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High Schooler to Bachmann: Let's Debate History

Teen calls her grasp of civics 'grossly distorted'

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted May 13, 2011 1:49 PM CDT | Updated May 15, 2011 7:49 AM CDT

(Newser) – Concerned that Michele Bachmann’s take on US civics is “factually incorrect, inaccurately applied or grossly distorted,” a New Jersey teen has challenged the Minnesota representative to a debate on US history and the Constitution, the Minnesota Independent reports. “The frequent inability you have shown to accurately and factually present even the most basic information about the United States” inspired the challenge, which pits “my public education against your advanced legal education,” writes high school sophomore Amy Myers in a letter to Bachmann.

Myers also thinks that Bachmann isn't much of a role model. “As one of a handful of women in Congress, you hold a distinct privilege and responsibility to better represent your gender nationally,” she writes. “Though politically expedient, incorrect comments cast a shadow on your person and by unfortunate proxy, both your supporters and detractors alike often generalize this shadow to women as a whole.” Click to read about one of Bachmann's history mistakes. The Stir rounds up other iffy statements.

Rep. Michelle Bachmann, R-Minn. speaks during a We the People candidates forum Saturday, April 30, 2011, in Manchester, N.H.
Rep. Michelle Bachmann, R-Minn. speaks during a We the People candidates forum Saturday, April 30, 2011, in Manchester, N.H.   (AP Photo/Jim Cole)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 70 comments
donaldbarnes
May 15, 2011 5:07 PM CDT
MB, CAN BEAT that man , obama , IN 2012, REGARDLESS OF WHAT SHE SAID OR DIDN'T SAY. PERIOD. 
kthyregod
May 15, 2011 3:16 PM CDT
..., one should not hold one's breath waiting for MB to accept this challenge ...
Naked_Emperor
May 15, 2011 1:58 PM CDT
How is her geography? Maybe she can also let Obama know there are only 50 states in the union. "I've now been in 57 states -- I think one left to go." Or maybe let him know that the "middle east" is a geographical location: "The Middle East is obviously an issue that has plagued the region for centuries." How about her English: "On this Memorial Day, as our nation honors its unbroken line of fallen heroes -- and I see many of them in the audience here today -- our sense of patriotism is particularly strong." She could also tell him that the 'ps' is silent in "corpsman".  It is not pronounced corpse-man.  like he said at the national prayer breakfast. Or industry and commerce.  Maybe she could let him know that fed ex, and ups are PRIVATE companies, while the post office is a government organization. Then, in his push for government run health care reform he would not have said this: "UPS and FedEx are doing just fine, right? It's the Post Office that's always having problems."
 

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