O, Say Can You See . . .

Civics 101. A foreign student here went with his host family to the Denver National Western Stock Show. I'm sure the experience was interesting, a taste of the old west and western culture. But the student was most affected by a comment, I think after the national anthem, if I have my story straight, by a soldier addressing the audience. The soldier stated, according to the student, that it wasn't the Bill of Rights or the Constitution that protects this country, it is the soldier. That was the lesson that the foreign student took away.

I assume this was a comment in reference to the debate over the secret, non-search warrant spying by the NSA. I hope most are as horrified by this comment as I am, but I'm not counting on it. Look at our recent political news headlines: "DeLay indicted." "Controversial lobbyist had close contact with Bush team." "Criminal probe of Congressman." "Ethics violations at the highest levels." The "pay-for-play" rules of Republican Washington were no secret to most. A Democratic member from Louisiana may be the next to fall from legal and ethical violations.

I wonder if the Civics that we teach students in the classroom is mere propaganda. The Bill of Rights. The importance of the Constitution. The way the courts (are supposed) to work. Perhaps we should be teaching the real world of political intrigue. Perhaps we should teach that the president can overrule legal and constitutional protections if there is good reason. (But, of course, those reasons will remain secret.) Perhaps we should teach that keeping your mouth shut is the proper policy, because whistle blowers lose their jobs and are publicly called traitors.

This isn't a liberal vs. conservative skirmish. Even staunch conservatives are concerned with the direction and meaning of some of the Republican and administration policies.

Or should we just shut up and stick to the textbook and not look behind that curtain. (See above. Fate of whistle blowers.)