Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - foreign affairs cramming

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foreign affairs cramming

I could use your help. Barb and I are looking for a nice educational Christmas gift for our boy. Something to help him cram before next month. Not that we're worried. Our boy has always been a quick study. Bright boy. But we need some flash cards to help him brush up on foreign affairs. Names of the countries. A nice quick way of telling friends from enemies. Canada-smiley face; Cambodia-frowny face. You know. We tried putting little grenade pictures on some of the "bad" countries on our globe, but he got confused. We don't want him to think that means to bomb them right now. Little frownies better. Smiley/frowny/smiley/frowny. He'll pick right up on it in no time. You'll see. Anybody ready to make us some custom flash cards in time for the holidays? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

you're scaring me, george...

GeorgeSr: I am on the floor rolling in laughter. Thanks!

Hey George Sr: How about a Game "boy" Would that work?

It is scary when you contemplate that our next president thinks nothing of driving to Paris and that he will now need to appoint an ambassador to New Mexico. When I was a lad, I had a board game that was great for learning the names and locations of foreign cities. Game equipment consisted of 1. A map of the world that was marked in color with the names of nations and cities. 2. A timer 3. A spinner that pointed to letters. 4. A liberal supply of tooth picks used for marking the cities by sticking them in the map. The objective was to mark as many city names as possible that started with a given letter in the allotted time. To start, the first player would thump the spinner. When the spinner came to rest on a letter, the timer started, and the player had to mark as many cities possible within the time limit. For example, if the spinner pointed to B, then the player would hunt for Berlin, Bangkok, Birmingham, etc. The objective was to mark as many cities as possible within the time allowed. Now the game requires literacy, and the adults participating have to let the kids win or they become discouraged. However, in some cases the kids have to let the adults win! So George and Barbara, take it easy on him.

Let's hope this won't ring true, but....

Are you Serious? Why in the world would you want to prejudice the mind of your "bright boy?" Why not let him make his own opinions about foreign affairs, instead of impress yours on him? The biggest problem with hate is not that it destroys, but that it cannot be destroyed. Especially when passed from generation to generation, and is purely based on assumptions, and other's prejudices. I agree with the above posting, focus on the geographical aspects of our world, and let your son discern for himself what he should believe about foreign policy. By the way, I wounder what America would get. Of course, WE would give it the biggest "smiley." But would Iraq? Would Cambodia? Then, dear Fodderite, who is right?

Does Mr./Ms.What? get this?

Obviously not, Eek. Tell me, what am I missing?

Okay, everyone... my apologies... as I sent the last post, I caught the name on the original post... okay, everyone.. laugh at me!!! Sorry, but being a victim of hate myself, sometimes its hard not to get off my soap box... consider me formally humbled... lol By the way, now that I "get it" I got a chuckle out of it, too. Now excuse me while I go beat my head against the wall... and then change my posting name... :)

TO: What ([email protected]) Bravo. It takes a person to own up to making a mistake. You did it with graciousness and humor.

Dear Mimi, See, you weren't the only one.

Dear "What", I agree with Santa Chiara! I'm glad you enjoy it now. If it had NOT been a joke, your comments would've been absolutely right and necessary.

Aaaw, thanks, guys :)

I thought your initial post quite appropriate either way, poster-that-used-to-be-known-as-What... Thanks for the chuckles! Perhaps "bright boy" can figure it all out with alot of help from his friends and the aforementioned flash cards.

How's your kid managing with his lessons?