Scary, Study shows more people know 'The Simpsons' than First Amendment rights

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Study shows more people know 'The Simpsons' than First Amendment rights

CHICAGO

Most Americans know less about the First Amendment than they do about Homer Simpson.
A poll by the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum finds more than one-in-five Americans can name all five members of "The Simpsons" family. But only one-in-a-thousand people could name all five First Amendment freedoms.

The amendment guarantees freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and petition for redress of grievances.

Only one in four Americans can name more than one of those freedoms. But more than half can name at least two of the cartoon family members.

The director of exhibitions at the Chicago museum devoted to the First Amendment says he's surprised by the results. He says, "We have our job cut out for us" when the museum opens in April.

The phone survey of a-thousand adults last month also found that about one-in-five people think the Constitution protects the right to own a pet.

http://www.ktre.com/Global/story.asp?S=4566658&nav=2FH5
 
heard about that on wbbm this morning

the petition bit slipped my mind :(

Homer
Marge
Bart
Lisa
Maggie :cool:

it's not that surprising, though...and in fact not as bad as it seems. most of those people probably watch the show at least a couple times a month if not weekly. when was the last time anyone here actually read the text of the first amendment more than a couple times a month?
 
Yup, I too missed the petition for redress part in my mental runthrough. But I also forgot about Maggie. That petition part might have been the influencing factor. It doesn't get talked about nearly as much as the others.
 
Whats first?

Sad to say, but we need to throw the tv's out in the street. Most kids aren't studying their rights at all. It should required classes in Elementary School before the glands kick in. If you read the Declaration of Independence, it almost tells you what is going on right now. We have come full circle. Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.
 
Then again, how many first amendment sitcoms make you laugh every night at 10pm? People spend how much of their lives in a history classroom studying the first amendment, as compared to watching tv? What did you expect?:cool:
 
This situation isn't about to get better any time soon.
The public school system at least in my neck of the woods is a terrible place to learn about rights and economics. Just two of the most basic and vital components of our society.
The name of the game seems to be roll over, blend in, contribute as little as possible, and live for that Costco card.:(
Oh the humanity!
Want a terrifying experience...visit a junior high or high school.
Garbage in ...garbage out!:(

"IS" our children learning?:eek:

Rimrock
 
Yea, great idea

They have theme episodes of the Simpsons, why not a funny episode with a constitutional theme? Like the characters dressed up in 18th century garb? A humorous way to pound the simple concepts into the brains of the simplest dopes. It would surely win awards and be praised in the media. Second amendment-"Homer, be careful with that musket, it might be loaded!" BANG! "d-oh!, sorry Bart!" I guess ya gotta dumb things down nowadays.
 
Study shows more people know 'The Simpsons' than First Amendment rights

After reading some of the stuff on the net your surprised at that?

Most of the worlds troubles would dissapear if folks would tune off the net and TV and open up a book

WildoldstyleAlaska
 
what about the people that think the 2nd amend. pertains to them by saying "right to bear arms." Having no clue that thats just half of it...the first half is about states militia. Now, indiana constitution says each person has the right to bear arms. All I'm trying to say is you've got people that think they know but have no idea of the US constitution.
 
I was never taught the text of the constitution nor of its amendments in any grade in school.

My guess is I'm not alone in that respect.

A lot of people watch the Simpsons regularly.

So there's no real surprise here.

In the constitution and local, state, and federal law, there's a lot to know. Ask yourself the question what is most important in daily life? Probably the law itself. If you go around acting lawfully, it's unlikely you'll be arrested or bothered. If you go around acting constitutionally, you'll probably run into trouble pretty quickly these days.

There's a hell of a lot to know in that area.

So I'm not too surpised to see that knowing the constitution is given low priority by most.
 
Hmmm, I have to admit that I forgot the third Amendment, but I know the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th. The 3rd Amendment is rarely discussed, so I'd imagine most people don't know it.

I do enjoy the Simpson's. It's one of the few shows I watch. It's one of the few shows I find entertaining. I don't watch TV much, heck I don't even have cable!:eek:
 
"The true Simpsons fans will know what this means."

Funny, but urban legend perpetuated by a single episode hosted by Troy McClure... You may remember him from such...

"I hid it in a safe place, Marge - I mean, what are the odds the boy would look in the vegetable crisper?"
 
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