're consistent.

No, there are many educators and lovers of liberty who can see that Obummer's Core Curriculum is an expansion of federal power and destructive to our education.

"What is the best selling book of all time?"

Isn't it the Bible?

Best-selling does not equate with "good". Fairy tales like the Bible always sell well,but would you want Grimm to be required reading in high school?

Hatred closes the mind.

Yes it is. Harold Bloom wrote a great book called the Closing of the American Mind about the lack of uniform knowledge and common reference points of his incoming students over 40 years. Two of the things he specifically talked about were Shakespeare and the Bible. Neither is being read and referenced anymore.

Speaking from personal experience there with your own hatred and phobias?

Invalid. You know to what I was referring. Stop the games.

{Harold Bloom wrote a great book called the Closing of the American Mind about the lack of uniform knowledge and common reference points of his incoming students over 40 years.}

This is refreshing to read! One of my FAVORITE books. I read it twice. I would read only a couple of pages at a time because each one had so much on which one could reflect. Brilliant man, that Bloom.

Two things really struck me with that book. One was the absurdity of "relativity." The fact that it is logically impossible to be "morally relative," as Left-wingers sometimes claim to be. The other was how, unless one has a grounding in something, one has severe problems understanding much of anything - and that is what is happening with students today.

But I liked Bloom's unabashed statements about Western Civilization, and his conclusions stem from the two points above. Yes, Western Civilization is the best civilization.

I know that there is much more to his book than that, and what a masterpiece. I plan to read it yet again. I met a man whose brother said he read it 22 times!

Sounds like a heavy book........not in weight.......in content. lol

Yes, it is. I would often stop reading after a page or two because the ideas really required some time to consider and to process. It was one of those that changed my mind about things or resulted in my seeing things from a different perspective. The one I especially liked was that "relativism" is actually an impossibility. This is important, for example, when certain types of people say that values are "relative." It is not possible, and they are mouthing platitudes, babbling bafflegab. That is part of the reason for the title: Those kinds of "ideas" were CLOSING the minds of young Americans.

One more thing about what I wrote. In that context, it then makes sense why these claims that we need to present young people with alternate views, or get them to "think" is nonsense. That comes later, after they get a solid grounding. This is especially true in mathematics. This "discovery" method and such are really harming our young people in schools.

Hatred closes the mind

You show it everyday here

"Bafflegab?" I'm cognizant of the rest of your interesting post on the book, but what
is that strange word I've never heard?

I would think than just more than math......... and as for it 'coming later', yes... that I
agree with.

No, but I will now. Thank thee for the ref.

Totally ! U unpredictable brat..........tak, I luv it and yoo know it.
This contraption is better than I thought. Can't thank you enough for all this info and
helpin' me acclimate in the world of scholars !

Now I must go explore........
One stupid question........ what is the picture connected with a word on the dictionary, like
"kotka' ?

I do not know. I just put the www link on the post, and the series of photos came up. Thought you would like that one. We were just chatting about how much cats sleep.....

When I was a kid, I sent away for an exercise book from a comic advertisement. They showed lions and cats, stretching. Said it was "dynamic tension" that kept them so strong, and that THEIR program (of course) incorporated this method (blah, blah, blah send us money).

Yes, I loved that one ! Interesting about the stretching/tension info of big cats/
feline sylvestris < haha, albeit all in all it was so nice of you to tell me all this.

Bloom is a sexist, racist old fart who demands that the Canon of English Literature contain only the very poor writings of old white males. Even Your Goddess Rand would not fit in the Cannon nor would Bill Bennitt (sp). Until the English Canon is aggrandized to include amazing writers like Lady Mary Wroth, Toni Morrison, etc. will we have some piece of reading material that will speak to each of us instead of a bunch of old drivel from dead old white men.

Bloom is absolutely brilliant, and actually translated Greek classics into English. Many of the universities across the country use his translations.

You listed a couple of author: One has produced almost nothing, and the other is a political hack, a radical. The only reason you put them there is for some kind of "politically correct" mindless balance. Bloom bases his decisions upon true quality, not silly "proper repesentations" of special groups.

"My Godess" Rand? I have not even read her. That proves how much you have been brainwashed into parroting the Left-winger radical rant.

Because most of the English departments in the USA are populated by old white male farts. You describe nothing that is acceptable in a modern world. I'm not about to list every author who should be read, but I decry using Bloom just because he can translate Latin and Greek. I can do that, too; but I wouldn't presume to think that all of my writings are worth the solid gold of one so noble as Bloom. After all, he has a penis.

Long live the radical left. Perhaps you would prefer the new Newsvine, Mishima, where the population is more to your taste now. This is Current. We are liberal. Deal with it.

His translation of Greek is only one example of his superior scholarship, and it is not the sole reason that Bloom is to be respected as one of the brilliant scholars of the last few decades, of course.

The Literature Departments of our universities are run by Left-wingers. Male or female, little difference.

However, you seem quite obsessed with being "inclusive." (I really get a laugh at those politically correct, mindless and meaningless words.) The overriding imperative is that a minimum % of women get included. You did not mention other special groups, however. It seem that your misandry is blinding you to the Leftist directive to be "all-inclusive." LOL

I do not know about "Newsvine," but I will look into it, especially that a radical Left-winger has mocked it.

P.S. I'd never "hit" a little microphone; I might 'click' on it........
just like the sweet yellow tabby kitten. I wouldn't hit it......hee-hee.

The only way I could click on the kitten is to use a klik-a-tat toy.....one
right by his widdo ear. click-clack, click-clack

Say Culdee....... you said you 'love dogs.' What about checking out this book?

My cousin likes big dogs. Her Rotweiler died, so she wanted BIGGER. She got a Mastiff. The males can weigh 300 pounds. Hers is a female, only about 200 pounds.

I love Mastiffs. Long ago, a friend of mine had one. She didn't need to get
anyone to watch her kids on the front porch while she made a quick run to the
grocery store nearby.
She just sat her pet/friend Mastiff out on the porch with the kids..... all wuz
well when she returned.

I would laugh........ the dog was huge, but to people he knew, he was a
246 pound teddy bear. LOL

Yes, the Mastiff is a real wimp. But when I take him for walks, people on the street actually stop to look or even back off it I walk near. A number of times I simply said to come close, she is a "cream puff." It was obvious people wanted to get a close look and pet the monster. One guy actually stopped his truck, backed up, opened the window and said, "Now that's a dog!"

They can look intimidating.

And I just thought of a down-side to that size of 'Now, that's a dog'.......
if that guy had a Mastiff, he'd have to use a front end loader to clean off his
yard.....or take one with him down the street. HAHAHA

Yes. I enjoy that dog - because my cousin takes care of her. They drool a lot, too. I don't want to think about the food bill....

Seems the selectively bred, large breed dogs, such as St. Bernards, English
bulldogs, Sharpei , Bloodhounds, etc., drool. yukkage The flappage in the
jowls.
One would assume they could selectively breed OUT that feature, but maybe
they can't. Ya, de food bill..... whoo-ee !
Sharpei aren't particularly huge canines, but all those wrinkles....baths all de
time or they reek from having all the loose folds in the skin collect the odor.

Glad tho that your cuz takes care of her Mastiff and that you enjoy it !

I want to get a Shepherd. In a bit over two years when we get our own house. Now - apartment living... No place for a dog.

Good thinkin'........ true....'apartment living no place for dogga'.
Shepherds be good choice.... they're wonderful canines.
Do u plan to get this dog from a adoption place, a breeder, or what?

I've always wanted to adopt a retired racing greyhoud....... went to a GPA exhibition at
the Waukesha Expo once and was entranced.

Now, I can see that possibility would've been squelched, what with a neighbor I
nicknamed 'Shady Gestapo Lady' cuz she's always spyin' and hates animals of any
type.

She's killed domestic and city critters by live-trapping, poisoning and the like.
When she 'live-trapped', she'd take the animal away herself, somewhere to dispose
of it in her own diabolical way.
Live-trapping is against City Ordinance. Did she get cited? Nope. She used to
be a principal of a school in Chicago, IL. Then later,here in So. Milwaukee, I
say, " Big deal "

She's called the City ( and cops) on me when she noticed I live with several cats.
She's also called for me 'feeding animals' such as birds and squirrels.

Wot a world, eh? Now, I'm under the thumb of the City of Louse Milwaukee,
whereas before, they didn't know I existed except at tax time. heh
The Health Department inspects at least once a year, supposedly having to
give the 'condemned" 24 hour notice, but in a small 'berg' like this, they don't
follow their own regulations.

Sorry, all these are meant for Culdee... the two I posted that indicate I refer to myself.
LOL

Same for this one........ in another webpage, the subject being an animated feature about
a dog, boy, and the Adam/Eve theory, you posted the same, "I love dogs." Maybe you weren't on this string, but look, come now and check it out. You might this book.
Then again, reading might not be your forte'......... I'm not sure as I don't know you.

Yes, you are right. There is so much excellent classical literature.

Domo arrigato, and yes, there certainly are !

Oh !- Forgot:

LOVE SAVES THE DAY - Gwen Cooper / non-fiction

Gwen Cooper 's 'Love Saves the Day', told with tenderness, insight, and humor. celebrates
the ability of animals to make us all better humans.

Another:

(Praise for Gwen Cooper's 'Homer's Odessey', a wonderful tale for animal lovers).

Did you read "Class" by Fussell? I laughed out loud through it. I think his analysis of class in America does not apply as it did when he wrote it, but at the time, it was "spot on!"

Yeah, at the time, I suppose. In part, it was rather gooney. But it did show a
structure of where and why people are where and why they are.

I liked the question to ask: How does one know what a person's class is?

I have found that most people refuse to even venture a guess at that.

Yeah, I guess most people would. I know I didn't wanna reveal that. Recall?

Yes, I remember you were willing to discuss it. I appreciated it!

He might creep over.......bot he doesn't like discussing 'books' becuz he loves
political forums.

Invite him personally.....we had to do dat with The Love of the Printed Word in a
Digital Era........

"NOW, concerning the characteristics of which mention is made above, I have spoken of the more important ones, the others I wish to discuss briefly under this generality, that the prince must consider, as has been in part said before, how to avoid those things which will make him hated or contemptible; and as often as he shall have succeeded he will have fulfilled his part, and he need not fear any danger in other reproaches."

"It makes him hated above all things, as I have said, to be rapacious, and to be a violator of the property and women of his subjects, from both of which he must abstain. And when neither their property nor honour is touched, the majority of men live content, and he has only to contend with the ambition of a few, whom he can curb with ease in many ways."

Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince

{He might creep over.......bot he doesn't like discussing 'books' becuz he loves
political forums.}

I saw another thread in which the posters actually claimed that they were "discussing books."

They were not. They were just putting up titles, and the ensuing "discussion" generally consisted of:

"I liked the book."

"The author is awesome."

"Great book"

"Everyone should read this."

That was about it, so what is the point? At least on this thread, people are claiming that they are "discussing" books; they are just putting up titles.

Excellent! I remember that passage from The Prince quite well. The Left-wingers should heed those warnings.....

Some are just puttin' up titles. Me for one, but there are others. sheesh

I meant on the other thread. Please read my posts if you choose to respond. Thanks.

Okey. Thanks.

That "leftist" you despise, who's currently residing in the White House, has a far better grasp of Machiavellian statesmanship than most people give him credit.

Probably. And as a means to power.

I do not really "despise" Obummer. He is a reflection of what has happened to this country.

With a guy like Ronald Reagan as one of his political heroes, what's there not to love?

No, Obummer does not like Reagan, of course. That is Left-winger deceit to claim so. Obummer knows the venerable Ronald Reagan is the most beloved president in the minds of the people, so the present con-artist president will try to associate himself with Reagan to the extent he can without enraging the Left-wingers too much.

I call it right winger deceit. You know, the kind of deceit which involves conning us "leftists" into believing he's actually liberal.

He is a reflection of what has happened to this country.

Yes because we see through the lies that the right wing nuts have said

I wish I had discovered Chalmers Johnson about 10 years earlier than I did.

But isn't it funny how so many books pertaining to individual freedom seem to be on the list of "required" reading?

Something ironic about it which makes me snicker. Guess I should be happy that Guy Montag isn't being called in to burn them all.

Somehow, I don't see the banks wanting that kind of material being taught to our children. Probably why kids are being encouraged to watch TV.

Ooooo good one . That one would be subversive .

That one sounds goot, Marsha. Wot is it about?

There is no conspiracy.

The Creature From Jeckyll Island, by G. Edward Griffin might change your mind on that subject.

(hint: it involved "leftists")

I know about the book. I wouldn't waste my time. I am in control of my own life and only people who like the victim role would accept these silly theories.

You mean like modern liberals trying to brainwash our kids?

It's a great book. The author's name is John Perkins.

Left-wingers operate directly in the universities, directly trying to inculcate our students into Left-wingerism myths and anti-Americanism. And indirectly at the elementary and secondary schools - Indirectly in that those who would be teachers are brainwashed into believing the revisionist texts in American history and literature, and the Left-winger nonsensical and destructive "methods" in education.

In the latter case, if one gets students straight out of high school into the education programs, it is easier to brainwash them in colleges. But if one gets others, like ex-soldiers (look up Troops to Teachers, for example), it is harder to get them to join the Borgian "Mind-Meld" of the Left.

This is why the unions fight for what they do, why the associations have resisted alternatives to certification (don't want people who have not been properly indoctrinated teaching), and homeschooling.

But you don't believe in conspiracy theories, right?

Interesting how you just free associate in relation to my posts.

No conspiracy. Never said that there is one. I have told you about SIX times already: It is the Left-winger culture. It is not some kind of organized and planned-out method to which LEFT-WINGERS adhere. Rather, it is passed on in the LIBERAL culture, a kind of mindset, general belief system.

For example, Left-wingers all know the general parameters of Political Correctness, and they know how they are SUPPOSED to think about certain things. But there is no Presidium, no troika that sends out ukases to its cells to instruct the Leftist henchmen and sycophants. There was more of that during the Progressive era when the Leftists took their marching orders directly from Moscow. But that culture has permeated into the universities today and is passed on in the Left-winger culture, just like general habits and beliefs are passed on in any culture.

For example, Left-winger professors KNOW to give their students books by Howard Zinn to read, and they continue to do this even though Zinn has been discredited by historians and scholars.

Right wing looneys are doing the exact same thing, except that they do it on Fox News.