Bush has a BA in history!?

[The Duke]

I didn't know Bush's BA was in history.  That's surprising.

He should use it...

[Beet]

You know a BA in History at Yale means "All I did at Yale was party and networking"

[J. J.]

Oh, just what we need, someone nattering on about trivial aspects of history [/self mocking sarcasm].

[Sam Spade]

You know a BA in History at Yale means "All I did at Yale was party and networking"

Actually, this is probably one of the most intelligent ways to spend college at Yale.

(note to Q)

[J-Mann]

I've found my history degree to be incredibly useful in the most surprising of ways -- from understanding why a current political matter may be unfolding in a certain way, to starting a conversation with just about anyone.  Of course, you can't make a living off of just starting conversations with people, so history was only my second degree.  Still, I find it to be my most valuable in terms of practicality.

And yes, I agree that President Bush would be wise to consult his history books once in a while, searching for those historical "repeats."

"'There was a nation in the world,' they said, 'which, at its own expense, with its own labour, and at its own risk, waged wars for the liberty of others. And this was performed, not merely for contiguous states, or near neighbors, or for countries that made parts of the same continent; but they even crossed the seas for the purpose, that no unlawful power should subsist on the face of the whole earth; but that justice, right, and law should every where have sovereign sway. By one sentence, pronounced by a herald, all the cities of Greece and Asia had been set at liberty. To have conceived hopes of this, argued a daring spirit; to have carried it into effect, was a proof of the most consummate bravery and good fortune.'"
-- Livy

Sound familiar? Oddly reminiscent of the way that the Iraqis were supposed to have spoken of the United States after our liberation of their country. This passage refers to Titus Quinctius Flamininus' declaration of Greek freedom at the Isthmian Games at Corinth in 196 BC. Given their "freedom", the Greeks were overjoyed, then confused, as "Greek freedom" depended on the maintenance of peace through Roman arrangements.  Before  long, much animosity between the two cultures developed, with the Greeks always craving that true freedom that the Romans didn't trust them to have.

If only we would study history, we could avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.

[The Duke]

I'm not making fun of people with history degrees, I will have a history degree in six months myself (and a Political Science degree).  I'm just surprised that Bush has a history degree.  I expected something like business.  He doesn't act like a history guy.

J-Mann,

I definitely agree that a history degree is increidbly useful in udnerstanding the world.

Hawkeye,

You're so full of its not even funny, dude.  You're so not an administration insider.  At least I hope not, that would portend some bad things.

[afleitch]

I have a BA in History and politics. I'm smarter than the President...

[PBrunsel]

I have a BA in History and politics. I'm smarter than the President...

I would wager a good deal of people are, so don't feel special.

[Gabu]

I have a BA in History and politics. I'm smarter than the President...

I would wager a good deal of people are, so don't feel special.

ZING

[afleitch]

I have a BA in History and politics. I'm smarter than the President...

I would wager a good deal of people are, so don't feel special.

I know, I was kidding

[12th Doctor]

Personally, I find that the two best degrees to go for in college are History and Politcal Science, esspecially are sure about going grad school.  You can take up almost and Masters program with either of those two.

[J-Mann]

Personally, I find that the two best degrees to go for in college are History and Politcal Science, esspecially are sure about going grad school.  You can take up almost and Masters program with either of those two.

I'd agree -- those are the two that I have, and so do many people on the forum.  They're not only beneficial in what you learn in the course of actually studying both history and political science, but they are gateway studies that can help you jump into almost anything.

[MasterJedi]

Interesting.....

[Beet]

You know a BA in History at Yale means "All I did at Yale was party and networking"

Actually, this is probably one of the most intelligent ways to spend college at Yale.

(note to Q)

That is true. I didn't mean to denigrate history, I'm obviously very interested in it myself, but something tells me a guy like Bush doesn't go to Yale to focus on his formal studies.

[Q]

You know a BA in History at Yale means "All I did at Yale was party and networking"

Actually, this is probably one of the most intelligent ways to spend college at Yale.

(note to Q)

Haha, thanks Sam.  The networking I'm working on.  The partying not so much.

And to thefactor: One of my majors will most likely be History as well, and I can tell you that it is no party.  One long paper-writing party, perhaps.

[J. J.]

I have a BA in History and politics. I'm smarter than the President...

I would wager a good deal of people are, so don't feel special.

You know, I never thought that being able to beat me in Trivial Pursuit was a qualification for being President of the United States.

[PBrunsel]

I have a BA in History and politics. I'm smarter than the President...

I would wager a good deal of people are, so don't feel special.

You know, I never thought that being able to beat me in Trivial Pursuit was a qualification for being President of the United States.

What, every one knows to be a sucessfull President, you have to be smart. Look at Mr. Brains Carter and his amazing Presidency.

[Max Power]

Are you sure that's not a BS?

[Q]

Are you sure that's not a BS?

What's that about?

I guess Ivy league schools are prestigous because they just let their students party their way to a degree.

Yes, of course.  That's the reason.  EXAM-REVIEW PARTY!!!

[Max Power]

Are you sure that's not a BS?

What's that about?

BS, as in bullshit, or, in other words, a poor attempt at a joke aimed at Bush's BA.

[phk]

I thought his major was something like business.

[J. J.]

I thought his major was something like business.

I believe he has an MBA.