Re: Many Americans can read but can't comprehend

[Victor Steinbok <victor.steinbok@verizon.net>]

At 07:19 AM 2/29/2004, William Cala wrote:
> I am sorry but I see no light in the E.D. Hirsch tunnel.  While he 
> purports context as a powerful tool (and it certainly is), it is always 
> HIS context with HIS tools of measurement.  Both his context and tools are 
> fatally flawed.  His cultural literacy is the culture of the efete.  His 
> measurements, those of bigotry.  He reminds me of Diane Ravitch in the 
> Language Police.  Great premise based on her own bigotry. (One of the most 
> solid foundations built on her own frighteningly narrow views).


Dunno...

Since Hirsch is clearly on railroad tracks, the light he sees at the end of 
the tunnel is the head-beam of the oncoming train. Too late to turn 
off--not that he could.

As for the Language Police, I disagree--the premise was quite reasonable 
but the bias ruined it. She was so obsessed with making the "progressives" 
look guilty that she failed to point to her own "friends" doing far more of 
policing than their opposition. Defending Civilization certainly comes to 
mind...

        VS-)