Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: A patriotic U.S. history

Friday, June 7, 2002 | 10:08 a.m.

Mike O'Callaghan is the Las Vegas Sun executive editor.

LYNN V. CHENEY and I haven't always agreed on some of her very conservative political views given on television, but when it comes to education, she's right on target. The opportunity to teach government and history to Basic High School students was one of my most exciting experiences. What I learned from those students in five years has helped me become a better citizen and a more inquisitive student of life. Learning flows both from the teacher to student and from the student to teacher in a healthy classroom atmosphere. Fortunately, I was blessed with good students with parents who wanted their children to succeed both in the classroom and life.

In 1995 Cheney wrote "Hijacking America's History" for the Wall Street Journal and later it was condensed for Reader's Digest. It got my attention and I quoted these opening paragraphs in a column:

"Imagine a version of American history in which George Washington makes only a fleeting appearance and is never described as our first president. Or in which the foundings of the Sierra Club and the National Organization for Women are considered noteworthy events, but the first gathering of the U.S. Congress is not.

"This is, in fact, the version of history set forth in 'National Standards for United States History: Exploring the American Experience.' And, if these standards are approved by the National Education Standards and Improvement Council -- part of the Clinton administration's Goals 2000: Educate America Act -- students from grades five through 12 may begin to learn history according to a new set of guidelines.

"These were Cheney's opening shots and, after that, she went into detail to point out the number of times American historical icons were left out of the studies and others of less importance were given too much exposure. Paul Revere, Thomas Edison, the Wright brothers and Robert E. Lee failed to be mentioned. Sen. Joe McCarthy and the Ku Klux Klan were mentioned 19 and 17 times, respectively."

Cheney's writing got the attention of Americans all the way down to our own Clark County School District. Seven years later she has followed up with the book "America: A Patriotic Primer" that parents and teachers can use to teach history at a very early age. The book teaches patriotism and history with words and also excellent illustrations by Robin Preiss Glasser. I found it to be both interesting as an adult and also a good teaching tool. The price of $16.95 is a bit steep but little by little the price will be down to the $10.00 level at bookstores.

The book goes through the alphabet from A to Z. With A leading into America and "Z is the end of the alphabet, but not of America's story. Strong and free, we will continue to be an inspiration to the world."

President Ronald Reagan is quoted saying, "I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead."

Every page is loaded with words and illustrations that have meaning. R and S are on opposing pages with R representing the Rights we are guaranteed and S is for Suffrage. There are illustrations for the Bill of Rights and pictures of several women, including Susan B. Anthony and Sojourner Truth who helped women obtain the right to vote. Of equally great value are the pages in the back of the book that include "Notes on the Text."

Lynn Cheney's primer is an interesting piece of work that can be of value to the entire family. The author didn't leave out G. "G is for God in whom we trust" she wrote and included two pages of illustrations. I sure hope this doesn't give somebody an opportunity to keep it out of school libraries because it's well written and contains good basic historical information.

The author's husband, Dick, is Vice President of the United States.