I was taught in the sixth grade that we had a standing army of just over a hundred thousand men and that the generals had nothing to say about what was done in Washington. I was taught to be proud of that and to pity Europe for having more than a million men under arms and spending all their money on airplanes and tanks. I simply never unlearned junior civics. I still believe in it. I got a very good grade.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The author still believes in the simplified civic lessons learned in sixth grade about the military and government structure.
- In plain terms
- He holds onto the idealized view of his country and military he was taught as a child.
- What can you take from it?
- Early lessons can shape lifelong beliefs regardless of reality.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What did you learn in school that you still believe?
- How does your idealism compare to reality?
Another view
Simplified views may not hold up against complex geopolitical realities.
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