“One of the key arguments made by David Horowitz and his supporters in recent years is that a left-wing orientation among faculty members results in a lack of curricular balance, which in turn leads to students being indoctrinated rather than educated,” Inside Higher Ed notes today.

But is the issue really that big of deal?

“A study that will appear soon in the journal PS: Political Science & Politics accepts the first part of the critique of academe and says that it’s true that the professoriate leans left,” the IHE report continues. “But the study — notably by one Republican professor and one Democratic professor — finds no evidence of indoctrination. Despite students being educated by liberal professors, their politics change only marginally in their undergraduate years, and that deflates the idea that cadres of tenured radicals are somehow corrupting America’s youth — or scaring them into adopting new political views.”

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There once was a man named David Halperin, a senior vice president at the Center for American Progress, who wrote speeches for President Bill Clinton and presidential candidate Howard Dean. He now oversees the liberal college-focused Web site called Campus Progress.

There once was another man also named David Halperin, a University of Michigan professor who sometimes teaches a course called “How to be Gay: Male Homosexuality and Initiation.” He’s a well-known gay activist.

Both Halperins, it’s pretty safe to say, are somewhat, er, progressive.

Then there’s this conservative guy named David Horowitz who edits FrontPage Magazine (which, incidentally, features an article today that speculates the Dems would impeach President Bush, if they take over the House) and often appears on FOX News.  He and his associates have sometimes been accused of making substantial factual errors in their writings and arguments. They often deny the errors, or claim that the individuals who point out the errors are biased in some way or another. 

Ben Adler, an editor with Campus Progress, yesterday noted that his site is featured on David Horowitz’s Discover the Network (A Guide to the Political Left) Web site. And – what do ya know? – the hyperlink for Campus Progress’ director has him confused with the gay University of Michigan professor.

We’re sure this is a harmless mistake, not made out of stupidity or cruel intentions. And we’re sure it will soon be corrected. No vast right-wing conspiracy here, folks.

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