I don't think ignorance is in any way related to literacy; just because you can read doesn't mean you're well read. Ignorance of historical fact is rampant on all sides of this issue, I think.
I have just started reading books about the history of the Muslim world and its relationship with the West--I would recommend Bernard Lewis' "What Went Wrong" for starters--in an effort to better understand why we are in the predicament we're in with the Middle East.
I don't fault Sandy Shanks for writing the occasional article for al-Jazeera; I think he has every right to, and I don't question his love of country because of his doing so. Having said that, his tone may come across as somewhat elitist at times, but that's another issue.
By the way, in the interests of editorial accuracy, I don't think an email exchange between Shanks and yourself qualifies as an "interview." Aside from that minor detail, I have enjoyed reading your blog.
Squeaky: "interviews" are routinely carried out via telephone, email, and in person. I know because I've been paid to conduct them.
You don't think ignorance is in any way related to literacy? Are you kidding me? If a person is ignorant of the works of say, Omar Kayyam, being illiterate guarantees that this person will remain ignorant of them.
I DO fault Shanks for writing for al-Jazeera, just as I fault any American who helps enemies of the US. Shanks' motives aside, the fact is that his writing is used for propaganda purposes.
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