In the New York Sun (thanks to Olivia), Alicia Colon discusses the likelihood that John Walker Lindh, that is, Suleyman Al-Faris, grew up despising America and the West because that’s what he was taught to do in American schools. What we need is a massive effort to recover a sense of what is good about Western, Judeo-Christian culture — which is one reason why I am writing my new book, A Religion of Peace? Why Christianity Is and Islam Isn’t (coming in August from Regnery Publishing).
On my way to meet Myrna Blyth, author of “Spin Sisters,” I glanced across the aisle of the subway car at a fellow passenger’s newspaper and read, “American Taliban seeks reduced sentence.” I was set to interview Ms. Blyth about her new book, “How to Raise an American,” and wondered: If John Walker Lindh’s parents had followed the advice in this valuable book, perhaps their son might not be sitting in a prison cell because he helped the Taliban fight American soldiers.
Sadly, my generation has spawned self-loathing Americans who actually believe that this country is evil. They have neither respect nor love for this nation. Rather they are being taught by today’s academic community that America and its institutions should be held in contempt.