One might even say that women are actively encouraged
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2025 10:42 am
Just because America is imperfect does not mean that we are in no position to criticize others around the world. In fact, we have every moral reason to do so when our nation is superior to others: In America, women are not denied access to health-care, education or careers as they were in Afghanistan and as they still are in other places in the world. to pursue education and a career in this country. So as long as America remains superior in this respect, feel free to keep the criticism coming.
Alas, William’s screed is typical of the anti-Americanism that infects shop the Writers Group. They can’t see much difference between America and the worst elements in this world, so why should we expect them to see a difference between us and Afghanistan?
posted by David Hogberg 4:51 PM archived Trackback (0)
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TRADITONAL 'LIBERAL EDUCATION'? NOT AT UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
In her Saturday, May 18, commencement speech to the College of Liberal Arts, University of Iowa President Mary Sue Coleman congratulated the graduates on their “liberally educated” minds. As she put it:
By exploring the mysteries and uncertainties of such a broad range of human thought and experience, you have become liberated from the shackles of intellectual narrowness and limitation–the prize goal of a mind educated in the liberal arts and sciences.
A liberal education is important, she claimed, because “at the beginning of the 21st century, we are experiencing, even right here on our home ground, tragic object lessons about the importance of the type of liberal intellect that I have been describing.”
Certainly, the events of September 11 showed the importance of Western values, values which are emphasized in a “liberal education.” But does the University of Iowa really provide students with a liberal education?
Traditionally, a liberal education meant that students were exposed to the best of what has been written and thought. It meant that students studied the great works of Western literature, or the “canon,” including authors such as Plato, Aristotle, Locke, Shakespeare and others. This literature forces students to confront complex ideas and helps them develop critical thinking skills.
Alas, William’s screed is typical of the anti-Americanism that infects shop the Writers Group. They can’t see much difference between America and the worst elements in this world, so why should we expect them to see a difference between us and Afghanistan?
posted by David Hogberg 4:51 PM archived Trackback (0)
. . .
TRADITONAL 'LIBERAL EDUCATION'? NOT AT UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
In her Saturday, May 18, commencement speech to the College of Liberal Arts, University of Iowa President Mary Sue Coleman congratulated the graduates on their “liberally educated” minds. As she put it:
By exploring the mysteries and uncertainties of such a broad range of human thought and experience, you have become liberated from the shackles of intellectual narrowness and limitation–the prize goal of a mind educated in the liberal arts and sciences.
A liberal education is important, she claimed, because “at the beginning of the 21st century, we are experiencing, even right here on our home ground, tragic object lessons about the importance of the type of liberal intellect that I have been describing.”
Certainly, the events of September 11 showed the importance of Western values, values which are emphasized in a “liberal education.” But does the University of Iowa really provide students with a liberal education?
Traditionally, a liberal education meant that students were exposed to the best of what has been written and thought. It meant that students studied the great works of Western literature, or the “canon,” including authors such as Plato, Aristotle, Locke, Shakespeare and others. This literature forces students to confront complex ideas and helps them develop critical thinking skills.