When I was in elementary school, every year we had to take day-long assessment tests. I always looked forward to those days, mostly because I wouldn't have to do the regular lessons that I had no interest in -- specifically math & science. Instead, while taking the tests, I would get to do a lot of reading. I set the curve on reading comprehension in my grade. The tests were simple. There was a short story, and then a series of questions about that short story to see if you were comprehending what you were reading. I loved this test. I loved reading stories. I would finish the tests well before the allotted time, and then go back and re-read the articles just for fun...because it was reading! Yay! But every once in a while, I'd come across a more complicated article that would make me question my ability to comprehend. I'd be like -- is my brain not functioning? Why don't I get this? Usually it was because the paragraph was really stupid -- or because it was about science.
I haven't questioned my ability to comprehend since those assessment tests thirty years ago, until I watched Katie Couric interview Sarah Palin. At first I thought my brain wasn't functioning. And then I realized what the problem was -- Palin wasn't talking about science -- so she must be really stupid.
Couldn't we give her the job as the den mother of the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders (The nation's team, and therefore the nation's cheerleaders) instead of putting her in a position where she could be one French manicured fingertip away from pushing the button?
I have a great deal of respect for the people of Alaska -- but they're not known for their schools of higher learning. They're known for their toughness and perseverance. I've spent the last eight years of my life knowing that the guy sitting in the White House was the kid in my fifth grade class who didn't finish the reading comprehension section of the assessment tests in the time allotted. Can't we do better? I guess it doesn't matter...because the sky is falling so no one will ever know how stupid she is...
3 comments:
Oh, Lord, I felt that way too. The conversation (or at least what I saw of it) just did not compute.
FWIW, I'm not sure if she's really stupid -- it's probably that she's just saying what they've told her to say. Which is stupid.
I'm starting to feel sorry for her, she's really trying.
It's McCain that I'm mad at for putting her there so we'd have to watch this happen. It brings us all down, I'd say.
I'd rather see a smart, capable woman saying things I don't agree with, than watch this one go up in flames, or round in circles, as it were.
P.S. Maybe you could have aced those math and science problems too, if you had a role model that made you believe you could.
I need a swift kick...I have watched Palin's interviews over and over ....and still they don't make any sense. Apparently her coaches are telling her that "babble" works - use it!
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