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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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To: doug from upland; summer; demnomo; desertcry; LarryLied; codercpc; usadave; Rockyrich; eleni121; ...
Four examples of teachers and others groups taking a different view than the NEA posted by summer.
41 posted on 08/20/2002 5:49:01 AM PDT by EdReform
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To: EdReform
Ed, Thank you so very much. Too often these other voices are not heard.
42 posted on 08/20/2002 5:52:15 AM PDT by summer
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To: JohnHuang2
backlash against Arab Americans during the Gulf War are obvious examples

Like when I went down and had a few beers at the bar with the local camal jockies.

43 posted on 08/20/2002 6:07:24 AM PDT by Sinner6
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To: summer
You're welcome! Are more teachers joining professional education associations such as the Association of American Educators?

We need to convince teachers and education majors that the NEA is an outmoded labor union and that there are organizations such as the AAE that are dedicated to professionalism in education.

44 posted on 08/20/2002 6:19:04 AM PDT by EdReform
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To: demnomo
NEA execs collect 8 times teacher pay: Study: Bigwigs haven't been in classroom for decades
45 posted on 08/20/2002 7:18:15 AM PDT by EdReform
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To: monkeyshine; ipaq2000; Lent; veronica; Sabramerican; beowolf; Nachum; BenF; angelo; ...
ping
46 posted on 08/20/2002 8:29:04 AM PDT by dennisw
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To: JohnHuang2
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"...

Afghan Prisoners Vow to Continue Terror Attacks After Release

"Some Taliban and Al Qaeda prisoners who are scheduled to be released from prison in Afghanistan say they will continue to carry out terrorist activities after they are set free...

Several of these prisoners -- many of whom are Pakistani -- told Fox News they were in Afghanistan to fight a jihad, or holy war, against Americans and will continue to fight once released.

One prisoner said he was "very happy" that the Sept. 11 attacks occurred..."


47 posted on 08/20/2002 8:49:08 AM PDT by EdReform
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To: JohnHuang2; dennisw
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."

It is obvious that the violent racist proselytism of the left based on colors finds a friend with Nazi arabs who violently proselytise Islam.

48 posted on 08/20/2002 8:49:39 AM PDT by lavaroise
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To: dennisw
bttt
49 posted on 08/20/2002 8:50:21 AM PDT by Travis McGee
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To: Sweet_Sunflower29
A sad bump...
50 posted on 08/20/2002 8:50:24 AM PDT by carton253
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To: JohnHuang2
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.

Okay... this is absolutely the saddest thing I've read. Why? Because this guy is so blind to the reality of the world... and he is creating little blind sycophants to follow him to his destruction.

This country needs to wake up to the danger of Islam. This country needs to read the history and study it. This country needs to understand what the goal of terrorists is and how they will not stop until they achieve their goal.

This country needs to wake up and take a look at Europe. Read Mark Steyn's article here on Free Republic (posted today on multiculturalism) and realize the immediate danger Europe is in because they are hiding their eyes from the truth.

This country needs to understand that you can't make peace with a people who think that it is their divine mission in life to rule the world and you. This country needs to understand that you don't negogiate with an enemy who doesn't think it is wrong, immoral, (insert any word in this vein) to break treaties, to use treaties when they are weak so they can grow stronger.

This country needs to realize that if you could reason with Islamic terrorism, Israel would be at peace today. But because Israel will not go, the terrorists will not stop fighting.

This country needs to understand that Islam's main conquest through Europe wasn't due to religion, but lust for booty, spoil.

This country had better get an understanding of the word dhimmi. This country had better listen to the Muslim leaders and those Muslims who were interviewed in this country after 9/11 who said their allegience wasn't to America but to Islam.

This country had better learn right here and right now that we are in mortal danger, and every time we hesitate, everytime we back down from the fight... we strengthen their resolve and their belief that we are soft and uncommitted to our own freedom.

Sorry for the rant... but, we can not lose this and the pressure is mounting for the President to back away from the fight.

This country, instead of not replaying the Towers coming down because the media believes America needs to be sheltered, needs to have those Towers come down every commercial break so America will wake up and realize that war has been declared... and in war there can only be winners and losers.

51 posted on 08/20/2002 9:04:23 AM PDT by carton253
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To: EdReform
Thanks for the PING. If the majority of the Teachers have a different view from the NEA, then it is the responsibility of the Teachers to make the NEA accountable for their actions. The Teachers who are willing to speak the truth about 9.11, should withdraw their support from NEA. Saying that they don't agree with the liberal agenda of the NEA is not enough.
52 posted on 08/20/2002 10:26:23 AM PDT by desertcry
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To: JohnHuang2
God bless Michael Medved. He's great, and so is his wife. He was on 700 Club one night and they had a great discussion about Islam, the religion of "peace." We need more like Michael!!!
53 posted on 08/20/2002 11:37:43 AM PDT by Marysecretary
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To: demnomo
Excuse me, what have sexual orientations got to do with 9/11?!!!

It's this way: The retaliation by Islamic freedom fighters against the fascist American oppressors of innocent Third World peoples of color was due to the overwhelming rage that has festered for years in the hearts of the victims of latent homophobia that lies in the hearts of all white heterosexual American males.

Check the Handbook For Liberal Dogma Ch. 6 -- Terrorist Attacks.

54 posted on 08/20/2002 11:47:06 AM PDT by Euro-American Scum
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To: JohnHuang2
<< Good afternoon, my friend. >>

Hi Amigo.

Did anyone tell you yet today that God and I love you?

Best ones -- Brian
55 posted on 08/20/2002 12:13:13 PM PDT by Brian Allen
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To: glory
Glory, I am not sure, my results were posted in our local paper. I am sure you could call your local paper, or ask a librarian, and they could archive that info for you.<p.
Good luck
56 posted on 08/20/2002 4:37:54 PM PDT by codercpc
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To: JohnHuang2
BTTT
57 posted on 08/20/2002 4:52:47 PM PDT by EdReform
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