The Daily Riff - BE SMARTER. ABOUT EDUCATION.

Today is the first time I have heard of the Dreyfuss Initiative and I am thrilled. When I was in the 8th grade everyone in our school district was required to pass a "Constitution Test", or he didn't pass the 8th grade. I thought everyone in the country was required to do this. Now I find out that we were unique. We had to memorize the Preamble to the Constitution and the first two paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence, plus have an understanding the Constitution, the amendments, how laws were made, the three branches of government and their responsibilities, the Cabinet, names and responsibilities and a basic knowledge of American History. This should be basic to any education of anyone living in this country. Here, here Mr. Dreyfuss. How can I help0?

Charlene

Richard Dreyfuss paid a visit at my school last year and it was a disaster:

http://cwmemory.com/2009/11/17/the-richard-dreyfuss-show/

http://cwmemory.com/2009/06/04/do-you-want-richard-dreyfuss-teaching-your-kids/

THE DREYFUSS INITIATIVE - FORUM ON AMERICA’S CIVIC CRISIS SET FOR JANUARY 17, 2011

A national forum on the deepening crisis in our civic culture will be held on January 17. The forum will be simulcast from the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC and the Kroc Center for Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego starting at 1:00 p.m. EST.

It’s Time for a Talk; The National Conversation on Revitalizing America's Civic Culture

http://www.timeforatalk.org/ brings together leaders from across the political spectrum to review the current civics crisis and the loss of decorum and civility in our public processes.

“When those who serve our nation, and citizens participating in open public processes, are gunned down we have to take action”, stated Richard Dreyfuss, Academy Award winning actor and President of The Dreyfuss Initiative. “The January 17 forum will review a crisis that was years in the making and seek solutions for moving America back from the brink.”

The panel will include John Fund [WSJ], Bob Edgar [President, Common Cause], Roy Romer [Former Governor & School Superintendent], Admiral Bruce Boland [ret], Frank Luntz [Pollster], Rick Shenkman [VoteIQ], and Diane Ravitch [commentator].

Richard Dreyfuss will make opening remarks. Scot Faulkner [former CAO of the House of Representatives] will moderate the event.

For more information visit: http://www.timeforatalk.org/

Coverage of the event and media availability of panelists before and after the event should be arranged with:

San Diego: Eva M. Stimson, EMS MC, Inc.,

828/832-8297, 858/864-8536 (mobile), emsmarketing1@cox.net

Washington, DC: Scot Faulkner, Executive Director, The Dreyfuss Initiative

304-535-2757, 703-598-5548 (mobile), smf53@aol.com

I couldn't have explained the topic better myself.

Well said Tcat... we must each raise our game not by demonizing others who have differing opinions or perspectives, but by better ennunciating our own opinions and perspectives such that they find resonance with others OR they ellicit constructive feedback that helps us refine or rework our own opinions and perspectives...