George Washington or Britney Spears

You enjoy all the freedoms and prosperity that life in the United States has to offer, but why won't you stop reading about Britney Spears or watching news coverage of Anna Nicole Smith long enough to ponder the men and women who made America possible?

"Huh? Did you say something?"

We are obsessed (if that's not too strong a word - I don't want to offend anyone by preaching) with pop culture. Top Internet search terms recently: Anna Nicole Smith, Britney Spears, Poker, Pamela Anderson, and so forth. It's pretty much a merry-go-round of celebrities and pop icons on any given week or month. Oh, and TV ratings and movies -- they tell pretty much the same story. And sports. Can't forget sports. Yup, we love to be entertained. Nothing wrong with that per se, but am I the only one (or one of the only ones) to see that maybe - just maybe - we've gotten a few things out of balance?

"Hey man, pass the beer. What was that you were saying again about sports?"

There was a time when Americans actually cared - I mean, really cared - about their history. There was a time when the story of George Washington crossing the Delaware to attack the Hessians at Trenton inspired some folks. There was a time where it meant something that George Washington faced down a potential military coup in Newark, New York and saved the Republic from becoming a military dictatorship after the American Revolution. People used to care that George Washington refused to become king or dictator and that he voluntarily walked away from power. Not once, mind you. He did it twice - once after the war and once again after his presidency. But, not now. We don't have time for George Washington. We want to know about sex, money, sports, and entertainment.

"Did someone say 'sex'?"

I realize that there are enough people out there who care about history to make David McCullough and Doris Kearns Goodwin bestselling authors. There are enough to make The History Channel a viable entity. I understand that. But they are a niche in our overall culture. Out of a population in the US of 300 million people, we're talking only a few million who really, truly care about their history.

History is more (or it least it should be more) than just a hobby. It's a story. It's the story of how we got where we are today - and why. It's a story that should help us see our way into a better future. Instead, people would rather just go about their lives being "fat, dumb, and happy." Oh, sorry, I guess I'm preaching again. (Can't help it, since I am a preacher).

"Are you saying I look fat in this?"

Anyway, it SEEMS that people are apathetic toward the things that matter - that they care more about things that really don't matter. Is that a nicer way to put it? I haven't offended anyone yet, have I? Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe it's not a big deal that people go nuts (and I'm not overstating it) over WWE Smackdown TV specials (is it just me or is wrestling scripted?) but kind of go "ho-hum" about history. Maybe it's not a big deal that, according to a recent Department of Education study, nearly 60% of high school students performed at or below the minimally "basic" standard of knowledge for US history. Maybe that's not a big deal, but...

"Hey man, look at that! Britney Spears shaved her head, dude!"

In a culture that would rather go to Graceland than Mount Vernon, I know I'm fighting a losing battle. But, I love my country. And when I say I love my country, I don't mean that in a superficial "apple pie, mom and the flag" way. I love my country enough to want to LEARN about it - to study it - to marvel at it. And that means learning about and honoring heroes of my country's history, like George Washington.

"Dude, you done? If you could move now, the game's on. Oh, while you're up, get me a beer!"