[Strangler Lewis]

I certainly think it's reasonable for schools to say to high school kids, "You should be able to figure out what you believe, articulate why you believe it and see the strengths and weaknesses in contrary positions." However, I very much doubt that this was the purpose of the exercise in 1970s Orange County. It was us=good, them=bad, and seductive dangers lurk around every corner.

I also doubt that the school intended the students to take critical opinions on the event itself, i.e., that it was ridiculous.