Idaho bill would require students to read 'Atlas Shrugged'

[Esmeralda]

I've never read the book but enjoyed watching the movie. The movie based on the book was rather well made I think. In an entertaining bit of casting Armin Shimerman, who played a Ferengi bartender in the TV show Star Trek Deep Space Nine, had a part in the movie. Ferengis were a race of creatures whose society appears to have been based on Ayn Rand's philosophy. He also appears briefly in the movie's trailer.
Atlas Shrugged Trailer - YouTube

There's an earlier black and white movie with Gary Cooper. I'd speculate that it is probably much better than the new one simply because most older movies are, those made in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Most modern Hollywood movies go over the top with really stupid effects and inept screen plays. In the Golden Age of Hollywood, they used real writers to write the screenplays and the directors were often true artists as were the actors. Just my opinion, of course. I won't go out of my way to seen the new Atlas Shrugged as I've experienced far too many disappointments with modern Hollywood movies that are supposed to be so great when they fall far short.

 

[Esmeralda]

Kids in the U.S. are required to read the fictional novel, "The Diary of Anne Frank" in order to prepare them for rule by AIPAC and the ZOG

They are not all required to read it. Individual schools determine what the curriculum is for any subject. In English classes, individual schools and teachers choose what the kids read. It isn't dictated by the school district or the State. Teachers choose the Diary of Anne Frank because it teaches about WWII and the Holocaust, it teaches about the human spirit, about comraderie and courage, and it is a coming of age novel. It isn't a one idea novel and it isn't any kind of indoctrination of a specific ideology.

 

[BlueGin]

Idaho bill would require students to read 'Atlas Shrugged'



In a symbolic move to teach “personal responsibility,” an Idaho lawmaker has proposed requiring every high school student in the state to read Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged.”

State Sen. John Goedde introduced legislation on Tuesday that would require Idaho secondary students to read and pass an examination on the iconic 1957 novel touted by conservatives like Rep. Paul Ryan and Rush Limbaugh.

The lawmaker, though, says the bill is meant more as a statement than an actual proposed policy. Goedde, in a statement to FoxNews.com, said media outlets have thus far “totally missed the point” of the bill — he described the bill as a protest to a state Board of Education decision to roll back online class requirements.

“Traditionally in Idaho, the State Board of Education sets graduation requirements in rule,” Goedde wrote in an email Thursday. “They recently repealed a rule dealing with online class requirements and failed to move another rule forward dealing with administrators demonstrating proficiency in evaluating teachers. I felt both were important and wanted to remind them that the legislature could also set graduation standards.”


Read more: Idaho bill would require students to read 'Atlas Shrugged' | Fox News

I don't think schools should be teaching literature as a way of forcing students to think in a certain way. A novel should be taught to open up ideas for thought and consideration and students allowed to think independently about the work's themes.

I read Atlas Shrugged on my own when I was a teenager. I read it because I'd seen the movie on television, and I thought it was a good story. No one forced me to agree with the themes or ideas in the novel, and I grew up to be a liberal democrat who does believe in personal responsibility but who also believes that there will always be a need to work together and help those in need. I don't apply Ayn Rand's philosophy to my life: she is an extremist, and I don't apply any extremist philosophies to my life.

I don't think the bill is meant to require schools to make kids "think" a certain way. Seeing as the state senator stated it was mostly a symbolic gesture...I think he mostly just wanted to get the conversation started about requiring more from the kids,rather than less when It comes to school requirements.

 

[Skull Pilot]

You mean it has to compete with "Heather Has Two Mommies"?

Why do you hate the gays?

Why do you hate libertarians?

 

[editec]

Idaho bill would require students to read 'Atlas Shrugged'



In a symbolic move to teach “personal responsibility,” an Idaho lawmaker has proposed requiring every high school student in the state to read Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged.”

State Sen. John Goedde introduced legislation on Tuesday that would require Idaho secondary students to read and pass an examination on the iconic 1957 novel touted by conservatives like Rep. Paul Ryan and Rush Limbaugh.

The lawmaker, though, says the bill is meant more as a statement than an actual proposed policy. Goedde, in a statement to FoxNews.com, said media outlets have thus far “totally missed the point” of the bill — he described the bill as a protest to a state Board of Education decision to roll back online class requirements.

“Traditionally in Idaho, the State Board of Education sets graduation requirements in rule,” Goedde wrote in an email Thursday. “They recently repealed a rule dealing with online class requirements and failed to move another rule forward dealing with administrators demonstrating proficiency in evaluating teachers. I felt both were important and wanted to remind them that the legislature could also set graduation standards.”


Read more: Idaho bill would require students to read 'Atlas Shrugged' | Fox News

I don't think schools should be teaching literature as a way of forcing students to think in a certain way. A novel should be taught to open up ideas for thought and consideration and students allowed to think independently about the work's themes.

I read Atlas Shrugged on my own when I was a teenager. I read it because I'd seen the movie on television, and I thought it was a good story. No one forced me to agree with the themes or ideas in the novel, and I grew up to be a liberal democrat who does believe in personal responsibility but who also believes that there will always be a need to work together and help those in need. I don't apply Ayn Rand's philosophy to my life: she is an extremist, and I don't apply any extremist philosophies to my life.

I don't think the bill is meant to require schools to make kids "think" a certain way. Seeing as the state senator stated it was mostly a symbolic gesture...I think he mostly just wanted to get the conversation started about requiring more from the kids,rather than less when It comes to school requirements.

Atlas Shrugged is wholly unsuited to assignment for HS kids.

First because it is far too dense to get through for most kids. Secondly, it is not a very example of good literature OR polical science, either.

Now I read this book nearly 50 years ago and, believe it or not, I really enjoyed it.

It does a swell job of describing a particular (abeit somewhat bizarre) world view about the point of even having society and the economic system it uses.

But there's no way I would even consider assigning this book to the average HS student.

This book is suited to AP social science students but to do it fairly it would take at least a semester to cover it.

Frankly the book and its anti-social ideas aren't worth that much effort.

 

[Skull Pilot]

If you want kids to read a book about rugged individualism and egoism, MOBY DICK is a far better choice.

That book recounts what happens when a Randian (Cptn. Ahab) is in charge of his society (the Pequod).

And how'd that work out for the crew on the Pequod?

I preferred White Fang and Call of the Wild.

 

[Truthmatters]

read it on my own as a teen.

Thought it was a badly written and was silly clap trap.

one of the most over rated writers in the world

 

[editec]

If you want kids to read a book about rugged individualism and egoism, MOBY DICK is a far better choice.

That book recounts what happens when a Randian (Cptn. Ahab) is in charge of his society (the Pequod).

And how'd that work out for the crew on the Pequod?

I preferred White Fang and Call of the Wild.

Written by a socialist, ya know?

Great books though I agree.

 

[Sunni Man]

read it on my own as a teen.

Thought it was a badly written and was silly clap trap.

Actually TM, your reading of Cliff Notes isn't the same as reading the book...........

 

[Truthmatters]

sunni you are one very boring poster

 

[Sunni Man]

sunni you are one very boring poster

Ouch!! that cut to the bone TM........

 

[Esmeralda]

read it on my own as a teen.

Thought it was a badly written and was silly clap trap.

one of the most over rated writers in the world

She is not a great writer by any means, and most literary people do not see her as such. She is essentially a philosopher, and a second rate one at best.

 

[BlueGin]

I don't think schools should be teaching literature as a way of forcing students to think in a certain way. A novel should be taught to open up ideas for thought and consideration and students allowed to think independently about the work's themes.

I read Atlas Shrugged on my own when I was a teenager. I read it because I'd seen the movie on television, and I thought it was a good story. No one forced me to agree with the themes or ideas in the novel, and I grew up to be a liberal democrat who does believe in personal responsibility but who also believes that there will always be a need to work together and help those in need. I don't apply Ayn Rand's philosophy to my life: she is an extremist, and I don't apply any extremist philosophies to my life.

I don't think the bill is meant to require schools to make kids "think" a certain way. Seeing as the state senator stated it was mostly a symbolic gesture...I think he mostly just wanted to get the conversation started about requiring more from the kids,rather than less when It comes to school requirements.

Atlas Shrugged is wholly unsuited to assignment for HS kids.

First because it is far too dense to get through for most kids. Secondly, it is not a very example of good literature OR polical science, either.

Now I read this book nearly 50 years ago and, believe it or not, I really enjoyed it.

It does a swell job of describing a particular (abeit somewhat bizarre) world view about the point of even having society and the economic system it uses.

But there's no way I would even consider assigning this book to the average HS student.

This book is suited to AP social science students but to do it fairly it would take at least a semester to cover it.

Frankly the book and its anti-social ideas aren't worth that much effort.

I don't agree. Like I said earlier...one of my kids was already assigned to read an Ayn Rand book. What difference does it make which one they choose.

Anyway...since you feel so strongly...if your kid was required to read this book,who you write a letter of protest to the teacher or school?

 

[Katzndogz]

A school put a book on a required reading list! How awful. Don't they know better?

 

[AmyNation]

I read atlas shrugged when I was a teenager, I was a big fan. Of course, I grew up and realized its more a book for angst ridden teenagers, much like twilight. I don't see a problem with requiring it, as long as the state doesn't attempt to curb or influence the discussion about it.

 

[konradv]

I found the book quite boring..

I agree. Aren't we having enough trouble keeping kids awake in school?

 

[konradv]

Kind of like that they are promoting making kids think. They could even offer a left leaning book to the curriculum to balance things out if they wanted. Anything that will teach them something of value instead of letting them skate by on mediocrity.

That's true, but 'Atlas Shrugged' is mediocre. It's fame is from politics, not from literary merit.

If schools were looking for a right wing book which has literary value, I'd go with 'Fahrenheit 451', 'Manchurian Candidate' or even 'All The Kings Men'.

None are so overtly right wing, granted, but they are all books young Republicans might enjoy.

I agree. If they have to have a Rand book, "The Fountainhead" would be a much better choice.

 

[Truthmatters]

all her stuff is card board charactors and drama crap

 

[Skull Pilot]

all her stuff is card board charactors and drama crap

So you have read everything she has ever written?

 

[Pogo]

I've never read the book but enjoyed watching the movie. The movie based on the book was rather well made I think. In an entertaining bit of casting Armin Shimerman, who played a Ferengi bartender in the TV show Star Trek Deep Space Nine, had a part in the movie. Ferengis were a race of creatures whose society appears to have been based on Ayn Rand's philosophy. He also appears briefly in the movie's trailer.
Atlas Shrugged Trailer - YouTube

I think you're right. That never occurred to me before.
No wonder they're so silly.