July 3-4, 2023 ARREST: 07/03/23 Clayton Coleman, Cody, 76, Arrested for Warrant (Incident# 2307030047)
07/04/23 Ellie C. Jensen, Fruita, CO, 22, Arrested for DUI: Alcohol >0.08% 1st Offense within 10 Years; Possess Controlled Sub – Plant – 3oz or Less; Tail Lamps Required (Incident# 2307040002)
07/04/23 Kyle J. Sager, Cody, 30, Arrested for Public Intoxication; Bond Violation (Incident# 2307040034)
07/04/23 Badger J. Martin, Billings, MT, 22, Arrested for DUI Alcohol = to >.08% within 2 Hours of Driving 1st Offense within 10 Years; Speeding in Excess of Posted Limit (Incident# 2307040091)
Op-ed in National Review by Committee for Justice president Curt Levey, who also represented the plaintiffs in Grutter v. Bollinger: The “diversity rationale” that justified racial preferences in college admissions for almost half a century met its demise in the Supreme Court last Thursday. Its fate should surprise no one because it was always based on a lie. The Court was considering lawsuits by Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) against Harvard College and the University of North Carolina, challenging the preferences — essentially lower admissions standards — given to black and Hispanic college applicants. The record indicates that their admissions systems were designed, in part, to ensure that there were not too many Asian students in each entering class. The defendant schools did not deny that they were treating applicants of different races differently. Instead, the central legal issue before the Court was whether seeking the purported educational benefits of a broadly diverse student body — the diversity rationale — should continue to serve as an exception to the Constitution’s and 1964 Civil Rights Act’s prohibition against racial discrimination. By a 6–3 vote, the Court said no. The diversity rationale, first endorsed by Justice Lewis Powell in his 1978 opinion in University of California v. Bakke, envisioned race being one of many factors weighed to achieve broad intellectual and experiential diversity. As the Supreme Court stated in its 2003 Grutter v. Bollinger decision, affirming the diversity rationale, schools must give “serious consideration to all the ways an applicant might contribute to a diverse educational environment.” Had that vision of broad-based diversity become the guiding force in college admissions, the diversity rationale would likely have survived. Instead, colleges chose to use the diversity rationale as cover for massive racial preferences in pursuit of one-dimensional racial diversity. Consider Harvard College’s challenged admissions system, which uses an index based on GPA and standardized test scores. A black applicant in the fourth-lowest decile of the index has a slightly higher chance of admission than an Asian American in the top decile. Clearly, Harvard uses race as far more than one of many diversity factors. As Justice Thomas pointed out in his concurrence, “Harvard’s ‘holistic’ admissions policy began in the 1920s when it was developed to exclude Jews.” Harvard, citing concern that the percentage of Jews in its student body — close to 30 percent — threatened its diversity, modified its reliance on entrance exams and created a new more “holistic” system. The percentage of Jews admitted was cut in half. The modern version of the diversity rationale is disturbingly similar. Always under the guise of achieving diversity, schools designated different racial and ethnic groups as favored or disfavored, depending on the racial fashions of the times. Ironically, Thomas noted, the current version of diversity “discriminat[es] against some of the very same ethnic groups against which Harvard previously discriminated.” The nation’s leading universities tell us that, this time, they really are using race to achieve the educational benefits of a broadly diverse student body. Yet they make no attempt to remedy, for example, the underrepresentation of conservative or fundamentalist Christian students typical at these schools. Moreover, their faculty-hiring policies, treatment of conservative speakers, and the like indicate anything but a pursuit of intellectual diversity. When university officials throw aside the charade of seeking broad-based diversity, they try to convince us of something narrower: the wonderful educational benefits of racial diversity. But they don’t even believe in that. If they did, educators would be debating whether historically black colleges deprive black students of the educational benefits of diversity. Similarly, they wouldn’t embrace segregation on their campuses. Thomas reminds us that “43% of colleges offered segregated housing to students of different races [and] 46% offered segregated orientation programs.” Few of those publicly defending the diversity rationale really believe in it. Former University of Michigan president Lee Bollinger, the defendant in Grutter, admitted that his vigorous defense of the diversity rationale had merely been a litigation strategy, rather than something he and his colleagues in higher education “really believed.” No wonder last Thursday’s ruling explicitly rejected universities’ plea, in the majority’s words, to “trust us.” In my countless conversations with proponents of affirmative action, they typically justify it as necessary to level the playing field and rarely mention the purported educational benefits. In fact, many of them find insulting the argument that preferences for blacks and Hispanics are important because they enhance the education of other, mostly white, students. So we are left asking how a rationale that almost no one believes in came to be the legal justification for race-based admissions for nearly half a century. One reason is that Supreme Court precedent makes it clear that while an entity can use racial preferences to remedy its own discrimination, it can’t do so to remedy society’s allegedly uneven playing field or to achieve racial proportionality. But who can object to seeking broad-based diversity for the educational benefit of all? That’s undoubtedly why Justice Powell adopted the diversity rationale and why the higher-education community quickly latched onto it. The diversity rationale is also appealing to educators because it allows them to admit mostly affluent and upper-middle-class minorities, who are better prepared for college and have less need for financial aid. After all, even well-to-do minorities contribute to diversity. Admitting affluent minorities is harder to justify if the goal of race-based admissions is remedying the legacy of racial oppression. University officials obsessed with race are already mourning the loss of the diversity rationale and likely plotting ways to circumvent last Thursday’s decision. Instead, schools should focus on the fact that the Court’s decision leaves schools free to — and, in fact, more likely to — seek students with a genuine diversity of viewpoints and experiences. What’s clear is that the power of schools to shape their student body in accord with the racial fashions of the day — whether at the expense of Jews a century ago or Asian Americans now — has come to an end. The dishonest and sordid nature of the diversity rationale has finally caught up with it
MONROE, LA – A federal judge in Louisiana ruled yesterday in Missouri v. Bidenthat the Biden Administration “likely” violated the First Amendment free speech rights of Americans by suppressing and censoring social media posts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The judge issued a sweeping preliminary injunction barring numerous federal agencies and officials, including the entire Department of Justice and FBI, from having any contact with social media companies for the purposes of manipulating protected speech. The 155-page landmark ruling is a result from a “censorship-by-proxy” challenge brought by attorneys general in Louisiana and Missouri alleging the federal government either pressured or “significantly encouraged” big technology firms such as Google, Meta, Twitter and others to suspend or censor social media accounts and posts that the government viewed as unfavorable. Chief U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty for the Western District of Louisiana wrote in the July 4 ruling that the plaintiffs in the case “have produced evidence of a massive effort by Defendants, from the White House to federal agencies, to suppress speech based on its content.”
Judge Doughty stated, “Opposition to COVID-19 vaccines; opposition to COVID-19 masking and lockdowns; opposition to the lab-leak theory of COVID-19; opposition to the validity of the 2020 election; opposition to President Biden’s policies; statements that the Hunter Biden laptop story was true; and opposition to policies of the government officials in power. All were suppressed.” Judge Doughty noted the evidence presented in the case “depicts an almost dystopian scenario.” “During the COVID-19 pandemic, a period perhaps best characterized by widespread doubt and uncertainty, the United States Government seems to have assumed a role similar to an Orwellian ‘Ministry of Truth,’” Judge Doughty wrote. “If the allegations made by Plaintiffs are true, the present case arguably involves the most massive attack against free speech in United States’ history. In their attempts to suppress alleged disinformation, the Federal Government, and particularly the Defendants named here, are alleged to have blatantly ignored the First Amendment’s right to free speech,” wrote Judge Doughty. The injunction also bars the U.S. State Department, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Health and Human Services, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and at least 40 cabinet members and federal officials from engaging with social media companies, except when dealing with criminal activity and national security threats. According to the injunction, the government used “meetings, emails, phone calls, follow-up meetings, and the power of the government” to influence public narratives. Therefore, Judge Doughty specifically prohibited government entities agencies from “engaging in any communication of any kind with social-media companies urging, encouraging, pressuring, or inducing in any manner for removal, deletion, suppression, or reduction of content containing protected free speech,” said the injunction. The injunction takes effect immediately. Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, “The Biden administration’s shameful and unprecedented censorship of protected speech violates our most fundamental liberty. This is the worst censorship in history and it harmed people by preventing the dissemination of life-saving information. What the U.S. Constitution directly prevents, government officials cannot do indirectly through private actors. The federal government’s lawlessness must be stopped.”
By:MarcKelley The story which follows, is that of the American Dream, and how using the belief in American Exceptionalism, not only led to the founding of our country, it has seen us through some very dark and desperate times. Believing in American Exceptionalism, does not, in and of itself, make anyone a racist, a xenophobe or an isolationist…It makes you a proud American, proud of our country, and proud of our abilities to rise to the occasion, repent for our shortcomings and then emerge as stronger and more united people.
The ideology of American Exceptionalism, has its foundation rooted in the belief The United States was intentionally created to be fundamentally different than any other nation on earth. In the furtherance of this belief we fought the Revolutionary War demanding: freedom of speech and religion. We fought to defend the ideals of liberty and equality, of individual responsibility, and national sovereignty. We fought against tyranny and the heavy hand of the political class and embraced the belief in representative democracy and a free market economy. Historians, having long studied the birth of our nation argue, it is our belief in liberty, equality, constitutionalism, and the well being of ordinary people which give credence to the idea, Americans are special people, with a special destiny to lead the world toward liberty and democracy.
For decades U.S. leaders on both sides of the political aisle not only believed in American Exceptionalism, but championed the ideology. Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, JFK, Ronald Regan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush not only embraced the concept of American Exceptionalism, but made it a part of their core belief system. Not until 2008 did the idea that American Exceptionalism is a myth become commonly held by a sitting U.S. President. Many in America today point to the election of Barack Obama as the point in time when the idea of hating America was woven into mainstream thinking. Rather than focusing on the progress our people had made in overcoming our shortcomings, a new belief system was actively promoted. A belief system which focused on the pain of our past, placed the importance of race above all other characteristics, and called for our people to fundamentally change the way America should be perceived. This change ultimately replaced the optimism of believing in the promise of our future and began teaching victimhood over self-determination.
Countless examples of American Exceptionalism can be found throughout history, if one will only look. It is here where we find another example of the tactics used by the modern day Marxist’s in their fight to destroy patriotism and diminish pride in America. For decades part of our children’s core education required an understanding of civics, which teaches the rights and duties of citizenship. Sadly, it is our children who have become the targets for indoctrination over education. It is not a difficult concept to understand why so many young people are not patriotic when they have been taught nothing of what it means to be an American or of the sacrifices made for them to preserve America. As is always the case with promotion of propaganda, it is much easier to be taught to hate when you have no first hand knowledge about the subject of that hatred. In 1863, as the U.S. Civil War raged on, President Abraham Lincoln, spoke passionately on the concept of American Exceptionalism, in his Gettysburg address. Lincoln’s historic words ring as true today as they did 160 years ago, when he said, Americans have a duty to ensure “government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” This concept holds firmly to the belief, it is the knowledge of America’s history itself, which gives us our advantage over other nations of the world.
Today’s Marxist’s attack the ideology of American Exceptionalism, believing their enlightened insight represents a new progressive form of thought. Hereto, just a bit of time spent in history class would illustrate the absurdity of this notion and surely bring a patina of shame upon the true believers. The term American Exceptionalism, was in fact first used in 1929, by then Soviet Communist leader, Joseph Stalin. Unlike the American definition, Stalins’ use of the term was derogatory, and intended to criticize what he called, the revisionist faction of the Democratic Socialists. Stalin viewed Marxists as nothing more than a power hungry mob, seeking to create an elite bureaucratic class, to rule over the common man.
Perhaps the best example of American Exceptionalism, can be found in what we have called, The Greatest Generation. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, young men and women descended on the recruiting offices of our military, not to protest America, but to sign-up and defend her. However, it was not only young people who felt the call to defend our country, all of America, regardless of political ideology, came together to support our troops, our flag, and our way of life. It has always been the American can do spirit which has allowed our country to accomplish seemingly unimaginable tasks. When we needed the efforts of not just our military, but all of our people, it was the belief in American Exceptionalism, which hardened our resolve and illustrated the strength of our people. Only by the grace of God and our belief in American Exceptionalism would our efforts and sacrifices defeat both, Nazi Germany and the Japanese Imperialists.
It should not be easily forgotten, who and what, lies behind the capitalism of the corporations and companies of America. America is powered by the blue collar, middle class American worker. Our free market economy is driven by American consumers who believe in the concept, from those who much is given, much is expected in return. America is infused with the indomitable spirit of our people; and Americans have always responded to the words spoken by JFK, when he said, “ask not what your country can do for you- ask what you can do for your country.” Using the knowledge gained and the technology developed from our victory of Nazi Germany, America sent men to the moon and returned them safely back to earth, then shared what we learned with the world. Harnessing the ideals of American Exceptionalism, JFK implored our people to do this,”not because it is easy, but because it is hard… to accept the challenge, we intend to win.”
The 1950’s and 60’s, brought with them some of Americas’ darkest days. Racial injustice, segregation, lynchings, violence, and all manner of hate filled speech. For far too long, the violence was commonplace, and was ugly then, as it is today. Yet here again, the concept of American Exceptionalism would provide the impetus to make great changes to our social structure. Rejecting the separate but equal Jim Crow mentality, Dr. Martin Luther King, led our country through drastic change, righting many of the wrongs, which had come before. Not through violence, but persistence, and the belief in the tenets of our Founding Fathers. Dr. King using the content of his character rather than the color of his skin accomplished a great deal of social change in America. Dr. King will forever be remembered for his belief in American Exceptionalism, his sacrifice, and his undying commitment to the concept of not tearing down the U.S.; but rather, contributing to the building of a more perfect union.
As we gather our friends and family for the 4th of July celebration, take just a few minutes to think about why we celebrated the 4th. Think about the brave men and women who will not be with their families because they are standing watch, keeping us safe, and defending our freedoms. Think about the countless men and women who came before us, and never made it back home to their families, and raise a glass in remembrance of their sacrifice’s. When the honors have been paid, celebrate the fact, you live in the greatest country in the world not in spite of; but rather, because of…American Exceptionalism.
Wyoming News Re-published With permission of Aish.com
July 5, 2023
5 min read
After the Communist Revolution my great-grandfather filled a milk jug with gold coins and buried it in the yard with the hope that one day he’d retrieve it.
Here’s my family’s deepest secret: When I was 8 years old, I overheard my grandmother Zelda telling my parents about a mysterious map that holds a key to our family’s fortune. I thought treasure maps were only for pirates! This shocking revelation took place a few months after her father’s passing.
The Communist Revolution of 1917 encouraged its party leaders to seize private property and personal possessions of anyone who was deemed “wealthy” by socialists’ standards. The new Soviet philosophy supported collective ownership. Everything my great-grandfather David earned throughout years of hard work with his father in a kosher slaughtering business was now owned by the government.
Party demands were not to be ignored. Disobedience resulted in devastating consequences, imprisonment, exile to Siberia and even death. David knew that keeping his family’s hard-earned money was not an option.
As our family’s legend has it, David filled a milk jug with gold coins and buried it in the yard. He believed that one day life would return to “normal” but until then family fortune would be safer buried in the ground.
David with his wife Golda in the early 1920s
David didn’t trust his memory and so he drew a detailed map to aid himself in retrieving it one day. Years went by and for over eight decades of David’s life, Communists continued to rule the country. Atheism penetrated Soviet society with a destructive mindset of communal apathy.
Religious observances were a crime punishable by law. Children no longer believed in God or knew of a world where individuality was celebrated and encouraged. People spent their days in long lines for food, clothes and basic necessities.
Personal wealth was a thing of the past. Everyone was deemed “equal” in the Soviet Union reality, and many forgot how to dream.
But David never gave up hope. Right up until his passing in June of 1985, my great grandfather continued to hold on to his treasure map, praying for a better future for his family.
On his deathbed, David gave the map to his three daughters as a token of faith, believing that his family’s legacy will eventually be reclaimed.
David’s three daughters. My grandmother Zelda is standing on the right.
Despite the enormous influence of Soviet society, David never lost connection to his Jewish heritage. He secretly ate matzah on Passover and fasted on Yom Kippur. Up until his death, David privately reassured his children and grandchildren that Communism will eventually crumble from within their atheistic mission.
A New Life in the US
While David didn’t live to see his predictions actualize, his children did. In 1989, President Gorbachevallowed Soviet Jews to leave the country. We were one of the first families who emigrated from our city of Saratov to the United States.
What happened to the jug filled with gold coins?
Before coming to the United States, my family was closely followed and monitored by the KGB agents. Emigration out of the Communist country was a new idea and a taboo subject. Any actions that might be deemed as suspicious would halt our exit.
“My parents decided that freedom was infinitely greater than any material treasure.”
My parents understood that digging for treasures would immediately draw unnecessary attention. They decided that freedom was infinitely greater than any material treasure.
While the jug was never reclaimed, our family’s heritage was. Since our arrival in the United States, we have been fortunate to celebrate our Jewish identity. We worked hard at earning a living, learning English and adjusting to the new life in the United States. We created many memories, our own family “treasures” of connection and purpose. My grandmother Zelda did merit to see a better world, just as her father hoped. She lived for three more decades after immigrating to Philadelphia, proud of her Jewish identity.
Growing up in the former Soviet Union, I wasn’t allowed to question atheistic ideas. Fortunately, at the age of 13, I received a blessing from the Lubavitcher Rebbe. I remember seeing a reflection of my Godly soul in his eyes. Since that time, I began to view my Soviet upbringing as an external cover hiding my spiritual light. David’s buried jug reminds me of my own inner spark hidden within, and gives me strength.
I don’t understand God’s plan as to why my family had to struggle under the Communist regime. Yet, I am beyond thankful to know that my true essence was never diminished and can always be uncovered and reclaimed.
After hiding underground for over 100 years, it’s unlikely that the jug remains in its original spot. My great grandfather’s house was demolished many decades ago and tall apartments were built in its place. I suspect that the jug with coins was cemented into the foundation of one of the high-rises or perhaps found by a construction worker.
I feel a sense of sadness that David’s hard-earned fortune was never uncovered and its map left behind, but I remind myself that I found an even more valuable treasure map – the Torah. It guides me to uncover gems of priceless Jewish wisdom and is a treasure more precious than gold.
06/27/2023 10:12:00 CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS 06/27/2023 10:12:00 In Custody Micah Haney 25 Drugs Other
06/27/2023 10:12:00 CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA 06/27/2023 10:12:00 In Custody Micah Haney 25 Drugs Other
06/27/2023 10:12:00 CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA 06/27/2023 10:12:00 In Custody Orville Mcintire 22 Drugs Other 06/27/2023 10:12:00 POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS 06/27/2023 10:12:00 In Custody Orville Mcintire 22 Drugs Other
06/27/2023 11:33:00 06/27/2023 14:07:00 In Custody Brandon Murphy 33 Warrant Other Jurisdiction
06/27/2023 16:33:00 VIOLATION OF A PROTECTIVE ORDER-1ST MISD 06/27/2023 16:33:00 Notice to Appear SHANTAYA JARRETT 20 TRO Violation
06/28/2023 02:16:00 06/28/2023 03:15:00 In Custody Thomas Kriesel 49 Warrant Service
06/28/2023 03:15:00 CONTEMPT OF COURT – MISD 06/28/2023 03:15:00 In Custody Thomas Kriesel 49 Warrant County
06/28/2023 16:42:00 ASSAULT ON A PEACE OFFICER/JUDICIAL OFFICER 06/28/2023 16:42:00 In Custody Carrie Roundstone 35 Assault Fist Feet
06/29/2023 03:25:00 AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER INFLUENCE w/ 0.16 ALCOHOL-1st Offense 06/29/2023 03:25:00 Notice to Appear Xavior Can 31 Driving Under the Influence
06/29/2023 11:30:00 ASSAULT WITH WEAPON – FELONY 06/29/2023 11:15:00 In Custody Ian Reyes 29 Agency Service Assist
06/29/2023 13:00:00 06/29/2023 13:00:00 In Custody Erik Henry 35 Warrant Other Jurisdiction
06/29/2023 19:00:00 06/29/2023 19:00:00 In Custody Jacob Anderson 29 Warrant Other Jurisdiction
06/30/2023 CONTEMPT OF COURT – MISD 06/30/2023 00:18:00 Notice to Appear Fontella Clincher 38 Warrant County
06/30/2023 00:18:00 CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS-METHAMPHETAMINES 06/30/2023 00:18:00 In Custody Fontella Clincher 38 Drugs Other
06/30/2023 00:18:00 OBSTRUCTING A PEACE OFFICER 06/30/2023 00:18:00 In Custody Zachary Spagnol 45 Drugs Other
06/30/2023 01:35:00 06/30/2023 01:35:00 In Custody Zachary Spagnol 45 Warrant Other Jurisdiction
06/30/2023 01:35:00 06/30/2023 01:35:00 In Custody Zachary Spagnol 45 Warrant City
06/30/2023 02:02:00 06/30/2023 02:02:00 In Custody Fontella Clincher 38 Warrant City
06/30/2023 02:38:00 06/30/2023 03:00:00 In Custody Joseph Ludlow 53 Warrant City 06/30/2023 03:00:00 06/30/2023 03:00:00 In Custody Joseph Ludlow 53 Warrant Other Jurisdiction
06/30/2023 03:45:00 06/30/2023 03:45:00 In Custody Joseph Ludlow 53 Warrant City
06/30/2023 21:14:00 OBSTRUCTING A PEACE OFFICER 06/30/2023 21:14:00 In Custody Kirk Spencer 50 Obstructing A Peace Officer
07/01/2023 11:34:00 DISORDERLY-FIGHT 07/01/2023 11:34:00 Notice to Appear DAVID WAGGONER 41 Disorderly Conduct Fight
07/01/2023 18:20:00 PARTNER OR FAMILY ASSAULT-2ND OFFENSE 07/01/2023 18:24:00 In Custody RobertCinclair 28 Partner Family Member Assault
Casper, Wyoming (July 4th, 2023) – At 6:16 a.m. on the morning of July 4th, Casper Fire-EMS Firefighters were dispatched to the 1500 block of Westridge Place for the report of a structure fire. Neighbors calling 911 reported smoke coming from the roof of a single-family wood-frame residence. Firefighters arrived to find a small fire located in the attic space of the structure. Firefighters quickly attacked the fire and prevented further spread from the attic. One resident was home at the time of the fire, and had evacuated with family pets prior to firefighters’ arrival. As of this release, no injuries had been reported in relation to the incident.
Firefighters responded to the scene with 5 units, and the on-duty Battalion Chief. Crews were assisted by Banner Health Wyoming Medical Center, Casper Police Officers, and Telecommunicators with the Public Safety Communications Center. An investigator with the Natrona County Interagency Fire Investigation Task Force (NCIFITF) determined the cause to be electrical, originating in the area of the laundry room. Due to smoke and fire damage, the residents of the home are temporarily displaced.
Casper Fire-EMS also provided one engine company as mutual aid to the Natrona County Fire District at the overnight fire located at the Alcova Marina. Casper Fire-EMS investigators also remain on scene to assist with the investigation. For further information regarding the Alcova Marina structure fire, please contact the Natrona County Fire District. Casper Fire-EMS reminds residents that electrical work in their homes should only be performed by licensed and insured electricians. Repair and service of large appliances should also only be performed by qualified technicians. Clean your dryer’s lint trap prior to every load of laundry, making sure to clear any excess lint in and around the lint trap’s housing
Writtenby MarcKelley Living in the crazy world of 2023, makes it very easy to fall under the spell of the corruptors masquerading as “Hard News” journalists and telling us America is an unredeemable country, rife with racism and hate. A country where neighbors attack one another, patriotism is no longer considered a moral imperative, and speaking positively about our military is tantamount to fascism. Every night talking heads relentlessly pitch the notion there are no moderates left in our country. You are either a left wing socialist, hell bent on destroying our economy or you are a right wing white supremacist who supports eugenics. For many of us, dare I say the majority of our citizens, the truth of the matter is neither the politicians, nor the media, really have a clue what is happening in our country.
As difficult as life can be for the adults in our country, our children too, struggle with concepts they see played out in their own daily lives. Pressure to conform to the ideals and morays of their friends can result in poor choices and profound life altering results. Bullying at school and online is commonplace and considered a “normal” part of far too many young lives. Parents are reaping exactly what they have sewn for their children. As we send our most precious hope for the future to school each day, they are indoctrinated by a liberal narrative; which promotes anti-patriotism and diminishes the concepts of self worth and hard work. Children are no longer taught the concept, their hard work will be rewarded and through their hard work, anything is possible. Long ago it was established, children cannot exhibit a specific behavior; until first, they have witnessed that behavior. If you accept this premise as true, the next questions are; how do we provide positive role models and where might these role models be found? Finding the answer to these questions and frankly many other questions facing today’s parents, can be difficult under the best of circumstances. Rather than simply accepting the societal norms which oppose your parental ideology, it is incumbent upon each of us to teach our personal belief system to the next generation. It is this concept, which has produced some of the greatest leaders in the world and has ensured our country will forever represent the triumph of good over evil.
I would like to tell you a short story about an experience I recently had, which clearly illustrated the benefits of providing both encouragement and consequences to young people. Whether you agree or disagree with the vehicle used to deliver this message, is a matter of personal choice. However, what is of the utmost importance, is we all understand the premise put forth by FDR in 1940, when he said, “we cannot always build a future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.”
One of my favorite activities in operating Marc Arms is the chance to interact with my customers and friends on a personal basis. I encourage everyone to bring their children into the shop, if they so choose and when the kids do show up, I engage them in conversation. I ask how they are doing in school, what they are learning about and the things they like to do in their free time. Through this simple act I have developed many friendships with young people and gained a much better insight into their personal struggles. While working in my office a few weeks ago, I received a telephone call from one of these young people, I have come to call a friend. The purpose of the call was to ask me to write a letter of recommendation, for his application to the program, known as the Young Marines. Not knowing about this organization, I once again engaged this young man in conversation, asking him to explain to me what the program was all about and why he wanted to be a part of the program. Hearing the motivation behind his actions was driven by a desire to serve others, I listened intently and what I heard was as refreshing a breath of mountain air. I took great pleasure in writing his letter of recommendation and as I wrote I recounted our interactions and gave my assessment of his character.
Last week I received a personal visit from this young man and his Father. The two explained there was a Young Marine dinner scheduled for the following Monday evening and offered me a pair of tickets, which had been paid for by a program benefactor. Intrigued by the story told to me by my friend and welcoming a chance to get away from the daily stress while enjoying an evening out, I graciously accepted. When we arrived at the venue, we were greeted by two young men, who looked to be about 15 years old. The two were dressed in Marine woodland utilities and stood smartly at attention, guarding the entrance to the building. “Good evening sir, thank you for coming” was their greeting. As we walked into the building we were met by another dozen or so Young Marines, all looking squared away. We were escorted to our seats and once again thanked for coming to the event. Exactly on time, the program began with the presentation of the colors by the Young Marine Color Guard. With exact cadence, two Honor Guards and two Flag Bearers, were led into the room by the Sergeant At Arms and presented the colors. With everyone in the room standing, their hands over their hearts, in unison, we recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
We met many people that evening, including both active and past duty Marines, the Commanding Officer of the Young Marines Unit, and a host of fellow citizens who were attending the event, to show support for our troops and encourage these young men and women. Yet, more important than what I did see, is what I did not see. It has become common to witness a group of people, all with their heads down and their faces in their phones, madly texting; because they have lost the ability to communicate verbally. In the three hours I spent at the Young Marine event, I never saw one cell phone in the hands of a Young Marine. Each of my interactions with unit members found their behavior to be respectful and polite. So much in fact, I sought out the unit CO and asked him directly, how he was able to elicit this conduct from his Young Marines? I will never forget his answer….”Sir, we each have expectations for our behavior and we are committed to achieving those expectations. Failing to meet the requirements of life guarantees negative consequences. I expect these young people to become the next leaders of our country and those expectations are clearly defined with each task given to them.”
The next day, I visited the Young Marines website, looking for additional information about the program. What I found serves to reinforce the words of the Commanding Officer with whom I spoke. If you visit the website, you will find several pull-down tabs, including two marked: Who we are and Who we are not. Clearly defined expectations, tempered with the hard truth and the resulting consequences for making poor choices. The Young Marines are certainly not for every young person in todays world; however, for many this program may provide a sense of belonging and a place to express patriotism, and honor for the sacrifices made by so many, in order to preserve our freedoms. I hope you will take a few minutes to visit the Young Marines website and learn about the positive message they have not only for young people, but for our country as a whole
David with his wife Golda in the early 1920s
David’s three daughters. My grandmother Zelda is standing on the right.
