In the article "What's Our Sputnik?" by Thomas Friedman, I absolutely agree with his point of view on the Middle East. He points out to us that," If they're not ready to take the lead, to speak out and fight the madness in their midst, for the future of their own societis, there is no way we can succeed." He is absolutely correct. Just think about our stance in Vietnam. It can have a direct correlation between the conflict in the Middle East with its constant embattlement with the Taliban and other insurgents.
While in Vietnam, we were supporting the democratic government of South Vietnam. In the end, the democracy failed and the civil war was a failure. The United States spent a lot of money and lost 58,000 soldiers, while many others were mamed. At the pull out of our men, the south fell and the communist government ruled.
It leads to the question, "If they were not willing to fight against a communist rule as strongly as we were, were they ever really ready?"
This same question is present today in Afghanistan. I am in support of our soldiers and will never cease to be. My nephews are serving in Afghanistan, but could our money be better spent on the education of our children?
We are in great need of a new Sputnik! What will it be? Will it be moving forward to colonizing the moon? Landing on Mars? Creating alternate energy sources? Finding ways to preserve endangered species? There are so many new endeavours that need to be explored by our children. We need to find a new challenge that forces the investment in science education. Our students should not have materials that are weak at best. We need to find the money to invest in out children!
Friedman, Thomas. (2010). New York Times, Week 8, January 17, 2010.
I agree with you 100%. Where do you think we can get funding from to help improve science education in the United States?
ReplyDeleteWe live in a captalistic society. Why not ask some of the major corporations that are searching for STEM grads and struggling to fill those positions to invest in STEM programs.
DeleteI think the government needs to clean up its act. It's very disconcerting to see how opposing views are stopping-up the white house. Shame on us for letting our personal situations get in the way of the good of our country!
ReplyDeleteWe need to take care of things 'at home' before we loose all credibility with our 'promotional' spending. If we don't have it, then don't loan/give it out. We do need to take back America while there still is an America.
I am speaking in general terms.
Joyce,
DeleteYou make a very good point. We are borrowing from China and others, yet we keep handing that money over to those that do not have it. If we invest in our own, we may not have to borrow from our global competitors.
Theresa,
DeleteLove the pix of you and family!
Do you think America needs a "Sputnik" to get STEM presence going?
Yes Joyce, I do! I think that as we have shutdown the shuttle program, and we have cut the budget for space exploration, we need to adopt our next Sputnik! I say adopt, because we already have a Sputnik.
DeleteSimply look at Apple and its manufacturing being in other countries. Apple would love to have its product made here, but we do not have the trained persons able to complete the job. How can we continue to outsource jobs that fall into the STEM line-up? We talk the talk, it is time to walk the walk!