Posted by
Rural Anorak on Wednesday, January 07, 2009 9:46:05 AM
Watching the news this morning (Fox and Friends), I saw a story about education at the collegiate level. The specific topic was how university and college professors use the classroom to indoctrinate their students in their Leftist/radical ideas.
There is nothing wrong with individuals having their own ideas, be it to the Left or to the Right. I have a problem with indoctrination; it leads to “groupthink.” I would much rather gather information, and form an opinion of my own based on that information. My opinion may be correct or not, but it would be mine.
The story went on to describe how these professors would attack students who offered opposing points of view. This is where I was struck by how hypocritical these professors (and by extension other members of the Left) are when it comes to open discussion. These individuals are the ones who support the reinstatement of the “Fairness Doctrine.” This doctrine is designed to allow for “fair” discussion of issues in the media, i.e. whenever one point of view is expressed (conservative/Right) they insist that equal time is given to the opposing point of view (liberal/Left). However, when it comes to a liberal idea being espoused they will not allow a conservative alternative to be advocated. The usual method of denying conservative thought is to call the speakers anything from racist to sexist to close-minded. But this begs the question; who are being close-minded? Are they the people who will listen to alternative points of view, or are they the people who shout down any idea that does not fit their world view?