Comments on: Daniel Pipes Hates America (part of an ongoing series) http://www.theartofthepossible.net/2008/07/05/daniel-pipes-hates-america-part-of-an-ongoing-series/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:04:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: The Art of the Possible » Blog Archive » John Yoo, Glenn Reynolds, Law and Academic Freedom http://www.theartofthepossible.net/2008/07/05/daniel-pipes-hates-america-part-of-an-ongoing-series/#comment-11320 The Art of the Possible » Blog Archive » John Yoo, Glenn Reynolds, Law and Academic Freedom Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:40:16 +0000 http://www.theartofthepossible.net/?p=342#comment-11320 [...] affiliation has a monopoly on trying to punish or silence opponents — see Horowitz, David and Pipes, Daniel — and given the right set of background premises, certain individuals and their views might [...] [...] affiliation has a monopoly on trying to punish or silence opponents — see Horowitz, David and Pipes, Daniel — and given the right set of background premises, certain individuals and their views might [...]

]]> By: Mona http://www.theartofthepossible.net/2008/07/05/daniel-pipes-hates-america-part-of-an-ongoing-series/#comment-5334 Mona Sun, 06 Jul 2008 03:49:44 +0000 http://www.theartofthepossible.net/?p=342#comment-5334 Daniel: I cannot eviscerate the vile Mr. Pipes any better than you have, but I strongly second your endorsement of foreign-language immersion schools. I was fortunate enough to attend a private school that began teaching us French in 4th grade, and by 7th the French teacher also taught us some of our history and science classes <i>en francais.</i> (Math/algebra were exempted because some students had enough problems with those subjects without having to struggle with the language.) Throughout high school I continued until there was not more they could offer me in French, and as an undergrad I picked up the easiest minor in the world by CLEPing out of all but three French credits. More importantly, I learned how to THINK about language. Further, I could read foreign newspapers and travel in Europe without sounding like an arrogant, parochial American. After 15 years of not having used my French, I've lost a great deal of it, but find that when I encounter text in that language much of it comes rushing back. Among the several defects in American education, is that we do not teach our young foreign languages -- it becomes harder with each passing year for a person to learn second and third languages. Young childhood is the prime period to begin. Another language should be a part of the curriculum in every K-6 school. Daniel: I cannot eviscerate the vile Mr. Pipes any better than you have, but I strongly second your endorsement of foreign-language immersion schools. I was fortunate enough to attend a private school that began teaching us French in 4th grade, and by 7th the French teacher also taught us some of our history and science classes en francais. (Math/algebra were exempted because some students had enough problems with those subjects without having to struggle with the language.)

Throughout high school I continued until there was not more they could offer me in French, and as an undergrad I picked up the easiest minor in the world by CLEPing out of all but three French credits. More importantly, I learned how to THINK about language. Further, I could read foreign newspapers and travel in Europe without sounding like an arrogant, parochial American.

After 15 years of not having used my French, I’ve lost a great deal of it, but find that when I encounter text in that language much of it comes rushing back.

Among the several defects in American education, is that we do not teach our young foreign languages — it becomes harder with each passing year for a person to learn second and third languages. Young childhood is the prime period to begin. Another language should be a part of the curriculum in every K-6 school.

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