From: brian@quake.sylmar.ca.us (Brian K. Yoder)
Subject: Re: Earth Train arrives in Washington
Organization: Quake Public Access
Date: Sat, 3 Oct 1992 12:50:52 GMT

In article <1992Oct2.000125.13381@samba.oit.unc.edu> Nigel.Allen@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Nigel Allen) writes:

>   Event I:   Washington welcomes world youth leaders at
>              Union Station Arrival Ceremony

I have to again say that calling these kids "leaders" is quite dishonest.
Whom do they lead?  What special qualifications do they have to deserve this
title?  I know plenty of "youth leaders" who think that environmentalism is
nonsense.  Are there any such "leaders" on the train?  According to what
special expertise do these children claim to have a better understanding
of environmental "problems" than their peers or adults?

>   Event II: Earth Trainers present National Youth Agenda to
>             Congress.  American youth feel presidential candidates
>             are not addressing the social and environmental issues
>             they rank as the nation's most significant concerns.

And on what basis have american youths chosen to have these "leaders"
speak on their behalf?  

>   Details:
>   More than 150 of the world's most accomplished youth leaders --

Just what "accomplishments" have these "leaders" made?

>from the U.S., Britain, Canada, Croatia, Russia, Brazil, and 10 other
>nations -- will be arriving, via the Earth Train, in Washington, on
>Friday, Oct. 2.  Earth Train is one of the largest and most
>significant international youth programs of the decade.  

Significant in terms of what?  Size?  Impact?  This sounds like more
pretentious vacuous nonsense.

>Created by
>the people behind Hands Across America/USA for Africa, Earth Train is
>mobilizing outstanding youth leaders around the globe to work
>together for positive social and environmental change in the next
>century and to inspire thousands of their peers to action.

When I was in school, I always had contempt for these "leaders" that adult
radicals tried to pose as role models for us.  Do you think that american
youths are so naive that they can't see the hollowness of your claims?

>   Throughout their journey across the U.S., Earth Trainers have
>already conducted youth action forums and town meetings in Los
>Angeles, San Francisco/Oakland, Denver, and are on their way to
>Chicago and New York.  During these sessions, Earth Trainers teach
>other youths leadership skills -- bridging gaps between inner city
>and suburban youths, blacks and whites -- and discussing problems and
>answers to issues such as crime, drugs, racism, education and family
>values from the youth perspective.  

What is a "youth perspective"?  Is such a perspective different than an
adult perspective?  Is such a perspective likely to be better or worse
than the adult one?  Do you think that kids have the knowledge and 
experience necessary to deal with these problems effectively?

>At forums, youths will personally
>pledge how they're going to work for a better tomorrow beginning
>today.

Not like all those other kids who are planning a life of death and 
destruction huh?  All those kids studying chemistry out there are 
working for a worse tomorrow, right?

--Brian

Newsgroups: soc.culture.usa