Hillsdale College Prof. R.J. Pestritto @ WSJ: "Glenn Beck, Progressives and Me"

The Wall Street Journal ^ | 9/15/10 | Prof. Ronald J. Pestritto

[hillsdale1]

On television, on radio, in books, and in a widely viewed speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference earlier this year, Glenn Beck has pronounced "progressivism" as the "disease" that afflicts America. His progressive opponents, meanwhile, seem obsessed with attacking him for this obsession—the Center for American Progress has even launched a series of papers to "set the record straight."

This battle reveals a deeper dispute about American history. Mr. Beck and others—such as Jonah Goldberg in his 2008 book, "Liberal Fascism"—tie today's progressives (the new word for liberals) to the progressive movement at the turn of the 20th century. They contend that the original progressives—including leaders such as Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt—rejected America's founding principles. Mr. Beck also claims that today's leftist policies are the culmination of a journey begun by progressives over a century ago.

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

I love Hillsdale. If I were ever to win the lottery, I would give that college whatever they needed and set a trust up for them.

[cripplecreek]

I grew up about 15 miles north of Hillsdale. Its still a good place to live in many ways. (7th congressional district)

[hinckley buzzard]

Hillsdale recently opened the Kirby Center for Constitutional Studies in Washington DC. Hillsdale is a fine center of higher learning with a focus on trdaitional western civilization.

It is what a dozen worn out liberal east coast diploma mills pretend to be. My daughter went there and received a truly excellent education.

I am obviously a fan, and encourage anyone to consider this school for their children, and for those extra charity deductions at the end of the year...

[demkicker]

Ditto! I’m proud to say a cousin attended on a basketball scholarship and it was an awesome experience - not to mention a great conservative education!!!!!

[donna]

Hillsdale recently opened the Kirby Center for Constitutional Studies in Washington DC.

Many a God fearing conservative has been ruined in that place.

[Salvey]

The great, Big Band tenor sax player, Tony Pastor, was his great uncle.

[DollyCali]

I was driving back from Chicago to Cleveland area this weekend. I HATE interstates & always take alternate routes. Decided to swing N & check out Hillsdale.. LOVED the school & the community. I know we in Cleveland are supposed to think Michigan sucks... but I KNOW Hillsdale ROCKS!

It was a delightful trip back in Michigan on all the back roads & through delightful small communities

Even tripped upon a firehouse breakfast/fund raiser for a young man hit by ligthning. (and I was hungry)

Love the real America

[goat granny]

Kids listening to Glenn learn more about American History than they would in any liberal college....

[Morpheus2009]

Where is this “Hillsdale” located? I used to know such a town in New York state, where we once visited my grandparents.