The people of the Ukraine want you to know why thousands of them are protesting in the streets.  

There is only one reason.  They want to be free.  

It takes courage to stand up for freedom.  

We can help.  We can be a part of their solution.

Please watch this powerful two minute message, just sent from streets filled with terror.  

Share the stories with your friends and family.  Share this video.  Contact your leaders.  

Show that you support these courageous people.

The country’s largest teachers union is no longer a cheerleader for Common Core national education standards.

In a letter to the National Education Association’s 3 million members, President Dennis Van Roekel issued a sharp critique of Common Core. It marks the first time NEA has voiced concerns about the standards, a key initiative of the Obama Administration.

The NEA once enthusiastically supported Common Core, making Van Roekel’s criticism noteworthy. POLITICO said it meant a “rocky road ahead for the Common Core standards” and would “give opponents of Common Core a boost.”

In his letter, Van Roekel stops short of completely abandoning Common Core, calling instead for a “course correction” to fix implementation.

“NEA members have a right to feel frustrated, upset, and angry about the poor commitment to implementing the standards correctly,” Van Roekel writes.

The National Education Association’s concerns come nearly a year after the American Federation of Teachers raised problems with implementation of the standards. AFT President Randi Weingarten said, “they simply don’t get it in Washington.” She also called the implementation of Common Core worse than HealthCare.gov.

Just last month, New York State United Teachers, part of AFT, voted to pull its support for Common Core. The union consists of 600,000 members in New York.

“Teachers unions shouldn’t be surprised the implementation was botched,” said Lindsey Burke, the Will Skillman Fellow in Education at The Heritage Foundation. “This is what happens with one-size-fits-all bureaucratic initiatives.”

Currently, 45 states and the District of Columbia have adopted Common Core standards, although the intense debate in some states, notably Indiana, could result in changes.

Learn More

•  Is Common Core Leaving Students Unprepared in Math and Science?
  
• Common Core Implementation Will Be Worse Than Obamacare
  

Happy Presidents Day!  Although the official name of the federal holiday we are celebrating today is Washington's Birthday, a number of state and local governments (and businesses) call it Presidents Day.

As Patriotic Moms will celebrate Washington's Birthday on February 22 (the date George Washington was born), today is a good time to share some great videos about our other presidents.  

These one minute videos are packed with helpful information about the leaders who have helped shape America. You could learn a little about all of the presidents in an hour.  Or, you could select a few of your favorites.  

If you don't have time to watch the videos now, you can always find them (and other excellent resources) under the TEACH tab on the main menu bar above. 

Presidential Minute

1. George Washington
2. John Adams
   
3. Thomas Jefferson
   
4. James Madison
   
5. James Monroe
6. John Quincy Adams
7. Andrew Jackson
   
8. Martin VanBuren
   
9. William Henry Harrison
   
10. John Tyler
11. James Polk
12. Zachary Taylor
    
13. Millard Fillmore
    
14. Franklin Pierce
    
15. James Buchanan
16. Abraham Lincoln
17. Andrew Johnson
    
18. Ulysses S. Grant
    
19. Rutherford B. Hayes
    
20. James Garfield
21. Chester Arthur
22. Grover Cleveland
    
23. Benjamin Harrison
    
24. William McKinley
    
25. Theodore Roosevelt
26. William Howard Taft
27. Woodrow Wilson
    
28. Warren G. Harding
    
29. Calvin Coolidge
    
30. Herbert Hoover
31. Franklin Roosevelt
32. Harry S. Truman
    
33. Dwight D. Eisenhower
    
34. John F. Kennedy
    
35. Lyndon Johnson
36. Richard Nixon
37. Gerald Ford
    
38. Jimmy Carter
    
39. Ronald Reagan
    
40. George H.W. Bush
41. Bill Clinton
42. George W. Bush
    
43. Barack Obama

Birthdays of our leaders give us opportunities to introduce our kids to some of the wonderful men and women who helped make America great.

February 12th is Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.  

When he was born, there was nothing to distinguish him from other babies.  

As a young boy he enjoyed walking, running, wrestling, reading, and doing math.   

Rising from the humblest of beginnings, he was elected President of the United States at a time of great national turmoil and division.  His leadership was a key factor in the eventual unity and restoration that took place.   

Abraham Lincoln Resources

• Photos of Abraham Lincoln
  
• Quotations of Abraham Lincoln
  
• Resource and Activity Book for Kids

Abraham Lincoln’s Life

• Timeline of Lincoln’s Life
  
• Young Abe Lincoln
  
• The Story of Abraham Lincoln
  
• Abraham Lincoln’s Autobiography 
  
• Lincoln and Depression
  

Stories

• Lincoln and the Little Girl
  
• Training for the Presidency
  
• Honest Abe
• Lincoln the Lawyer
  
• Mr. Lincoln and the Bible

The Civil War

• America and the Civil War  (4:04)
  
• Civil War Turning Point  (3:08) 
  
• The Emancipation Proclamation 

Speeches

• First Inaugural Address
  
• The Gettysburg Address
  
• “House Divided” Speech
  
• Second Inaugural Address
  
• Lincoln's Most Important Speech  (3:02)
  

Proclamations

• Proclamation of a Day of Fasting
  
• Emancipation Proclamation
  
• Proclamation of Thanksgiving
  

Possible Activities to Enjoy on President Lincoln's Birthday
(Choose the activity, or activities, that you think could be fun and meaningful for your family.)

• Young Abe enjoyed wrestling, walking, running, and an early form of baseball.  Spend some time enjoying one of these, or another sports activity your family enjoys.  Talk about the importance of wholesome recreation.
  

• Abe loved cats.  He adopted orphaned kittens, and enjoyed playing with them.  He also enjoyed dogs and horses, and his family had two goats when they lived in the White House.  You could spend some time enjoying your family pet(s), get a kitten for your family, spend some time with horses, or visit a local pet store. 
  

• Abraham Lincoln loved collecting and telling jokes and stories, and many of his quotes are famous.  Each family member could find one or more  stories,  jokes, or quotes to share with the rest of the family.

• Abe's favorite hobby was to read and learn.  Have a family read-a-thon complete with fun snacks and soft pillows to relax on.  Abe loved to read so much that he sometimes borrowed books from others.  You could go to the library and "borrow" some fun books to read -- maybe something about Lincoln -- or read some of the stories above.  Or you could do some activities from the Resource and Activity Book to learn more about Abraham Lincoln.
  

• Abes favorite foods were fruit salad, cheese, and crackers.  You could enjoy these for a fun snack while you participate in your activities.

• Abraham Lincoln had more than his share of  struggles and failures.  You could watch "Famous Failures" and talk about how our failures can help teach us what we need to know to succeed.  Or you could tell a couple of experiences Lincoln had when he struggled with depression, and discuss how our struggles can help us grow.

• When he was president, Abraham Lincoln wrote a number of speeches and addresses that expressed his feelings.  You could memorize or recite one of his speeches, like The Gettysburg Address, or The Emancipation Proclamation, or you could write something that expresses your feelings about America.

• One of the great accomplishments of Abraham Lincoln's life was helping to bring freedom to the slaves.  You could watch this short video and talk about why that was so important.
  

• As an adult, President Lincoln enjoyed going to plays.  You could go to a play together, or enjoy a modern day variation -- go to a movie, or watch a good video at home.  You could include this one minute summary of President Lincoln's life.

• Abe enjoyed people and loved to visit with friends and neighbors.  You could visit some friends or invite them to join you for some activities in your home.  You could even bake a birthday cake and have a birthday party for Abraham Lincoln where you tell a little about him (see above), enjoy a few activities, sing Happy Birthday, and have cake and ice cream.
  

One of our important responsibilities as parents is to help our children learn how to define themselves, who they are, and what they can become.

Lizzy Velasquez was born with a rare syndrome and was once called "The World's Ugliest Woman."  In this TEDx video, Lizzy shares powerful insights into how she decided to turn things around and create her own definitions of who she was and what she could accomplish and become.

Lizzy also tells how her parents helped her overcome the bullying she faced as she grew up.  Her message is valuable for all parents, especially when our children are confronted by bullies or by other difficult challenges in their lives. 

If you know anyone who might benefit from this message, please share.  So many people are carrying heavy burdens.  Who knows who you might be able to help?

We live in a time of divisiveness and strife.  

Sometimes the differences of opinion in America appear too big to bridge.  

Ronald Reagan lived in such a time.  His ideas were met with derision and scorn.  His opponents called him a dunce.  

The nice ones called him an amiable dunce.  

Fast forward a few years, and people were praising him and calling him “the great communicator.”   

What happened?  What made the difference? 

His success is part of the answer.  As time passed, people could see his ideas were working.  

But how did Ronald Reagan become a beloved, even revered, leader who we look to for guidance today?  

Why does someone like President Obama, his idealogical opposite, try to copy his style?  

How did Ronald Reagan become a great communicator, and what can we learn from him?  

Here are five ideas. 


Prepare and Practice

President Reagan began young.  By age 15 he was teaching Sunday School classes in his church.  He became a radio announcer and actor.  He practiced his public speaking skills in his years at G.E., and his two terms as governor of California.  

He was a serious scholar of political topics long before he became president.  His messages were carefully considered and honed.  Michael Reagan recalled that his dad was always working at his desk, reading and writing.

As Patriotic Parents, we need to give our children opportunities to think, read, write, and speak about important subjects.  We ought to discuss current events in our families.  We should all (even the kids) be prepared to share important ideas at mealtime.  It was President Reagan who said, “All great change in America begins at the dinner table.”  

 And as adults, we don’t need to rewind the clock to follow Reagan’s example.  If we start from where we are and do our best, it will be enough.    


Communicate Great Things

President Reagan didn’t think of himself as a great communicator.  His focus was on his message, not himself.  He explained, “I never thought it was my style or the words I used that made a difference: It was the content. I wasn't a great communicator, but I communicated great things."

If we want to follow President Reagan’s example, we need to have a clear vision and communicate great things.

But how did he have great things to communicate?  

In addition to being a scholar of history, politics, religion, and other subjects, Reagan was a faithful journal keeper, as were many great leaders of the past.  It’s no coincidence that many great leaders have kept written records.  Writing in a journal allows a person to refine their thinking, evaluate priorities, plan and reach goals, and remember important principles, experiences, stories, and even jokes that they can share with others.  

Keeping a meaningful journal is one of the most important habits we can help our children develop.  Some families set aside a time each evening for writing in their journals.  Kids are most likely to continue this life-changing habit when they see we keep a journal too.

The Thanksgiving message below is an example of how many great things President Reagan could say quickly.  This message lasts a little more than a minute.  

Communicate with Respect

President Reagan’s messages were clear, sometimes pointed, but he had a gift for delivering his remarks with respect.  He went out of his way to build relationships of trust.  Often under attack personally, he didn’t take offense.  And he could attack false paradigms and defend true principles without being offensive.  

Use Stories and Humor to Convey Your Message

Ronald Reagan was a masterful storyteller.  He used stories to paint clear and inspiring pictures that held our attention, and even our hearts.  

Reagan had a joke for almost every situation.  He loved to laugh with us, and he used humor to unify and to heal, but he also employed humor to illustrate idealogical differences and to defuse difficult political situations. 

Be Genuine

President Reagan often wrote his own speeches, but he also found great speech writers who studied his core beliefs and style, and tailored speeches to fit him as perfectly as possible.  Still, he rarely gave the exact speeches they wrote.  He refined their work until it reflected exactly what he wanted to convey to the American people. 

But beyond his words, President Reagan’s life was a perfect reflection of his message.  We knew he was genuine.  

Peggy Noonan, former Reagan speechwriter and biographer emphasizes, “The secret of Reagan's success was no secret at all. It was his character—his courage, his kindness, his persistence, his honesty, and his almost heroic patience in the face of setbacks—that was the most important element of his success.”

Yes, Ronald Reagan gave many memorable and remarkable speeches, but in the final analysis, it was the way he lived his life that made him a great communicator!

103 years ago today, an ordinary baby was born (if any baby can be called ordinary). 

His parents named him Ronald Wilson Reagan.  

He was born in a simple home, to an obscure mother and an alcoholic father.  

No one could have predicted he would become one of the greatest presidents of the United States!  But he did!  

Many attribute Ronald Reagan's success to his  mother, Nelle, a gentle, hard-working, compassionate woman of faith.

E.T. Sullivan could have been describing Nelle and Ronald Reagan when he said:

"We fancy that God can only manage his world with battalions, when all the while he is doing it with beautiful babies. When a wrong wants righting, or a truth wants preaching, or a continent needs opening, God sends a baby into the world…perhaps in a simple home and of some obscure mother.  And then God puts the idea into the mother's heart, and she puts it into the baby's mind.  And then God waits.  The greatest forces in the world are not the earthquakes and the thunderbolts.  The greatest forces in the world are babies." 

As Patriotic Moms, we have a great privilege and opportunity.  Our responsibilities will require our best efforts, no more and no less.  And when we feel like we are falling short, we, like Nelle Reagan, can rely on God to make up the difference.  We are raising patriots and leaders who, like President Reagan, need to be prepared to preserve America’s legacy of liberty.


This video was made to celebrate President Reagan's 100th birthday.

Learn More about President Reagan

Learning about Ronald Reagan's Childhood

The Humor of Ronald Reagan 

Ronald Reagan, Great Person and Communicator

Ronald Reagan - Man of Faith

Ronald Reagan on America's Heritage of Faith

President Reagan on Faith and Religion in America 

President Reagan Talks about Prayer

Renewing America (taken from President Reagan's first inaugural address)

Liberty vs. Tyranny (a warning from President Reagan)

Ronald Reagan on Socialized Medicine

A Speech that Influenced the Course of History (President Reagan's courage to stand alone) 

We the People (President Reagan sums up the basis of our liberty)

What July Fourth Means to Me (President Reagan teaches about Independence Day)

Ronald Reagan Talks to America on Thanksgiving

Insights into a Legendary Love (heartwarming interview with Nancy Reagan)

President Reagan Teaches His Daughter (Patti Davis' remarks at her dad's funeral)

Ron Reagan Remembers His Father (Ron's remarks at his dad's funeral)

Michael Reagan Remembers His Father (Michael's remarks at his dad's funeral)

Last week a significant political event took place.  Though much publicized in Europe and other places around the world, it was deliberately withheld from viewers in the United States.

American hero Edward Snowden explained on German network TV why U.S. government surveillance of U.S. citizens is an attack on our freedom and basic human rights.  He continues to believe he did the right thing when he revealed massive unconstitutional government surveillance programs to his fellow Americans. 

Why would a thirty-year-old young man willingly sacrifice a promising career, associations with friends and family, his personal safety, and his life as an American to reveal government spying? 

He wanted to start a national conversation about the future of freedom, and of America.  But his message has been blocked by the mainstream media. Please share it with your friends.

This is a conversation every American should hear!

Learn More:  Edward Snowden, Whistleblower and Hero

“The public had a right to know about these programs. The public had a right to know that which the government is doing in its name, and that which the government is doing against the public.”

~Edward Snowden


"The great fear that I have regarding the outcome for America of these disclosures is that nothing will change.  [People] won't be willing to take the risks necessary to stand up and fight to change things...And in the months ahead, the years ahead, it's only going to get worse. 

" [The NSA will] say that...because of the crisis, the dangers that we face in the world, some new and unpredicted threat, we need more authority, we need more power, and there will be nothing the people can do at that point to oppose it.  And it will be turnkey tyranny."

~Edward Snowden