I saw a bumper sticker the other day, “My pug is smarter than your honor student.” I’m not sure how smart the dog is, but it left no doubt in my mind as to the intelligence of the owner.

What kind of distain must this person have toward education? What kind of ignorance must they live in to put down children who are striving to be the best they can be?

In a country of dumbed-down education, where the lowest common denominator rules the rate and level of teaching, it’s a sad commentary where we vilify the more capable kids. Being a jock is held in highest esteem, particularly in some states, but being one of the “smart kids” is a cause for ridicule among some students and parents alike.

When I was a teen, if you were smart (and insecure), you hid your intelligence. Boys didn’t want to date smart girls. Hopefully we’ve gotten over that, although survey after survey still says girls don’t participate as much in the maths and sciences, don’t assert themselves for computer time in the classroom. Hopefully my information is old and behind-times.

I have nothing against dogs. I’ve known some very smart dogs. I’ve known some real dummies as well; kind of like people that way. Maybe we should come up with a bumper sticker that says, “My honor student is smarter than your dog’s owner.” Not particularly witty, but that’ll confuse ‘em for awhile.