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"The average college senior knows astoundingly little about America's history, government, international relations and market economy, earning an "F" on the American civic literacy exam with a score of 54.2%. Harvard seniors did best, but their overall average was 69.6%, a disappointing D+." Is the verdict from Intercollegiate Studies Institute after grading the results of this test.
The universities defended themselves on the grounds they teach analysis rather than facts but there is problem with their defense--without a grounding in facts, what good is the ability to engage in proper analysis?
The failure of graduates of elite universities to understand the most basic and established facts explains much of the current debate on Iraq and the war on terror.
Last week the two men who have the greatest factual knowledge of Iraq were called liars, charlatans, stooges and worse by those who have the least factual knowledge.
When I go to Iraq, I gather a lot of facts. I become a subject matter expert on the slices of the war I have lived in.
I know a lot about the west Rasid district of Baghdad, Karmah, Fallujah and Khalidiyah.
I know a little about Doura and Ramadi.
Those facts allow me to engage in analysis.
The professors seem to argue that History is about analysis--which it is--but without facts analysis is useless.
And if the students at Ivy League colleges do not know basic facts--then their basic civic analysis of voting and supporting or opposing policies will be distorted.
I can guarantee you that every student who took and failed the civics test has an opinion on Iraq. They could probably even give an extemporaneous speech on Iraq. But how many of them have a grasp of the basic facts to back up their opinions and analysis? How quickly would their analysis break apart on the rocks of fact?
Facts can be inconvenient like that. The pre-emptive attack on Petraeus was not on the man, but the factual information he delivered. Facts that would break apart the arguments and analysis of many.
Getting a real-factual picture of Iraq that allows analysis is difficult. The academy's emphasis on analysis over fact will ensure that the analysis of Iraq will be flawed for years and maybe decades to come.
The long-term value of Michael Yon, Bill Roggio, Matt Sanchez, Jeff Emmanuel, Bill Ardolino, Michael Totten, Pat Dollard and the rest of the independent embeds is the factual knowledge we carry--no matter how inconvenient those facts may be.
(I scored a 93.33%, which seems about the average for young libertarian/conservative bloggers.)
Help JD get back to Iraq! Buy a DVD or Contribute below.
JD is currently editing the follow-up to his 2005-2006 documentary Outside The Wire. He will return to Iraq to shoot another documentary as soon as it is released.
We all know that freedom is not free--and neither is reporting from Iraq.
Each digital tape capturing the heroic efforts of Soldiers and Marines costs $7. JD uses almost 100 tapes on each trip. One DVD buys one tape that will permanently capture what the media refuses to cover.
As you know JD spends his time in Iraq with the Soldiers and Marines doing the work Outside The Wire. That means hundred and thousands of dollars of equipment and gear gets damaged. Three dollars buys a new protective lens cover. Fifty dollars buys a pair of ballistic glasses. Just to get there, the airfare costs $1,500.
It all helps and it is all needed to tell the story that is not being told.
If you have the desire and means to contribute more and be a co-producer please contact JD via email.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and any support you can give.
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