Posted on 02/18/2003 5:08:43 PM PST by TLBSHOW
Soviet Satellite School Brainwashes Teens
Every once in awhile, even the most jaded political combatant will have a moment that stops him in his tracks, a moment that makes him say “wow.” These moments are rare. Political animals make a life out of delivering the same arguments over and over again. The monotony is usually only broken by (i) the different contexts in which these arguments can be made or (ii) original, pointed humor. It takes something special to break through the usual political noise. For me, that something special was a shy teenage girl’s note. My “wow” moment came after my recent participation in a debate on the War in Iraq at Ithaca’s Alternative Community School (ACS). There were over 100 students attending the debate, ranging in age from 13-17. 99% of the students were opposed to military action in Iraq, likely due to indoctrination from anti-American teachers and parents. Certainly this was no surprise. (Many have argued that Ithaca is the safest location in the United States—anti-American terrorists would never bomb their allies.)
Following the debate, nearly 25 students crowded around me, just thirsting for knowledge. Among the most common comments made to me were, “You are so brave to have come down here to support the war,” and “I disagree with everything you said, but thanks for being here,” and “We never hear anything like that!”
In the midst of the handshaking and discussions, a shy-looking teenage girl approached me and handed me a white piece of paper, folded in fourths.
“It’s a note,” she said, “you can read it later.”
And with that, she walked away, disappearing into a crowd of students. I didn’t even have a chance to say thanks before another student started asking me about France. So I placed the folded paper in the inside right pocket of my blazer, forgot about it, and went on with my discussion with the crowd of students.
Later that afternoon, I returned home, took off my coat, and sat down to watch Fox News’s coverage of the latest Osama bin Laden tape. Part way through the program, one of the news anchors was scribbling something on a pad and it hit me—the note! I had forgotten. I sprang to my feet and walked over to the doorknob upon which my blazer was hanging. I reached into the pocket and pulled out the note.
As I unfolded it, I remember thinking that the note would probably be very hostile. I specifically remember hoping that the author would, at least, refrain from making fun of my hair (that’s so passe at this point).
And then I saw the first seven words: “It makes me sick how closed minded...” and I thought, well here we go again.
But as I read, a feeling of awe came over me. Here’s the note:
The simple note floored me. My first reaction was helplessness. Why didn’t she sign the note or leave an email address? I wanted to write her, to tell her that she’s not alone, that she should keep up the fight and be proud of her views.
And then it hit me. She was obviously scared to death. She was scared to tell me her views face-to-face because students and teachers were standing around when she approached me. That’s why she came up to me out of the blue and disappeared into a crowd before I could say a word. She didn’t sign the note because she feared that she would be connected to pro-American views and be punished by her school.
Is the Alternative Community School like an old Soviet satellite country, where folks holding pro-American views are punished? Was this girl a scared freedom fighter, having tasted a bit of the truth? My entire appearance at the school now took on new meaning for me.
Why don’t these teenagers hear points of view like mine in their classrooms? Why are these students being denied a full education? Why aren’t they learning about the doctrines of détente, containment, appeasement, mutually assured destruction, and peace through strength? Why aren’t they given full information by their teachers, taught critical thinking skills, and permitted to come to their own conclusions?
These liberal totalitarian thugs running the classrooms are more interested in brainwashing teenagers and creating disciples than teaching them how to think. I looked into the eyes of an adorable 13-year-old boy and watched him tell me that America brought 9/11 on herself. Tell me -- where does he get that garbage? It was a truly horrific sight.
The anonymous note has had two profound impacts on me. First, it has heightened my deep anger at liberals for exploiting and brainwashing America’s youth. Second, it has heightened my deep anger at conservatives for allowing liberals to exploit and brainwash America’s youth. Liberals have targeted America’s children, espousing the evil philosophy of moral relativism and—for the most part—conservatives are content to sit back and hope that the kids will “grow out of it.”
It’s time for conservatives to get back in the education game. We need to take back our turf classroom by classroom, student by student. And we need to do it for all of the young girls out there who are too scared to speak their minds or sign their notes.
Isn't multiculturalism a grand thing? A concept that teaches that there is only one way to see things? Kids are taught not to speak-up or else they risk being ostracized. What's even funnier is that the loony left just doesn't see that they've ushered in 1984 on the backs of their programs.
When my son was in 4th grade, his school held mock elections for the 1996 presidential race. Complete with campaign signs, electioneering, etc., he wore a button to school that said Not Clinton (heck, I didn't know he wore it but made me proud).
His teacher made him take it off.
Very good observation. But then again, that is the great strength of radical liberal groupthink--think like everyone else, or be alone. And no one on a college campus wants to be alone.
I'm sure some people think that ACS is simply a school for "the gifted," that encourages open thought and creativity and send their kids there not realizing just how bad the indoctrination is.
It should be noted that, in my experience, a lot of Ithaca parents are simply unaware of what is happening or even afraid to take on the schools here. The City is so tied to the educational establishment through Cornell and so many parents work for Cornell, they don't want to say much.
Also, I think some parents who skew liberal--but not THIS liberal--don't want to appear to be "politically incorrect," and even if their heads tell them this is wrong, they refuse to believe it.
...talk about being late to the party...
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