Jim,

Being one of the skilless who is now trying to catch up and learn a few
things this topic really hits home. It is very true. Schools should be
teaching more Basic skills - it is important to prepare kids for college -
but it is also important to prepare kids to know how to do things.

When I was in school we thought Woodshop and Metal shop was a joke - boy
were we wrong! Had I taken those courses I would at least have had a head
start on knowing how to do some things. Equally important is techinf kids
something about personal finance and how money works.

This of course isn't just a school issue - the folks that know should be
passing these skills down. My father is a life ling carpenter - and a damn
good one - I couldn't build a thing. He didn't have the patience to teach me
- and to be fair I probably didn't have the patience to learn.

Technology is great - but we rely on it far too much.

I don't know the answrrs but I agree fully - skills, be they sewing,
woodworking, auto body, carpentry, cooking, mechanics, etc. etc. etc. are
very important and some of these things really are a "dying art" (or trade
if you prefer). That is sad - the only cure I can see is to try to get some
of that education for my own son (and learn some on my own even if it's a
bit late to do so).

OK, I'm done - great topic.

--
Thanks,

Jeff
'85 GL (Gertie)
'90 Carat (Grover - the noble parts donor)
'86 (We call this one Scrap)
'78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus