By Michael C. Maibach Posted September 9, 2002

All America is remembering the historic attack on our country that took place last September 11. There is one overriding political purpose to be served by such remembrances right now: to fortify the civic disposition needed to secure victory in the war that was brought to our shores on that day.

The National Education Association (NEA) has other purposes in mind. This left-liberal political machine, which claims to represent 2.7 million public school teachers, has been justly excoriated these past two weeks for their "Remember September 11" website. Saturated with fashionable moral relativism and multicultural clichés, the NEA site offers the nation's public school teachers and students social therapy in place of civic education.

In response to the torrent of well-deserved criticism, NEA spokesmen protest that NEA is "pro-America." Their problem is that, when they are not playing hardball politics, they seem to think America is a continental-sized sensitivity seminar. Love their country as they may, they can teach their students nothing about the good in America that is worthy of their love and that is worth fighting and dying for. From the point of view of NEA's moral relativism and multiculturalism, what defines and dignifies America above all is our "diversity." If America deserves to be defended, it is because America respects — no, celebrates — all cultures and all values equally. The NEA patriotic motto might be: "Stand up and fight for everything you can think of!" Except that counseling and sensitivity training will make all fighting unnecessary.

But, of course, the war that started on September 11 is far from over.

Indeed, in many senses it has not yet begun. Reflecting on this theme, and others, Professor Charles Kesler has adapted his editorial from the current Claremont Review Books into a longer essay. We heartily commend it to your attention.

Go to:

• Our Fighting Faith by Charles Kesler