I still believe that schools are largely a reflection of their communities, and I'm having trouble envisioning more than a token couple of the leftist teachers described here teaching at any public school within a hundred miles of me.
As long as both sides are adequately represented, I don't think it's a bad idea to expose students to reasoned debate. They need to learn discernment at some point.
Don't be so sure. We had this sort of thinking, only substantially toned down, by individuals in the private Christian school our son graduated from. Younger teachers have gotten the full-bore indoctrination in our colleges, and are carrying it to the K-12 level.
The good side of this (silver lining) is that the more aware students (like my son) see it, and call it out, much like the young man in this article who pointed out in class that Saddam had killed his own people with WMDs. And our kids are thus more able to deal with the nonsense they'll get in college "Liberal Arts" classrooms.
"As long as both sides are adequately represented, I don't think it's a bad idea to expose students to reasoned debate."
I agree, however, I think his point is that too often the students only get one side.
I used to think the same about our little rural community, until I got involved in district affairs and observed more. Teachers get indoctrinated hard in college, more so than with most other majors, and almost uncomparable to no college (except for those in unions). Many teachers, especially at the h.s. level, have a condescending opinion of parents and the community at large, though they've learned to cover it well and ease the agenda into the classroom.
I keep repeating this: learn about The Frankfurt School -- it laid the groundwork for what alarms us now.
Reasoned debate sounds fine, but kids are a captive audience, spoonfed corrosive Hate America propaganda by authority figures. Horowitz is right, the integrity of our educational system is at stake.