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Time to Set Aside Political Correctness

4/16/2013

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Political Correctness: Intolerance Masquerading as Tolerance
By: Melanie Sturm     From: ThinkAgainUSA.com

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Last month world-renowned pediatric neurosurgeon and up-from-nothing African-American idol Ben Carson expressed his contrarian opinion that marriage is between a man and a woman and no group could change this millennia-old social institution. Appalled medical students at Johns Hopkins University – allegedly a place of intellectual inquiry and diversity and “a forum for the free expression of ideas” -- circulated a petition to remove Carson as commencement speaker.

Having gained widespread media attention for his recent National Prayer Breakfast speech in which he critiqued political correctness, Carson apologized for his off-the-cuff, maladroit and incorrect political critique of same-sex marriage, reiterating his belief that gays must be assured equal civil and legal rights without changing the definition of marriage.

Were Johns Hopkins students more sage, they’d Think Again before dissing this distinguished man of character, accomplishment, and philanthropy for sharing Bill and Hillary Clinton’s marriage definition -- until “evolving” last month -- though not their political dexterity. Before exiting the ivory tower, students could learn from Jimi Hendrix who believed, “Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens,” and Benjamin Franklin who taught, “If everyone is thinking alike, then no one is thinking.”

Apparently they don’t think much at Johns Hopkins where the Student Government Association denied the pro-life group “Voices for Life” recognition as an approved organization.  Without alternative voices on campus, how does the university assure the diversity it champions? Might ardent though free-thinking supporters of women’s reproductive rights want to know that a representative of Planned Parenthood (half of whose budget is taxpayer-funded) recently testified before the Florida legislature that the decision of what to do with a baby who survives a failed abortion be left up to the patient and her doctor, begging the question: who’s the patient?

Considering that abortionist Kermit Gosnell is currently on trial in Philadelphia for murdering late-term babies delivered alive by snipping their spines, these aren’t hypothetical questions. If “sunlight is the best disinfectant,” shouldn’t we encourage alternative voices – on and off-campus -- to assure an informed citizenry and a civil society?

Other instances of intolerance masquerading as tolerance are equally disquieting: At George Washington University, two gay students are seeking the removal of a chaplain for teaching Catholic doctrine regarding homosexuality (but apparently not pre-marital sex); the U.S. Army listed Evangelical Christianity, Ultra-Orthodox Judaism, and Catholicism as examples of religious extremism (along with Al Qaeda, Hamas and the Ku Klux Klan) in a Pennsylvania reserve unit training manual; and actor Jeremy Irons was labeled anti-gay for worrying that “lawyers are going to have a field day” if marriage is redefined and imagining estate-tax avoidance strategies involving father-son “marriages,” despite wishing “everybody who’s living with one other person the best of luck in the world, because it’s fantastic.”

Though distracted by ham-fisted arguments and irrespective of one’s view on same-sex marriage, abortion or any other hot-button issue, Americans must resist diversity-champions and tolerance-enforcers who dictate homogeneity -- as if there’s one cosmically correct policy that can be expressed without offending anyone. Name-calling and social ostracism not only destroy reputations and careers, they suffocate the debate a free, pluralistic and informed society needs to assure its government has the “consent of the governed.”

Throughout American history, we’ve navigated changes in cultural and legal landscapes while accommodating divergent views, values, and (lawful) practices. In America’s melting pot, prejudices dissolve through exposure to disparate voices and moral suasion, while legitimate differences are respected. America is the freest and most decent opportunity-giving society on earth because we’ve been a refuge for the persecuted since the Puritans left the Church of England to establish Plymouth Colony in 1620.

Embedded in our founding documents are uniquely American and revolutionary principles to protect our inalienable rights – including free speech and the free exercise of religion -- and “secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.” The barring of state-sponsored religion and the guaranteeing of religious liberty is what “the wall of separation between church and state” means – not a demand for the separation of religion and politics.

In his best-selling book “America the Beautiful,” Carson recounts how this “American Way” helped him overcame poverty, poor role models, racism and anger.  Born in a land of opportunity, and cultivated morally by religion, intellectually by a solid public education, and behaviorally by a wise though functionally illiterate Mom who never made excuses (nor allowed him to), he reached the pinnacle of success.

Fearing America won’t bequeath the same opportunity-society to future generations, Carson entreats Americans to recover our founding values, “set aside political correctness…apply logic to solving our problems and add the godly principles of loving our fellow man, caring about our neighbors, and developing our God-given talents.”  This will assure America remains “a pinnacle nation, … ‘one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.’”

Think Again — for students whose heads need examining to ensure that they still think, a brain surgeon is the perfect commencement speaker.

Melanie Sturm lives in Aspen. She reminds readers to Think Again. You might change your mind. She welcomes comments at melanie@thinkagainusa.com. 


Also of Interest

Dr. Benjamin Carson's Epic Speech

Parenting Lessons from Dr. Ben Carson's Mother



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The Values that Make America Great

1/27/2013

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Senator Rand Paul has been a shining light on Capitol Hill.  He's a champion of the values and principles that make America great.  

He's been  on the forefront of the battle to preserve individual liberty, free markets, sound money, and constitutional government, even when he's been opposed by people in his own party.

Senator Paul knows that "political parties are empty vessels unless we embue them with values."  We must take time to reflect on the things that matter most, understand and clearly explain who we are, and be true to our guiding principles and values.








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Important Checklist for Public School Parents

8/20/2012

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As children head off to school, the house may be more quiet, but Patriotic Moms still have plenty of work to do.  

This checklist can help busy moms make sure that our schools are not undermining our beliefs and values.  

Take a look, see if the things you care about are on the list.  

You can add, delete, or modify items, or even create a new list of your own.  

The important thing is to take an active role in making sure the school is not teaching your child things you disapprove of.  

Or, if you can't change what is being taught, you can discuss what you believe with your child and help prepare them for what they will hear at school.


Parent Checklist from CapitolResource.org

  • Find out if your school has a student newspaper and subscribe. There are often announcements in student newspapers concerning controversial matters on campus...
 
  • Find out if your school has a policy that allows minor students to leave campus for confidential medical treatment without notifying the parents. CRI has information on how you can take this matter to your school board and attempt to have the policy changed to a parent-friendly policy...
 
  • When your kids come home from school, ask them if they did any journaling that day and, if so, what they wrote about. Teachers often have their students journal about their feelings on certain controversial issues, things that happen at home, etc, and then have the children leave their journals at school.
 
  • Teach your child how to respond to the myths taught in public schools that contradict your values...
 
Scan textbooks, workbooks, teaching materials, and classroom handouts to ensure that your children are being taught in accordance with your values.
 
  • Is it anti-parent? (Parents are ignorant, old fashioned)
 
  • Does it instruct the child to keep secrets from the parent?
 
  • Does it encourage a negative view of the child, his family, his country, or his future?
 
  • Is it preoccupied with death, tragedy, hate, anger, revenge etc.? 
 
  • Is it anti-religion? Does it lead the child to reject morals and values taught at home or church?
 
  • Does it lead the child to believe there are no absolute standards? (Morality is relative and depends on the situation)
 
  • Does it encourage experimentation with sex, alcohol, or drugs?
 
  • Does it censor out all knowledge of the importance of religion in American history?
 
  • Does it force the child to make choices based on hypothetical situations and decide it is okay to lie, cheat, steal, kill, have sex outside of marriage, have an abortion, or commit suicide?
 
  • Does it force the child to answer questionnaires about the family's attitudes, behaviors, customs, political views that invade privacy?
 
  • Does it blur traditional concepts of gender identity and force the child to accept radical feminist notions?
 
  • Does it censor out our nation's heroes such as George Washington but spend much time studying controversial contemporary figures?
 
  • Does it lead the child to believe that global or world government is preferable to the American constitutional republic?
 
  • Does it imply that government spending programs lead to economic prosperity instead of hard work and perseverance?
 
  • Does it lead the child to believe that disarmament rather than defense can prevent future war?




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Simple Family Practices that Promote Values

12/17/2011

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5 Routines You Can Start Today to Teach Values

               1.  Begin with the end in mind.  What values do I want to teach?
               2.  Create a game plan.  What activities will teach these values?
               3.  Be consistent.
               4.  Regularly assess and revise.  Review and evaluate your list about every 6 months.





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What Do You Value?

6/9/2011

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“Mr. Weiner’s name has been the source of endless jokes over the last ten days, and his activities certainly invite ridicule.  But the seriousness of this type of behavior and its lasting ramifications are no joke."   ~ RedState.com

As a mom, what matters to you?  This is probably a good time to discuss and reinforce values with our kids.  If we don't, they may absorb their views from TV or their peers.

Today I want to talk to my kids and remind them of a few things that matter to me.  I'm not sure yet, but we might talk about stuff like:
  • Be true to yourself, your faith, your family, and your country.
  • Be a person of honesty and integrity.
  • Take responsibility for your actions.  
  • Don’t blame others if you make a mistake.
  • Apologize when you do wrong.  Then pay the price to make things right.
  • Safeguard your reputation. Nothing is private on the internet.  It's a permanent record.


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