Why Are People Surprised That Savings Bonds Beat Stocks Over the Past 12+ Years?

I’ve noticed an array of articles exclaiming that savings bonds, including both the Series EE savings bonds and the Series I savings bonds, beat stocks over the past ten or fifteen years.  Nearly every time I make my way into one of these essays or news stories, I just shake my head because the surprise displayed by the men and women penning these pieces indicate a complete lack of competence.  Those of you who have any experience managing money or with history immediately know my objective: No asset class, per se, is sacrosanct.  What matters is the price you pay for the asset relative to how much underlying cash it generates.