"He mourns the loss of dialogue and skillfully ponders how we could have gotten to this point: a place in which there is no conversation, least of which is intelligent conversation; a place that has forgotten truth and accepts misinformation; a place in which this country has lost its way."

This commentary on Al Gore's book "Assault on Reason" (Pilgrim Group, New York) by columnist Michelle Kraus of huffingtonpost.com contains a bombshell: Have we really lost our way?

As a campus minister, one thing I learned is that young people hunger for ideals, truthfulness and intelligent dialogue. This is not to say all youth are this conscientious, but rather to contend there is a basic pristine honesty in them.

In the movie "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," a young senator, played by Jimmy Stewart, fights for honesty and justice. It touches us because we love the purity of intention of this young man.

The senior world is quite different from that of a junior senator. It often involves walking a fine line between being honest and capitulating to half-truths. Frequently it consists of fighting the never-ending battle of good versus evil.

I don't believe, as Gore does, that we have lost our way, but rather that we are in the age-old battle of trying to keep alive our youthful ideals. I do believe this battle can only be won by the revolution of our youth.

Young people love stretching the muscles of their minds. As much as they are portrayed as amoral or immoral, more often than not, they also desire excellence in moral conduct. Gore gives us a good starting point for creating a youth revolution by questioning our ability to have intelligent conversation.

Today's youth must do what youth do best, intelligently question the status quo. For example, is the world of idealism they cherish being stolen from them by an adolescent world of entertainment that is an insult to the high standards they desire to live? Is the abbreviated, instant news they are viewing blunting their youthful, reflective powers?

Studies on youth repeatedly demonstrate they are religious even though they may not always attend church services. In fact, some avoid church because it is anything but filled with inspiring thoughts of God.

Has the time come to revolt against those who are so politically correct that they want to eliminate God from public life? Has the time come to revolt against those who are stunting the beauty of the divine life of God by presenting God as less than God is? Is there a need to cry for more religious substance, the very basis upon which this country is founded?

We have not lost our way! It is in our midst. All we need do is reinforce the idealism and revolutionary spirit of our youth.

Fr. Eugene Hemrick is a columnist with Cathiolic News Service.