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American Morning

Education on America Can Help People Feel Patriotic

Aired December 10, 2001 - 08:25   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's look at the issue of patriotism now. "The New York Times" columnist, Thomas Friedman, writes about a deep hunger in America following September 11. "Many people feel this is their war in their backyard, and they would like to be summoned by the president to do something more than go shopping."

So as adults look to channel their star-spangled energy, former Education Secretary William Bennett is focusing in on the next generation. He is giving U.S. schools a course in patriotism 101. William Bennett is now chairman of the group, K12. He joins us from Washington this morning -- good to see you again -- welcome.

WILLIAM BENNETT, CHAIRMAN, K12.COM: Good morning, Paula. Thanks.

ZAHN: So, Bill, just a quick reaction to some of what Tom Friedman was saying in his piece. Essentially, he was challenging the president to ask us all to do more. He says we have this untapped reservoir of energy.

BENNETT: Right.

ZAHN: We all, not only are showing this great generosity of spirit, but he basically said if the president told us all to turn down our thermostats to 65 to save some...

BENNETT: Right.

ZAHN: ... energy resources, we'd follow him lock, stock and barrel.

BENNETT: You know, this is what they tell me, Paula, at the White House too, is that the letters and phone calls they get, most often the message is: What do you want us to do, Mr. President? We're ready to sign up. Tom Friedman ends that piece by saying, "Where do we enlist?"

Well, one place we think they can enlist is K12, which is my education company. We're offering free, to anybody in the world -- and we want this to go worldwide -- lessons on America. It's called, "The American Patriotism Program." And if people will just go to our Web site, they can get as many as 10 to 15 lessons about America.

We are obviously fighting for our lives in this war. We are fighting to honor the memories of our fallen countrymen, but we're also fighting for our principles -- the things we believe. And those principles are still not well enough understood, either at home or abroad.

ZAHN: Well, help us understand just the dearth of knowledge across the country, and just give us a sense of what public schools are doing in this arena.

BENNETT: Well, you know, survey after survey has pointed out that we know our own history very little. We don't even know our own geography. Kids aren't sure where the oceans are. I remember a survey back a few months ago pointed out that only 30 percent of our college students could correctly identify the years of the Civil War.

So there's all sorts of evidence of a dearth of knowledge. What we're trying to do is light a candle, do something positive and offer these lessons. This "American Patriotism Program" is a first step. In addition to anything else -- in addition to the shopping, as you have mentioned, and other important things that go on at Christmas, how about some conversations with kids about the Pilgrims, about Columbus, about the signing of the Declaration of Independence, when these men thought they were signing their own death warrants? Indeed, they knew they were signing their own death warrants. This can give a little history and a little substance to when we talk about what it is we're defending.

ZAHN: How patriotically challenged are we in classrooms across the country?

BENNETT: Well, very much.

ZAHN: I mean, you (UNINTELLIGIBLE) explain how short-sighted we are in our understanding of history. But just in terms of (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the "Pledge" and any sort of acknowledgment, perhaps, what happened on September 11 and what that means to this country.

BENNETT: Well, you are right. I think it's changed since September 11. There have been some well ballyhooed cases about some school boards, where there was a difficulty getting "The Pledge of Allegiance" -- the Madison, Wisconsin School Board, there was some resistance there. I think the school board voted no on "The Pledge of Allegiance," but after community support, even in that university- based community, it was overwhelming. People decided to do it.

So there is certainly a strong sense of patriotism in the country right now. Hearts are beating faster to the music and flags are out there, and that's all fine. But we want to get to -- we want to tie that down. We want to get that with a firm foundation, and that firm foundation is knowledge.

If we know American history, if we know our traditions in history, we will know one very important thing: In the long story of misery and inhumanity that is the human story, the American achievement is high and unique. And our kids, our adults, need to know it, and so does everybody around the world. And if they go to this Web site, they will begin to learn about it.

ZAHN: I know you say that Americans can do their thing by logging onto your Web site for K12, but what would you like to see the president do to tap into this reservoir of goodwill? What about Thomas Friedman's idea of getting...

BENNETT: Well...

ZAHN: ... everybody in America to turn their thermostats down to 65 degrees to converse some energy here?

BENNETT: Well, if Friedman says...

ZAHN: Couldn't the president use this bully pulpit perhaps more effectively as he has the nation behind him?

BENNETT: Well, I think he's using it very effectively in terms of asking for more things. I think whatever the president would ask for now, he would be given. Right now, what he has asked for is modest: support, prayer, time with children and encouragement. But I think the going is going to get tougher. We can see the critics are starting to get their feet and get their voice, and I imagine the president will call on us for a lot.

Right now, it seems to me what he has asked for, he has received, which is the support of the American people. There have been attempts to try to undercut him, to say that he is acting in some kind of unconstitutional manner. The American people are having none of it. But there is plenty of war to come, and I guess -- and my guess is there will plenty that he will ask of us.

ZAHN: All right. William Bennett -- as always, delighted to have your perspective -- thank you again for joining us this morning.

BENNETT: Thank you.

ZAHN: Appreciate your time.

BENNETT: You bet.

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