Reblogged from Jacqueline Smith Exploratory Committee:

Dear Family & Friends:  I am being drafted to run for U.S. Congress in District 1 of Utah, the current seat held by Rep. Rob Bishop.   I have created an Exploratory Committee to see about the viability of that race. Rep. Rob Bishop has represented our state for the last 10 years, and many feel it is time for him to turn the reigns over to someone else, especially after his vote on the NDAA. (The National Defense Authorization Act, which gives power to detain American citizens indefinitely without …

It has been a long time since I have posted anything.  However, today is the first day of a New Year.  We have so much to be grateful for in this country, but we also have much to be wary of as well.  Today, a bill (HR 1540) goes into effect.  This is the NDAA or National Defense Authorization Act.  This one bill is over 500 pages, and quietly passed into law.  Click here for a link to the bill.

This is anything but an exhaustive article, but I want to hit a few points, so take the time to read this briefly and then dig deep and find your own answers. 

Today, I would dare say, our Constitution hangs by a thread.  I am reminded of the phrase attributed to Martin Niemöller,

“First they came for the communists, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist.  Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist.  Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Jew.  Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.” 

This statement was first published in 1955 in a book called, They Thought They Were Free.  How many Americans watched the ball drop, celebrated with friends, played games and got drunk last night, and thought they were free?  I know that I enjoyed the night with family and friends alike.  However, I have no illusion that I am as free today as I was yesterday.  I still live in the greatest country on earth.  I still have more freedoms than most people have ever had, but they are dwindling quickly, and I am watching.

Image via Wikipedia

I belong to many different “groups” on Facebook.  There are many disccusions…usually trivial and meaningless, but sometimes the debates are very interesting.  I am saddened by the educational dead zone that exists.  Yes, many know some facts, and many know the rhetoric on the left and on the right, but many are blind to the duplication of history that is being performed right before their eyes.  At least, some of them.  They trust their government.  They trust that human nature “could never” do something like happened to the Jews during WWII.  But it has begun, in the same manner as it did then, and many other times in history.  You remember the saying, those that do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.  One of our Utah Representatives, Rob Bishop, was a history teacher.  Has he forgotten the lessons he taught?  Because it appears he saw no problem with this bill. 

Let’s not repeat history, let’s make history.  Let’s be the first nation in the history of the world to not fall into tyranny, but liberate ourselves once again the individuals in America from a tyrannical Federal Government, that believe our rights as American citizens can be tossed aside for a little safety.  We do this not by violent measures, but by a strong state government that is unwilling to allow the Federal government to overreach its jurisdiction within our state.

I am not a Rachel Maddow fan, but this clip illustrates that this is not a left / right issue, but an issue of civil liberties that should alarm all of us.  It is not R’s vs. D’s.  It is us (the people) against the tyranny of a much-too-large Federal government and it’s overreaching powers and authority.  The blame I place is not on the Democrats, because the Republicans control the House.  It does not sit entirely on Obama’s shoulders, however, he signed it without a veto as he should have. 

You can see how your House representatives voted click HERE.  Three of Utah’s representatives (Jim Mattheson –D , Rob Bishop –R , and Orrin Hatch of the Senate – R) decided your rights as an American citizen no longer deserved the protection granted in the Bill of Rights.  What does the Oath of Office mean to people?  Does it mean anything?  Do they understand they are not there to protect us from would-be crimes, but to protect our rights and liberties?  How long will the people of Utah allow their representatives to disregard their oath?   We have many Republicans running against Jim Mattheson in the 4th district including two of my favorites, Carl Wimmer and Mia Love.  We have a few candidates considering Orrin Hatch be “called home” namely Dan Liljenquist and Chris Herrod.  Also, Tim Aalders has talked about running, but is not official as of late.  But who is challenging Rob Bishop?  No one!  Really?  He goes unchallenged, and that causes me to believe Utah is fast asleep at the wheel, or they think Rob unbeatable.

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Montana is doing something about this, and I hope Utah will join in the fight with them.  It’s time to re-call these men for violating their oath.  See the Montana article HERE.  But in order to be like Montana, we will need a very strong governor that will push hard against the Federal government. So far, Gary Herbert hasn’t been that guy.  Our individual liberty demands that our state sovereignty be strengthened.  We have a few candidates that have stepped up to run against Utah’s governor, namely Morgan Philpot and Ken Sumsion.

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I’ve had people say to me, “Come on this will never affect YOU.”  Well, this bill, hasn’t had time yet, but it’s predecessor, The Patriot Act already has.  Rachel Maddow brings up the movie “The Minority Report.”  Please read my post on that subject here called Guilty until Proven Innocent.  For I have felt the sting of The Patriot Act myself, and wonder what would possess my Federal Government to suddenly see me, a mother of five, as a terrorist?  And yet, I was questioned because of the Patriot Act as if I was one.  If I have no right to trial, no right to a lawyer, no right to even know my charges, then what hope would I ever have of liberty or freedom in this once great country? 

Do you see how slippery the slope is when we trade essential liberty for a little temporary safety?  In the words of Benjamin Franklin, “we will have neither, and deserve neither.”

Other articles you may like peruse from Forbes and the ACLU and a few that talk about why this is a very real threat: 

http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2011/12/05/the-national-defense-authorization-act-is-the-greatest-threat-to-civil-liberties-americans-face/?mid=569

http://www.aclu.org/blog/national-security/president-obama-signs-indefinite-detention-law

http://theintelhub.com/2011/12/17/crushing-the-disinformation-surrounding-indefinite-detention-of-americans-under-the-ndaa/

http://www.infowars.com/president-obamas-ndaa-signing-statement-i-have-the-power-to-detain-americans-but-i-wont/

http://www.naturalnews.com/034538_NDAA_American_citizens_indefinite_detainment.html?mid=56

Recently Bob Jasper, the Summit County Manager, was asked some tough questions by KPCW.  You should listen to his responses.  Click on this link for the audio file — Bob Jasper on KPCW

On November 8, Summit County voters have a chance to vote on some ballot initiatives.  When deciding if you want to rob Summit County of its assets to make up for the losses, and buy into the scare tactics of the County Coucil,  here are some things to consider:

1.    The County was over budget by $1.6M last year, and $2.1M this year.

4.  The county Treasurer is working basically part-time and receiving approximately $110k per year.  So, who is really making these big decisions?

There is an amazing change happening all across America.  We are learning our real history.   I remember watching The Glenn Beck Program as he stumbled across a thing called “TJed.”  That is the short version of A Thomas Jefferson Education.  This type of education is becoming popular, even if it is not called by that name.  Some call in Student Directed Learning, others Agency Based Education, others Classical Education.

This type of education takes you away from rote work and gives history and literature life.  TJed is getting back to the classics.  It’s experiencing mentors, and real thinking begins to take place no matter how old or young you may be.

I saw a young lady mention this education on The Glenn Beck program a while back.  I could not remember her name, but I remembered she was from New York and was heading up the 9.12 movement in that state.

I have been using TJed in my own personal life, as well as in the lives of my children for the past ten years.  I love learning, and I love the idea of TJed.  I continue to educate myself on a regular basis, so I signed up for a course at a college over the summer, that would enhance and rejuvenate myself about that learning process.  This college is in Monticello, Utah, and is rightly named Monticello College.

If you have read my blog over the years, you know I love history, especially the cycles of history, and most importantly, how they affect us today.  This retreat was going to be a camping retreat all about the cycles of history, so I said to my husband, “We’re going.”  He was thrilled, because I’m not really much of a camper and he loves it, and he’s not into the education side as much as I am, so this was a complete win / win.

While I was on this summer retreat, I ran into two 9.12ers from New York, who flew all the way to Utah to go camping and learning in the mountains of Monticello.  And sure enough, the girl on Glenn

Cleve Smith, Jacqueline Smith, Megan Daniel, Eli Schultz, Jeremy Near (Utah and New York 9.12ers)

Beck, Eli Schultz, was one of them.

Many people in the 9.12 movement have made this movement just about politics, and that is a sad mistake.  This movement goes deep into the heart of why our country is in this situation in the first place.  We are here, because we have allowed ourselves to get here.  We have been too obsessed with attainment, and/or entertainment.  We have allowed ourselves to become “the stupid people” that need to be governed, rather than governing ourselves.  Many 9.12 movements (including mine) have weighed-in heavily in the political environment, and while I don’t think that is going to go away, I am seeing a shift into the education side of the movement.  It will not be enough to just read a few popular books, or even a few old ones.  It is time to dig deep.  It is time to become a new American founder.  After all, what comes after a Fourth Turning?  A founding.  We must change our thinking.

I will be spending the next 12 days in New York travelling with Dr. Shanon Brooks, and his daughter around the New York area.  The first two days will be spent on some intense training called The Foundations of Liberty series.  These classes require a deep commitment to education, and while the readings are tough, the results are spectacular. 

After these two classes we will be making a tour here in the New York area called RVA or Re-Value America.  We will also have a special Cycles of History class available for those that ready for a more in-depth study into the broader perspective of the events of our day.  We will be studying the Tytler Cycle, the Toffler Cycle, and of course The Fourth Turning also known as the Kondratiev Wave.  I

Cover of The Fourth Turning

was honored that Dr. Brooks asked me to join him on this tour and teach some wonderful leadership principles to the people of New York through the cycles.

To come to one or both of our events (that are all free by the way) please contact Eli Schultz. elilong141@gmail.com   Here is our schedule:  www.ReValueNY.com

Sept 28            NYC area

Sep 29             Saratoga

Sept 30            Albany

Oct 1               Rome & Watertown

Oct 2               Syracuse & Fulton

Oct 3               Buffalo

Oct 4               Rochester

This is a great opportunity to really heal your perspective and get ideas on how YOU can really make a difference not just in this country, but in your own community, in your own family, and in your own life.   

If you do not live in the New York area, please feel free to contact Dr. Shanon Brooks at his college website www.monticellocollege.org to schedule an RVA tour for your area, and then get the FOL classes in your neck of the woods.

Until we are an educated electorate that understands not only the nuances of government, but also has a deep understanding of human nature and the principles of liberty, we will remain “ruled over.”

“Hope” and “change” don’t come from the top down, but from the bottom up.  We are the hope and the change that the world is waiting to see.  “Be the change.”

If you see a book in these blog posts, just click on it, and it will take you to our STAR store, and your purchase will help promote liberty.

The long arm of the paid Hatch-brigade has sunk to a new low.  Since the exit of Jason Chaffetz as a possible candidate to unseat Hatch, there are many in the liberty movement desperately searching for not only a better candidate than Hatch, which isn’t hard, but one that could knock him off his 36-year throne.  http://www.dethronehatch.com/

I am one of those people exploring ALL my options.  My brother-in-law, set up an informal meeting with Neil Walter.  You might remember him from the convention race with Morgan Philpot for Congressional Seat 2.  He hasn’t said he’s running, and was only looking at options today in a breakfast meeting with a few activists that want Hatch out.

I put a note out for people to meet with Neil, and asked that they RSVP.  I was a few minutes late since I was driving from the Park City area.  When I walked in, they were just starting the discussion.  I looked up and across the table was Christy Achziger.  I like Christy, but this stunned me.  She hadn’t RSVP’d of course.   Word was she was working for Hatch.  I could not believe the nerve.  Now, she is free to work for anyone she wants, but as a paid staffer, it’s like the opposing team’s quarterback coming to your team meeting and acting like it’s no big deal to just open your playbook.  I asked her promptly if she was working for Hatch.  She replied in the affirmative.  I invited her to leave.  She didn’t, until another gentleman pulled her aside and explained why it would be uncomfortable, and we could not speak openly with her there.  The bad manners displayed by the Hatch campaign staff needs to be understood as marching orders from their boss.  Hatch will do anything to keep himself relevant, and sadly he is making some really nice people, look really bad in the process.

Hatch has also managed to get our “trusted” news source of Fox News to suddenly have a love-fest with the senator.  With Sarah Palin, Gretta van (whats-her-name), and Sean Hannity all falling into step.  I am now convinced principles don’t matter to most people, only what is in their best interest and the tug of the almighty (quickly losing value) dollar.

Within two hours of our meeting, someone from the Hatch office had called Neil and set up an appointment for him to meet with Senator Hatch.  One by one Hatch will attempt to convince his opponents to drop out of the race.

I am looking for the man or woman with the guts and drive to stand this goliath in the face and say, “Give it your best shot.”  If you have skeletons in your closet, lead with them.  He’s got them, too.  If you think he can dig up dirt on you from a soiled past and that isn’t who you are now, lead with it.  People understand.  They aren’t perfect either, but don’t let this man bully you into not running.  RUN.

We’ve done our homework Mr. Hatch, and you can be beat.  It isn’t just the liberty movement that is tired of you.  It’s many of the delegates and general populace within the Republican party right here in Utah.  It’s old school Republicans that are your age, and young fresh-faced voters, that have had the same Senator in office their entire lives.  What do you call a six-term senator?  You call him home.  Enough already.

Þ   You are a six-term senator, and that bothers me.

Þ   You started the Department of Education, and that bothers me.

Þ   You crafted legislation on Medicare Part-D (the largest entitlement the country had ever seen until Obamacare), and that bothers me.

Þ   You voted for TARP, and that bothers me.

Þ   You claim to have written the Patriot Act, and that bothers me.

Þ   You continue to give more power to the regulating bodies like the FDA and the USDA, and that bothers me.

I could go on and on.  These things bother me.  As a voter do they bother you?  Take a good look at the Hatch voting record.  I’ve provided some links for you to visit.

http://www.hatchrecord.com/index.php/the-truth/

http://www.michaeljolley.net/hatch-vs-bennett.html

If we want to change Washington, we must first change ourselves.  For me, I’m changing myself into a concerned citizen that is paying attention and will no longer let the power-hungry stay in power.

I won’t be scared into believing your stories about Olympia Snowe.  She probably uses Hatch as her number one reason to be re-elected.  Those of you in DC use this strategy with each other against the people, and then you get to DC and shake hands and laugh at the American people who have been “had” again.  You sit in your DC bubble, with a cushy job, with cushy retirement, and cushy medical care, all on the backs of the tax-payers, while you listen to yourselves pontificate at Senate hearings that mean nothing and accomplish nothing other than feed your egos.

Our founding fathers never wanted career politicians.  We need to renew that belief.  We need people who won’t play the seniority game in Washington.  We don’t need any more games in Washington.  We need people who aren’t afraid of losing their “power,” and actually would rather not have it, but believe it belongs to the people.  We need people that will not make compromises that go against their principles for the sake of getting along, but instead hold their ground, for the people of our great nation, and restore our country to it’s founding principles.  We need individuals of integrity, wisdom and virtue.

We are waiting …..where are you?

Related articles

• Hatch not ruling out 2018 run (hollyonthehill.wordpress.com)
• Rep. Jason Chaffetz won’t take on Sen. Orrin Hatch (sfgate.com)

After watching the overwhelming division of the Republican Party on HB 116, I wondered if this division can make our party stronger?  I believe the answer is yes.  While I voted my conscience on the repeal of HB116, it does not mean that I do not understand or sympathize with the other side.  In fact, I probably land more on the side of those that support HB 116 than most would think.

I think the vote would have come out much differently had delegates stayed to do their duty.  I watched most of my county leave immediately following the elections of the party officers, including some of the county leadership.  That was unfortunate.  I do not know which side of the issue they fell on, but their voice was unheard.

What did the Repeal of HB116 resolution do?  Actually, nothing.  Having the delegates stand and say they want something doesn’t mean it will actually happen.  However, it does put pressure on our legislators to do something, but in the end, they can do what they want.  But, they have heard the voice of the delegates.  While some delegates were adamant about the repeal, others, like myself, felt this was not something that really should have taken up so much of our energy.  This is just one issue, although I believed the reason I chose to repeal was valid.  Those who act like anyone that voted for this legislation should be thrown out, need to calm down.  You paint yourselves as an angry mob instead of acting like statesmen.  I have deliberately held my tongue on this issue because the frenzy that surrounded it seemed so out-of-place.

The 10^th Amendment:  Clearly our state must put forward legislation that sends a strong message to our federal government.  We do need to take matters into our own hands.  We must continue to fight the battle for state sovereignty.  But in order to make these battles work, we need to be able to win.

Constitutional?  Yes and no.  Yes it’s Constitutional when you look at the original intent of the Constitution, but under current views, it will not be held as constitutional because the Federal government has stripped away state sovereignty in today’s America.  It is my hope that this extra pressure from the delegates will push the legislature to make the necessary changes to HB116 to bring it into full compliance, next session.   A letter sent to delegates by The Salt Lake Chamber stated,  “We may not be able to achieve a federal waiver.  It may be deemed unconstitutional.  The penalty for being here illegally and for businesses that break the law may not be high enough.”   One person, in public office in my county, that is highly in favor of HB116, testified before the legislature that HB116 was unconstitutional.  What we are trying to achieve with this legislation is probably a good thing in theory, however, the ramifications of passing laws that will be deemed unconstitutional will eventually come back and haunt us.  Yes, almost all of the Republican party wants to see immigration laws change.  The Republican party wants to bring illegal immigrants out of the shadows.  The Republican party wants to follow the rule of law.  On this we agree.  Therefore, we must find a way to construct a bill, or amend the current legislation to bring this bill into compliance.

Why is Constitutionality such a sticking point?  I’ve heard the argument that a message bill is fine if it fits your agenda.  While this is a message bill, what exactly is the message?  After many, like Mike Lee, have said that a waiver will most likely not be granted by the federal government, and the bill does not go into effect, there are many that claim it sends a message to Washington.  Maybe the message we are sending is the wrong one.  Let’s take the immigration issue out of the equation for a moment, and talk about the theory.  What happens when a state (even ours) puts forward a bill that we highly disagree would be good for our state or any other state for that matter.  What happens when we discover that the highly unprincipled idea is also unconstitutional?  Are we going to scream and cry and raise our voices and decry, “This is unconstitutional?”  If we do not ask for repeal, or correction to HB 116, then we will become hypocrites, when the situation is something with which we disagree.  We will have set a very dangerous precedent.

We all know our Federal government is completely failing in regard to immigration.  The doors are not open wide enough for legal immigrants, the red-tape is far to cumbersome, and the delays are devastating to renewal of visas creating illegal status.  I disagree with those that claim HB116 creates cheap labor.  I disagree with many of my colleagues that claim HB116 is amnesty.  The point is, if this bill is unconstitutional and goes against our party platform, we as Republicans have no business even bringing it to the table until it complies.  If, we as states, want to bring the idea of immigration back to the states, then we must amend the Constitution, or get a coalition of states to join us in repealing the federal government’s authority on immigration. 

Here’s what we can do in the mean time. 

Rights vs. Entitlements:  We can look at legislation that cuts any and all entitlements to non-citizens.  This is the root of the problem.  This is what has most people up in arms.  We can call on private citizens, churches, and non-profit organizations to help pick-up to the slack for any individuals truly needing help, while they either begin the process of becoming a citizen or help them return to their own countries.  We can remember that all people on this earth are here as God’s children, and deserve to be treated that way.  We can remember that rights come from God, not our government.  Whether people are here legally or not, they still have rights.  They do not have rights to entitlements, but they are still people with human rights. 

English vs. anything else:  We need to call upon citizens, and non-profit organizations to teach English to immigrants and their children before they enter grade school, at low or no cost.  This helps the schools, this helps employment, and this helps continue with the great melting-pot of our nation.  No one is asking people to give up their culture, but we are asking that you do what you can to learn ours. 

American vs. hyphenated-American:  We need to teach immigrants the beauty of being an American.  Help individuals understand our history, our diversity, our language, and how American opportunities will help them.  multiculturalism doesn’t work.  American Exceptionalism does.  Teach people how to be owners (Georgics) again.

Enforce current laws vs. creating new ones:  Enforce current laws on the books regarding identity theft, and other crimes.  We do not need to have a separate set of rules for illegal immigrants.  Laws should be enforced when an individual aggresses against another regardless of their status.  If ICE will pick them up, that is their decision.  If ICE will not get involved, prosecute them just as you would anyone else.

Free Market Labor vs. Minimum Wage Laws:  Work to repeal minimum wage laws.  This may not seem like a good argument for the “cheap labor” crowd, but labor is a mans’ to give at whatever price he or she deems is acceptable.  This is your property.  I am not told what price I must sell my home.  But I get a price the market will bear.  In the same token, I should not be told at what price I should sell my labor.  I will get the price the market will bear.  The artificial wage control by the federal government is a crime on it’s own.  Everyone has different needs.  Prices would probably go down, and most people would have their basic needs met even if wages dropped in the process.  We would not need government subsidies for the dairy industry and other agriculture industries if men set their own wage.

People vs. status:  Let’s all remember that people are at the very heart of this discussion.  Everyone has dreams, hopes, and aspirations.  Let’s make it easier to be here, easier to be an American, and welcome immigrants with open arms.  Remember our individual rights come from God, not government, and so they belong to all people, from all nations.  We are just lucky enough to live in a country where we still enjoy some of those individual rights.

Utah Resident vs. U.S. Citizens:  This one is fuzzy to me, because I don’t hold a degree in Constitutional Law, but I have heard it said you can be a resident of the sovereign state of Utah, and be considered a foreign national and not a U.S. Citizen, sometimes referred to as a Permanent Resident Alien.  If that is the case, then let’s use current law on the books to create that status for people who live here already, but have not aggressed beyond infractions.  We all know “round ‘em up and ship ‘em out” is not only a horrible idea, but a very unpractical (and impossible) one as well.  We must find a way to comply with our current Constitution.   They can pay taxes, but being a documented resident of Utah does not necessarily give them rights to vote, if they are only a resident alien.  But they will be documented and legally here.  I could be way off, but, I hope this at least gets the discussion going.

TIME TO UNITE: This bill, while seemingly able to divide the party can actually create great strength in the party as we pull together to fix or repeal bad legislation and thoughtfully put forward legislation that cannot be argued by the Democrats as unconstitutional.  Because the day will come when the other side will pull some huge shenanigans and if we are on the wrong side on this argument, we will have no ability to cry “unconstitutional” to their legislation.  Republicans have always stood for their constitution and their platform.  This is an inconvenient time, but it is the right thing to do.  Being the party that leads on principle is not easy, but this is the party that can do it.  To paraphrase the key-note speaker at Saturday’s convention, when you find a rat in a bottle of Coke, it sours you from buying Coke for a long time.  As Republicans, we need to stick to our platform and principles, so our Republican base is not soured on future Republicans.

Today is the National Day of Prayer.  In Park City, Utah, The Christian Center of Park City joined together this morning and took the day seriously.  I, along with a few other STAR Forum members, attended the event.  I wasn’t sure what to expect, and was very impressed.

The morning started out with a wonderful breakfast of doughnuts, muffins, sausage, bacon, quiche, juice, coffee, and more.  I saw many friendly faces from around the community, and met a few new ones.

The event began with a prayer.  We sang a few hymns of praise, and different people from the community spoke.  With each community member concluding, we were asked to specifically prayer for just a couple of minutes at our tables for those specific needs.  Lisa Kirtchenheiter, a Park City school board member, spoke of the difficulties that children are facing.  She asked that we also remember in our prayers the homeschooled children (as she gave me a quick nod), charter-school children, and private-school children.  Then the prayers began.  I was overwhelmed with the spirit of these prayers, thinking of the youth that will grow into our local leaders, our entrepreneurs, our healers, and maybe even leaders of our nation. 

Then it came time for the law enforcement to say a few words.  Chief of Police in Park City, Wade Carpenter, and Summit County Sherriff, Dave Edmonds, both had a chance to speak.  They spoke of their commitment to community, and Chief Carpenter spoke of the way Sherriff Edmonds always seeks for guidance in prayer every day before his duty begins.  They spoke of the hardships of serving, how these officers see things that can disturb you for life.  Among other things, they deal with child pornography, abuse victims, drugs, and violence.  They spoke of the divorce rate among police officers, and it is around 75%.  They asked us to prayer for safety of the officers in both body and mind.

I wish I had taken my camera to the event, because Sheriff Edmonds was in his highest uniform, covered with stars on his collar, and stripes on his arms.  Today was an especially emotional day for Sheriff Edmonds.  Today four names were to be added to the memorial of fallen officers in Utah.  And every year on this day, Sheriff Edmonds thinks of Officer Ron Wood, who served in West Jordan and was killed in the line of duty, after being shot.  He was Dave’s friend, and trained with him.  I remember this man, because I lived in West Jordan at the time of his death.  What a small world it is.

We heard from other pastors and teachers here in the area.  The one that struck me, (and I apologize for not remembering his name now,) was the man who quoted from scripture and reminded us to love our enemy, and “pray for those that despitefully use you.”  He reminded us to pray for such organizations as Hamas, and al-Qaeda, and request that their hearts be softened toward us, and not wish to do violence.  Wise words.

The Christian Center left a sheet on each table that listed National Leaders, from Barrack Obama on down to Eric Holder, State Senators, our State Governor, Park City Local Leaders, the principles of the schools, and our Supreme Court Justices.  Sadly, some local leaders that had been invited were unable to attend.  The center distributed a book mark put out by Pray! magazine, that listed 30 ways to pray for people in Authority. 

The thought that came to my mind, that is often attributed to Alexis De Toqueville, but is unverifiable, where he is claimed to have said,

“I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers – and it was not there . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests and it was not there . . . in her rich mines and her vast world commerce – and it was not there . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution – and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.”

The spirit of the morning was beautiful.  There are many good Christians that understand that while many things are in their circle of concern, they seem out of reach of our circle of influence.  However, there is something everyone can do;  Pray.

Today, on the 2011 National Day of Prayer, pray for our nation, its public servants, and it’s people.  We must remember that we are One Nation, but only under God.

Brian Aitken is coming to Park City, Utah on March 25.  He will be at the Prospector at 6:00 p.m. for an event sponsored by members of The STAR Forum.  This event is free and open to the public.  Brian is bringing copies of The Law by Bastiat, and other free goodies from his new employer, The Foundation for Economic Education.

RSVP on Facebook here:    http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=199811843378383

Or on our meetup site here: http://www.meetup.com/TheSTARForum/events/16569951     

Brian Aitken has a unique story from which we all can learn.  After being arrested, he set himself on a path to discover liberty. He found himself at the Foundation for Economic Education started by Hazlitt, a student of Von Mises.  His parental rights were stripped from him.  He was later jailed by a judge who didn’t give all of the information to the jury, and then released by Governor Chris Christie.  Now he fights to have his name cleared.  Brian has been seen on Judge Napolitano’s Freedom Watch, Fox & Friends, and many other news stations.  See our post earlier here.   

The events of Brian’s life can benefit all of us if we choose to learn from him.  This could have been you.  Come and learn with us.  Most of the problems we are now facing are economic, including our illegal immigration problem.  It is time to have a strong grasp of the economic system we are currently in, understand the lies behind that system, and learn how an Austrian economic way of thinking helps our country prosper. 

Through education, freedom can win!

By KIRK JOHNSON

Published: March 14, 2011

Djamila Grossman for The New York Times

Jacqueline Smith, in her Coalville, Utah, home on March 1, doubts Senator Orrin G. Hatch.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Senator Hatch, shown Wednesday in Washington, is trying to win over Tea Party supporters.

Park City High School

The NCCJ becomes the ICCJ

One of our STAR Forum members has a child in Park City High School.  She contacted me very upset about a 1½-hour presentation in her child’s class.  I decided to look into this a little further and found some background on this subject.

The NCCJ (National Center for Christians and Jews) is an organization that I have had dealings for many years, a number of years ago.  My former boss, Robert L. Rice, was a supporter of this group.  I attended many years of black-tie events honoring people such as Gordon B. Hinckley, at the price of $10,000 per table. 

I had a great deal of respect for this group, as I noticed it was a way to bridge the gap between different religions, different races, and different socio-economic backgrounds.  They taught people how many things they had in common.  It was a great plan.  Then something must have changed ….

Sometime since I knew this organization and now the organization has become ICCJ or The Inclusion Center for Community and Justice.  On the outset, especially looking at the website, I would say that it stands for the same things, unless you dig a bit deeper.

Equal Justice vs. Social Justice

Rather than teaching adults and children to find their commonalities, they are promoting “social justice.”  Let us define the difference between equal justice and social justice a bit.  Equal justice is what we, as Americans, and especially our founding fathers, hoped to create in this country.  Equal justice is portrayed in our society by a blindfolded justice holding the scales.  She is blindfolded as to not see your race, your religion, or your social status as a factor in applying the law. 

Social justice, on the other hand is what most Marxist and socialistic philosophies lean toward.  Their idea of justice is when a race of people, or a class of people who have oppressed (even if it was their great-great-great-grandparents that did the actual oppression) must pay to those great-great-great-grandchildren of the oppressed their due.  This shows up in re-distribution of wealth programs, the stirring up of class warfare, affirmative action, programs that grant entitlements or benefits, or some other special privilege based solely on your race or ethnic background, etc.

You may be wondering how I can claim this group is promoting social justice.  A quick look at their site will show you.: 

When not at the Inclusion Center, interns carry out the mission of the organization by running social justice clubs. These clubs hold weekly/monthly meetings that discuss school specific issues, implement service learning projects, and run student driven campaigns such as Oppression Awareness Week and Teaching Tolerance’s Mix It Up Day.

These clubs can currently be found at Highland High School, West High School, East High School, and Judge Memorial in Salt Lake City.

What they taught in Park City

Three Park City High School English teachers have had a presentation from the ICCJ  called “White Privilege.”  Anna WIlliams was the first this year, followed by Steve Cuttitta and Melissa Nikolai, who combined their classes for the 1 ½ hour presentation. 

Mr. Cuttitta believes this is a good opportunity before he moves into teaching about the Holocaust and the novel Night, by Elie Weisel. 

The premise of the class was to teach 10^th graders that they are racists because they are white and have lived privileged lives.  After looking at the literature from the class, and all of the literature easily accessible on their website www.inclusioncenter.org , I would have to agree with that conclusion.  I even have a copy of an email from the presenter that shows her intention.  It is to make these children uncomfortable.

After the mom contacted one teacher at Park City High School, Steve Cuttitta, he responded that “at no point in the presentation did she call any of the students racist.”  However, Mr Cuttitta did not stay in the classroom during the presentation, so he may not have been aware of that labeling against the students.  And just two days ago, Mr. Cuttitta continued to lead the students’ thoughts by asking his class to imagine a scientist.  Once they had imagined a scientist he told his class they probably imagined a man, and probably a white one.  Then he asked them to imagine a criminal.  Again he said they probably imagined a man or a male, and most of the students probably imagined someone who was not white.

Here is a direct quote from one of the emails I received from our member about what went on at the high school.  After being asked why all the black kids, Mexican kids and white kids grouped together in the lunch room, they hesitated to answer.

            “When they answered, because all the Hispanics call them names in the hallway (white trash and the like) and always speak Spanish, they don’t feel they would want them to join them.  The presenter got in their face and called them racist.  Saying things like, “because you feel that way, that makes you a racist.  You are racists and don’t even know it, we are here to make you aware of it.”

What should have been taught

Maybe there are other reasons besides race involved.  Maybe it could simply be not wanting to be around people you believe are rude to you.   Or maybe you like to be around someone you can understand.  Alternatively, maybe it could be better explained by a great philosopher like C. S. Lewis in his book The Weight of Glory, and the chapter titled “The Inner Ring.”  Have your 10^th graders read that one and discuss it.  This is an English class, right?  Now before anyone starts screaming about seperation of church and state, at no time during this thesis of the Inner Ring, does C. S. Lewis bring up God.

Mr. Lewis explains that in every walk of life there are unwritten systems, as described by Tolstoi in War and Peace.  They begin in school, they extend to colleges, and they are in the work place as well.  He goes on to say, “I must now make a distinction.  I am not going to say that existence of Inner Rings is an evil.  It is certainly unavoidable.” 

Rings are created from the inside and the outside.  If someone feels excluded they themselves may be the ones creating the dimensions of the ring.  Other times the dimensions are created from the inside.  But rings develop, and they are not always bad, they just are.  We gravitate toward those individuals we feel the most comfortable.  There is no guilt-trip here.

C.S. Lewis states in his book,

“The quest of the Inner Ring will break your hearts unless you break it.  But if you break it, a surprising result will follow.  If in your working hours you make the work your end, you will presently find yourself all unawares inside the only circle in your profession that really matters.  You will be one of the sound craftsmen, and other sound craftsmen will know it.  This group of craftsmen will by no means coincide with the Inner Ring or the Important People or the People in the Know.  It will not shape that professional policy or work up that professional influence which fights for the profession as a whole against the public, nor will it lead to those periodic scandals and crisis which the Inner Ring produces.  But it will do those things which that profession exists to do and …if in your spare time you consort simply with the people you like, you will again find that you have come unawares to a real inside, that you are indeed snug and safe at the center of something, which seen from without, would look exactly like an Inner Ring.”

But this ring is accidental, and it’s exclusiveness is a by-product.  This according to Aristotle is placed among the virtues, because this is friendship.  What a great lesson.  These children could be taught to enlarge their circle of friends, instead of giving them a guilt-trip about their view-point, which has not even fully developed.

I was saddened to see that Park City High School and the ICCJ have gone about this great idea to help bridge gaps in completely the wrong way.  I am willing to give the teachers a bit of a pass, because maybe they are really unaware of what they are promoting, which is social justice.  However, I think it’s time that all involved take a long look at what kind of indoctrination and guilt is being pushed.  And this is happening to our children while they are under the care of our educators.  While it is important to teach values and principles in school, the way they are taught is just as important.  This is not the way to do it.  This is a group with a political end-game more in line with Marxism and Socialism than American individualism and equal justice.  The principal of the school should be screening programs such as these, and have opt-out letters available for parents to sign.  We are watching.

We do not need to make the white children see their skin color as a curse and told they are racists, nor the blacks or Hispanics to feel they are being judged because of their skin color, when that might not really even exist.  I think Martin Luther King Jr. would be appalled.  Each of us should be judged on the content of our character not the color of our skin.  And that includes all kids.

For more information about what went on at this event from one person’s perspective, you can go to:

http://www.utahsrepublic.org/education/self-loathing-indoctrination-101-via-anti-racist-workshops/