Ed Thompson

[Note: This is a continuation of a thread titled “Onkar Ghate: Educators vs. Students,” which was last posted to on February 21.] Whole language (WL) is a weapon of mass destruction. WL is to mental health as foot binding was to Chinese girls – it stunts cognitive development, just as foot binding distorted physical development. Both phenomena are man-made. Besides widespread functional illiteracy, WL is predominantly responsible for “learning” disabilities, e.g., dyslexia, ADD/ADHT et al. They should more aptly be termed “teaching” disabilities. Phonics training is the (only) proper method of reading instruction (in conjunction with vocabulary, comprehension, etc.). Our language is phonetic. Of those who posted, Betsy Speicher seems to have the best grasp of this issue, having mentioned John Dewey’s roll in promoting whole language and, more broadly, Progressive education (PE). But the phenomenon precedes Dewey. WL was developed in the 1830s by the Rev. Thomas H. Gallaudet, the director of the American Asylum at Hartford for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb. For an excellent article explaining the history of WL and expounding on its deleterious effects, see Can Dyslexia Be Artificially Induced in School. An op-ed by Objectivist history professor, C. Bradley Thompson (no relation), cogently explains whole language vs. phonics, Whole Language vs. Phonics. Today’s education establishment is committed to WL (poison) and hostile to phonics (nourishment). Educators are predominantly leftists. To comprehend the incomprehensible, i.e., how an entire profession can be committed on principle to destroying children en masse – in plain sight, observe that education is essentially a socialized industry in this country. Socialists are not bothered by fact once their mind is made up. To demonstrate, I know a first grade teacher, an Objectivist, who taught in the South Bronx (the soft bigotry of low expectations) for seven years, with class size ranging from 25 – 34. Virtually every child finished first grade reading at a second grade level or higher – third, fourth, even fifth grade levels. He was fired for not teaching via the mandated Balanced Literacy program (essentially, WL). I could tell you other horror stories, one of which is unfolding presently. PE, and specifically WL, must be fought wherever and by whatever means possible. I have passed on these links, and more, to dozens of educators and other interested parties. I encourage you to do the same. Look at it this way: the system is methodically addling the minds of millions of children every year. If that’s not evil enough to get your attention, consider that thousands of them are – were – potential Objectivists.

Having read "The Passion of Ayn Rand's Critics," I am convinced that this work will play a pivotal role in stemming -- and reversing -- the transmission of misinformation about Ayn Rand and Objectivism that has been spawned by the Brandens. If you don't have it, or if it's not on order, I urge you to order it now. One cannot imagine in advance the extent of the fraud. It's available at the Ayn Rand Bookstore at www.tinyurl.com/4t2w4 (for $9.70 less then at Amazon). See my review on Amazon: tinyurl.com/co5dz: Ayn Rand: A Valliant Vindication James Valliant, prosecuting attorney and graduate philosopher, aptly demonstrates a superior grasp of both professions with his book, “The Passion of Ayn Rand’s Critics.” The prosecutor meticulously delves into the voluminous fabrications, misrepresentations and outright lies perpetrated against Ayn Rand by her former associates, Nathanial and Barbara Branden. The philosopher exhibits the insight essential to a proper analysis of the facts in a highly philosophical context. As an Objectivist on the scene when Ayn Rand denounced the Brandens in 1968, I can attest to the ensuing turmoil among her admirers due to the sudden necessity to face the distasteful fact of the Brandens’ betrayal. In the confusion, they manipulated the unwary for years, strategically waiting until after Ayn Rand’s death to unleash their main vitriol via “biographies,” which in turn created a never-ending onslaught of attacks by a bevy of Ayn Rand haters. These books, notably Ms. Branden’s “The Passion of Ayn Rand,” are the primary source for virtually all the hatchet job op-ed misrepresentations that have appeared over the years of Ayn Rand, of her philosophy, Objectivism, and of her associates. The Brandens’ fabrications have gone unanswered for decades. Now comes James Valliant to set the record straight. Every Objectivist should read his book in order to grasp the incomprehensible depth and breadth of the scurrilous injustice perpetrated against our heroine. Every skeptic with an abiding respect for ideas should read his book in order to free himself of falsehood. Every detractor (and anonymous reviewer) should read his book; then look in a mirror. Valliant’s work is a tour de force. His is the dynamite to clear the logjam of deceit that has impeded the flow of Objectivism into the mainstream of popular thought; it will render the Brandens and their ilk just so much flotsam. As John Galt would say, “The road is cleared.”