Posted on 11/24/2004 9:01:22 PM PST by JustaCowgirl
CBN News) – WASHINGTON – About half of high school students lack a basic knowledge of American history according to a 2001 Education Department study.
That education gap is driving the nation's second lady to pass on the country's historical record to the next generation.
CBN News sat down for an exclusive interview with Lynne Cheney to discuss her latest campaign. Lynne Cheney kicks off the holidays by topping the national Christmas tree. But the passion of the nation's second lady is American history, and her desire to inspire young patriots through revolutionary tales.
Cheney's just-released children's book is her third, When Washington Crossed the Delaware. It recounts America's struggle for independence on a cold Christmas night in 1776.
"We were losing the war, you know," Cheney said. "The British had pushed us clear out of New York, all the way across New Jersey. We fled across the Delaware River. The men had no shoes. They had no winter clothes. And Washington, under those circumstances, did a pretty bold thing. He decided to attack."
"We won the battle at Trenton against the Hessians, and then he decided to go on and attack the British again at Princeton. It was remarkable, but he changed the course of history and lifted the spirits of everyone."
Cheney says century-old stories have relevance for today's children. "The story of our nation is made up of stories of so many widely varied localities across the country. So, if everyone would take the children in the family over the holiday weekend to a historical site nearby, it would do a great deal to raise the level of historical awareness."
And she draws parallels from the founding fathers to the current Commander-in-Chief. "I think it's important for all of us to understand that freedom isn't inevitable,” said Cheney, “that in the beginning it had to be fought for. And we're still defending it today as we watch brave men and women fight in Afghanistan and Iraq."
The book's closing words speak of Washington and his men: "Standing with the country in a time of crisis, fighting on when conflict was hard."
Cheney was asked, when she penned those words, was she thinking of America today and the war on terror?
"Well, sure, that always lingers in mind. But I was also thinking of what amazing lessons these are to hold out to children -- that you don't quit when things are hard. You keep going even when it is tough to keep going ... And sometimes, the sweetest victories come about because you took on such a tall mountain to climb -- you accomplish a hard task."
Cheney recently had the task of hitting the campaign trail with the vice president. Across the country, she heard parents' concerns about the coarsening of culture, and critics’ complaints about all that is wrong with America.
"There's a lot of negative cast thrown at our country,” said Cheney, “the Michael Moore films, for example, and I found myself worrying, during the course of the campaign, that this would have an impact -- that people would really believe this is not a great nation. But you know, the American people are incredibly smart, and it was very heartening to see so many reject that way of thinking."
"There's also just a remarkable faith in the greatness of America, and in our ability to overcome in the challenges we face now -- for example, in the war on terror. There is a great pride that exists everywhere in being American -- a great realization of how lucky we are to live at this particular moment in history."
Cheney's own history with the vice president dates back to Casper, Wyoming, when Dick Cheney was just 14.
"I've known him,” said Cheney, “since he was building power lines across the West to pay his way through college."
But his recent hospital visit set off a powder keg of concerns. CBN News commented to Cheney that, "There are some critics who came out and said at that point that your husband should step down because of health reasons."
Cheney replied, “Oh really?”
And when asked what she would say to those people about her husband's health now, she responded, “I would say he had a cold, and he's doing very well. Thank you for asking."
The vice president appeared in good spirits at the White House when he attended the President's pardon of "Giblet," the Thanksgiving turkey. That was not an event likely to be repeated this year among the Cheney clan.
Mrs. Cheney was also asked about whether this Thanksgiving was special to her in any way.
"I think when we have people fighting for our country, there's a special prayer we need to all say to protect those brave men and women ... to see forward to the cause they're fighting for. It's not just Americans on the one side and someone else on the other side. We really do represent freedom to millions of people around the world. And the success of those fighting men and women will have consequence for millions of people beyond our shores -- as well as for us, because they're making us safer."
President Bush has requested $100 million to promote the study of American history through a government program called "We, the People." For more information on that program, contact the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Order your copy of When Washington Crossed the Delaware by Lynne Cheney.
Those that fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat the history of those failures.
This is a tactic of the left; those that control history also control the future.
Parents, for the love of your children; keep them OUT of goobermint skrewls.
The fundamental lack of education that now exists in our schools is troubling. One thing that's especially troubling is the total lack of knowledge of history and government, especially American History and Government, that junior high and high school students have.
Government schools are populated by leftists whose goal is to make sure when a complete fraud like John Edwards or John Kerry spew outrageous lies, people don't have the historical perspective to be able discern truth from lie.
That is a nice interview. I would love to read some of her books.
She has written lots of them hasn't she? Not just kid's books?
Lynne has written several childrens books on American History. She and Dick together wrote a book profiling (I think) historical events and members of the Senate. Don't hold me to that, but that's close. It seems that the title was Profiles in Power, something like that.
Lynne Cheney also wrote a somewhat racy Western Romance novel called Sisters, way back in her past. She'd probably like to forget that one. However, it was the number 2 selling out-of-print book the last few weeks. Guess what was number 1? John Kerry's 1970's book on the Vietnam War that he's tried to suppress.
She "just gets it" BUMP.
read later!!
BTTT
"Feminists argue that science represents desrtuctive male thinking. Why not call Newtons Principia Newton's "Rape Manual"? asks one. Both feminists and environmentalists argue that because of the high value that science places on objectivity and rationality, it is now in deep and deserved crisis--information that tends to come as a surprise to practising scientists."
She skewers them by actually listening to them and placing their drivel in real world context--exposing the idiocy of their (for want of a better word) thought processes.
She wrote the children's book, "A Patriotic Primer" a few years ago. Even though my nephew was a baby at the time, I bought it for him to have later. It's really a beautiful book - the illustrations are outstanding.
She released 'A is for Abigail' about women in America a year or so later. Same person did the illustrations. If you're looking for a gift for a child, these are great!
Thanks for the info, Seattle. You're right, those would be great Christmas gifts for a child.
I have one granddaughter. She's not quite two, but I think I will buy copies of some of Lynne's books to put away for her when she's older.
Just another example of what marks the difference between the Left and the Right. The Left does not want their children learning all of the details of the violent birth of our nation. They'd rather have them blindly looking to the future towards a goal of One World Government, administered by the United Nations.
I gave it to my my nephew (he's 2-1/2 now) and my sister put it away until he's older. He'll get a good history lesson from these (unlike what he might get from the history books in the school system - - 1 paragraph on G. Washington and 2 chapters on Bubba). Think I'll buy him the Abigail book, too. As I recall all the proceeds go to a children's charity.
I bought the Primer book when it first came out - - but had to search for it at Borders (it wasn't on display, but somewhat 'hidden' in the stacks). Of course, I live in the suburbs of the People's Republic of Seattle. My guess is it was probably prominetly on display in Texas and Wyoming.
Thanks for the quote, Dutchgirl. By the way, here's a personal anecdote that may be related to your name. When I was growing up, my mother used to say 'Don't take a Dutchman by what he says, but by what he means.' Many people referred to themselves as 'Dutchmen' in the farming community where I grew up. I was 15 or 16 years old before I understood that my family ancestry wasn't Dutch, but German.
Your quote from Lynne is great. As you say, she is a clear thinker and isn't afraid to speak her mind.
In some ways Lynne is probably the most important female voice from the conservative side right now. Not the most important woman, that would go to Dr. Rice, but the most important public voice. That explains why the left really tries so hard to tear her down and destroy her credibility. She's like Condoleeza Rice, her very existence and point of view is a threat to the view of reality they want to promote.
I really believe Liz Cheney is cut from the same bolt of cloth, and has an important public life ahead of her at some time in the future if she wants it.
Thanks, Sam.
There was a time when I would have pooh-poohed statements like yours about the agenda of those with a liberal point of view. Not any more.
With two women who are so oriented toward furthering education and learning in the U.S. in the First and Second Ladies, you would think that the national interest in promoting and improving education would be at an all-time high, wouldn't you? But their viewpoint doesn't fit the agenda of the NEA and the universities, so they only have a voice with the ordinary people. I would love to see Newt Gingrich team up with Lynne Cheney and Laura Bush to try to promote a real grassroots movement to improve public education, particularly the teaching of American History and Government. I have heard Newt speak on education in the U.S. before, and he is compelling.
I think parents and grandparents have to take their childrens' educations in their own hands these days. It has been alwlays true, I suppose, but not as it is today.
Thanks. But remember, 'twas ordinary people who sacrificed all and gave us all that we have today. For that I am Thankful today. We shall overcome.
She and Phylis Schlafly are two of my heroines. Have you checked out the IWF website? She is a founder.
Her daughter, Liz, is no slouch either.AEI
and of course, she has great taste in men...
And while I have some Dutch ancestry, my screen name is an homage to "Dutch" Reagan.
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