Do kids still read 'Animal Farm' & '1984'?

[Philosoraptor]

When I was in jr. high, we were required to read '1984' and 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell. I was profoundly moved by '1984', and I realized even though it was written in 1948, it made me paranoid for most of my life. I always figured it was a great book for young people to read as a warning to us from our immediate elders, 'beware, lest this become your world'.

Are they still teaching this book to modern students? Should they be? Is it relevant? Are there real lessons and warnings in this book? Is it too far fetched? Could any of it happen here? Has it already?

I have watched much of it become fact with alarm, and sometimes I'm convinced that bushco has used it as a manual to achieve the exact same outcome. The similarities are frightening. bush is always reminding us of 'the lessons of September the eleventh', but I'm always remembering the lessons of the Nazis, the fascists, and the sombre lessons of George Orwell's '1984'.

I love Big Brother, and don't let anyone tell you different.