WHATEVER HAPPENED TO ENLIGHTMENT IN THE U.S.A.?

National Journal has an interesting essay about the assault on the U.S. intellectual tradition. It examines the early American adaptation of the Age of Enlightenment through the current challengers to scientific discovery, namely, ideologues and the big money crowd. At times it tries too hard to balance criticism of both the left and right political wings, although it makes some valid, though painful, points about lefties like me. Taken as a whole, however, it's well worth reading.