Harold H. Horstmann
Lohman
Dear Editor:
Kudos to the NT for publishing the Aug. 3 commentary: "The age of dumb" by Bradley R. Gitz.
Quotes from the article: "Whatever else we can say about the state of American politics, it is almost certainly safe to say it's never been dumber;" "So if we're already terribly dumb, how much dumber will we become when we stop teaching grammar and algebra and drop Churchill and Lincoln (and presumably Washington, Jefferson and Madison as well) down the memory hole?"
To emphasize the point of how dumb we have become, there can be no better example than the following: "1912 Eighth Grade Examination for Bullitt County (Kentucky) Schools" (www.bullittcountyhistory.com/bchistory/schoolexam1912.html). I recommend everyone take this test, it will amaze you!
A quote from the website: "Bullitt County Schools were mostly one-room schools in those days, scattered around the rural county. Students came together at the county courthouse once or twice a year to take this 'Common Exam.' It was apparently a big deal. The local newspaper urged students to do well, even urging seventh graders that it was not too early to start preparing. Some scholarships were provided to those who passed to go on to high school, which was also a big deal back then. In those days, high school was sometimes another county away and a rare thing for many farm children to be able to otherwise attend." This is the education who we call the "Greatest Generation" was fortunate to experience.
I doubt if there is any high school or college students who could pass this! Of course the "woke" crowd will argue; why do you need to know this stuff, we have computers to search for answers. That's great but where does one learn logic, reason and wisdom from history? This is what's totally devoid of any discourse in our current culture.
Where do we go from here? First, allow our children to return to school! Then vote out any and all politicians who are taking contributions from any teachers union! Then wherever possible eliminate any influence by any teachers union and/or the U.S. Department of Education to force any curriculum on local schools. Then work to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education which is a pawn of lobbyists who have no interest in the future and well-being of our children!
God Save America!