PC History: Forget the Constitution BY GREG PARKER amples continue: while the wealth of to remember that younger students it is important, however, to recreate a the African kingdom of Mali in the are not as developed intellectually as dialogue between Washington and an N A FEW WEEKS, THE UCLA college students; they are less Indian leader at the close of the Revo­ based National Center for His­ apt to question the views pre­ lutionary War. I tory in the Schools (NCH) will sented, and more likely to accept On the same MacNeill Lehrer Newshour, Nash also says, "Let's let release National Stan00rd8 - United ~';.:. the views without hesitation. States Hi8tory, a guideline for United Gary Nash, a member of the the kids out of the prison of facts, the Statel History cuniculum in public NCH, defends the study. On the prison of dates, and names and places, schools. While the intent of the study October 26 MacNeill Lehrer and let's let them discuss really im­ is to improve the study of U.S. His­ Newshour, Nash says that the portant momentous turning points in tory, tlle study is symbolic of the sorry National Standards were partly American history." But Nash inad­ state of public education today. based on the idea that certain vertently gives away a key element of The National Standards break up groups - blacks, Native Ameri­ the study in the above statement. U.S. History into 31 standards, best cans and women - have been Getting kids away from "the prison of described as what a student should ignored in history books. 'This facts" means history revisionism, learn about a specific period. Of these might be the case, to some de­ where the past is misinterpreted and 81 standards, they are subgrouped gree, but newer history books there are no objective data. While into ten eras of history, ranging from have taken this into account. there is no way for history to be com­ colonial times to the present But wbat Also, while stressing events of pletely objective, there are limits to these standards amount to is histori­ Nash's "ignored" groups, other its interpretation; the National Stan­ cal revisionism, leading the bastions more important events may not dards push these limits, leading to of political correctness further into be covered. For example, the the politicization of the classroom as the c1asaroom. Lynne Cheney: FIghting Hlnorical Revitioniam study stresses George Washing- well as the continuing demise of pub­ 'llle NCB, made up of a congres­ 1500s is triumphed, the wealth of ton very little; according to th~ study lic education. m sionally-eppointed panel of histori­ John D. Rockefeller in the late 19th ans, waa funded by the Department of century is criticized as '\methical and Education and the National Endow­ immoral." While it is ignorant to say ment for the Humanities (NEH). that the United States bas a perfect ROTC to Sponsor Lynne Cheney, cbairman ofthe NEH historical recorct, it is important to when funding for the study was ap­ remember that like Cheney says in proved, has become perhaps the most her WaU Street Journal article, "on Turkey Shoot outspoken. critic of the National Stan­ the whole [the U.S. has] .. been a dards study, with an appearance on great and good nation. " BY ADAM S. BRINKMAN . gift; certificates, and pizzas. the MacNeill Lehrer Newllhour and 'Ibe study may seem inconsequen­ Eight hundred students, staff; and an o}H'd piece bashing the study in tial, but Cheney believes otherwise. HE ARMY ROTC PROGRAM faculty participated in last years Tur­ the WaU Street Journal. The Clinton Administration's Goals at the University of Michigan key Shoot. When asked about the at­ According to Cheney, it is testa­ 2000 .Act embodies the National Edu­ T is once again sponsoring its tendance for this years event, Lt. Col. ment to the iITationality of the study cation Standards and Improvement Annual Turkey Shoot. This year's Mary J. Sonntag said, "Once again we that the Constitution does not appear Council, and if the council approves Turkey Shoot, the fifth in the event's expect a large turnout for the shoot I in any of the 81 standards. It does the U.S. History standards, public history, will be held at the North Hall heard many positive comments last make an appearance in the text sur­ classrooms across the nation may be Rifle Range from November 15 to 17. year from students firing a rifle for rounding these standards, as do Jo­ encouraged to adopt the standards in A $1 donation entitles each par­ the first time. Most were surprised at seph McCarthy and the Ku Klux Klan, their U.S. History cuniculum. ticipant to three shots with a .22 cali­ how easy and ftm it was to shoot at the each mentioned.separately in 86 dif­ If the National Standards are ber rifle provided on site. 'llle best paper targets. Several students who ferent places. The names 'lllomas adopted, and ifpublic school teachers individual and three person team stopped by the Army Scholarship table Edison, Paul Revere, Albert Einstein incoIpOrate them into their teachings, score (several categories) throughout applied for and won two and three­ and Robert E. Lee, on the other hand, the consequences could be very detri­ the entire t.hre&-day event will re­ year scholarships." show up a total number of zero times. mental. Students in grades 5 to 12 are ceive special recognition. Overall Anyone interested is invited to To Cheney, the National Standards is easily swayed. Ifthey learn a skewed prizes awarded for marksmanship ex­ participate. For additional informa­ one of the ultimate repreaentatiOIl8 of version of history, the students could cellence include: $50 savings bond, tion call Captain Curt Lapham at political correctness to date. 'llle ex- take that as the truth. It is important 'lhanksgiving Turkeys, merchandise 764--2400. )R . Inside Statist From Suite Smoking and Book Myriads of 3 RepubUcans 4 One 8 Drinking 10Review 12Music Compromises in the GOP's Privatizing the U-M would One should be able to Harold Bloom's The Interview with the cranber- Ideology move it ever so lower costs and promote wreck their lungs and their Western Canon redefines ries. A look at some hap- j...,/ closer to the left. freedom. liver if desired. literary classics. cat new jazz refeases . .J// I L...-____...., ." ........- ;;;;:. _.J ~~ .-' ,.,_,. ... ~. , .''" .. ~_ .... ·.-._~r ' ..... '"'': ...........'''' .._ ... ~_~ ' · ~ 2 THE MIClDGAN REVIEW November 9, 1994 o SERPENT'S TOOTH:., I H 1-. !Vll C HJ( iAN R J-. va·. \\ . The campus Affairs Journal of the University of Michigan 'Publicl< Skulz ar Infeariar .• Residents ofWaahington D.C. are set dent and nonaligned?" How about TOP TEN TmNGS OVERHEARD to have convicted drug user Marion "staunchly goohead leftist?" There, IN THE NATION'S VOTING EDIT~F : .........nnon Barry reclaim the mayor's office of that sounds much better. BOOTHS YESTERDAY: PUBlISHER: Eric t.ar.on the nation's alpitnl Apparently, Barry CAMPUS AffAIRS EDITOR: R8CMI C.rdone MANAGING EDITOR: Jane A. Robtf1a, H found a little crack in the syatem. Last month, Newt Gingrich called 10. Wolpe? Never heard of him. FEATURES EDITOR: Greg Parbr Democrats "enemies of all normal 9. Psstl Vote Cuomo or youll be swim­ In a debate with opponent Mitt Rom­ Americans." We may be mistaken, ming down the Hudson in concrete IIJSIC EDITOR: D.... PteIf1 ney, Senator Ted Kennedy said "Mr. but we recall the main enemy on shoes. A8SaSTANT EDITORS: Gene KrMI, 0... Romney, the Kennedya are not in Blkopoulol Superfriends was also named Newt 8. Hey Beavis, you probably voted for copy EDITOR: MobIn Kl1Ihnlll public servire tn make money." After Gingrich. Newt. ~uh-huh, I said Newt. CIRCULATION DIRECTOR: Erik ~ supporters roared with applause he 7. Mr. North, you don't need to shred IUUSTRA TOR: Brian O·K.... added, "It's the booze and the babes!" REM frontman Michael Stipe said the ballot when you're finished. COIiFUTER CONSUlTANT: WII NtIton that much of the band's earlier mate­ 6. Is that Jimmy Carter feller on the PHOTOOAAPHER: u.. Wtgnw Penthouse magazine has obtained rial was nonsense. In the December ballot? Gawsh, I shore do like that STAFF: JanaU\In CInedo, Chrll ClrnacdlJo, Crust)' seminude photos of Paula Jones for issue of Vanity Fair he saya: '1 hate Jimmy Carter feller. Goldenberg, 1iIIrcu8 ...vn-, Benjlmln KtppIt., au. publication in the January issue. to break it to them, but, ... it's just 5. I'll take Richard Simmons in the Mld(echnll, Daw Newberry, Amln PanjWlnl. Amber Asked to comment, President Clinton utter nonsense, it's sounds, and it's center square to block.. Pewe. RodeM !WI". lid RectIUen, Meghan RoIkII, said, "'This is nothing but a cheap ploy and Mr. in Stu Sandler, MIU SlY"" Mltttlew StrlUU. Juon just utter nonsense, it's sounds, it 4. Barry, there's no smoking WtMtci to get me to renew my subscription." doesn't make sense sometimes, and it the voting booth. Please put out the doesn't have to." Stipe seems to be crack pipe. EDfTOR EIERRUS: Tr.cy RobInIon Agenda, "Ann Arbor's Alternative planning a future career as a political 3. Senator Kennedy. I don't alre ifthe PUBUSHER EllEfITUS: A.won St8eIiiWi Newsmonthly" calls itself an "inde­ spokesperson. curtain is drawn, please put your pendent,nonaligned"publication.In pants back on. n. ~ Review III III ndependn, I»-weektf • its recent election issue, the editors Penguin Publishers recently released 2. Aw, Hillary please let me vote for run joumIIll!he UrWer1Itf ~ McfIigan. we neIher endorsed all Dem.oaats, and in races a book called Revolution X: A Sur­ Romney, please? nor ICC8pt nmMy dcNfk)ns from tie UnNerIIy with no Democratic candidates they vival Guide for Our Generation.