Soundings, June 2001

"The 'Lessons' column on the education page of today's New York Times is a classic example of the lengths the Times will go to in putting equality over liberty or excellence. 'Homework may increase the gap between students from middle class and low-income homes,' the column says. 'With growing inequality now a greater danger than middle-class pupils' inadequate achievement, policies that widen learning differences should be avoided.' The article suggests creating after-school homework help centers for the poor, and says, 'it is unconscionable for educators to exacerbate inequality by assigning homework without first ensuring such programs are in place. . . .'

"Why should poor students who want to do homework and learn to read and write be prevented from doing so by some Times columnist whose concern about 'growing inequality' apparently outweighs his concern about growing illiteracy? Talk about 'unconscionable.'" http://www.SmarterTimes.com, May 23, 2001.

This conversation between Bill O'Reilly and Dan Rather, which took place on "The O'Reilly Factor" (May 18, 2001), could explain a lot about CBS News.

O'Reilly: Do you think President Clinton's an honest man?

Rather: Yes, I think he's an honest man.

O'Reilly: Do you really?

Rather: I think—I do. I think he's an honest man.

O'Reilly: Even when he lied to Jim Lehrer's face about the Lewinsky thing?

Rather: Absolutely. Listen who among us have not lied about something.

O'Reilly: Well, I didn't lie to anybody's face on national television. I don't think you have. Have you?

Rather: I don't think I ever have. I hope I never have. Look—look, it's one thing. . . .

O'Reilly: How can you say he's an honest guy then?

Rather: Well, because I think he is. I think at core he's an honest person. . . . I know that you consider it sort of astonishing anybody would say so. But I think you can be an honest person and lie about any number of things.