Enculturating barbs

I read with interest Brian Jackson's column on the Alpine School District's controversial statement about "enculturating the young into a social and political democracy" ("Political sentiment is far from reason," June 2). What his "My View" said to me is that he thinks critics of that statement are lacking in intelligence. In response to criticisms by conservatives, he uses the tactic of denigrating and insulting the intelligence of his critics. This tactic has been used by leftists for more than 50 years. Liberals seem to consider themselves as the elite exclusive group possessing intelligence.

Surely "tolerance, mutual respect, freedom, engagement and critical thinking" would allow Mr. Jackson to admit for discussion purposes the notion that schools should emphasize academics in preference to enculturating young people into social and political democracy.

Amos L. Wright

Provo