Don't Let Me Stop You: "Access to Energy" Newsletter

Dr. Arthur Robinson has been publishing his monthly newsletter, Access to Energy, since 1973. He describes it as:

"... a pro-science, pro-technology, pro-free enterprise monthly newsletter packed with information and comment on science, technology and energy and on those who would restrict your access to it. It gives you answers based on facts with which to dispel myths."

We once had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Robinson and his son, as they were on their way through Nebraska. He is a brilliant scientist who also understands economics. He developed a homeschooling curiculum for his children's education, which is available to others as well.

Although energy, science and economics are the main focus of the newsletter, other interesting subjects appear as well. Here is a portion of a small article entitled "Stark Raving Mad" from the May, 2005, issue of Access to Energy:

"Occaisionally I ask Matthew about the contents of his Advance Placement exams, rather than just the usual expression of interest in his overall performance. Asking about the contents of modern American educational materials is a hazardous affair.

Matthew's recent AP World History exam asked questions about the Mongol emperor Jenghiz Khan. As chronicled in the 3,000-word entry in the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Jenghiz Khan was one of the greatest conquerors the world has ever seen -- and one of the most ruthless. Even compared with 13th century barbarism, Jenghiz Khan's armies were remarkable both for their military prowess and their brutal behvior toward defeated enemies. In one instance, they massacred the entire 1,600,000 inhabitants of a single city. [...]

Matthew tells me, however, that the entire treatment of Jenghiz Kahn in the AP training materials and examinations explores the "diversity" of culture that Jenghiz Kahn is alleged to have introduced into the civilizations that he "visited." No description is given of his military exploits. Diversity generally being regarded as a good and politically correct thing, Jenghiz Kahn is to be seen in the role of a purveyor of culture to the nations through which he traveled.

While we would no doubt have different standards if we had lived in the Asia of the 13th century and the conduct of its armies are not necessarily for us to judge, it is also not useful to revise the history of those times, so that our youth will not know the truth."

Indeed.