I certainly give credit to this professor for openly stating the many problems that universities face today.  Plus, he points out what has caused those problems and it all centers on hiring the correct personnel. Programs like DEI place race or politics above academic excellence and the result has been the hiring of radicalized individuals who “are predominantly closed-minded, ignorant ad stupid enough to believe that Marxism works despite overwhelming historical”.

He also provides ideas on how the problems of the universities can be fixed. The true first line of defense is the parents of the students; it is their responsibility to investigate the schools where they will send their children.  Before they commit their child to four years, which will significantly determine the course of their child’s life at the cost of tens of thousands of dollars, they need to fulfill their last great significant educational act as parents. A school should not be picked based on the whim of the child, or because it has a great reputation. There are ratings for universities, and they should be used.  Would a diligent parent, for example, send their child off to a university which is poorly rated around freedom of speech, such as Harvard?  What should a rating like that tell anyone about the value of the classes?

Just as the pandemic revealed the problems in our public-school systems, so too we are finding that the same rot is deep within our temples of higher learning.  We must turn the educational system around to survive in a hard and unforgiving world.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/higher-ed-has-become-a-threat-to-america-antisemitism-dei-college-f52bb0b5

I recently did something that I do about once a year;  Iwent to a theater to see a movie.  This type of odyssey is only done when what I hope is a good movie is better viewed on a big screen.  At times this trip can be trying, especially when the movie house insists on submitting you to twenty minutes or more of coming attractions.  It is during that time that I lose hope for the movie industry as they seem to believe that childish and loud movies based on comic book characters is what the viewing public craves.  Perhaps they are correct; perhaps the mass viewing audience is made up of intellectually stunted individuals who believe that fireballs are real, and that the world can only be saved by magical powers exhibited by mutants.  At any rate, I digress; this year’s movie of choice was Ridley Scott’s Napoleon.

Why Napoleon?  Well, I like history and most of Mr. Scott’s movies. It was panned by a critic in the Wall Street Journal, but then the critic also did not like House of Gucci and All the Money in the World, two movies that I found interesting.  Then of course there were the reviews from French movie critics.  As you would expect, the idea of an Englishman daring to make a movie about a French national treasure goes far beyond the Pale. I believe that some Frenchmen believe that Napoleon lives in the heart of every French citizen and that he was a precursor to the EU, never mind the millions of deaths caused by his military adventures.  Fortunately, and I give the French credit, “wokeism” has not contaminated their lives nearly as badly as in the U.S.

Overall, I enjoyed the movie; the costumes were great, the battle scenes were exciting (note: Napoleon did not lead a charge at Waterloo), and despite a French critic writing that Napoleon as played was too dour (I don’t recall Napoleon being remembered as a jovial character), there were some rather funny moments in the movie. 

Now there are those purists who criticize the battle scene of Austerlitz and Waterloo, but we must remember that this is a MOVIE not HISTORY.  Given the amount of time that Napoleon held center stage in Europe, it would help if one knew some of the actual history to tie things together.  For example, at Waterloo when Field Marshal Blucher appears, it helps to know that he was Prussian and not just some chap coming over the hill. And who was that one French General always at Napoleon’s side during battles and at his abdication?  Oh, you mean Ney?  Minor point. Finally, Czar Alexander was not some fifteen-year-old boy as portrayed in the film.

Overall, the movie is a refreshing break from the juvenile junk put out by the movie industry.  The love scenes are a bit long but there are three good adventure scenes, plus I felt comfortable with Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon.  Would I see it again?  Sure, even on a home screen and for any history buffs, it is a fun movie to watch and debate with like-minded souls.

Imagine you are a parent, and your bright, young son or daughter wants to become a marine biologist.  Your child has applied to three universities, and you have the financial ability to allow them to attend any of the three that they wish.  You must ask yourself a key question:

Do you want your child to go to a university which has the best professors in their field, or do you want your child to go to a university which intentionally does not seek to hire the best professors but rather only seeks ones which are 67% professional qualified but are a full 33% committed to DEI. Well, what is there to ponder?  Of course, you would prefer the university who refuses to hire the best professors.  Especially in a field such as marine biology where racism is a major problem.

Silly?  Not if your child is thinking of attending Ohio State university.  In the article linked below, the Director of University Policy at the National Association of Scholars states that every search committee must create a “Diversity Faculty Recruitment Report” to be approved by various deans to interview finalists for any position.  Perfect!

You might think that since your child is not going to be taught by the best you will get a substantial break on the out-of-state cost of Ohio State which is about $50,000/year just for room and board.  What a charming and naïve idea!  No, you should pay full ticket so your budding scholar will be exposed to their field by an individual who may have an entirely new theory of astrophysics, engineering, etc., thanks to their adherence to DEI.

Excellence and merit are so yesterday. 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/inside-ohio-states-dei-factory-faculty-report-diversity-hiring-cefd804d?page=1

Go to any bookstore (remember those?) and go to the self-improvement section.  It is huge with titles all designed to make you believe you have found the secret of the ages, and you can have it for only $19.95.  Or Google self-help on the internet, and you will find more than 13,000 books listed on eBay, all promising to help you become more successful, confident, etc. Financial freedom, happiness, love, everything you have ever wanted will be yours if you only follow what is written on those sacred pages.  I have known individuals who have shelves filled with those types of books, most of which have not been read cover to cover and which are gathering dust day to day, year to year.

In the video linked below, we hear that most people have lust, not passion in their search for a goal.  That is an important distinction and one that a very successful and secure individual makes time and again. Over 18,000,000 people have heard his words, who knows how many have followed his advice. It really does not matter, for no one can force anyone to accept words of wisdom. But really, if you are one of those individuals who has a library of self-help books, invest a few minutes, and listen to what he has to say. 

Asking A Retired Shipping Billionaire If It Was Worth It – YouTube

For several decades, the U.S has been the “big dog” in the world.  It’s military, financial expertise, technology and stability have given it tremendous power in keeping the peace, holding non-friendly players in place, and keeping its allies willing to support the goals of the U.S. 

There has arisen a potential power bloc which aims to upset the dominance of the U.S. on the world stage.  China, Iran, and Russia seek to reshape the world order to their liking at the expense of the U.S. and many of their immediate neighbors.  Unfortunately, the primary player to counter their plans continues to be the U.S.  I say “unfortunately” because simply put, there is no other pro-Western nation capable of either helping the U.S. Who else has any of the strengths that could make it a possible replacement for the U.S.?  France?  With hundreds of no go zones in their own cities, France cannot control it own territory.  The U.K.?  A great ally but it has seen its best days as they face their own migrant challenges.  The list goes on and on.

Unfortunately, many of the allies of the U.S. are willing to kowtow to one or more of the challengers in the hopes of financial gain through business opportunities.  And, just as unfortunately, the U.S. under two of the past three administrations seems to have and currently operate as if appeasement can turn those other powers from their plans and vision of a new world order.

The linked article outlines what needs to be done to successfully stop the new challengers from achieving their goals, but in each case, resolute and realistic actions and policies must be introduced.  That sort of action requires dynamic leadership which seems to be wanting.  Can the U.S. and the rest of the world afford to wait?  

https://www.wsj.com/articles/only-america-can-restore-world-order-ukraine-israel-taiwan-4bd37b92?page=1

I recently read an article that stated that it is nearly impossible to eliminate a government agency; in fact, it has never been done.  One of the prime reasons was that, for example, if one were to eliminate the Federal Department of Education, who since being formed has seen a decrease in the reading/math/language skills of children, the funding provided by that department would stop and that would be bad for local schools (who depend on it) and the politicians (who claim they bring home the bacon).

What an amazing rationale for not reducing an agency.  First, the money they send to the school districts are the taxes the citizens of those districts paid!  The money was not produced or generated by that department, it was collected and some of it was returned to the local schools after taking a sizable chunk of the funds for overhead of the department!  It would be more efficient if the money stayed in each district and was used according to local needs.  That would mean no “haircut” going to some far away bureaucracy which has no accountability.

The report below gives us a glimpse into the vast administrative state.  This state, accountable to no one, operating with guidelines favorable to its own existence and spewing studies which are clearly slanted, will cost literally hundreds of billions of dollars a year with no sunset clause, no oversight, and the prospect of future rules in the future.

Looking at the new rules generated by the current and past administrations, no one has yet to ask a simple question; for all the wealth spend creating and adhering to new reports, regulations, guidelines, etc., can anyone point to how the average citizens life has become better or easier?  When was the last time you, personally, said to yourself: “I am so glad that such and such administrative rule was written as it really makes a positive impact on my life.”  I doubt if anyone could say that because the burden of adhering to all these new rules is carried by the system which has created the greatest boon for mankind, the American capitalist system.  The farmers, business managers, employers, small business owners, etc. are the ones who need to spend more time doing paperwork and less time taking care of their businesses and their customers.  They are the ones who must hire a new person just to complete the reports, logs, etc., that are fed back to an administrative state that has no accountability and produces little if anything of value.

The next time a President signs an executive order, sit up, look at it and figure out how much it will cost you in future taxes.

Please copy the link below and paste it to your search engine

https://committeetounleashprosperity.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CTUP_BurdenisBack_ComparingRegulatoryCosts.pdf

Let us be honest: we have a major problems in our public education system. Let us look at some basic data:

1. Nationally, 29% of students read at grade level.
2. Only 26% do math at grade level.
3. In Chicago, only 11% of Blacks and 17% of Hispanic students read at grade level.

Somehow, most of these students pass from year to year until they either drop out or graduate unable to read or do basic math. Amazing. What kind of life awaits them?

Yet there is more:

• In Washington State, while the student population has increased by 3%, the staff has increased by 20%.
• In Massachusetts, the number of students has fallen by 42,000 but the number of staff has increased by 18,000.

What exactly are all those new administrators and teachers doing aside from pushing transgender studies and asking the students if they would like to use ziv, zim or some other meaningless scramble of letters that are proclaimed pronouns. Pronouns that are made up from thin air by ideologues who are only seeking to further their own agendas, regardless of the negative impact on others.

Does anyone other than those who are getting paid by the system believe that we are getting our monies worth? That the children are being prepared for the real world? Do they honestly think at the end of each day that they have contributed to a better world?

The real crime, yes crime, of the system, is that millions of individuals who pass through the system are being cheated and denied an opportunity at living a full life. They graduate unprepared and ill-equipped to get a decent job, to be good parents, and to look forward to a life of increased beauty and ease. They are condemned by the system and their lives that will be harder and less rewarding than necessary. This is a moral failure on the part of those who profit from the system and who accept it.

The attached article should shock you and make you ask who is accountable for the failings of the public school system other than the children themselves.

Low Grade Schools | Frontpage Mag

Billions of dollars have been spent in the past few years by governments at every level as well as industries and special interests’ groups in the quest for going “green”.  Despite the auto manufacturers losing huge amounts of money, there are those who profit from the largess of governments and who manage to rake in huge subsidies in a futile effort to stay afloat.  Examples can be found across the United States where wind farms are suddenly not welcomed and those who plan such projects scramble to gain new subsidies and tax breaks as they realize their business model is not sustainable.

There are, however, deeper problems in the rush to “green”, and one major problem is the rather dull but necessar area of infrastructure.  It is estimated that 49.7 million miles of transmission lines will need to be built or replaced to achieve the 2040 deadline of net-zero emissions.  The winners in that silliness will be the Chinese who will have to build more coal plants to produce the transmission lines. 

The link below will take you to an article which raises serious questions regarding the world’s ability to reach the 2040 goal.  Indeed, the question is not how much of the 2040 goal is attainable, but rather is the goal necessary or positive for humanity. 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/the-green-power-grid-isnt-coming/ar-AA1ix3ej

I believe that most Americans have a positive view of Canada, and why not?  Visiting Canada is easy, the people are friendly and courteous, and they drive on the same side of the road.  The cities are orderly and clean, they seem to have a good government and by and large we all share the same values. There are some differences in our outlooks, but by and large they reflect our different historical experiences.

As of late however, the Canadian government has embarked on a program which leads to a dangerous path.  Their national program of assisted suicide could be viewed as a bit too easy.  I can understand assisted suicide if an individual is terminally ill, in constant pain, is worried about the cost to their family, etc.  The Canadian plan, however, goes further however and is much easier to access.  Are you depressed?  Have you lost your job and are facing financial ruin?  Perhaps you are in your late teens and are not happy with your looks? Can’t afford proper medical care (in a system that claims to cover everyone)?  How about you have just suffered a stroke and are depressed and angry?  What if you cannot engage in your favorite activity or sport, is that enough reason to end one’s life? Are you mentally ill and not capable of making sound judgements? Do we really want to make government assisted suicide that simple?

Although it has not reached the level of Germany’s system of the 1930’s eliminating those who were guilty of having a “life unworthy of life”, it should make us wonder what guidelines are in place to ensure a policy of governmental support of assisted suicide cannot be abused. At the current time there are no requirements for psychological or medical counseling, so approval of any request is in the hands of governmental bureaucrats and doctors?

What does such a wide-open program say about the value we place on human life and how have we come to this place?

https://www.city-journal.org/article/canadian-death-cult

As I have written several times, governments have a habit of creating a new program funded by your tax dollars, then when the programs do not work out, decide that taxpayers need to pour more subsidies into the bad program to “rescue” their failure.  Wouldn’t it be wiser to re-examine the failing program, figure out why it is failing and then insist that those who manage the disaster fix the problems which are creating failure?  Sorry, I said a word that is verboten in government speak; wise.

For years the government has been taking your taxes to subsidize an idea whose time (and technology) has not really come, but they continue to create government made millionaires who receive subsidies for a concept that is not especially popular with consumers.  They also have decided that in the name of “green” energy, they have all but taken over another one-seventh of the U.S. economy, the auto industry (thanks to Obamacare they took over that one-seventh of the economy and it is working so well).  Watch on the horizon for more government bailouts funding by borrowing which you, the taxpayer will have to fund. 

Read the linked article below and count the days.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/brace-for-the-wind-and-electric-vehicle-bailouts-506383a8?mod=opinion_lead_pos6