Posted on 10/05/2010 2:50:28 AM PDT by Daisyjane69
Are we raising a generation of nincompoops? And do we have only ourselves to blame? Or are some of these things simply the result of kids growing up with push-button technology in an era when mechanical devices are gradually being replaced by electronics?
Susan Maushart, a mother of three, says her teenage daughter "literally does not know how to use a can opener. Most cans come with pull-tops these days. I see her reaching for a can that requires a can opener, and her shoulders slump and she goes for something else."
Teenagers are so accustomed to either throwing their clothes on the floor or hanging them on hooks that Maushart says her "kids actually struggle with the mechanics of a clothes hanger."
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
Captain Roger Donlon, according to the source url on the picture.
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army. Place and date: Near Nam Dong, Republic of Vietnam, 6 July 1964. Entered service at: Fort Chaffee, Ark. Born: 30 January 1934, Saugerties, N.Y. G.O. No.: 41, 17 December 1964.Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while defending a U.S. military installation against a fierce attack by hostile forces. Capt. Donlon was serving as the commanding officer of the U.S. Army Special Forces Detachment A-726 at Camp Nam Dong when a reinforced Viet Cong battalion suddenly launched a full-scale, predawn attack on the camp. During the violent battle that ensued, lasting 5 hours and resulting in heavy casualties on both sides, Capt. Donlon directed the defense operations in the midst of an enemy barrage of mortar shells, falling grenades, and extremely heavy gunfire. Upon the initial onslaught, he swiftly marshaled his forces and ordered the removal of the needed ammunition from a blazing building. He then dashed through a hail of small arms and exploding hand grenades to abort a breach of the main gate. En route to this position he detected an enemy demolition team of 3 in the proximity of the main gate and quickly annihilated them. Although exposed to the intense grenade attack, he then succeeded in reaching a 60mm mortar position despite sustaining a severe stomach wound as he was within 5 yards of the gun pit. When he discovered that most of the men in this gunpit were also wounded, he completely disregarded his own injury, directed their withdrawal to a location 30 meters away, and again risked his life by remaining behind and covering the movement with the utmost effectiveness. Noticing that his team sergeant was unable to evacuate the gun pit he crawled toward him and, while dragging the fallen soldier out of the gunpit, an enemy mortar exploded and inflicted a wound in Capt. Donlon's left shoulder. Although suffering from multiple wounds, he carried the abandoned 60mm mortar weapon to a new location 30 meters away where he found 3 wounded defenders. After administering first aid and encouragement to these men, he left the weapon with them, headed toward another position, and retrieved a 57mm recoilless rifle. Then with great courage and coolness under fire, he returned to the abandoned gun pit, evacuated ammunition for the 2 weapons, and while crawling and dragging the urgently needed ammunition, received a third wound on his leg by an enemy hand grenade. Despite his critical physical condition, he again crawled 175 meters to an 81mm mortar position and directed firing operations which protected the seriously threatened east sector of the camp. He then moved to an eastern 60mm mortar position and upon determining that the vicious enemy assault had weakened, crawled back to the gun pit with the 60mm mortar, set it up for defensive operations, and turned it over to 2 defenders with minor wounds. Without hesitation, he left this sheltered position, and moved from position to position around the beleaguered perimeter while hurling hand grenades at the enemy and inspiring his men to superhuman effort. As he bravely continued to move around the perimeter, a mortar shell exploded, wounding him in the face and body. As the long awaited daylight brought defeat to the enemy forces and their retreat back to the jungle leaving behind 54 of their dead, many weapons, and grenades, Capt. Donlon immediately reorganized his defenses and administered first aid to the wounded. His dynamic leadership, fortitude, and valiant efforts inspired not only the American personnel but the friendly Vietnamese defenders as well and resulted in the successful defense of the camp. Capt. Donlon's extraordinary heroism, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
Susan Maushart, a mother of three, says her teenage daughter "literally does not know how to use a can opener.Don't worry Susan. Most guys, let alone 'boys', don't know what this is either:
Maybe one of the greatest little inventions since the Paper Clip
Some, perhaps, and yes. I'm sure the grandparents and parents of baby-boomers said the same thing: "My kid doesn't know how to butcher a chicken, build an outhouse, harness a horse and buggy, or change the wick in a latern. I've raised an idiot and it's someone else's fault."
"... was serving as the commanding officer of the U.S. Army Special Forces Detachment A-726 ..."Percentage wise, no other group of men gave their all like the the SF did during that War. And most of MOHs the 'Snake Eaters' were awarded, were -- posthumously.
Telling time on an analog clock is not elementary to me. I have to stop and think, I can’t just glance, I love digital.
I agree with those who place the blame squarely on the parents. How are kids supposed to learn if Mom and Dad are too self-absorbed with their own lives to focus on teaching the kids and instilling discipline in them? Then for this mother, Susan, to mock her kids—its shocking, and a commentary on her own parenting skills. I don’t know when it started but way too many modern parents aren’t really parents—they provide for the kids but don’t teach them anything.
My son is only two, but he “helped” me put the garden in this year. He will help next year, and so on. He is in the kitchen when I can, and in a few years he will understand how to do that as well. I think it is so important that my son knows how to feed himself, that food does not come from a grocery store shelf. Her kid can’t use a can opener? Pathetic.
Water? That stuff that's in the toilet?
I find this article quite encouraging; my intelligent, witty, self-reliant children are going to rule the world. :)
One canning company added an 800# and deleted cooking instructions on canned corn.
The 800# was overwhelmed.
The deleted instructions were along the lines of:
1. Open Can 2. Place contents in saucepan 3. Heat.
Of course, canning, according to one theory, led to the development of the ICBM. Since liberals abhor war, they must abhor the weapons of war - ICBMs, the can, and can opener.
Oh, and the company did replace the canned corn instructions.
But ... but ... but it's got electrolytes!
The baby boomers destroyed the world, and we will all be paying for it for a loooooooooooong time.
What worries me most about kids today is not knowing basic practical skills that they will one day wish they had. Most teens have a car, but how many know how to check the oil or coolant levels? How many will one day own a house but lack the knowledge to fix a water leak, replace a toilet, troubleshoot a power failure or replace a light fixture?
My Daughter’s 19 and has her own car, but she had no idea how to check the oil or or even where the dipstick was until I showed her. I guess she thought the car would simply take care of itself.
He survived all that, and retired in 1985 with birds on his shoulders.
I taught our daughter how to check all the fluids, change a tire, and check all the lights BEFORE she ever got behind the wheel for her first driving lesson. She has no problem getting a little oil or grease on her hands.
Most soft drink and beer cans have pull-tops, but most canned vegetables and other foods don't. Kids who don't know how to use a can opener have seldom done anything in a kitchen, and whose fault is that?
It has been going on for years. And we are now paying the price. A very high price. The downward spiral of America.
Don’t get a polydactyl. We have two kittens. Neither one has figured out the can opener, yet, but it is a little scary to watch the one with thumbs try.
What she needs to do is simply not buy "pop-top" stuff for a while. When the kid gets hungry enough, he or she will learn how to use the can opener.
"All my kids can use a can opener. I think even the dog can use a can opener.
I seriously doubt that your dog can use a can opener....your CAT on the other hand.....can probably both use the can opener and write checks on your account to buy cat food.... :^)
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