Education

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Media Bias - News - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

More Tolerant Left Squelches Free Speech… Again

February 2, 2008 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

Now, remember, the left is more tolerant. They are more caring, more civilized and more intelligent than you conservatives. OK? Now that we got that all straight, we can continue to inform you that uncivil leftist whiners in Connecticut have quashed someone’s free speech, forcing them to pull out of a commencement speech at a high school. Remember… leftists are more interested in freedom than you Nazis on the right. I hope you remember that?

The AP gives us the story of the hatemongers and protesters at Choate Rosemary Hall, a “prestigious” prep school in Wallingford, CT, who have forced former presidential adviser Karl Rove to cancel plans to deliver the school’s commencement speech this coming June.

You see, the left really cares about freedom of speech… unless its speech they don’t much like, of course.

Continue reading “More Tolerant Left Squelches Free Speech… Again”

00Publius Contributor - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Media Bias - News - Society/Culture - Taxes - The Law - Warner Todd Huston

NYT: AZ Prop 300 ‘Frightening’ Away Illegal Alien Students

January 27, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The New York Times wants you to know that legislators in Arizona are mean to illegal immigrants trying to go to the state’s schools on the cheap. The Times wants you to imagine that Arizona’s new anti-illegal laws are oppressing those poor, illegal immigrant students that come into Arizona expecting to get all sorts of loans and financial breaks just because… well, just because they happen to draw a breath. The Times wants us all to tsk tsk the state of Arizona because it had the guts to finally do something about the billions of dollars lost to this flood of criminal aliens. Somehow, I don’t feel so bad, though.

With the sensational headline, “Arizona Law Takes a Toll on Nonresident Students,” the Times gives us the tale of woe of students that want to steal from Arizona’s educational system. They begin their tale with the experience of Marco Carrillo who was asked by his college counselor if he was a legal resident or not. The Times acts as if even asking this question is somehow mean-spirited or shocking.

“The very first question she asked me was whether I was a legal resident here,” said Mr. Carrillo, 20, now an electrical engineering student at Arizona State University in Tempe. “And I said, ‘Yeah, I am.’ And she said, ‘Oh good, that makes things easier.”

But, see, Mr. Carrillo IS a resident. So, what is the problem here? The problem, as the NYT sees it, apparently is that it is unseemly even to ask. But, Arizona’s new Proposition 300 requires the new focus on citizenship and the NYT is appalled by such a thing,

Such questions have become commonplace in Arizona, where voters passed a 2006 referendum, Proposition 300, that forbids college students who cannot prove they are legal residents from receiving state financial assistance.

To any real American, this seems like a sensible and good rule. If you aren’t a legal resident, why the heck should you get all sort of financial breaks to go to school in Arizona? But, the NYT seems to want to warn us about how eeevil this law is.

Continue reading “NYT: AZ Prop 300 ‘Frightening’ Away Illegal Alien Students”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Lee Culpepper - News - Society/Culture - Unions

Charter Schools: The Marine Corps of Public Education

January 25, 2008 by

Charter Schools: The Marine Corps of Public Education
-By Lee Culpepper

The Marine Corps’ mystique entices motivated recruits. Its battlefield ferocity strikes fear in the hearts of its enemies. The Corps is something nearly everyone admires, but only a few have what it takes to make the commitment.

Marines do not make excuses; they find ways to accomplish their mission – often without assets others require. Marines pride themselves on their ability to “accomplish more with less.”

Charter schools have benefited from a similar philosophy. They, too, “accomplish more with less.” They entice committed families and teachers searching for something better in public education. They also strike fear in the hearts of teacher unions and slippery politicians.

Overall, charter schools have produced at least as good — but typically better — results than traditional public schools. They have done so without assets their competition demands. Charters have succeeded despite receiving less taxpayer funding. They are completely on their own to pay for classroom facilities. Whether they build, lease, or restore property, charters own the problem.
Continue reading “Charter Schools: The Marine Corps of Public Education”

00Publius Contributor - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Media Bias - News - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

Man Falsely Accused in Sex Attack Brings Calls to Restrict… the Falsely Accused?

January 24, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Only the left and their lapdogs in the media can construe a story about a construction worker that was falsely accused of sexually molesting a girl in a school where he was working as a call to further restrict construction workers who are contracted to work in schools. The Baltimore Sun gives us this tale of a world upside down in a society that cannot seem any longer to understand what should be focused upon and what should not.

Apparently, some middle school girl in Perry Hall Middle School in the Baltimore, Maryland suburbs decided it was a neat idea to claim she was sexually attacked in one of the school’s bathrooms by a “construction worker” who was doing his work inside the school. So, the police dutifully detained the construction worker in question and began their investigation. It turned out, however, that surveillance tapes showed that the worker in question could not have done what the girl claimed. On cross-examination, the girl’s story collapsed and she recanted the claims. Lastly, no physical evidence was found to substantiate the attack.

Now, what do you think nearly half the Sun’s story was about? Was it about how this nasty little cuss of a girl caused so much trouble with her lies? Was it that the school apologized to the construction worker for his discomfort? How about the police? Did they apologize to the worker and demand the school address the situation? Parents? Did parents get up in arms about how this worker was so mistreated?

No. None of that.

No, it turns out that nearly half the Sun’s story was centered on the idea that the school should put restrictions on construction workers! (Yes, I did say he was innocent.)

Continue reading “Man Falsely Accused in Sex Attack Brings Calls to Restrict… the Falsely Accused?”

00Publius Contributor - Education - Israel Teitelbaum - News - Security/Safety - Society/Culture

Conservatives: THINK!

January 21, 2008 by

-By Israel Teitelbaum

When I attended the United Lubavitcher Yeshiva, on Bedford Avenue corner Dean Street, Brooklyn, in the 1950’s, there was a sign on the wall that read “THINK.” I used to wonder what it meant, and over the years it has taken on more meaning. It becomes ever more apparent that there are actually people out there who don’t think. They allow others to do their thinking for them. While we “Conservatives” always believed that “Liberals” don’t think. Now I’m beginning to have some doubts.

It’s becoming very frustrating to listen to my favorite talk show hosts as they constantly lament the onslaught of the Left. I’m pained by their refusal to address the core issue, from whence the Left derives its ill-gotten power.

Clearly, we no longer have a government of, by and for the People. We have local, state and federal government controlled by the largest conglomerate the world has ever seen – a monopoly that goes by the name of the National Education Association, and affiliates, with a standing political army of 3,000,000, plus friends and family.

Conservatives have handed them everything, including our children, on the mistaken claim that the 10th Amendment prevents Congress from passing what the Civil Rights Act of 1964 left out – Equal Educational Opportunity. This legislation would provide for equitable educational funding for children in public and non-public schools, while respecting schools’ liberty in hiring and provision of services. It would break the NEA monopoly on the nation’s education system, culture and government, and force them to compete with parents and private enterprise. This would result in improved quality and efficiency of both education and government.

While the 10th Amendment prevents the Federal Government from involvement in matters not assigned to the Feds in the U.S. Constitution, the right of parents to raise their own children, without government interference, is clearly protected in the Constitution. This issue needs to be publicly debated now, while our votes are being counted!

Please see the following press release and feel free to contact or interview any of those involved in the effort to sponsor the Civil Rights Act for Equal Educational Opportunity. See contact information below.

All the best.
Israel Teitelbaum
Continue reading “Conservatives: THINK!”

00Publius Contributor - ACLU - Democrats/Leftists - Education - News - Religion - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

ACLU Stops Bible Distribution in After School/Lunch Break Periods

January 18, 2008 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

In their continued efforts to destroy religion in America, the ACLU has won another loathsome victory against the free expression of religion. The AP reports that a rural school district near St. Louis, MO can no longer allow representatives of Gideons International to give away Bibles to fifth-graders during after school periods or during their lunch break periods.

For more than three decades, the South Iron School District in Annapolis, 120 miles southwest of St. Louis in the heart of the Bible Belt, allowed representatives of Gideons International to give away Bibles in fifth-grade classrooms.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed suit two years ago on behalf of four sets of parents. In August, a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a temporary injunction against the practice.

The district altered its policy, saying the Gideons and others were still welcome to distribute Bibles or other literature before or after school or during lunch break, but not in classrooms.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry ruled both practices were illegal and granted a permanent injunction.

Naturally the ACLU claims that any vestige of Christianity in or near a school means that the poor kiddies are being FORCED to become slaves to Christianity. Sadly, they never take cases trying to stop Islam from being forced on our school kids proving that the ACLU only wants to destroy Christians and that they aren’t the least bit interested in any issue like “religion in schools.”

The school district is going to appeal these anti-religious judges’ decision. Let’s hope they are successful.

00Publius Contributor - Education - Elections - Israel Teitelbaum - News - Society/Culture

Massive School Choice Drive Planned

January 16, 2008 by

-By Israel Teitelbaum

Honorable Clergy, Principals and Concerned Parents:

It’s a great pleasure to forward the press release from the National Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish Education on the urgent issue of school vouchers, along with the “Become a Lobbyist” contest that invites everyone to join this effort. Parents and teachers may, of course, help.

Major national organizations and schools across the USA are joining a massive drive to promote The Civil Rights Act for Equal Educational Opportunity. This proposed national legislation would provide equitable educational funding for every child in both public and non-public school, while respecting the liberty of schools in hiring and provision of services.

Your help is crucial to having this legislation sponsored. According to Congressman Rodney P. Frelinghuysen, who championed the DC Vouchers, voters need to speak out, as was done in Washington DC. The way our democracy works is that the people express their needs to their elected officials, and their elected officials respond with legislation. As long as we remain silent, nothing happens.
Continue reading “Massive School Choice Drive Planned”

00Publius Contributor - Congress - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Nancy Salvato - News - Society/Culture

Congress Shall Make No Law Respecting an Establishment of an Education System

January 14, 2008 by

-By Nancy Salvato

As an education reformer, I read about education every day. I read about ways to hold institutions of higher learning accountable for their education curriculum, I read about how important it is to have highly qualified teachers, and I read how students not receiving an equitable education should be afforded the right to attend private schools or charter schools with the tax dollars set aside for public education. While all of these are noble ideas, none of them address the real problem with education.

The real problem is that nowhere is it written in the Constitution or the Bill of Rights that there is freedom of education. Unlike religion, which received protection from the faction of the majority by the Bill of Rights which states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” nowhere is education specifically addressed in the Constitution or the Bill of Rights. Yet, today, we have in place a Department of Education funded by the taxpayers’ money and a public education system funded by the taxpayers’ money.

I am convinced that James Madison, who fought tooth and nail against using public money for religion, would have felt the same way about education. How can I be so certain about this? No one, especially James Madison, wanted the state to support a single system of religious beliefs. Furthermore, against majority opinion, James Madison fought against a general assessment tax which would have given “individual citizen[s] the option of designating his taxes to any one of a number of denominations.”
Continue reading “Congress Shall Make No Law Respecting an Establishment of an Education System”

00Publius Contributor - Education - Israel Teitelbaum - News - Society/Culture

Massive School Choice Drive Planned

January 13, 2008 by

-By Israel Teitelbaum

Community leaders and school principals came together on Tuesday, January 8, at the headquarters of the National Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish Education (NCFJE) to address the current crises in education. After hearing from a cross section of community activists, it was decided to organize a massive “phone-in” to the leading presidential candidates urging them to support The Civil Rights Act for Equal Educational Opportunity. This proposed legislation would provide equitable educational funding for children in both public and non-public schools, while respecting the liberty of schools in hiring and provision of services.

Phone calls are scheduled to be placed on January 23 and 24, shortly prior to major primary elections across the United States. Florida will hold theirs on January 29; Main on February 1; and on February 5 primaries will be held in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Utah.

Rabbi Shea Hecht, Chairman of the Board of NCFJE, opened the meeting by pointing out that despite the fact that passage of this legislation appears to be politically impossible to achieve, we need to do all that we can, and have faith that our Creator will do the rest. He pointed out, “In study after study, wherever school choice has been tried, it was of great benefit to all; the children benefited, the parents benefited and so did the private and public schools…Although the challenge is great, school choice has the support of many people, and we need to make the effort.”
Continue reading “Massive School Choice Drive Planned”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Media Bias - News - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

Chi Sun-Times Photo of Frowning Bush Set Against Smiling Kids Over Education Issues

January 9, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The oldest trick in the book in the “news” biz is to take a photo of a politician that makes him look worried, sad, or downcast to offset a story of how things aren’t working so well for that pol’s policies or plans. Well, the Chicago Sun-Times has used that ages old trick to lambast president Bush’s “No Child Left Behind” program by giving us the stories of several Illinois students that supposedly slipped through the cracks of the Federal program and using a picture of Bush with furrowed brow with inset pictures of the several students. Of course, their stories are expectedly filled with nonsense, but it is the photo that the Sun-Times really expects to tell the tale. This photo says “failure and he knows it” all over the thing and sets the tone of bias from the start.

The Sun-Times starts out to lower our expectations of Bush’s policies:

President Bush arrives in town today, primed to spread the gospel on one of his key policy initiatives, the No Child Left Behind Law… The goals are lofty, but the reality is jarring. We thought the president should meet some of the children in Chicago who are left behind every day, especially in our high schools.

First of all, Sun-Times, schools are run by the state and, in Chicago’s case, even the city itself has far more sway than the Feds due to a deal that Richie “King” Daley made with the State of Illinois. So Bush alone isn’t responsible for the kids “left behind” in Chicago’s schools.

The Sun-Times goes on to introduce us to a Denise Ferrusquia who claims that she can’t learn because she feels she has to “do learning on my own.” Someone should let this empty headed youngster know that EVERYONE learns “on their own.” There isn’t a computer upload that can feed education right into your brain, Denise. You have to make the effort yourself. The truth is, you don’t necessarily need a school at all to learn. All you have to do is read! (not that schools are unnecessary, of course. But her assumption is ridiculous on its face)

Then they give us young Mr. Brad Johnson who was shocked that he was not so well served by his Chicago school system once he got to Loyola University.

Continue reading “Chi Sun-Times Photo of Frowning Bush Set Against Smiling Kids Over Education Issues”

00Publius Contributor - Congress - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Elections - GOP - Military - News - Patriotism - President - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Vince Johnson

Third Open Letter to the Presidential Candidate I’d Vote For

January 6, 2008 by

-By Vince Johnson

Dear Sir/Ms/Mrs._____________________________________________
In review: In my first letter I suggested you walk out during a nit picky debate and announce a press conference on the Mexican border near Del Rio, Texas. At Del Rio you explained what you plan to do about immigration and announced your third conference at Santiam High in Mill City, Oregon. At the third conference you make a short speech before an audience of students, and teachers at Santiam High School:

“Last week I discussed my plans about immigration. This week I will state my position on education. Each student in this room is nearing a decision point that will affect their life as long as they live. Those desiring to have a meaningful and successful career have two basic choices. You can serve your country in any of many trades and professions. Or you can serve your country in the armed forces.

“In 2006, $1.4 billion tax dollars were spent on advertising designed to persuade you to enlist in the armed forces. Once you enlist, more billions are spent to feed you, cloth you, fix your teeth, treat you when you are ill, and on and on. Beyond that, more billions will be spent to train you in a wide variety of technologies and essential skills. And beyond that, billions and billions more are spent on military assets that you might operate, navigate, repair, maintain, and so on.

“To repeat: You have two options. You can serve your country in the armed forces, or you can serve your country in any of the thousands of trades and professions. Keep in mind that either choice is honorable and absolutely necessary. If you choose to join the armed forces the government pays you and gives you everything you need If you choose a career in one of the trades or professions, you might qualify for a loan from the government, otherwise you are on your own. This is not a wisecrack. This is fact.
Continue reading “Third Open Letter to the Presidential Candidate I’d Vote For”

00Publius Contributor - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Elections - History - Media Bias - News - Patriotism - President - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Why I Don’t Want Your Kid to Vote

January 2, 2008 by 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

Every election year we are presented with stories about the vaunted “youth vote.” We are told how we must get the kids to the polls, we are told that the candidates are working hard to court the youth vote and we are given story after story of the efforts of one organization or another that is trying to excite young people to vote. We are presented with these stories as if it is a good thing that kids under 21 should vote, that it is somehow a desired thing. Well, I am going to say right here and now that I don’t want anyone under the age of 21 to vote. So, please, do keep your uninformed kid home on Election Day.

Many people will recall the reported words of the venerable Ben Franklin who said upon exiting the final session of the Constitutional convention that our representatives had created a republic “if we could keep it.” By this, Franklin meant that it is up to each of us to learn the issues, understand the principles upon which our system was created, as well as the mechanics of the system itself in order to cast an informed vote that will uphold those principles and keep our government orderly. This all means that it is incumbent upon each of us to stay informed and to educate ourselves.

I will not, of course, claim that all people under 21 are inherently incapable of becoming such a well-rounded and informed citizen. In some cases, there are surely 19 year-olds that are smarter, more informed, and trustworthy than certain 30 year-olds out there. This is beyond question. But one cannot make general rules for society by honing in on every individual case. One must strike for the best general rule and the general rule here is that people under 21 do not care a whit about government and will, therefore, make for uninformed — maybe even dangerous — voters.

Continue reading “Why I Don’t Want Your Kid to Vote”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Education - News - Science - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

State of Ill. Sponsoring Kids Global Warming Poster Contest

January 2, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Here is the sort of garbage your State EPA is foisting on your children, Illinois. The State EPA is instituting a Statewide Poster And Poetry/Prose Exhibit: “Global Warming – What Can We Do?” for the kiddies to help the Democrat controlled state EPA office to further their globaloney propaganda. Nothing like forcing our kids to toe the line of political propaganda, eh? Of course, it matches right up with our school children being forced to read that “Heather has two Mommies” and being handed condoms for their sexual escapades, doesn’t it? Apparently, we don’t need to be bothering our children with those ridiculous things like history, math and real science when there are so many political agendas that need to be pushed!

The state EPA is making global warming political propaganda fun, though.

We invite your students to participate in the annual Environmental Pathways statewide poster and poetry/prose exhibit. The theme of the 2008 event will be “Global Warming – What Can We Do?” focusing on the importance of clean air and protecting our environment.

Loads of fun for all the kiddies.

Here is the thing, though. The state EPA is propagating an idea that is no way settled scientifically. This is not a “scientific” or factual based endeavor, but a political one.

And, get a load of this liberal, emotion-speak from the state EPA website:

Continue reading “State of Ill. Sponsoring Kids Global Warming Poster Contest”

00Publius Contributor - Education - Israel Teitelbaum - News - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Uncategorized

Parents Launch Drive for Equal Educational Opportunity

January 1, 2008 by

-By Israel Teitelbaum

Parents seeking improved educational options have launched a national grass roots drive timed to coincide with the coming presidential primary. This affords us our best opportunity in decades to leverage our votes in exchange for legislation that will provide equal educational opportunity for every child. A nation founded on individual liberty should not be financially coercing parents to send their children to government-run schools.

Leading the grass roots drive is Larry Cirignano, a leading community activist on issues of importance to families, such as life, liberty and equal educational opportunity for all children. He was recently the target of trumped up charges of assault for preventing an ACLU activist from disrupting an anti-gay marriage rally in Worcester, Massachusetts. After a week long trial Cirignano was found NOT guilty by a jury of his peers.

Major organizations lending support to this effort include National Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish Education, Torah Communications, Sephardic Voters League, Family Research Council, Center for Equal Opportunity, New Jersey Family Policy Council, American for Tax Reform, CatholicVote.org, SchoolChoiceVoter.org, and the list is growing.
Continue reading “Parents Launch Drive for Equal Educational Opportunity”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Media Bias - News - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Reuters: Will You People Stop Using ‘Surge’ and ‘Post 9-11′?

December 31, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

This is the time of year for lighthearted fluff for most news agencies and it is usually a welcome respite from hard news as we all get ready to celebrate the arrival of “Baby New Year.” The year-end list is a staple of that happy, fluff and we get them up the wazoo, for sure. The list of “overused words” is one of those that we see every year, as well, and Reuters gives us a list by which they hope we wring out a few overused words and phrases as we ring in 2008. But, I am a bit dismayed over the choice of two of the words and phrases they want us to forget. The first is “post 9/11″and the other one is “surge.” The choice of words and phrases in the case of these particular two seems to be made not only with a left leaning bias, but with a bias that leads to the sort of dangerous ignorance that caused 9/11 and the surge in the first place. The ignorance of head-in-the-sand, looking the other way that allowed Islamofascism so so easily sneak up on all of us is rampant with the inclusion of these two in this list.

Reuters writer Andrew Stern gives us this first paragraph:

CHICAGO (Reuters) – A “surge” of overused words and phrases formed a “perfect storm” of “post-9/11” cliches in 2007, according to a U.S. university’s annual list of words and phrases that deserve to be banned.

While most of the words and phrases that the public relations department at Michigan’s Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie chose for their list is innocuous fun, including “surge” and “post 9/11” seems to me a dangerous inclusion.

Such phrases as “post 9/11” and “surge” have also outlived their usefulness, they said. Surge emerged in reference to adding U.S. troops in Iraq but has come to explain the expansion of anything.

“Post 9/11” has “out lived its usefulness”? How so? Has the danger of radical Islam passed us by? HARDLY! To make people forget 9/11 is a travesty and will open us right up to the sort of complacency that we wallowed blissfully in on September 10th, 2001 — a blissful ignorance that was shattered so horribly. Does Reuters and Lake Superior State University want us to return to 9/10 thinking? When one sees that they also want us to forget about Bush’s “surge” policies in Iraq, as well, it would seem that forgetting is exactly what they want. It’s all just so passé, huh?

There was also one other somewhat disturbing bit in their year-end list of over used words and phrases.

Continue reading “Reuters: Will You People Stop Using ‘Surge’ and ‘Post 9-11′?”

00Publius Contributor - Education - Entertainment - Media Bias - News - Science - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

PBS Make ‘Documentary’ Full of Lies

December 31, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Not long ago, I wrote a piece on how our PBS stations have been foisting a so-called documentary on the wife of thinker Albert Einstein and how she supposedly had a large hand in his famous scientific theories. It’s all bunk, of course, but PBS is foisting this piece of junk biography on the public, none-the-less. Worse, our tax dollars are going to help pay for these lies.

In that piece from August, I introduced you all to the exhaustive work of one Allen Esterson who has tirelessly been trying to get PBS to pull their support for this flawed “documentary.” Since that time, Mr. Esterson has not ceased his efforts and saw fit to give me an update that I thought I’d share you all of you.

Dear Mr Huston,

I thought you might be interested in the latest developments re PBS and “Einstein’s Wife”. In regard to the film, David Davis, VP National Production OPB, has informed me that the broadcasting rights have expired. However, on the “Einstein’s Wife” website PBS is continuing to promote the grossly misleading and dishonest film, and the DVD is still being sold by PBS.

As I anticipated when I (indirectly) heard that the writer Andrea Gabor had been commissioned to rewrite the website material, the revised web pages (posted in late September) continue to propagate false and misleading contentions. While no longer claiming that Mileva Maric co-authored the celebrated 1905 papers, Gabor contends that during their marriage Maric took part in “longstanding give-and-take” discussions of physics, which “almost certainly yielded some help with mathematical proofs”. The facts are that there is not a single known document in which Maric expresses any ideas, or even views, of her own on physics, nor a single specific report of any such ideas, nor any hint in letters to her closest friend over three decades of any such discussions. As to her giving help with mathematical proofs, even her Zurich Polytechnic entrance exam average grade in mathematics was mediocre, and her final diploma mathematics grade was a dismal 2.5 on a scale 1-6. In contrast, Einstein was precociously gifted in mathematics, and mastered the basics of differential and integral calculus by the time he was 15. In his Ph.D. thesis submitted to Zurich University in 1905 the mathematics was so difficult that the relevant sections were given to a math specialist to assess, and he reported that “the manner of treatment demonstrates *a thorough command of the mathematical methods involved*” (emphasis in original).
Continue reading “PBS Make ‘Documentary’ Full of Lies”

00Publius Contributor - Education - Elections - Israel Teitelbaum - News - President - Society/Culture - Uncategorized

Please place 4 phone calls for school choice

December 27, 2007 by

-By Israel Teitelbaum

School Choice Voter:

The good news is that you can now place four phone calls that can improve the future of this great country. Four of the leading presidential candidates spoke out strongly for school choice at their last debate of this primary season. Your phone calls can get them to actualize this position into public policy. This is their opportunity to demonstrate their leadership ability by translating their policies to proposed legislation. They are asking for our votes. The least they can do for us is to demonstrate their ability to translate their policies into action. It takes only one Congressman and one Senator to sponsor legislation in Congress.

Below are the four presidential candidates who spoke forcefully for school choice, along with excerpts of their statements and their campaign phone numbers. Phone calls are preferable because you are assured of direct contact with a campaign representative. The best way to do this is to get the name of your contact, ask for a response, and follow up. Your calls represent many thousands of voters, because very few voters actually pick up the phone and call.

Feel free to express your feelings on school choice. Our objective is for the candidates to use their considerable influence to sponsor legislation that will restore sanity to our educational system. In short, our message is: “We agree with CANDIDATE NAME that school choice is the solution to our broken educational system. Please ask him to sponsor now legislation to provide equal educational opportunity for every child.”

We have dubbed this legislation The Civil Rights Act for Equal Educational Opportunity. This will provide equitable educational funding for all children, including those attending private and religious school, while respecting the liberty of schools in hiring and provision of services.

Although there is not now in Congress enough support to pass this legislation, we have the enormous opportunity to elect – on November 4, 2008 – 435 new U.S. Congressmen and 35 new Senators who favor this legislation.

Please pass this great opportunity on to your contacts and keep us informed of any developments.
Continue reading “Please place 4 phone calls for school choice”

00Publius Contributor - Education - Elections - Israel Teitelbaum - News - President - Society/Culture - Uncategorized

Urge the Candidates on Education…

December 20, 2007 by

-By Israel Teitelbaum

We now have the enormous opportunity to test the mettle of our leading presidential candidates. They made strong statements in support of school choice. Now we need to see which candidate can bring this idea to Congress?

You can help with this test.

Here’s how:

In the final Republican Presidential debate last Wednesday, December 12, four of the leading candidates came out firmly in favor of school choice. Here is some of what they said:

Sen. John McCain: http://www.johnmccain.com/Contact/. Phone: 703-418-2008.
“We don’t have a choice and competition. We need it in K through 12.”

Mayor Rudy Giuliani: webteam@joinrudy2008.com. Phone: 212-835-9449
“Parents should choose the school that their child goes to, the same way people choose higher education.”

Sen. Fred Thomson: http://www.fred08.com/Index.aspx. Phone: 515-276-9427.
“…every time someone wants to inject a little choice into the equation for the benefit of the kids, inject a little freedom, inject a little competition…the National Education Association is there to oppose it, and bring in millions and millions of dollars to go on television and work and scare people and misrepresent the situation on the ground. I think that just goes against everything that we know, that can make progress in this country.”

Gov. Mitt Romney: compliance1@mittromney.com. Phone: 857-288-6400.
“I agree with Senator Thompson on that. Boy, they’ve been the biggest obstacle to change in education and choice.”
Please call or write these candidates:

Hon. Presidential Candidate:
Continue reading “Urge the Candidates on Education…”

00Publius Contributor - Crime - Education - Lee Culpepper - News - Society/Culture - Uncategorized

Lost Sowell: Michael Vick

December 18, 2007 by

-By Lee Culpepper

(Note to readers: This article is a revision of my previous article Michael Vick and Southern Hicks. I tried to address the primary concerns that my mom and others had regarding my portrayal of the South. As the son of two Georgia crackers, I feel more than qualified to write this article. For any questions concerning my Southern heritage, visit Culpepper Connections.)

Who could have predicted how far Michael Vick would rise and fall in his life before his twenty-eighth birthday?

At one time Vick seemed to offer hope to all of us as a squeaky-clean kid with unrivaled athletic ability. He appeared to have naturally eluded the perils of growing up in the projects in the same dazzling manner that he made fleet defenders look clumsy on the field. He looked as if he might set the example for children who really needed him to be what everyone wanted Vick to be – a positive role model.

Instead, Vick became a convicted felon.

Monday at the sentencing for Vick’s federal dogfighting conviction, U.S. District Court Judge Henry Hudson rebuked Vick, telling him that he should “be apologizing to the millions of kids who idolize you.” Hudson nailed what is arguably the most damaging consequence of Vick’s fall – Vick’s fumbling the opportunity to offer hope and an example to children growing up in depressing situations like Vick’s.
Continue reading “Lost Sowell: Michael Vick”

00Publius Contributor - Education - Elections - GOP - Israel Teitelbaum - News - President - Society/Culture - Uncategorized

The GOP Candidates on Education

December 18, 2007 by

-By Israel Teitelbaum

Today’s mid-day Republican Presidential Debate, finally addressed the one issue that will ultimately determine most issues – education. Obviously, those who control the educational system determine the future direction of our nation and its leadership. If we focus our attention on this one issue, we have the key to resolving most other issues.

Following is a transcript of the portion relating to education.

We have only one comment and plea to all candidates who recognize that school choice is the right way to go. Please use your considerable influence to sponsor The Civil Rights Act for Equal Educational Opportunity. This will require equitable funding for every child, including those attending private and religious schools, while respecting these schools’ rights in hiring and provision of services. The candidate who will accomplish this will have my vote!

All the best.

Israel

The full transcript of the debate is available at The New York Times

MS. WASHBURN: A new topic that some Iowans say hasn’t had enough debate during this campaign, and that’s education. American 15-year-olds ranked behind 16 other countries in a recent assessment of science literacy. What educational standards does the U.S. need to adopt or improve to compete in the global economy, and what will you do to move us toward those standards, and what’s your timetable?

SEN. MCCAIN: The answer to the problem in education in America is simple: We need more choice and more competition. Entrance by a good student into a college today, they have a number of choices and people are seeking them to be part of those educational institutions.
Continue reading “The GOP Candidates on Education”

00Publius Contributor - Education - GOP - History - News - Patriotism - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Has Conservatism Lost its Soul?

December 11, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

For those of you who feel that the conservative movement has lost its soul, the New Centurion Program has begun.

I quote from their webpage:

Typically, programs focus on either intellectual cultivation or communication skills. Our program seeks to synthesize both the wisdom of our conservative heritage as well as the most up to date practical experience from local experts in public policy and communication.

There are specific reasons The New Centurion Program is different from existing programs. First, it is locally based with a local concentration of students and lecturers. While there is certainly an over-arching theoretical basis to the coursework, that theoretical knowledge will be focused on local issues. Our Centurions do not have to travel to Auburn University or Washington D.C. – we bring the course to them. We plant roots in a community. Our students ages range from 18 – 70.

When a movement is lacking vision or a mission – as many conclude is the current state of the conservative movement; one must believe that by going back to the beginning and teaching the foundations of conservatism, providing individuals with a wealth of resources and reference materials and supportive relationships to facilitate that intellectual journey; it provides the analytical and practical tools necessary for individuals to grow and lead.

This is not a class for a grade. This is a course for an “experience;” a journey. This is not a campaign school. There are many other institutions that are great at providing these type of tactics and strategies – that is not our purpose.

So, what are we? In a nutshell – we provide the environment where “book smarts meet street smarts.”

I, for one, have always harped on education for conservatives being the bedrock upon which we can build. And that, without that knowledge, we are doomed to failure as well as doomed to be short lived. If we do not teach our young people the true values and underlying principles of the conservative movement, along with the logic and history to those principles, we simply cannot continue to create new conservatives into the future.

Conservatives have been the only ones with ideas since Barry Goldwater strode the national stage. Liberals have failed to keep up with scholarship and intellectual pursuits where conservatives have excelled, undermining the leftist movements world wide.

Check out this new group. It is sure to be worth your time.
Continue reading “Has Conservatism Lost its Soul?”

00Publius Contributor - Crime - Education - Frederick Meekins - News - Religion - Society/Culture - Uncategorized

Ought To Make A Watergate Conspirator Blush

December 11, 2007 by

-By Frederick Meekins

In Matthew 10:16, Christians are admonished to be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves. Often though, Christian organizations and ministries are the ones at the forefront of propagating the expectation in the mind of their respective supporters that sincere believers are — in the words of the Washington Post — to be uneducated and easy to command.

The Angel Tree Project is a program administered by Prison Fellowship Ministries where Christmas gifts are provided to the children of the incarcerated on behalf of their parents. While there is nothing wrong per say with such acts of charity even though Prison Fellowship mouthpieces such as Chuck Colson get heavy-handed at times that it is somehow the fault of the average American that these misunderstood souls are behind bars and that these convicts are the 21st century equivalent of Rousseau’s noble savage or somehow on par with Mother Teresa in terms of moral goodness as derailed in my column “A Big Helping Of Christmas Guilt” published in 2003, one way in which this charitable outreach markets itself to the broader Christian community might make some of Colson’s fellow Watergate conspirators blush in terms of its duplicity and slight of hand.

One of the techniques organizations across the religious and political spectrum use to get the unsuspecting and gullible to part with their hard earned money is direct mail fundraising where pity party letters are sent out laying the guilt on recipients that somehow if they do not respond with the requested contribution that the world is somehow going to come to an end. With such melodrama, the least one could ask for is at least a little consistency.
Continue reading “Ought To Make A Watergate Conspirator Blush”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Founders - Media Bias - Nancy Salvato - News - Religion - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Uncategorized

In Defense of Freedom

December 8, 2007 by

-By Nancy Salvato

According to “Devilstower”, a blogger on the DailyKos website, human rights are more important than national security. She explains, “Even if it was sure to be lost in a terrorist attack today, my life is not worth the Constitution. The life of my child is not worth the Constitution.” This same blogger believes that presidents Bush, Roosevelt, and Lincoln set aside their duty to uphold the constitution in exchange for the illusion of security.

“Devilstower” seems to have missed the whole idea behind instituting a constitution, which is that government is instituted to protect the peoples’ right to life, liberty and property, and the right to defend themselves against those who would rob, enslave, or kill them. This right, which the Constitution is designed to protect, is derived from Natural Law* not from the Constitution itself.

Abraham Lincoln, in his Gettysburg Address, proclaims:

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that “all men are created equal.”

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of it, as a final resting place for those who died here, that the nation might live. This we may, in all propriety do. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow, this ground– The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have hallowed it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here; while it can never forget what they did here.

It is rather for us, the living, to stand here, we here be dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that, from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here, gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain; that the nation, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people by the people for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

“Devilstower states, “The life of hundreds — thousands — is not worth setting aside the rights ensured to us by the Constitution. Because setting aside the Constitution is a defeat greater than any that can be delivered to us by any instrument of terror or war.” Isn’t it clear that those soldiers, of whom Lincoln spoke, gave their lives to preserve the union and to end the practice of slavery, a practice which had been under the protection of our Constitution?
Continue reading “In Defense of Freedom”

2nd Amendment - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Uncategorized

Hahvahd Crimson’s Gun Screed Eviscerated

December 2, 2007 by

** Now with Update**

A fellow named Mike Zucker sent me his great Fisking of the latest half sentient, anti-gun screed released by Harvard’s Crimson school paper. I thought I’d pass it along as it gave me quite a chuckle.

Here is a link to the Crimson piece if you’d like to read it ahead of time:
Pulling the Trigger.

So, here is Mr. Zucker’s reply. Enjoy…

Re: Opinion – Pulling the Trigger

Crimson Staff:

Oh ye idealistic neophytes. Evidently 1) proper use of the English language to communicate, and 2) verification of facts are concepts that may be missing from your curriculum. You collectively (how ironic!) call this an education in jounalism. Journalism – at least in bygone days – included a pursuit of the truth. It was the journalists’ mission statement! You have much to learn in your journey of life. A genuine lust for truth is a far greater virtue. A genuine education is paramount – blind trust can be dangerous.

As you so eagerly pledge, pursuant to your webpage (http://www.thecrimson.com/info/about.aspx) and quoted below for your reference:

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF THE CRIMSON MAKES A MISTAKE IN A STORY?

In the event that we run something that is factually inaccurate, we are eager to correct the error. When a correction is necessary, it will run in a corrections box on page two. Please e-mail Managing Editor Javier C. Hernandez (jhernand@fas.harvard.edu) about corrections.

Please eagerly publish these corrections to facts:

  1. Contrary to at least one implied allegation in your article, guns are not sentient.
  2. Guns are not ‘responsible’ for murder (or any other sentient behavior). The (sub) human behind the gun pulling the trigger is the only thing responsible for such unsanctioned act. Guns are as much ‘responsible’ for murder as the spoon is responsible for Rosie being fa… overweight;
  3. The alleged uselessness of a handgun for hunting is not relevant to your chosen topic of discussion (please identify, in the Second Amendment, any reference to hunting); perhaps a review of government tyranny in light of Stalin’s Russia, Hitler’s Germany, or Pol-Pot’s Cambodia, and accompanied with interviews of each tyrants’ victims and opinions of this subject may be more apropos;
  4. Handguns are not built ‘expressly to kill another human being.’ If this statement were true, the implication of your assertion may be interpreted to mean that every pull of every trigger of every handgun would result in a human death. Clearly this assertion is not factual;
  5. Handguns, like all firearms, are designed only to expel a projectile at a relatively predictable velocity along a relatively predictable trajectory;
  6. Yes, more legislation! Indeed, that is the answer!!!

    7. Continue reading “Hahvahd Crimson’s Gun Screed Eviscerated”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Islam - Islamofascism - Media Bias - Nancy Morgan - News - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Uncategorized

David Horowitz’s ‘Restoration Weekend’ Gets 5 Stars

November 25, 2007 by

-By Nancy Morgan

I was surrounded by sartorial splendor at the magnificent Breakers hotel in Palm Beach last weekend as world class experts expounded on some truly frightening topics – our government’s handling of the war on terror, the pitiable state of Muslim women unfortunate enough to be born under Sharia law, and the consequences of a Hillary victory in 2008.

The Restoration Weekend, hosted by David Horowitz’s Freedom Center, is my all time favorite conservative gathering. Unlike CPAC or other well known conservative conferences, attendees have three days to hobnob with true conservative luminaries. To hold actual conversations with the likes of Ann Coulter, Mark Levin, Bill Sammon, David Horowitz, Robert Spencer, Fred Barnes, Michael Barone, Tom DeLay, James Woolsey, John O’Neill, etc. To get the inside scoop on the issues of the day in relaxed and elegant surroundings.

Pricey? You bet. Worth it? Absolutely.
Continue reading “David Horowitz’s ‘Restoration Weekend’ Gets 5 Stars”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Israel Teitelbaum - News - Society/Culture - Uncategorized

National School Choice Drive Launched

November 19, 2007 by

-By Israel Teitelbaum

Parents for Free Choice in Education has launched a grass roots drive for school choice. Advocates are being asked to sign a letter being sent to U.S. Senators and Congressmen requesting they sponsor the Civil Rights Act for Equal Educational Opportunity. This would require states to end discrimination in the funding of education.

The Act completes what the Civil Rights Act of 1964 left unfinished when it required equal opportunity in housing, employment, travel, entertainment and other public accommodations. Only education was specifically excluded by limiting it to only public education. The new legislation would remove the word “public” and require equal educational opportunity for every child, including those attending private and religious schools.

Religious groups, schools and all concerned organizations are being asked to sign a letter being sent to U.S. Congressmen and Senators requesting they sponsor this legislation. This letter will be sent once 100 organizations are signed on. Subsequent letters are planned each time an additional 100 organizations sign on.

Individuals are being asked to email this letter directly to their U.S. Congressmen and Senator and to follow up with a phone call.
Continue reading “National School Choice Drive Launched”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Elections - Media Bias - Science - Society/Culture - Taxes - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

SanFran Chronicle: Only The ‘Informed’ Believe in Global Warming

November 13, 2007 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

The San Francisco Chronicle decided to pat Californians on the back last week for how much “better informed” Golden Staters are on the supposed dire threat of global warming. With their headline joyously proclaiming, “Californians better informed on global warming threat, poll finds,” the SF Chron handed out the party hats, blew their celebratory horns and lined up little Al Gore statuettes to hand out at the awards banquet. And how is it that their poll “found” this startling fact? Why it’s because our friends in California believe, man! It’s not because Californians are any better informed, that they know all the facts, it’s just that they accept Al Gore’s claim that the “debate is over” despite any evidence or lack thereof. They really, really believe man.

Californians are more likely than the rest of the nation to see global warming as a threat, but also are more optimistic that greenhouse gases can be cut while creating jobs and expanding the economy, according to a Field Poll released Friday.

See, they are “better informed” because they are “more likely” to see global warming “as a threat.” It’s not because they have any more facts or science backing up this “informed” position. It’s cuz they “get it,” baby.

The SFChron goes on with their elation:

State residents are more likely than other Americans to back efforts to address climate change, with large majorities favoring government regulations, tax incentives and other efforts by industry and individuals to curb their emissions, the poll showed.

Ah, I see. It isn’t because our friends on the left coast have memorized Al Gore’s movie and independently verified the facts. It’s because they are “more likely” than the rest of us dolts to “back efforts to address climate change.” It’s not that they actually know anything, but because they are more easily duped into allowing extremist global warming advocates to glom onto piles of their tax dollars and more likely to acquiesce to their politicians’ demagoguery and pledges to “do something” about global warming.
Continue reading “SanFran Chronicle: Only The ‘Informed’ Believe in Global Warming”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Israel Teitelbaum - News - Society/Culture - Uncategorized

Prerequisite To School Choice Victory

November 13, 2007 by

-By Israel Teitelbaum

Failure is okay, provided we are willing to learn from the experience. This year marks 52 years since Dr. Milton Friedman first proposed school vouchers to bring to education the magic of free enterprise. We now have less than 150,000 children throughout the USA with vouchers. This amounts to an average success rate of under 2,884.6 children per year. At this rate, it will take 20,800 years until his plan is fully implemented. This is a long time to wait for freedom of choice in educating our children! However, we can take a tip from our Founding Fathers and greatly speed up the process.

Here’s how.

The key can be found in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. “Congress shall make no law…abridging…the right of the people peaceably to assembly, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Apparently, our Founding Fathers reasoned that the silencing of grievances was a sure way to tyranny.

Thankfully, free speech and assembly is still very much respected in the USA, and we are most grateful for the freedoms we have. Yet, we need not be intimidated from openly expressing our legitimate grievances. This is prerequisite to restoring our civil right to educational choice.
Continue reading “Prerequisite To School Choice Victory”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Marie Jon - News - Society/Culture - Uncategorized

Public Schools and Birth Control Pills, Time For School Vouchers

November 12, 2007 by

-By Marie Jon’

2005-2006 fiscal year Planned Parenthood recorded 264,943 abortions and reported profit of $55.8 million and received a record high in taxpayer funding of $305.3 million

Parents are caring and loving. They instinctively want to protect their families from harm.

A role of a good parent is to teach its children about things that affect their lives, including the dangerous pitfalls that come from having sexual intercourse. The trend of giving birth control pills to 11 and 12 year-old girls in our schools must stop. Instead there should be massive police investigations as to who, what when or where. These are under age little children who are being sexually molested.(http://www.sexlaws.org/what_is_statutory_rape)

A youngster’s mind is not mature enough to make decisions about sex. They do not understand the horrors of venereal diseases, or the ramifications of becoming pregnant. The emotional downsides of abortions are never mentioned by those who propose it. However, even for an adult woman it is an unforgettable act. Abortion can lead to long lasting depression, low self esteem, emotional problems, drug abuse, and alcoholism.

A child or a young teen are just who they are. They are not adults. However, your children are at risk of becoming statistics — unwanted pregnancies or unlawful sexual behavior — because of the influences that are enticing them to do so. Our public schools are no longer safe havens from those who gladly give little girls hormonal pills. Expect this practice to come into your schools. Be vigilant and prepared to stop it.
Continue reading “Public Schools and Birth Control Pills, Time For School Vouchers”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Family - Health - Media Bias - News - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Oprah finds answers aren’t so simple

November 6, 2007 by

-By Michael M. Bates

Oprah Winfrey’s heart was in the right place. She used a significant portion of her abundant wealth to start the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa earlier this year.

The $40 million facility would give about 150 students from disadvantaged families a quality education and, ultimately, a better life. Unpretentious as always, Ms. Winfrey expressed the hope her academy will help change the face of a nation.

Oprah is as big an alarmist on the topic of AIDS as Al Gore is on global warming. So she identified another reason for establishing the school: “Girls who are educated are less likely to get HIV/AIDS, and in this country which has such a pandemic, we have to begin to change the pandemic.”

Whether or not her assumptions on changing South Africa and reducing HIV/AIDS are true, Ms. Winfrey was trying to help. When targeted for criticism by those who thought she should have set up the academy in her own country, her response was starkly direct. “If you ask the kids (in our inner-city schools) what they want or need, they will say an iPod or some sneakers,” she told Newsweek. “In South Africa, they . . . ask for (school) uniforms.”
Continue reading “Oprah finds answers aren’t so simple”