To Help New Students Adapt, Some Colleges Are Eliminating Grades

Joy Malak floundered through her freshman year in college.

I had to learn how to balance my finances. I had to learn how to balance work and school and the relationship I’m in.” The hardest part about being a new college student, Malak said, “is not the coursework. It’s learning how to be an adult.”

That took a toll on her grades. “I didn’t do well,” said Malak, who powered through and is now in her sophomore year as a neuroscience and literature double major at the University of California, Santa Cruz, or UCSC. “It took a while for me to detangle my sense of self-worth from the grades that I was getting. It made me consider switching out of my major a handful of times.” Continue reading

Smith: Take a Hard Stand for Faith, Family and America

“You can’t go back and change the beginning but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ~ C.S. Lewis

Of late, and I’m certain You’ve noted, I can’t shake the feeling that a civil war will be the only way we save the country right now. Many will disagree for a litany of great reasons, but without it, they can be certain that they will live to see real tyranny place its cold grip over the heart of America and lead it into its final death spiral.

That could be the result anyway, if those who love traditional America fight and lose. And it is hard not to question the commitment of those who profess to love America with so little action showing the proof of it. Continue reading

DeWeese: Living With Equity in a Free Society

Social Equity has become the root for almost every policy coming from government, school curriculum, human resources on the job, and even in our entertainment. It’s a revolution intended to change our entire social structure to affect how we all interact with each other.

To understand the full impact “equity” will have on our daily lives, let’s look at its intended definition, as prepared by its promoters. United Way of the National Capital Area (a long-time charity) defines Equity as “The quality of being fair and impartial. Social equity is impartiality, fairness and justice for all people in social policy. Social equity takes into account systemic inequalities to ensure everyone in a community has access to the same opportunities and outcomes. Equity of all kinds acknowledges that inequalities exist and works to eliminate them…Social equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.”

Well, if our American society intends to reach the goals of true social equity, we have a lot of changes in our everyday lives that must be made! Let’s get down to it. Continue reading

House approves Parents’ Bill of Rights to give Americans more say in their kids’ education

The Republican-led House voted to pass its Parents’ Bill of Rights on Friday with zero Democrat votes after Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called it ‘fascist.’ The controversial bill, which gives parents a stronger role in what’s taught in public schools, is not expected to be taken up by the Democratic-majority Senate.

Critics denounce the legislation saying it has led to book bans, restrictions aimed at transgender students and unhinged board meetings nationwide. Continue reading

Parents Majoring In The Minors

Get your children OUT of the System – NOW

Articles about the horrible quality (on purpose) of what passes for education in public schools have become so prevalent that people now tend to take this inferior education for granted and so are tempted to just ignore it.

We recently were informed that some schools are now ending their honors programs so they can promote “equity” (racism). It seems that lots of the white kids do well in the honors programs so that now must cease and we must begin to enforce a stultifying conformity, a “one size fits all” program they have mislabeled as “equity,” The concept of “equity” has trumped any idea of real education – but, then, real education has not existed in public schools for generations anyway. Continue reading

Boz: Schmegegge!

[shmih-GEH-gee]

The title of this essay is a word I’ve used in past commentaries. Schmegegge is a Yiddish word for baloney, hot air, nonsense, and by extension, bullshit.

Other cultures fascinate me. I’ve lived, traveled, conversed, listened, and absorbed a lot of erudition in my LXXII years on this rock. I embrace this increased awareness because I never know when this knowledge will be helpful.

America is a melting pot of people and languages. We’re an amalgamation of everyone that merges with – not storms – our community. Much of our language originated from other countries, as do some of our customs – like Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day, and Cinco de Mayo.

Sadly, we’ve lost our sense of community and regressed into tribal monikers and identifiers that challenge and expunge that unity. As if that’s not bad enough, we partitioned along partisan political paradigms. Continue reading

Buckle Up, Buttercup… The Cult of Personality

My Brother-in-law David recently commented that I’m too hard on American citizens for not caring for our country. I respect and value his opinion. He’s right on the money. I am hard on the people trusted with our republic – you and me. His insightful comment inspired this essay.

The great riddle of a seven-headed figure

No one likes to be told they’re wrong or at fault. I realize it’s generational; it’s how we’re socialized – educated – indoctrinated. That’s part of the problem; we like it easy and comforting. Criticism and reprobation are foreign concepts and quite disquieting to most American citizens. We’ve come to expect our government to do it for us, but sometimes we need a good slap in the face to awaken from complacency. The current situation shows that mind reading is not Big Brother’s strong suit, and in the absence of well-stated requirements, he will give us what he wants.

I attribute our present situation to American citizens’ inaction and lack of involvement. I also criticize the educational system – another responsibility we relinquish to Big Brother. Continue reading

Students Trapped in California’s Failing Public Schools Deserve a Way Out

Under California’s public school funding, per pupil spending is actually $23,723

During the pandemic, funding for California’s K-12 schools and community colleges spiked from $79.3 billion in 2019-20 to $110.4 billion in 2021-22 — a 39% increase. Also during the pandemic, California public school enrollment dropped by more than a quarter of a million students. For the first time in 20 years, public school enrollment in the state is below 6 million, says education scholar Lance Izumi.

Gov. Gavin Newsom bragged, “we’ve made record investments in education,” as if spending more money actually helps children learn better. But the school lockdowns showed us that it doesn’t. Continue reading

Hanson: The Price of Eliminating Consequences

A shop owner looks over damage in a looted souvenir and electronics shop near Times Square after a night of protests and vandalism over the death of George Floyd, in New York, on June 2, 2020. (John Moore/Getty Images)

Recently there were some remarkable online videos of a Portland, Oregon, good Samaritan confronting shoplifters and forcing them to dump loads of their pilfered goods.

More stunning, however, was the sheer outrage – of the thieves!

They pouted. They screamed. They resisted. How dare anyone stop them from stealing anything they wished. Continue reading

There are times…

…when you don’t hear from a friend for awhile.

Earlier today, I realized that I had not heard from a good friend and major contributor to the Kettle Moraine Publications family of websites – Justin O. Smith.

About a month ago his family experienced a death of his granddaughter’s fiance, and I have maintained  a great concern for how the family has been holding up.

Early today, I sent Justin a brief text which stated;

“Hey – are you OK?” – to which he responded; Continue reading

Benson: About Western/Southern “Civil War” Movies

HyperFocal: 0

For a little recreation, instead of following the news channels, I put on the Western movie channel and watched Outlaw Joey Wales. I’ve seen it several times before but it is always good for a little recreation and there is a certain amount of truth to it. It was a Western/Southern that Clint Eastwood made back in 1976, I think, and if I am correct, he never made another Western until 1985. I can recall thinking after watching it several years ago that I wonder if Hollyweird warned Eastwood about making anymore movies like it, lest his film career suffer for it. I read the book it was taken from by Forrest Carter. Needless to say the book wasn’t exactly like the movie – but then they seldom are Continue reading

Hayworth: Biden, Supporter Mock Mom Who Lost 2 Sons

George Mason, “the father of the Bill of Rights.”

Your 21st century American lifestyle may have led you to overlook “oversight.”

Perhaps you vaguely recall its mention during an American government class sometime in your educational past.

Thankfully, our founders did not overlook it, as they stated clearly in Article I, Section I, of our Constitution that “All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States.”

Virginia’s George Mason made a compelling case for oversight at the Constitutional Convention, where he stated that federal lawmakers “are not only legislators but they possess inquisitorial powers. They must meet frequently to inspect the conduct of the public offices.”

Sadly, the conduct of some federal legislators leads casual observers to mistake congressional oversight hearings as a venue for partisan playground palaver. Continue reading

SILICON VALLEY BANK, JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG

Update: U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen rules out a bailout of collapsed Silicon Valley Bank.

Silicon Valley Bank is yet another example of corruption in the banking sector. I’ve read that SVB is the second largest banking failure in US history.

A woke and ‘green’ bank, SVB was devoted to ‘DIE,’ or Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity.

Maybe the latter in particular contributed to their collapse, but before it did go bust executives running the sorry show made sure they cashed out of their stock and rewarded all the top executives with generous bonuses. The taxpayers will pick up the rest of the tab via FDIC insurance… Continue reading

Benson: The Biden “Education” Scam…

Just What The Nazis Did Over 80 Years Ago

An article appeared on World Net Daily written by Bob Unruh on 3/11/23. It noted that Comrade Joe Biden, of Communist China fame, now wants the government to start teaching children at age three. Mr. Unruh observed “The Washington Stand, a publication of the Family Research Council, is publishing a warning to American parents that Joe Biden’s new budget proposes that government agents start teaching, and influencing, children starting at age three…The report notes that Biden’s $6.9 trillion budget ‘would have the hand of the government rock the cradle by creating a federally regulated, universal pre-K program for children as young as three.’ It’s a long way from the first time such an agenda has been pushed.”‘

The article continued :”‘It was Robert Ley, a Labor chief in Germany in 1938 who insisted, ‘We begin with the child when he is three years old. As soon as he begins to think, he gets a little flag put into his hand’.” Knowing Comrade Biden’s pro-China proclivities, if such a program were to be enacted in this country, our government “educational” leaders would probably give our three year old’s Chinese Communist flags! Continue reading

Hayworth: Sounds Like the Apocalypse Is Getting Closer

At a more carefree time in American History — actually, just a few years ago — “Sports Illustrated” featured a tongue-in-cheek digest of offbeat stories under the heading “Signs the Apocalypse is upon us.”

For many readers, that periodical’s very own apocalypse came in 2020, when the magazine morphed into a monthly publication.

In November of that same year, it was reported that Joe Biden was elected as our 46th president… Continue reading

There is no saint without a past, no sinner without a future.’ ~ Augustine

Today, if you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” ~ Hebrews 3:15

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

So Jesus told those indignant listeners this parable:

“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’

So the father divided the property between them.

After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need.

So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any.

Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’

So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him

His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’

Then the celebration began.

Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’

He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’” ~ Luke 1-2,11-32
Continue reading

Weapons of Mass Distraction (WMD)

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.” ~ from The Wizard of Oz

In 1939 America marveled at Hollywood’s masterful adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s 1900 children’s fantasy. The story is a metaphor for the twentieth century’s social and political times. While the movie is entertaining, the book is astonishing. Watch for the allegory as you read the story or watch the film.

Many words describe the tactic of distraction, a derivation of distract; another is obfuscation, a derivative of obscure; both deal with concealment and, in the context of this essay, hiding the truth.

As you read this essay, consider the following single-word question: WHY?
Continue reading

Benson: Parents Majoring In The Minors

Articles about the horrible quality (on purpose) of what passes for education in public schools have become so prevalent that people now tend to take this inferior education for granted and so are tempted to just ignore it.

We recently were informed that some schools are now ending their honors programs so they can promote “equity” (racism). It seems that lots of the white kids do well in the honors programs so that now must cease and we must begin to enforce a stultifying conformity, a “one size fits all” program they have mislabeled as “equity,” The concept of “equity” has trumped any idea of real education–but, then, real education has not existed in public schools for generations anyway. Continue reading

Anghis: A World On The Edge – The Series

We are facing the most critical period in our history as mankind. It isn’t just the United States that is being threatened it is every sovereign nation in the world. What amazes me is that the people that are the threat are not elected to any position of power in any of the nations of the world. They have just decided that they need to control everything and most countries are going along with it like it is just what should be done.

Of course, I’m talking about the World Economic Forum. The leader of this corrupt organization is Klaus Schwab. When you look at him you almost think that he is a relative of Darth Vader. His arrogance is through the roof. He’s using world events to convince everyone that his ideals are best and must be followed. There have been many through the ages that believe that they are better qualified to control you than you are. You’re too stupid. Only the elite of the world can properly govern. Most of them hate the human race even though they are part of it. They all have believed that there are too many people on the planet and that most of them need to be eliminated. Continue reading