We have always viewed George Will as a conservative intellectual, providing thoughtful commentary on social issues.  Our view changed dramatically when we read his column in the Sunday, October 14th, Lincoln Journal Star titled 'Politically Incorrectible Need Not Apply Here.' 

Will used data from a highly questionable source, the National Association of Scholars (NAS).  Instead of offering scholarly commentary, Will fell hook line and sinker for this poorly researched survey. 

Dr. Diana Garland, Dean of the Baylor's School of Social Work stated,  "It's not a good research paper.  They basically took the experiences of three students and then generalized it to all social work programs."  Putting a finer point on the NAS survey, using three anecdotal cases to generalize to the 648 accredited undergraduate and graduate social work programs, enrolling over 52,000 students in the United States is irresponsible. 

We suggest to the LJS readers that they review the NAS website at www.nas.org and decide for themselves. The NAS agenda serves more as an advocate for their own views and values.  On the website they state that some of their 'issues of concern' are

· 'Politicization of scholarship and teaching, and the substitution of social reform for the pursuit of knowledge

· Use of sexual, racial, or other criteria unrelated to merit in hiring, in promotion, and in student recruitment

· Inappropriate use of sexual, racial, and other non-scholarly criteria in selecting works to be studied

· Dogmatic hostility to Western civilization, and turning the study of non-Western cultures into an instrument for denouncing American society.'

We wonder if attacking highly trained, professional, degreed social workers is the latest tactic to divert attention from serious social issues such as children's health insurance, international terrorism, an aging population, mental illness, poverty, and a flawed health care system? 

Social workers are trained professionals working to help children and families in crisis using the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics (most professions conduct their practice using similar codes).  It is social workers who are advocating for health care and mental health services for our soldiers returning from Iraq. 

Social workers are committed to solving problems for the working poor, the abused and people with mental illness in the community.  Yes, social workers do advocate for the best interests of their clients. We are proud to say that we follow in the same tradition of great Nebraska social workers such as Grace and Edith Abbott, and Whitney Young.  We continue to stand tall in this noblest of professions working to create and seek a more just society. 

NASW-Nebraska has members from every part of this state, republicans and democrats, male and female, liberal and conservative with many different opinions, including abortion and homosexuality as mentioned in Will's column. However, professional social workers are united in their commitment to do what is best for our clients. We do not apologize for caring about people, nor do we apologize for holding members of our profession to high standards.

G.H. (Herb) Grandbois is president of the Nebraska Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Terry Werner is executive director of the organization.