Conservative group launches web site aimed at students [CHECK OUT THIS FABULOUS NEW SITE!!!]

Minneapolis Star Tribune via The Gainesville Sun, FL ^ | Sept 28, 2005 | Staff

[summer]

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Hoping to breach the walls of supposedly liberal colleges and universities with intellectual ammunition, the Center of the American Experiment recently launched a new Web site for conservative college students.

Center CEO Annette Meeks said the Web site (www.intellectualtakeout.com) is the first of its kind and is intended to ''support free exchange of ideas on campus.''

''The point is not to indoctrinate students,'' she said, but to ''expose students to points of view not readily available in the classroom.''

While most of the site is informational, it also has an edgier feature called the ''Daily Dish.'' The debut item targets St. Olaf College in Northfield, which has declared sustainability as a theme for this school year. The Web site says professor Jim Farrell's paper on sustainability, which is posted on St. Olaf's Web site, ''assumes we're burning too much fossil fuel, we're not eating healthy foods, we're not respecting workers' rights, we're wasteful, and we're spoiling the environment. Those are serious and controversial charges against our culture.''

Farrell, a history professor and director of American studies at St. Olaf, was puzzled by the criticism. Conservatives have a tradition of conservation, he said, pointing to Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Richard Nixon, who created national parks and signed the first significant environmental legislation.

''I just don't see how this is a liberal agenda,'' Farrell said. ''Most people on campus are pretty excited about it.''

He was pleased that the site provides a link to his paper, so people can read it for themselves. ''I think it's fine if they want to choose St. Olaf. We benefit from their attention,'' he said. ''And the full intellectual take on ideas is a good thing.''

The center's Web site features research and writings from a conservative viewpoint, summaries of arguments from the right and left, links for like-minded students to find each other, jobs and internships listings and a calendar of events.

Meeks said the site was the brainchild of Katherine Kersten , former chairwoman of the center's board and now a columnist with the Star Tribune.

Nolan Soltvedt , a University of Minnesota senior, welcomed the site's debut. While he said he hasn't seen overt bias in most of his classes, he's been uncomfortable with some professorial asides and political discussions that were unrelated to class subjects. He said conservative students can feel intimidated.

''For me, this will be an excellent resource,'' he said. ''Sometimes it's tough to get both sides.''

Richard McCormick , a University of Minnesota professor who leads a school senate committee on educational policy, said he welcomed the new Web site so long as it isn't used to vilify individuals.

''I say let a hundred flowers bloom,'' he said. ''If it gives people access to articulate views from a conservative viewpoint, it certainly has its uses.''

[Behind Liberal Lines]

ping

[Snapping Turtle]

Awesome. What a treat!

[Seven Minute Maniac]

I'm personally a St. Olaf student (the school mentioned in the article),so I'm right in the middle of all of it- between all of liberal professors pushing their sick ideology on us and one-sided events like "the peace forum" with Jimmy Carter, I can personally attest to the fact that the kids here are brainwashed. Hopefully this website will open a few minds. Let's get it out there!

[NCSteve]

Conservatives have a tradition of conservation, he said, pointing to Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Richard Nixon, who created national parks and signed the first significant environmental legislation.

Liberals, dissatisfied with their attempts to co-opt the language with regard to their leanings, are now trying to co-opt in on ours. This conservatives as conservationists argument seems to be the lock-step battle cry of the intelectually challenged left.

Teddy Roosevelt and Richard Nixon were most decidedly not conservatives.

[techcor]

On a quick look , it looks pretty good so bump for a later look.

[kalee]

conservative college student news website ping

[Eighth Square]

Yes, great site! It appears that at least half of the students surveyed are aware of the liberal bias in their classrooms, that's good news.

[rirepublican]

Great site. Thanks. Emailed to my daughter and newphew in college. I asked them to send to their friends. Hopefully it will get passed on to lots of skulls full of mush.

[moog]

Thanks summer.