In Reply

Craig Barker has a thoughtful response to President Bush's State of the Union address:

"A nation that can do equations, but has no way of communicating effectively its thoughts and ideas, is not a great nation. A nation that can make great strides in medicine, but does not understand the elegance and complexities of its own constitution, is not a great nation. A nation that can ween itself off petroleum through technological innovation, but does not respect and understand its own history and heritage, is not a great nation. If we want to continue to see America as a great nation, we need to make a greater push in the four major areas of secondary education. I'd also like to point out that Advanced Placement is a registered trademark of the College Board and one which they have, in the past, vigorously defended. Merely raising the level at which many of America's basic math and science classes are taught at the secondary level will achieve many of the same goals you have set forth in your address tonight."

Craig makes other good points, as well. It must come from being one of the know-it-alls mentioned here.