e-Extra - September 15, 2005

American Experiment Launches IntellectualTakeout.com

This week, Center of the American Experiment launched the groundbreaking IntellectualTakeout.com website, which will bring greater intellectual diversity to Minnesota college campuses by exposing students to conservative free-market ideas that are not always readily available in the classroom.

IntellectualTakeout.com is about the free exchange of ideas and giving college students the tools they need to decide for themselves where they stand on various issues. Our goal is not to indoctrinate students but to instead spur thoughtful debate and discussion on campus.

American Experiment CEO Annette Meeks highlighted that fact at the website's launch, saying, "It's been said that 'freedom rings where opinions clash.' Sadly, that axiom appears to be losing ground on some college campuses. And that's why it's our ultimate hope that IntellectualTakeout.com becomes a starting point for that dynamic 'clash of opinions' so that freedom will continue to ring on all of our college and university campuses."

IntellectualTakeout.com, which is a project of American Experiment's FACT program, provides students with quick access to a menu of conservative ideas and perspectives on a number of topics, including Cultural Studies, Economics, Education, Environmental Studies, Foundations of Liberty, History, Political Science, and Hot Topics. The information on IntellectualTakeout.com, which has been compiled by American Experiment policy experts and university professors, comes from a number of distinguished and credible sources.

The "Ideas to Go" section of the website provides quick one-page issue summaries that students can take to class or use as a quick reference for other school work. The summaries provide students with both liberal and conservative perspectives on a number of issues. The "Ask the Professor" feature on the website allows students to submit questions directly to policy experts on a wide variety of issues and topics. The website, which is available at no cost, also connects students with other like-minded students and alumni, and assists them in job searches.

American Experiment will be promoting IntellectualTakeout.com during a number of visits to Minnesota college campuses this fall. Those visits will be part of a larger media and promotional campaign to make Minnesota college students aware of the website.

IntellectualTakeout.com in the News

"Worried that conservative points of view are not being adequately presented in college classrooms, officials at a Minnesota think tank unveiled a Web site on Tuesday that aims to expose students to more ideas from the political right and to bolster their presence in campus debates.

"The Center of the American Experiment, a nonprofit Minneapolis-based group devoted to conservative and free-market ideas, started the site, Intellectual Takeout, as part of a broader campaign to help conservative college students in Minnesota." - Chronicle of Higher Education, September 14, 2005

"Nolan Soltvedt, a University of Minnesota senior, welcomed the site's debut. While he said he hasn't seen overt bias in most of his classes, he's been uncomfortable with some professorial asides and political discussions that were unrelated to class subjects. He said conservative students can feel intimidated. 'For me, this will be an excellent resource,' he said. 'Sometimes it's tough to get both sides.'" - Minneapolis Star Tribune, September 14, 2005

"The site aims to bolster conservative points of view in campus debates, and includes point-by-point comparisons and links to articles on topics ranging from global warming to affirmative action. Annette Meeks, the center's chief executive officer, said the student-oriented Internet portal is the organization's biggest project in its 15-year history." - The Associated Press, September 13, 2005

"The Center of the American Experiment has launched a new website designed to counter what it views as liberal bias on college campuses. The conservative Minnesota think tank says a recent study found that nearly three-quarters of teachers at American colleges and universities identified themselves as liberal. The group's CEO, Annette Meeks, says the website, called 'Intellectual Takeout,' aims to promote open and free discussion on college campuses." - Minnesota Public Radio, September 13, 2005

Yecke Speaks at National Press Club, Releases Report on Middle Schools

This week, Dr. Cheri Pierson Yecke became the first scholar from American Experiment to speak at the prestigious National Press Club in Washington, DC.

Yecke spoke at the National Press Club during the release of her new Fordham Institute report entitled, "Mayhem in the Middle: How Middle Schools Have Failed America, and How to Make Them Work."

The study, which Yecke authored with Fordham President Chester E. Finn, Jr., highlights the fact that American middle schools have become places "where academic achievement goes to die." Furthermore, the report explains how middle schools have succumbed to a concept of "middle schoolism" in which a strong academic curriculum is traded for one that focuses more on emotional and social development, and less on learning the basics.

2005 CAE Fall Briefing – On the Rocks with P.J. O'Rourke

The Wall Street Journal recently called P.J. O'Rourke "the funniest writer in America" and we are honored to host this witty and incisive political commentator. This is, simply put, an evening sure to sell out that you won't want to miss.

O'Rourke, who has more citations in The Penguin Dictionary of Humorous Quotations than any other living writer, has established himself as a savvy conservative commentator on national and world affairs. His razor sharp political insights have been published in such diverse publications as Foreign Policy, Forbes, The Weekly Standard, and Rolling Stone. He is currently a regular correspondent for The Atlantic Monthly and is the author of twelve books. His skills and discipline as an investigative reporter have earned him a reputation as a modern-day Will Rogers.

We hope you can join us at 7:30 pm on October 14 at the Pantages Theater in Minneapolis, when P.J. O'Rourke presents "Government vs. the Free Market." For ticket information, please contact Devin Foley in our Development office at 612-338-3605.

Yecke Star Tribune op-ed on Republic vs. Democracy

In an op-ed in this morning's Star Tribune, Center of the American Experiment Distinguished Senior Fellow Cheri Pierson Yecke explores the difference between a democracy and a republic.

In the op-ed Yecke writes, "The simple fact is that the United States is a constitutional republic, not a democracy. It is inaccurate to use the two terms interchangeably. The source of authority and treatment of minorities are different for these two forms of government. In a democracy, the majority rules, meaning that there are no protections for minority rights. Whatever the majority wants rules the day. A republic, in contrast, is rule by law, and the law can protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority.

"In a democracy, people hold the power to rule directly. Examples of democracy in action in this country include initiative and referendum, where the people vote directly on specific issues. Naturally, it would be impractical to try to administer an entire country if the people had to have a direct vote on every issue. According to Madison: "In a democracy, the people meet and exercise the government in person; in a republic, they assemble and administer it by their representatives and agents" (Federalist 14, 1787)."

Center of the American Experiment is a nonpartisan, tax-exempt, public policy and educational institution which brings conservative and free market ideas to bear on the most difficult issues facing Minnesota and the nation. Our accomplishments are made possible by the generosity of our donors. Please consider making a tax-deductible gift to support our important mission. You can contact us at: 1024 Plymouth Building, 12 S. 6th St., Minneapolis, MN 55402, 612-338-3605, www.amexp.org. Feedback regarding the e-Extra should be emailed to e-Extra editor Randy Wanke at: info@americanexperiment.org.