What is wrong with this picture? An individual to help mold the minds and values of children is caught in a swindle regarding the achievements of the children he is there to help. Instead of firing him quickly, to make an example of him to the children, he is awarded a multi-year contract that will pay him nearly $2,000,000.

A system that operates like this, which rewards a thief and liar is in major trouble. At the very least, the teachers and their union should demand this type of reward for bad actions. We always hear the teacher’s union yelling about how what they do is “for the children.”  Then why not take a strong stand and demand his expulsion without pay from their ranks. And those folks at the local DOE are examples of why the average citizen looks on distain at government bureaucracies. Is there a more glaring case of lack of leadership, morals and doing what is best “for the children.”

It appears that the old saying that “crime does not pay” only applies to the taxpayers but not to those who are entrusted to help create well educated future citizens with solid values. What a shame.

https://nypost.com/2022/04/16/queens-principal-booted-for-fraud-will-get-paid-for-7-years/

No one ever said that being a parent was easy, but traditionally the parents were given the benefit of the doubt regarding the raising of their children.  Cases of parental abuse were dealt with by the court system and while not perfect, the welfare of the child as a minor incapable of rational choice was the main concern of the state.  In the public school system, there was a goal of parent/teacher co-operation and trust.

The one benefit of the lockdowns-admittedly at a huge cost-has been a re-examination of the parent-teacher relationship as parents have become more aware of the curriculum which has taken over many public schools with the full support of the teacher’s unions and power forces which are immune to parental concerns and desires.  Amazingly teachers who have failed to provide the three “R” s to students at a time when future employment and self-sufficiency will be more and more dependent on these basic skills more than ever, has seemingly taken onto their broad shoulders’ the sexual lives of children five years old and older. Thank goodness for their expert help! It is clear that teachers in many locations across the country are unable to fulfill the basics of their position so why would anyone believe they are competent to take on the sexual education of the children in their classes?

As if the arrogance of the teachers is not enough, corporate America has also decided that it is their responsibility to jump into the fight and help parents across America raise their children to be happy, responsible, and sexually fulfilled minors. It is obvious that if you take your child to Disney World, you are taking them there so that they will be exposed to the correct sexual role models, not to provide an innocent, if expensive, lapse into fantasy. At the same time, summer camp may now be available for parents to allow individuals with no professional expertise to provide their children with sexual toys, lessons on BDSM and other sexual advice that those foolish parents thought would be best handled by the parents themselves.

The two links to short articles by Christopher F. Rufo should be read by parents so that they may ask pointed questions when they decide to turn their children over to what has traditionally been a time of innocent fun, experience, and growth.  It seems that it is the view of more and more organizations and special interest groups that the role of parents is one to merely provide shelter and food to children and that parents should leave the moral and sexual education to those who know better or at the very least, have a self-serving agenda totally opposed to the will of those foolish parents.

https://www.city-journal.org/kentucky-summer-camp-teaches-sex-liberation

https://www.city-journal.org/disneys-ideological-capture

Is a call for election integrity really a disguise for voter suppression? Are American minorities less competent than six hundred million citizens of India who voted after showing government issued identifications? When South Carolina introduced the secret ballot, in 1950, the percentage of people who voted fell by twelve percent; was the secret ballot really voter suppression or did it simply stop voter fraud by eliminating voters getting paid for voting a certain way under the eyes of election judges.

We seem to have in the United States two streams of thought regarding voting; on one hand are those who believe that voting should be made as easy as possible while neglecting the possibility of fraud. On the other side is a party who wants to impose what they see as safeguards to eliminate voter fraud. Is there a middle way?

The article linked below examines some of these questions and puts our voting system in perspective to the Europeans, Mexico, and Canada. Are their cries of voter suppression in the dozens of nations which require voter id? If six hundred million citizens of India can vote and hear the results in a timely manner, what exactly is our problem? As usual, John Lott Jr., has authored an article that may make you a bit more skeptical when politicians make their usual defenses for their solutions.

The “Great Game” of the 19^th century is starting anew only instead of Britain and Tsarist Russia being the main players, we now see on one side Communist China and Putin’s Russia and on the other side, the United States and hopefully, most of the European states. I say hopefully because while the recent about turn by Germany regarding its military and Britain’s fledging steps towards fracking are encouraging, one must wonder if the Western European states will stay the course. And, what of the United States? The navel gazing centering on “white privilege” and the drive to the “green” agenda no matter the costs are hardly the policies on which survival against relentless and ruthless foes are successful.

The excellent article linked below lays out in realistic and stark terms fundamental issues and questions which we need to face if we hope to survive. It is said that liberty is always only one generation away from extinction and we may have already begun a journey down a dark path to that extinction. Let us hope that Putin’s invasion of the Ukraine will awaken in each of us, the realization that the world is a dangerous place and if we wish to continue our liberties and freedoms, we need to focus firstly on policies which strengthen our defenses.

https://quillette.com/2022/03/09/the-new-great-game/

The concept of “broken windows” policing should apply on a national level; when we see politicians or bureaucrats ignoring the laws and traditions that have been the basis of our nation, we need to take corrective action. When our basic rights are abused, we need to act. When the very value of our citizenship is discounted, we need to respond. These are the premises and foundation of Victor Davis Hansons’ excellent new book, The Dying Citizen: How Progressive Elites, Tribalism and Globalization Are Destroying the Idea of America.

I purchased the book because I have been increasingly concerned about the decreasing value of my personal citizenship. How is it that citizens can be mandated to limit travel, wear masks, show proof of vaccination while during the last year, two million individuals from over 150 countries have entered our nation illegally and be allowed to disappear into the vastness of our nation by the government officials who have sworn to uphold our laws? How is it that those who enter our nation illegally are not 100% assessed for Covid, quarantined, etc.? In a naked power grab, politicians in various cities decree non-citizens can vote in local elections thus decreasing the power of our citizenship. The supremacy of national laws? Worthless as hundreds of cities openly ignore Federal law, making tax paying citizens pay for the education, health care, etc., of those who decided that they and not we the citizens should decide our rules for living in our nation.

It seems that every cause de jour creates a life of its own.  It goes on forever, constantly demanding more action and attention, constantly finding new ways to justify its very existence.  Can anyone image any “cause” throwing up its collective hands and declaring that the cause they fought for has been conquered?  “Victory!  We can all go home; we have achieved our purpose!”

Of course not! Why? Too many people depend on the “cause” for their income, their lifestyle, their very purpose.  Where would they be without their “cause”?  They might have to go out and find a position where they might have actual accountability or proof of productivity. Or they could just go join another “cause” but who would want them as the recruit came from a cause that was settled and disappeared.  No, that employee might be a threat to the new groups job security.

The article with the link exposes some of the ways that the Woke movement is diligently working to ensure their own job security. It really is a brilliant concept; create a “cause” that can sit in judgment on the history, actions and thoughts of billions of people including into the future.  At the same time, instill in others a sense of being helpless before a great conspiracy that impacts every aspect of their lives!  A dream scenario for an enlightened elite who have found the Absolute Truth! 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/inside-the-woke-indoctrination-machine-diversity-equity-inclusion-bipoc-schools-conference-11644613908?page=1

A few months ago, the U.S. military had a recruiting campaign called “The Calling.”  At the time, there were numerous comparisons between that “woke” campaign and typical Russian recruiting commercials. One was an idealized cartoon full of politically correct images while the other was a dark, at times brutal look at what exists at the core of the military. There is no indication if “The Calling” was a successful campaign, but it was a taste of things to come.

Women’s place in the military has been and is a thorny issue. It is the case that there are many skills and responsibilities that woman can fulfill while in service, but the sharp end of the bayonet is one area that raises numerous questions and difficulties. Physically speaking, are women up to the most brutal aspects of military service? We see in the civilian area where biological males who fail in competition against other biological males set new records when they become transgenders and compete against the best of biological females. Is the same true in the military?

The linked article looks at a real-world example and should be a warning to those who create and direct policy for the military. We tend to think of the responsibility of the military in terms of force, but it also has a responsibility to act in a manner to minimize the danger, when possible, to its own members. Soldiers are expensive and any action which can put them at risk involves clear thinking. Simply put, does the ideal of wokeness strengthen the chances of survival for those directly involved, or is it another danger factor which must be realized and countered.

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2022/02/14/airman-eliminated-after-third-womens-skeleton-heat-at-beijing-olympics/

Never was the adage, “follow the money” better demonstrated than the change of course for the ACLU. With the huge increase in donations in response to the Presidency of Donald Trump, the ACLU has gone from a group which fought for the right of self-styled Nazis to march in a heavily Jewish suburb of Chicago, to one which supports those who which to harm the State of Israel through boycotts. This dramatic change was a fundamental change in its basic principles; the ACLU was more against Trump than for free speech.

Going further down the path, the ACLU has basically stated that subjects cannot be taught in schools unless the curriculum is kept a secret; parents are not to be included in those who are privileged to know. This is the same organization that fought for years for greater transparency of public institutions but that was before they became rich with newfound wealth.

Which leads one to ask; just who is supplying the ACLU with such substantial amounts of cash? What direct influence do they have over the policies and battles fought by the ACLU? And, when will the ACLU provide the names and financial donations of their contributors? Personally, I am against the efforts of the “progressives” in demanding that same information from conservative organizations, but I am also a great believer in leading by example, so I am sure the ACLU will wish to be the first to fully open its books. I am just not holding my breath for that to happen.

https://www.city-journal.org/progressives-against-school-transparency

There are numerous black conservative writers of note, Thomas Sowell, Shelby Steele, Ken Blackwell, Jason Riley, etc. Those men are often the subjects of abuse from other blacks and whites who see their writing as traitorous to a viewpoint that that been the ideology of oppression and submission for generations. Now, added to this distinguished company can be added a black professor who must be admired for his courage as well as for his clear thinking and adherence to sometime uncomfortable facts which all too many black “leaders” ignore.

My first thought after reading this article was that I wanted to meet the author and offer him my hand for his bravery, clear thinking, and confidence in the future. His positive message is a real breath of fresh air! I hope you shall have the same feelings.

https://www.firstthings.com/article/2022/01/the-case-for-black-patriotism

It may have seemed since 9/11 that the radical form of Islam was on a victorious march against all that the West has and does stand for in the world. Yet, as the linked article shows, in those countries where radical Islam has seized power, they have a wonderful record of failure. Blinded by ideology which has an answer for every problem and situation, they have managed time after time to fail.

This is a lengthy article, but if you make it to the end, you may just feel a bit more optimistic.  The only downside is that millions of citizens of the nations seized by radical Muslims must learn such a tough lesson the hard way. Too bad they cannot just read about the failures elsewhere and skip the experience

https://quillette.com/2022/01/21/in-the-muslim-world-islamism-is-going-out-of-vogue/