i think i'm going to have to disagree with people on one point here, if there is anywhere where a difference of opinions is crucial it is in the classroom. i studied poli sci and history in college and was lucky enough to have teachers that were on all sides of the political spectrum. it was in the class where i didnt agree with the teacher that i learned the most though because those were the classed i was most prepared for. if i knew that i was going to have to argue a point instead of just agreeing with what was said i knew that i had to have my shit together. granted if a teacher were to grade me down on something because i had a difference of opinion with them that would be wrong, and such a person doesnt belong in academia. i plan on teaching history one day and im sure the way i teach will be influenced by the way i think, how could it not. if that were to foster healthy constructive debate then my goal as an educator will be fulfilled. anyone who accepts as truth anything they are told gets exactly what they deserve. democracy functions through rational thought and debate, if we all believed the same thing we would just be mindless drones following the orders of the supreme leader, and look hows thats worked out in history. the best political bumber sticker ive seen says merely, think: its patriotic, and i hope everyone can agree on that
