The Three Stooges

It has been said many times that in order to thoroughly enjoy the comedy of the The Three Stooges you must be a man. Boy, do I disagree because their slapstick has always been one of my personal favorites!

I added a random clip because choosing my favorite would have been impossible.Not only are they my best remedy for the blues but such a glimpse into a time which I never experienced. References to Nazis and the Depression, make me feel like I am in a time capsule. Shining shoes in order to eat or waiting in job lines are scenes that today’s youth should see.

If I were to choose the single biggest danger to our society today it would be that our youth has very little knowledge of our nation’s history. The saying, “Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it.” is absolutely applicable.

I cannot blame the schools entirely for the absence of historical knowledge. Although I do blame them. History class and Geography class became social studies, and since, today’s youth have little idea about where we came from OR where we are in the world.

I remember my parents and grandparents telling stories about their lives. If anyone thinks that life used to be simple and carefree, then they must have had social studies. How many people today?:

• mend their clothes because buying new ones is not an option and have to make those clothes last to be handed down to siblings.
• really don’t know where their next meal is coming from.
• have discrimination for their sex, race and lifestyle the over baring reality in each day, all day.
• have to stand in LONG lines for sugar, butter or gasoline.
• own only one pair of shoes.
• butcher their own meat.
• have their prosperity for the whole year count upon the weather and crops.

I’m sure my mother could add many better examples because forgetting the past is something each generation experiences to their own degree. THAT is exactly why American History must play as large a role in our education as Math and English (which from the grammar these days, I assume is no longer being taught.)

Instead of being ridiculously opposed to your kids seeing slapstick and learning to “hit”, I think they might do better to have a glimpse of another time and learn to ask questions.