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Tolerating the intolerable: Michael Medved slams NEA for blaming America, exonerating Islam
WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Monday, August 19, 2002 | Michael Medved

Posted on 08/19/2002 10:32:43 AM PDT by JohnHuang2

As we approach the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, what should we teach our children about the most devastating terrorist massacres in history?

According to recommendations provided by the nation's largest teacher's union, the most important points to emphasize involve the importance of "tolerance" and "diversity." The National Education Association links its website to a detailed list of "Tips for Parents and Schools Regarding the Anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001," prepared by Dr. Brian Lippincott of John F. Kennedy University in Orinda, Calif. Professor Lippincott insists that commemorative programs must avoid any suggestion that Islamic fanaticism can be blamed for the attacks, and that the most important way to protect ourselves from future assaults is to embrace all religions and sexual orientations.

Actually, the "Key Messages" recommended in his paper for anniversary celebrations include such politically correct nostrums as the declaration that "Violence and hate are never solutions to anger" and "America is strong because of our diversity," and "History shows us that intolerance only causes harm." According to Professor Lippincott, the prime example of such "intolerance" involves America's monstrous crimes against its own citizens. "We must not repeat terrible mistakes," he writes, demanding discussion of "historical instances of American intolerance. Internment of Japanese Americans after Pearl Harbor and the backlash against Arab Americans during the Gulf War are obvious examples."

Examples of what, precisely? Of America's unprecedented goodness and generosity? Even at the height of the Gulf War (and, so far, during the War on Terror), Arab Americans experienced no significant "backlash" – continuing to enjoy full civil rights and to sustain the conspicuous success that has characterized this hard-working ethnic group for nearly a century.

The NEA materials not only lie about past persecution of Islamic Americans, but also offer a grotesque distortion of current world affairs. Among the "Tips for Parents and Teachers," Lippincott suggests that we must "Address the issue of blame factually … Do not suggest any group is responsible." In other words, educators should avoid the implication that al-Qaida and the worldwide network of Islamic fanatics had something to do with the slaughter of Americans. "We have no reason to believe that the attacks on our country were part of an organized plan of any other country," the curriculum materials insist. "The terrorists acted independently without the sanctions of any nation."

What about Afghanistan, which welcomed Osama bin Laden as an "honored guest"? What about Saudi Arabia, which continues to raise money through telethons and the royal family to support international terrorism? What about Iraq, which lavishly praised the 9-11 attacks as a heroic blow against America?

According to the education establishment, we should avoid such unpleasant observations because "protecting against harassment of our Arab American classmates and neighbors is most critical right now. … We must embrace these values toward all Americans for all time. This includes race, religions, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and those with special needs."

Such pronouncements might seem merely ludicrous and laughable were they not so pathetically representative of the moral relativism that dominates elite opinion less than a year after 9-11. America remains the most tolerant and generous of nations, and incidents of persecution of Muslims and Arab Americans remain blessedly rare and relatively mild. Nevertheless, the relativists use paranoia over potential anti-Arab frenzy to stifle any honest discussion of patently dangerous – and deadly – elements in Islamic tradition.

Even the most cursory examination of the contemporary Muslim world would reveal profound religious and cultural dysfunction, with abject poverty, gross violation of human rights, and some of the most corrupt and vicious dictatorships on earth. The National Education Association, however, insists that teachers ignore these realities, because calling attention to them might undermine the unquestionable assumption that no religious tradition is more destructive, and no culture is more admirable, than others.

The most striking aspect of the materials promoted by the NEA involves the utter absence of any patriotic or pro-American messages – indeed, the only suggestion about emphasizing our history involves discussing "historical instances of American intolerance." In this "Alice-in-Wonderland" world of political correctness, we are supposed to mark the Sept. 11 anniversary with no mention of the brave people in our military who continue to risk their lives to protect our safety, and no hint as to why American values under present assault might be worth preserving and defending.

In the midst of World War II, a few Americans actively sympathized with the enemy – the pro-Mussolini poet Ezra Pound, and the Japanese propagandist Tokyo Rose come readily to mind. No one suggested, however, that we must avoid blaming Germany or Japan for the war because to do so might encourage "intolerance" of the Nazis or Axis sympathizers in our midst.

Let American Muslims declare their loyalty to this country, and their horrified rejection of Islamic fanaticism in all its forms. Indeed, most (but not all) Muslims in this country have taken precisely that stand. But it makes no sense to invoke the mantras of "diversity" and "inclusion" as a basis for denying the clear moral elements in this current struggle, or ignoring the obvious contrast between America and our bloodthirsty enemies. Tolerance may represent a worthy value, but it is evil and destructive to tolerate the intolerable.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: educationnews; nea
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Monday, August 19, 2002

Quote of the Day by skull stomper

1 posted on 08/19/2002 10:32:43 AM PDT by JohnHuang2
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To: JohnHuang2
" Professor Lippincott insists
that commemorative programs must avoid any suggestion that Islamic fanaticism can be blamed for the
attacks, and that the most important way to protect ourselves from future assaults is to embrace all religions
and sexual orientations. "

Hey Prof. Bite me, you commie pig. You haven't a clue so shut your mouth.

2 posted on 08/19/2002 10:34:49 AM PDT by lawdude
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To: lawdude
Bump for awareness and liberal alert
3 posted on 08/19/2002 10:39:28 AM PDT by LiteKeeper
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To: JohnHuang2
We must embrace these values toward all Americans for all time. This includes race, religions, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and those with special needs."

Yeh, I'm one of those with "special needs". I need you elitist academia slime to shut the hell up!

4 posted on 08/19/2002 10:39:38 AM PDT by FreeTally
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To: lawdude
Some statements are so obviously stupid that only an intellectual could believe them.
5 posted on 08/19/2002 10:39:56 AM PDT by Loyalist
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To: JohnHuang2
We need to re-institute the draft and get these loonies into the military where they can be educated on the proper expression of citizenship.
6 posted on 08/19/2002 10:40:57 AM PDT by hgro
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To: JohnHuang2
WTG Michael Medved.....Some more folks need to write editorials that cut through the BS....
7 posted on 08/19/2002 10:42:47 AM PDT by vetvetdoug
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To: JohnHuang2
Someone should ask Schumer and Hillary if they agree, support and endorse their fellow travelers...
8 posted on 08/19/2002 10:48:13 AM PDT by Drango
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To: vetvetdoug; JohnHuang2
<< WTG Michael Medved.....Some more folks need to write editorials that cut through the BS.... >>

Amen.

And on the subject of editorials that cut through BS, find Bill Buckley's current piece on islam and The Reverend Franklin Graham's take on the same!

As an Australian might be heard to observe, it's a bloody bewdy!!
9 posted on 08/19/2002 10:51:24 AM PDT by Brian Allen
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To: Brian Allen
Good afternoon, my friend.
10 posted on 08/19/2002 10:52:55 AM PDT by JohnHuang2
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Here's the original story:

NEA DELIVERS HISTORY LESSON (Left Wing teacher union bosses indoctrinate kids to hate America)

11 posted on 08/19/2002 10:53:58 AM PDT by 1Old Pro
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To: JohnHuang2
"...those with special needs."

So now the good professor is claiming that Down's Syndrome kids are being blamed for the WTC attack???

WTF?????

The NEA is the equivalent in modern America of what Orwell styled the "Outer Party".

Heads on Pikes!!
12 posted on 08/19/2002 11:02:09 AM PDT by headsonpikes
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To: lawdude
The usual horsecrap from the Blame America First crowd.
13 posted on 08/19/2002 11:02:17 AM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks
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To: JohnHuang2
At some point you have to worry about our country when so many shit-for-brains liberals get as much attention as they do.
14 posted on 08/19/2002 11:02:28 AM PDT by Semper
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To: JohnHuang2
According to the education establishment, we should avoid such unpleasant observations because "protecting against harassment of our Arab American classmates and neighbors is most critical right now. … We must embrace these values toward all Americans for all time. This includes race, religions, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and those with special needs."

Just as I never imagined the horror ultimately witnessed on 9-11, nor did I fathom the tears shed on my part while witnessing the demise of my country...

It just gets worse and worse.
15 posted on 08/19/2002 11:05:42 AM PDT by Sweet_Sunflower29
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Boycott-public-schools *bump*!
16 posted on 08/19/2002 11:06:48 AM PDT by Sweet_Sunflower29
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To: Sweet_Sunflower29
bump
17 posted on 08/19/2002 11:11:17 AM PDT by timestax
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To: JohnHuang2; *Education News
"Professor Lippincott insists that commemorative programs must avoid any suggestion that Islamic fanaticism can be blamed for the attacks, and that the most important way to protect ourselves from future assaults is to embrace all religions and sexual orientations."

In other words, bend over and take it? I don't think so. Islamic fanaticism was the sole reason for the attacks. And why does Lippincott even mention sexual orientation? What the hell does that have to do with 9-11?

18 posted on 08/19/2002 11:14:14 AM PDT by EdReform
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To: JohnHuang2
I imagine there was a great wailing and gnashing of teeth when many in academia learned that it was non-Christians who attacked the WTC and the Pentagon.
19 posted on 08/19/2002 11:17:33 AM PDT by Paul Atreides
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To: lawdude
I would be interested in hearing what the NEA would say about the Oklahoma City bombing. I imagine they would pick up Bubba's line about it being the fault of Rush Limbaugh and the religious right.
20 posted on 08/19/2002 11:19:25 AM PDT by Paul Atreides
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