"I don't know that trial," accompanied by a blank look.

[Skidmore]

Seriously, folks, people are really ignorant. I'm enrolled in a paralegal studies certification program at a nearby college. Well, yesterday, before my Civil Litigations class was to begin, a group of us were sitting around with the instructer chatting about trials local and national. A couple of people were talking about the Anna Nicole Smith litigation. I mentioned that I was interested in opinions on the Valentine's day shenigans of the Libby jury and was wondering what that meant to the case. Several people looked my direction and one asked, "What trial?"

I repeat, "The Scooter Libby trial."

They all look at one another, seeking some sort of clue. Then the woman says, "I don't know that trial."

I valiantly try to offer additional clues, so I lob out the name of Valerie Plame. More blank looks.

The instructor meets my eyes and smiles and nods because I had sent him the firedoglake URL back when so he could check in on the blogging. He doesn't say a word. And I didn't either. It was time to start the lecture.

[John Q. Citizen]

1. They say ignorance is bliss. (and war is peace) n/t

[nuxvomica]

2. !

:wow: Every once in a while I read something like this that tells me things are worse than I thought. This is a paralegal course?!

[Skidmore]

5. It is bad.

During the Orientation course last fall, I was amazed to see how many of the younger people had no clue about the structure of our government or how laws were made.

Yesterday evening's little exchange was absolutely amazing since the woman that made the statement was a little closer to me in age and not fresh out of high school. I probably have about 10-15 years on her, but she's old enough to have lived a little and picked up a paper or two.

[Atman]

7. My 21 yo and his girlfriend are totally clueless.

They know Bush is an asshole and that we're "at war," but otherwise they couldn't name a single headline of the day. Most kids just don't pay attention to news unless they're getting it online, and then that's usually specialized "news" (like gaming or something) instead of general information. We only had newspapers and Uncle Walter when I was a teenager, and I couldn't get enough news. Now kids have more information at their fingertips than ever before, yet they seem more ignorant than ever.

.

[nuxvomica]

8. I make a point at work of discussing political news with a coworker

He's as politically aware as I am but the others aren't, though they are in earshot of the discussion and will often ask questions, like: who is my senator? and Do both houses of Congress have to pass a bill to make it law? One of the more curious is a young woman who was born and raised in China. We have a lot of discussions about the differences between the two political systems.
Our schools and/or media have not done a good job, generally, about teaching civics and the sad thing is, it's not only important information but with a little exposure folks can find it pretty damn interesting.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

10. Umm... instructer? shenigans? spellcheck?

[zbdent]

3. But, you ask "Who is Paula Jones?"

and you get probably 98 percent correct answer rate ...

It's sick, how the least significant attack on this country is so well known, and an actual TREASON trial is swept under cover and nobody knows anything ...

oh, by the "LIBERAL MEDIA!!!"

[ellacott]

4. They and also tell you everything about Anna Nicole and Brittany

It's a shame

[zbdent]

6. Or who is in American Idol

It's the Roman Colosseum all over again ... we're getting gladiator fights to take our minds off the fact that our country is going to hell ...

[ms liberty]

9. I'm in my last full semester in a paralegal program...

and I'm seeing similar things in many of my classes. It's very disheartening to know that so many people are so uninformed! I can keep up with American Idol, 24, Heroes, Studio 60, Duke basketball, my dogs, my family, my housework...AND still make the time for keeping up with the important issues of the day. I know I'm better informed than many people because of DU, but the complete lack of knowledge is just appalling!