The News & Observer is still trying to turn the debate about the new social studies standards into a left-right issue. It isn’t. Both liberals and conservatives have been critical of the changes. (See the 2,200 member “History Did Not Begin in 1877!” Facebook group, for blatant examples of bipartisanship.)
In an editorial today, the N&O references a “hyperbolic Fox News report,” a report, by the way, that made thousands of citizens aware of major changes proposed for North Carolina’s social studies curriculum. That is more than I can say for the johnny-come-lately newspaper that ignored the issue for months.
In fact, it is ironic that the editorial begins with the phrase “Who knew that high school history had such a vocal constituency?” The answer is Fox News. Some media outlets know news when they see it. The N&O knows news when they see other media outlets report it, e.g., shady Mike Easley.
But, in the end, the editors of the N&O call upon the Department of Public Instruction make some changes to the proposed curriculum. If DPI listens, then we’ll have to give credit where credit is due – Fox News.
