George Walker Bush must be commended for his contributions in American education. His international policy shows commitment to enlightening young minds by setting foreign lands ablaze.
The evidence is clear. A team of three teenagers demonstrated American hegemony by defeating 18 countries in the 2003 National Geographic World Championship. The team claimed victory by answering "Bahrain" to the final question. Without American troops committed to the Middle East, it is unlikely that the contestants from North Dakota, North Carolina and Tennessee could have correctly identified the small Persian Gulf nation.
As Dallas Simmons of Nashville said after his team's win, "If you're interested in it, you remember it."
The consequences of touting peace over education are grim: Germany and France came in second and third place. It is truly unfortunate to see the countries of Bismarck and Napolean reduce themselves to the Coalition of the Unwilling and lose the coveted geography championship.
In this great nation, the location of cities like Basra no longer need to be taught in the classroom. Mr. President, I appreciate what you are doing. However, I would like to offer the following advice:
Stop this trend of negotiation in North Korea. Though your generation remembers the last war, high school students see it merely as a page in history texts. What if next year's competition hinges on the identification of a Southeast Asian country? Think of the children and commit to conflict.
As for Liberia, continue to ignore it. Memories of Bill Clinton's actions in Somalia are still fresh in our youth's memories, especially with movies like "Black Hawk Down." We can safely leave Africa to its own devices for another decade.
Domestic issues? Forget about them. The Geographic World Championship's rules do not allow contestants to be asked questions about their home country.
Try heating up the war on drugs instead. Our knowledge of South America is getting rusty.
At this time of great need, all Americans must rally around our president. Remember: without armed conflict, most Americans would never be exposed to foreign cultures.
Write to Danny at dfgawlowski@bsu.edu
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