A NATION OF KNOW-NOTHINGS

In “A Nation of Know Nothings” (Dec. 2), Stanley Meisler struck a disquieting but familiar chord as he described the national malaise of ignorance--especially regarding languages and geography. Perhaps the only good news in Meisler’s article was that the notion that our ignorance is nothing new, and that we can act to change things.

In the past, our national ignorance has been mitigated by three distinct phenomena: a vast, unbridled frontier; the United States’ preeminent positions following both world wars, and the related but lucky development of English as the international language of choice in the 20th Century.

However, the landscape has changed. No longer is there an open frontier to exploit. Now, looking abroad, we see European, Asian and Middle Eastern nations, once devastated by war or colonialism, moving to the economic or military fore--often at our expense. Meanwhile, the international importance of many foreign languages increases commensurate with the rising stature or power of the host country.

If we as a nation are to retain any hope of prevailing as the dominant world power, we must learn the ways of the planet and of all its peoples. The only alternative is a progressively quick slide into obscurity and second-class status.

MICHAEL BUSH

Garden Grove