I do a lot of work as a freelance writer, so I tend to avoid positions on controversial issues. So when I first heard about "Path to 9/11", I dismissed it as a load of crap that I wouldn't watch anyway. But when I learned about Scholastic's involvement with study guides, I thought about the lies and misrepresentations my kids were about to be exposed to in school.
Here's my respectful e-mail sent this morning to Scholastic officials.
Dear Mr. Robinson and Scholastic officials,
For many years I've considered books or other materials from Scholastic to be a sign of high quality. When I see the Scholastic logo, I'm assured that the materials would be appropriate and challenging for my children.
So I was quite distressed to learn that Scholastic has partnered with Disney/ABC to produce study and discussion materials to accompany the upcoming broadcast of "Path to 9/11" on ABC.
News reports indicate that this program is one-sided, rife with errors and includes accounts of events and actions by former President Clinton and officials in his administration that did not take place. Worse yet, ABC would not provide advance copies to President Clinton and other former officials, yet freely distributed copies to commentators, web sites and outlets that are often described as "conservative", "right wing" and "partisan Republican".
Americans certainly need to recall and learn from the tragedies of Sept. 11, 2001. And as a prominent source of educational materials, Scholastic has a unique responsibility to provide educators and students with accurate information and balanced perspectives.
I strongly urge Scholastic to reconsider its association with "Path to 9/11".