Teach Your Children Well

[kpete]

Friday, February 25, 2011

Teach Your Children Well

I taught school for 2,000 years and I'm here to tell you we are doing a poor job of creating a knowledgeable, discerning citizenry. How the hell else can we explain what's going on out here today? Would a knowledgeable, discerning citizen have voted for Governor Hosni Walker in Wisconsin? Would knowlegable, discerning citizens continually elect presidents, senators, and representatives who prop up thuggish dictators, ignore decades of human rights abuse, then feign moral outrage when the peasants revolt. Our children only know what we teach them, so let's commit ourselves to getting the truth out.

Wisconsin has created what teachers call a "teachable moment". Let's use this as an opportunity to teach our kids more labor history; we can begin with the Haymarket Massacre and the Pullman Strike which led to the establishment of Labor Day. I doubt if Governor Walker has any idea what working people have gone through to establish a decent, dignified life for all Americans. Perhaps he wouldn't care either way, but there are many who would reconsider their positions if they were more aware of the labor movement's contributions to our lives.

Maybe this is even an opportune time to create a movement to rename Labor Day. Let's call it "Labor Union Day" instead. This is a far more accurate designation and better represents the intent of the holiday. Our kids would gain a deeper understanding of history and men like Governor Walker and the Tea Party faithful would be forced to properly acknowledge the positive role labor unions have played in our lives. I can hear it now. "Hey Jim, come on over on Labor Union Day. We're going to grill a few steaks, knock back a few brewskis, and pay tribute to the union men and women who built this country." Of course, Rush, Glen, Bill, Sean, Sarah, and crew will shit but that's just a bonus. Anyway, artists always say it best so here are the words of singer/songwriter, Tom Paxton. Click the link to hear it sung by the great Pete Seeger.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VucczIg98Gw


What Did You Learn in School Today? Words and Music by Tom Paxton
What did you learn in school today,
Dear little boy of mine?
What did you learn in school today,
Dear little boy of mine?
I learned that Washington never told a lie.
I learned that soldiers seldom die.
I learned that everybody's free.
And that's what the teacher said to me.
That's what I learned in school today.
That's what I learned in school.
What did you learn in school today,
Dear little boy of mine?
What did you learn in school today,
Dear little boy of mine?
I learned that policemen are my friends.
I learned that justice never ends.
I learned that murderers die for their crimes.
Even if we make a mistake sometimes.
That's what I learned in school today.
That's what I learned in school.
What did you learn in school today,
Dear little boy of mine?
What did you learn in school today,
Dear little boy of mine?
I learned our government must be strong.
It's always right and never wrong.
Our leaders are the finest men.
And we elect them again and again.
That's what I learned in school today.
That's what I learned in school.
What did you learn in school today,
Dear little boy of mine?
What did you learn in school today,
Dear little boy of mine?
I learned that war is not so bad.
I learned of the great ones we have had.
We fought in Germany and in France.
And some day I might get my chance.
That's what I learned in school today.
That's what I learned in school.

TEACHABLE MOMENT!!!
more: http://thebookofcletis.blogspot.com/

[midnight]

1. Thanks for the link to the song....