I was surprised at the number of people that didn't know Osama Bin Laden was trained and supplied by our own Govt. during the russian-afghan war.
2006-08-15 01:26:03 · 11 answers · asked by Fiesty Redhead 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
Yes they do but it is in the governments best interest to keep them uninformed ...how can you control people who ask questions ..?
Americans are far from alone in the world, but from the perspective of many young Americans, we might as well be. Most young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 demonstrate a limited understanding of the world, and they place insufficient importance on the basic geographic skills that might enhance their knowledge.
Young Americans answer about half (54 percent) of all the survey questions correctly. But by and large, majorities of young adults fail at a range of questions testing their basic geographic literacy.
Only 37% of young Americans can find Iraq on a map—though U.S. troops have been there since 2003.
6 in 10 young Americans don't speak a foreign language fluently.
20% of young Americans think Sudan is in Asia. (It's the largest country in Africa.)
48% of young Americans believe the majority population in India is Muslim. (It's Hindu—by a landslide.)
Half of young Americans can't find New York on a map.
These results suggest that young people in the United States—the most recent graduates of our educational system—are unprepared for an increasingly global future. Far too many lack even the most basic skills for navigating the international economy or understanding the relationships among people and places that provide critical context for world events.
About the Survey
The findings presented are the results of a face-to-face survey conducted from December 17, 2005, to January 20, 2006, by Roper Public Affairs and Media, a part of GfK NOP.
Keep asking the questions babe ...hugs
2006-08-15 01:48:50 · answer #1 · answered by Bearable 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
That is because he wasn't. While it is true that we supplied Mu ja Hadeen forces in Afghanistan during the eighties, the United States did not deal directly with Bin Laden.
I do believe it would be good if Americans would take the time to get more informed. There are definite advantages to having an educated and thoughtful populace. However, I also support people's rights to be as clueless as they choose to be. That is until they start posting information that is completely false in nature. At that point it becomes propaganda. Propaganda is always bad no matter where it comes from.
2006-08-15 08:34:54 · answer #2 · answered by Bryan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think a lot of Americans are well informed but I've definitly met a lot who are completely unaware of what's happening. Saddam was also well supplied and supported by the US. In fact, Rumsfeld (the military genius) went to Bagdad to meet Saddam in the eighties as a sign of support.
The american media (not just fox) is probably the worst of the western world though so I suppose its not surprising.
2006-08-15 08:34:46 · answer #3 · answered by softenthecorners101 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The general public does not find is necessary to go out and seek this information out. This is where the media is supposed to come into play as an unbiased, up-to-the-minute newsource. And once upon a time, it was. With news companies merging into multi-national corporations, it is harder to find news that is relevant and doesn't take a stand on the issues. This is why people need to seek out the news and find the issues that really matter today.
2006-08-15 08:46:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Most of the US population are ignorant. I think this is from the fact they don't venture outside the US, only around 25% of the population has a passport, it makes a very perverted view of the outside world and as a result they believe what ever they are told.....or not told as the case may be.
2006-08-15 10:25:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Informed? I actually met someone that thought New Hampshire was suburb of Boston of course she was California so that might explain it but still jeshhh. And you think "they" would know about Osama? Most folks only care if effects their wallet/pocket book or their travel plans.
2006-08-15 08:34:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know this fact, and I am American. So did you mean to say "How many Americans need to be informed?", since your generalization seems to imply we are all in the dark about our history.
2006-08-15 08:34:47 · answer #7 · answered by B R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Today's news.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060815/od_nm/life_poll_dc
2006-08-15 11:08:55 · answer #8 · answered by GJ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well i didn't even know either but i think we have the right to know whats going on in this world dont you
2006-08-15 08:34:03 · answer #9 · answered by rhapmaster 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. A disturbing amount of people in America are very ignorant.
2006-08-15 08:31:52 · answer #10 · answered by Vengeful_Hippie (AM) 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋