There’s a bad buzz around the upcoming ABC docudrama mini-series, Path to 9/11. Writers at the Democratic mega-site Daily Kos and former counterterrorism czar Richard Clarke say the movie, produced by conservative activists and strongly supported by conservative organizations, is pro-Bush propaganda because it puts significant blame on the Clinton administration. We haven’t seen the film, so we can’t say; but far more disturbing is the accompanying high school discussion guide prepared by Scholastic. It is, unquestionably, propaganda, stacked with leading questions that could hardly be described as educational. Example: Under the heading “debate it,” students are told to consider the case of a Middle Eastern man who “speaks with an accent” stopped by U.S. Customs and searched because he’s deemed “uptight.” In his trunk, guards find bomb-making materials. “In the interest of protecting national security (as against
infringing on the rights of an individual),” asks the study guide “do you think
this kind of search should be allowed?” In the interests of critical thinking, the Constitution, and clear grammar, we think Scholastic should withdraw this race-baiting material.