"Bad Advice!"

When I was growing up, my Dad said, "Pay attention in school or you will end up digging ditches your whole life"; Dad believed in learning. I've had many teachers in my life; the good ones encouraged me to want to learn more. Those educators believed in seeking knowledge and information. Our founding fathers were educated men, seekers of knowledge and information. If you look up any of our founding fathers quotes, you will see the profound influences of the world's great philosophers. None of these men left their fate to "blissful ignorance". When our country was founded, we had a great ocean to protect us; today that ocean is a pond. Musket balls and cannons were the "weapons of mass destruction"; today we have thermonuclear missiles aimed at us and our allies. At no time in history is an educated America more imperative than it is now. All leaders in America should encourage our youth to be continually involved in the seeking of knowledge and information. We cannot afford a generation walking around in "blissful ignorance" while we have "hungry wolves" at our doors. This is not a time to "relax"! A blind eye or a closed ear won't help us in today's world; ignoring a situation will not make it go away.

Earlier this week, newly appointed Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor, spoke to students at the University of Chicago Law School. This is one of our nation's most prestigious law schools, and in the future it will probably produce judges, senators and possibly a president; these students need good advice. These young men and women should be hearing about the pursuit of knowledge and truth. When someone holds a position like a Supreme Court Justice, they ewild great influence in the use of their wordsl young minds will lend great credibility to those words. Judge Sotomayor told those students to stay away from "information overload" and enjoy their classmates. Students should have a good experience in college; but fun is not the objective. I don't know what "information overload" means; especially for a law student. Does it mean don't learn too much? Does it mean don't listen too much? Does it mean don't read too much? It was said, the Judge was speaking "off the cuff"; I find it interesting because when one speaks off the cuff it reveals truth. What does this truth reveal about Judge Sotomayor? Did she get through law school by paying as little attention as possible? Did she spend more time enjoying her classmates, and less time on Constitutional Law? I don't believe Oliver Wendell Holmes would encourage future lawyers, judges, senators or presidents to not be "too informed".

America needs an informed leadership, and this must start at the collegiate level. These young people will take America forward in the coming trying times. Judge Sotomayor should measure her words, and re-think her views on higher education. Madame Justice, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT!