Last week, Karen Schroeder, president of Advocates for Academic Freedom, asked to share the following article with you about the attack on liberty in the public schools.  

After reading the article and reviewing the website,  http://advocatesforacademicfreedom.org, I felt we would be wise to learn more about what is happening in our schools, and what we can do about it.  

Thanks to Karen for her wonderful work, and for taking the time to share with us here at PatrioticMoms.com!  

Teaching correct principles of liberty to our children is vital!  As Ronald Reagan so wisely warned, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.”

American parents typically encourage their children to enjoy opportunities provided by America’s republic, but are they vigilant in protecting those opportunities? 

While teachers deserve trust and respect, parents mistakenly believe that teachers are the watchdogs of the academic standards of the profession. In reality, parents can have greater influence than the classroom teacher over many aspects of educational standards. Parents need to exercise their due diligence toward the educational system. 

During mid-2011, new standards for social studies were provided by state departments of education. These standards were influenced by college professors/educational experts and defined by a variety of committees and councils such as the National Council of the Social Studies. 

Colleges across America are using the HANDBOOK OF SOCIAL JUSTICE IN EDUCATION edited by William Ayers to prepare teachers to influence American school curriculum. A chapter written by Bill Ayer’s brother, Rick Ayers, states, “…these social justice education projects fit equally well in history courses as in math, English, science, or art.” Therefore, developing a social and political ideology became preferable to mastery of basic skills. He explains that education must, “be enacted through transformative action in the classroom, the school, and the wider community.” 

Teachers are being instructed to encourage students to become activists. This philosophy has influenced the new standards for social studies curriculum. 

Parents need to know that in most states, districts do NOT have to accept these standards. Districts may write their own standards and they will, if parents require them to do so. 

We've seen a lot of Occupy Wall Street rallies over the last several months, but have you ever seen, or been part of, a Walk for Life?  It's almost a different universe.

Watch a few minutes from this weekend's Walk for Life, this one held "in the heart of the liberal Bay Area," marking the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.  You'll see what I mean.  

I loved Jesse Garnier's observation in his article, Anti-Abortion Rally Does What Occupy Couldn't:  

"Well, this awkward.  One day after a rain-soaked, day-long Occupy extravaganza failed to draw more than a couple thousand protesters, Walk for Life goes and gathers up 40,000 pro-life supporters that march and shut down Market Street."

Similar marches took place from "Washington State to Washington D.C." 

 

See More:  How an Abortion Saved the Lives of Many

See More:  180: What Changed Their Minds -- in Seconds?

(These links are both exceptional, but in different ways.  The first is heart-warming, and the second is somewhat disturbing, but very thought-provoking.  Both are pro-life and worth the time to see.)

So many of us have prayed for the speedy recovery of Representative Gabby Giffords.  

She is making wonderful progress since she was attacked last year, and I thought you might enjoy hearing her inspiring message.

"Arizona is my home, always will be. A lot has happened over the past year. We cannot change that. But I know on the issues we fought for we can change things for the better. Jobs, border security, veterans. We can do so much more by working together. 

I don't remember much from that horrible day, but I will never forget the trust you placed in me to be your voice. Thank you for your prayers and for giving me time to recover. I have more work to do on my recovery so to do what is best for Arizona I will step down this week. 

I'm getting better. Every day, my spirit is high. 

I will return and we will work together for Arizona and this great country. 

Thank you very much."


Read More:  New York Times

Read More:  Fox News

January 17th, Benjamin Franklin's birthday, has given us a wonderful opportunity to talk about this great patriot with our children, and share with them a few of the many incredible contributions he made to America that influence our lives, even today.

One of his greatest roles was in the Constitutional Convention.  By the time of the convention, Franklin was frail and elderly.  He required assistance to come and go.  

Anyone would have excused him from making the effort.  The weather was insufferably hot.  The debates were long and often arduous, tedious, or contentious.  Franklin had already distinguished himself in patriotic service.  

What more could he be expected to contribute?

Well, in spite of his own hardships, Benjamin Franklin was part of a great miracle that took place.  Thank goodness he was a man of faith!  Thank goodness he persevered when it was difficult!  

What an example for Patriotic Moms, and our children, as we face the challenges of our day!

I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth – that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?

~Benjamin Franklin, from his speech to the Constitutional Convention, 1787



Text of the Full Speech

Mr. President:

The small progress we have made after 4 or 5 weeks close attendance & continual reasonings with each other – our different sentiments on almost every question, several of the last producing as many noes as ayes, is methinks a melancholy proof of the imperfection of the Human Understanding.

We indeed seem to feel our own want of political wisdom, since we have been running about in search of it. We have gone back to ancient history for models of Government, and examined the different forms of those Republics which, having been formed with the seeds of their own dissolution, now no longer exist. And we have viewed Modern States all round Europe, but find none of their Constitutions suitable to our circumstances.

In this situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understanding?

Want to tell your children stories about the men and women who helped make America great?  

Benjamin Franklin's birthday was on January 17.  This is a great time to talk about him.  Here are a few stories from his life that you could tell at bedtime, or any other time. 

They come from an old book called, Four Great Americans, by James Baldwin.  The red link above will take you to the book online, where you can find other great stories too!

You might want to update the language in some places, but this will get you off to a good start!

TO THE YOUNG READER:  I AM about to tell you the story of a very great and noble man. It is the story of one whom all the world honors—of one whose name will forever be remembered with admiration. 

Benjamin Franklin was not born to greatness. He had none of the advantages which even the poorest boys may now enjoy. But he achieved greatness by always making the best use of such opportunities as came in his way. He was not afraid of work. He did not give up to discouragements. He did not overestimate his own abilities. He was earnest and faithful in little things; and that, after all, is the surest way of attaining to great things. 

There is no man to whom we Americans owe a greater debt of gratitude. Without his aid the American colonies would hardly have won independence. It was said of him that he knew how to subdue both thunder and tyranny; and a famous orator who knew him well, described him as "the genius that gave freedom to America and shed torrents of light upon Europe." But, at the close of a very long life, the thing which gave him the greatest satisfaction was the fact that he had made no man his enemy; there was no human being who could justly say, "Ben Franklin has wronged me."

(If you can't see any more stories, click on the tiny "Read More" link below.

Today is the South Carolina Republican primary election.  

South Carolina is a small state, with a population under 5 million people, but since 1980, every candidate who has won the South Carolina GOP primary has gone on to win the Republican presidential nomination.  

That said, this election has been unique in many ways, and may not follow the pattern.


For those of you who are interested, here is the South Carolina debate from Thursday night.  It’s valuable to see what the candidates have to say, and how well they say it.  

However, having been a faithful debate viewer for a long time, I believe that debate "performances" place undue emphasis on a candidate’s ability to please a crowd, and say what people want to hear.  

We need to start evaluating real skills, specific track records, and a candidate's character and temperament before we vote, or we will continue to elect the wrong guy.  

Americans can and must do better.  No election in our lifetime has been more important!  

Derek Redmond didn’t medal in his race as everyone expected.  If he had we would never have remembered him. 

Sometimes things can go horribly wrong. When they do, we have two choices. Give up or push forward. 

How we meet the unforeseen challenges of life will make all the difference.

Life Lesson: When you don’t give up, you cannot fail.

About a month ago, Newt Gingrich declared that the public deserves a "respectful and constructive campaign."  

He emphasized, "It is critical the Republican nominee emerge from this primary campaign un-bloodied, so that he or she can make the case against President Obama from a position of strength."  

While many of us believe that an important purpose of a primary is to vet the candidates and to accurately present them to the public, almost all agree that blatant lies should be absolutely avoided.

Evidently Gingrich's Super PAC didn't get the message.  Their anti-Romney movie is full of lies and distortions.  And Gingrich’s minions have invested millions in South Carolina, running continuous ads based on that movie and other distortions of Romney's record.

Mike Baxley and Tommy Jones, two men interviewed in the movie, have come forward to set the record straight.  They said, among other things:

  * The filmmaker told them they were being interviewed about big corporations taking over small U.S. companies.  Mike and Tommy weren't even talking about Bain.

  * They were treated well by Bain, and were grateful for the raises and promotions they received.

  * The parts of the movie when they talk about hardships and insurance came after Bain had left.

  * The hardest time was when they tried to start a business of their own.

But how can Newt win elections making a movie that says that?

Please take 5 minutes to watch this short video about Protect IP and SOPA's imminent threat to the internet.  Then speak out and help stop this dangerous legislation!  Click "like" to spread the word!