Whatever happened to real patriots?  Just this week so much transpired that Americans really have to scratch our collective heads with all of the moves made by our elected politicians (note I did not label them "leaders"). So many things have been undertaken that would make the Framers of our Constitution question if we as a country have lost our minds.  I know, I know, you were too busy living your lives to watch what unfolded this week, so here's the run down.  
       This past week, the (no longer) Great State of Indiana passed a Bill called "The Religious Freedom Act" and signed it into law.  What exactly is this new law about?  Actually, it is a follow-up to a Federal Act passed by Congress and signed into law by President Clinton.  Many Conservatives ask a very good question...why the outrage now?  A lot has changed in national attitudes about many different things since Bill Clinton signed the Federal Bill into law in 1993.  Since that time, America has gone to war, the country has suffered through the largest economic meltdown since the Great Depression, civil liberties have come under fire in a variety of venues, partisan politics have reached its highest levels since the days of Andrew Jackson and Americans have softened their opinions as they relate to legalizing marijuana and same sex marriage.  So, in other words, America has moved way down the road since the Federal Law was enacted some 22 years ago.  Have you changed in any way since 1993?   Indiana's "leaders", pandering to the influence of "family and religious groups" sought fit to impose a law that very likely could lead to active discrimination of Gays, Lesbians and Transgender Americans under the guise of "protecting" observers of "religious beliefs" when it comes to their private and public interactions.  In other words, if my religious beliefs require me to discriminate against a fellow American, then the Constitution (under the First Amendment) allows me to (forgetting entirely about the 14th Amendment and years of Federal Case Law that says you may not).  
        According to CNN, this law and others proposed by States came about after Conservatives found themselves victims of law suits after refusing to engage in commercial activities with Gays or Lesbians (See http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/27/politics/indiana-religous-freedom-explainer/index.html).   But the Act goes further by allowing religious beliefs to allow any discrimination.  Would it be possible for someone to claim a religious basis for refusing to serve a Jew in a cafe or hotel because their particular religious belief? Interchange Jew for Black or Hispanic, or Catholic and you should begin to see what I am referring to.  It's plain wrong - why? Because the Constitution was written to protect the minority from the majority.  America was NOT designed to be a pure democracy, but instead to be a Democratic Republic, wherein all citizens are to be protected from the mentality of the mob.  Not my words, but the words of the Framers - real patriots all!   Now, Indiana is facing a huge backlash as multiple commercial entities openly ponder whether to move company offices, conventions or events away from Indiana. Isn't it always interesting to see Conservatives who hide behind religious beliefs suddenly change their "belief" based positions by proving themselves instead as worshipers of cold hard cash when "push comes to shove?"  Where are our real patriots today? 
           Don't you think that this is all that would leave real patriots scratching their heads?  Oh, not even close.  You see this week, the Florida Legislature is seriously considering expanding the open use of firearms on college campuses - to keep students safe.  I kid you not!  It seems there is enough violence on college campuses that guns are the only answer.  Florida is quickly moving towards approving the open use of firearms by college students.  I wonder which lobbying group convinced our "leaders" to press for this new "freedom?"  Anyone who has been to college can remember frat parties and drunken brawls during "rivalry" weeks.  But what could possibly go wrong if firearms are admitted into the drunken mix?  I mean, when the police are called in, it will be very easy for them to discern the "bad guys" with guns from the "good guys" with guns, right?  If you think that is okay, then explain to me why the Florida legislature is also considering granting citizens a tax break for purchasing guns, ammo and for joining gun clubs?  Where the hell does that come into the mix?  More importantly, this is the same legislature that continues to refuse to expand Medicaid to tens of thousands of children in need of healthcare.  Cut taxes to promote gun ownership but keep kids sick and in need of healthcare?  Somehow, our real patriots have to be wondering from their high perch in heaven what the hell our elected politicians are thinking!?!  Taxpayer subsidies for firearms, but not a penny to help children that are sick (http://www.saintpetersblog.com/archives/192550).  Where are our real patriots today?
            To top it off, this week the Obama Administration and its minions "leaked" a story that Israel had been spying on the United States and our negotiations with Iran over nuclear weapons.  Seems the Obama folks, still stung by its public rebuke from the Israeli electorate, decided it would be a good idea to float a trial balloon lie about Israel so that far Left idiots and their supporting media could fan the flames of Anti-Semitism.  Seems, Obama has a "thing" about Israel (while hiding behind his hatred of Jews).  According to some circles, Obama has been preparing to abandon Israel in favor of Muslim nations for quite some time, seemingly waiting for just the right opportunity to unleash his new "assessment" of Israel (I'd use the term "Arab" instead of Muslim but Iran is Persian, not Arab).  One problem though.  When pressed, the Administration backed off its "trial balloon" and decided that Israel did not spy on the US,  instead, it was given intelligence about the Iran negotiations from another member of the negotiating group.  I wonder, could it have been Germany that supplied the intel to Israel (considering it was disclosed not too long ago that the Obama Administration had been regularly spying on the German government and leaders)?  And Obama's response to all of this?  "Words matter!"  But for the Obama Administration, when things go bad, they go real bad.  Just take a look at Yemen.
             You may recall, back in 2o11, Obama praised Yemen as a model of success in the fight against terrorism. (See http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/01/20/four-months-ago-obama-called-yemens-war-on-terror-a-success-now-the-yemeni-government-may-fall/).  Model for Success?  This past week, the President of Yemen escaped with his life from terrorists rebelling against the government aided by Iran.  You read that right - Iran (the group Obama is going overboard praising for their assistance in controlling terrorism in the Middle East).  Seriously?  Remember Mr. Obama - Words do matter! Unfortunately, your words about Israel, Iran and Middle East peace are questionable in judgment and dangerous.  But where are our real patriots today?  
              In a dangerous World, real patriots are needed in order to ferret out not only our national interests, but our collective ideals.  Far too often we see elected politicians selling out to monied interests to ensure re-election at the obvious cost to Americans that are no longer truly represented.  Money in politics has been a problem since the beginning of time and we are seeing America slide back into the Gilded Era where money ruled and elected politicians dictated to citizens to do what they were told.  The Supreme Court's naive view of money in politics certainly did nothing to help alleviate this growing problem.  But then again, it's been awhile since we have witnessed real patriots in State Houses, Congress, The White House and the Supreme Court.  As President 
James Madison once wrote, "Wherever there is interest and power to do wrong, wrong will generally be done."
Until the American public demands our elected politicians become patriots instead of paid lackeys, wrong will be generally done.  So I leave you this week with a simple question.  Without partisan bickering and backstabbing, where are our patriots today?  Have a great week.

* Due to the Holiday of Passover, I will not be posting a blog next Sunday.  Expect something later in the week as I will be with family in New York.

          Did anybody else watch both parties engage in hyper-partisanship this past week?  The GOP and their ideologically oriented media attacked the Democrats and the Left because their caucus refused to approve a Bill dealing with Human Trafficking.  Sounds straight forward right?  Except the Right Wing Media conveniently forgot to mention that the original form of the Bill was Bi-Partisan and agreed to last December.  Only since that time, Far Right wing and newly elected GOP Senators added a Rider to the Bill guaranteeing additional limits when it comes to abortion funding.  
         It seems many female victims of human trafficking wind up pregnant, but the Right wants to produce additional language that would extend the Hyde Amendment to restrict the use of federal funds for abortions - even in the case of  kidnapped and abused females who might seek to terminate unwanted pregnancies (or at least this is what the Democrats and their supporting Media claim).   Knowing the pubic expects movement on what was to be a "Bi-Partisan bill", the GOP has gambled that by adding the language, they can leverage the confirmation of Attorney General Nominee, Loretta Lynch against the Democrats.  The Senate GOP seems to be saying to the Democrats; "Play ball with us on human trafficking or else Lynch will not be considered for confirmation."  Just like the Riders, Lynch's confirmation has nothing to do with human trafficking, but once again, politics rules the day when it comes to the Republicans (just like the House's new budget draft calling for the repeal of ACA aka ObamaCare for the umpteenth time).  And the true victims of these shenanigans?  The victims of human trafficking, Loretta Lynch and the American people.
         This week did not end with some strange partisan maneuvering just from the Right.  As we all have heard, Israel elected more representatives from the Likud Party, enabling Benyamin Netanyahu a strong chance of being retained as Prime Minister.  Seeing this as a direct challenge to President Obama, the head Democrat seems to believe he and his party have been snubbed by the citizens of Israel, and therefore, America will "reassess" its support of Israel in the U.N. ("United Nothing") and the International Criminal Courts (wherein the US has exempted itself from prosecution).  Obama and his followers on the Left have also conveniently forgotten they just three weeks ago complained about a foreign leader interfering with American politics and foreign policy, yet they jumped headlong into arguments against Israel for its internal elections of its own leaders.  Go figure.  And the Left is not done.   Just read any Left-Wing media outlet's published stories and you will find, as if on cue, Israel is now considered part of the Right Wing and the GOP, and therefore, must be "punished" (not my word, but from the Administration and Left Wing Media).  In fact, some Left Wing Media outlets have now compared Israel with the same evil reincarnated in ISIS/ISIL, Assad and Boko Haram.  Except, nothing could be further from the truth.  How is it possible that purveyors of religious hatred, hell bent on terrorism (see Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah) get a pass because our President did not get his way when Netanyahu's party won in a free and open election?  How can the Left Wing Media (Huffington Post, aka "The New Socialist Apologists") ramp up its rhetoric that Israel is a "Rogue State", "Apartheid State" and "Racist Regime" when Arab Israelis, Druze, Christians and Jews are allowed to openly and freely vote (when the same cannot be said for citizens of Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Libya, Sudan, Jordan, and on and on)?  By what standard does the Left operate to single out Israel?  The very same standard Mr. Obama is using by threatening to leave Israel "exposed" to racist resolutions in the United Nations - a forum historically corrupt and Anti-Semitic.  Because Obama cannot control the Israeli electorate, he threatens to "hit them on the head" to coerce their compliance on the World Stage (see: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/03/israels-america-united-116203.html). 
         To say I am disappointed in the President and the Democratic Party is an understatement.  I am frequently attacked as being a "shill" for Obama when it comes to calling out the GOP and its supporting Media for its nonsense.  Now folks view me as a "traitor" of some kind because I attack Obama and the Left for their nonsense.
Perhaps folks should finally admit they have been conveniently ignoring the fact that I am an INDEPENDENT and have been for more than a decade.  If there was ever a reason to view the Left and Obama with skepticism, it is now (in regard to their behavior towards Israel)!  Free and fair democratic elections are held often in Israel. Free and fair democratic elections are held in America.  Does anyone other than me see the irony in the Left and Obama bitching about the elections in Israel just like the GOP and the Right bitch and moan about the elections of 2008 and 2014 resulting in Obama and the Democrats taking the White House?  What's that old saying about "Glass Houses?"
         As President Dwight D. Eisenhower once wrote; "You don't lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership."  No truer words need be heeded by President Obama, his Party, the GOP and the Media (Liberal and Conservative).  Stop the hypocrisy and the assault on multiple levels...America deserves (and should demand), better leadership!  Have a great week!

         Just as it appears Hillary Clinton was on the "hot seat" for using her private emails while serving as Secretary of State, the GOP (again) engages in some very strange action that deserves the limelight of scrutiny instead.  What am I talking about?  I'm talking about "The Letter" ... you know, the one signed by 47 GOP Senators warning Iran that any deal made with Obama is voidable after the end of his term of office (see above). In addition to telling Iran that Obama's authority is limited, they went on to warn that they, the leaders of the GOP controlled Senate, could alter or nullify specific terms of any agreement reached between the President once it is in place. From Iran's official response,  it understands far too well that Executive Actions are limited to the President's term of office and may be nullified.  The difference though is Iran knows that only a new president may nullify Executive Agreements, not members of the Senate or the House.  Amazingly, it appears the signors of the letter to Iran actually do not understand the Constitutional and traditional role the Executive has in making foreign policy for America.
         Since the beginning of the Presidency, Article II of the Constitution gives wide parameters for the President to handle America's foreign policy.  Nominating our Ambassadors,  recognizing those from other countries, to determining as Commander In Chief the Country's stance when it comes to military engagement (or not).   Since the administration of George Washington, no interference into Foreign Policy is expected or tolerated from a meddling Congress - except for the delegated powers under the Constitution, which are limited to confirming nominations of ambassadors, ratifying treaties (Senate only) and funding the Department of State (under which our foreign affairs are administered on a day to day basis).  Other than funding, confirmations and ratifications, there are no Constitutional powers granted to the Senate that would interfere with the broad delegated and implied powers of the President (including those as Commander In Chief).  
        Also since George Washington, there have been multiple critics of a President's foreign policy.  Washington (as did Adams) chose to have America remain neutral early on when England and France went to war, irritating Thomas Jefferson and his followers.  Woodrow Wilson kept America out of the First World War until he felt we were prepared to win the peace, yet many in the Senate objected to his strategy (including the powerful GOP leader Henry Cabot Lodge, who subsequently led the defeat of the ratification of the Treaty of Versailles).  The difference today?  Neither of these opponents of Presidential action used their collective positions in the Senate to communicate directly in any official capacity with an enemy or any other foreign power currently negotiating policy with a sitting President.  None!  In fact, it was a time-worn tradition that disputes over the handling of foreign policy always ended at the "waters' edge" - in other words, internal argument was fine, but extending it to criticism along with direct intervention, well is unheard of...until the recent move by the Senate GOP.  And the result of this intervention?  You guessed it, GOP over-reach and scorn.  In fact, over 150,000 Americans have signed petitions to charge those Republican Senators with treason (See http://news.yahoo.com/150-000-sign-treason-petition-us-republican-letter-195011270.html).  
          The GOP response to the backlash from such a letter?  Some GOP signees of the letter have expressed regret, wishing instead the letter was not addressed to Iran but instead be considered an "open letter" of criticism of Obama.  But that dog won't hunt.  In typical Republican action, instead of using a "trial balloon" to see if such a scheme would "fly" with the American people, they went as predicted into full speed ahead mode directly into a fire storm of criticism and rebuke.  I say predicted because I warned my students the new GOP leadership of the Senate would overreach in their effort to attack Obama.  Now I will enjoy using this event as a "teachable moment" to my students (who know full well the extent of authority granted to Congress under Article I and the President under Article II of the Constitution). 
         So, many thanks to the 47 GOP Senators  (including Florida's very own Marco "Not Ready For Prime Time" Rubio) for putting your hatred of Obama ahead of Constitutional law and Custom and Usage when it comes to Presidential authority to oversee and implement foreign policy for the United States.  You have proven once again that Political Science is not Rocket Science and actions of those in power are as predictable as the rising sun. As President Woodrow Wilson once wrote: "One cool judgment is worth a thousand hasty counsels.  The thing to do is to supply light and not heat."   The heat produced by the GOP for its Un-American interference with America's foreign policy is going to sting a bit, and the heat it has caused might very well leave some scars from its burns.   Have a great week.

        This past week a "Big Event" unfolded in Washington, D.C. where Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu addressed a Joint Session of Congress to warn of the dangers of any deal with Iran negotiated by the Obama Administration.  Why choose this topic for this week's blog?  Because many Right Wingers believe Netanyahu had to make this speech in order for Congress to re-evaluate what the Obama Administration is willing to negotiate away in order to "contain" Iran's nuclear ambitions.  Many Left Wingers proclaimed insult by the speech, and they refused to recognize their very own hypocrisy in their methods used to delegitimize Netanyahu and the Israeli people.  How can I say this?  Easy.  Let's walk through some of the various "conversations" that I put myself into when it comes to this event.
        First and foremost, I am not a fan of a foreign dignitary coming to the United States to interfere with American foreign Policy.   My position is not new on this.  In fact, I wrote two blogs back in September, 2012 taking Netanyahu to task for attempting to interfere with the American presidential elections.  In a blog entitled "Back Off!" I wrote the following;
        "Netanyahu knows exactly what he is doing when he calls out the United States administration.  He 
         knows the issue of Israel and Iran is a hot button topic with Republicans trying to wrest away 
        Obama's support in the Jewish American community.  He seems to believe that if Mitt Romney is 
        elected, he will get an immediate "green light" to initiate an assault on Iran, while President Obama is 
        of the opinion that Israel would suffer considerable international damage should it act unilaterally.        
        Regardless of the difference between Obama and Romney as it relates to Israel and Iran, Netanyahu's 
        attempt to interject his objection to Obama's policy into our elections and related discussions is 
        completely and utterly out of bounds...My message to Bibi is simple,  We've got your back, but until 
        November 6, "Back Off!" (See http://www.howourgovernmentworks.com/blog/until-november-6-back-off). (http://www.howourgovernmentworks.com/blog/diplomacy-anyone). 
        So, hopefully this establishes that I am not "cool" with Netanyahu interfering with decisions Americans must make when it comes to American elections and policy.  But Left Wingers are still upset with Netanyahu because he accepted the invitation from the GOP Leadership to speak, without recognizing a trap was laid for the democrats to plunge into...and predictably, the Democrats did just that - falling headlong into the trap laid before them.  You see, the GOP has been trying for several years to sever the political ties between observant Jews and the Democratic Party and by pitting Israel against the Democrats, their strategy just needed opportunities to be put into play.  With the invitation of Netanyahu, that opportunity was created.  Instead of dismissing his speech as meaningless and not worth the hoopla the GOP and its related Media played up, the Democrats rushed into faux outrage and made every effort to make it the central issue of the week - to either boycott the speech altogether or to delegitimize Netanyahu at the expense of their pro-Israel and observant Jewish base.  And the expense is still being tallied as I write this blog.  
         Immediately after the speech, Left Wing talking points hit the airwaves and social media vilified Netanyahu, including incendiary words like "Warmonger", "Murderer", "Thief", along with claims Israel is an "Apartheid State", which engages in active "Genocide" and "Land Theft."  Whom do the Democrats and Liberals think this affects?  Supporters of the GOP?  Tea Party folks?  Incredibly, most Liberals/Progressives use this language but naively claim it is all about the GOP, but isn't it really about Israel and Jews?
        In many of my conversations with Left Wingers this week, there seems to be an active disconnect between their beliefs and their words.  Many erroneously view Netanyahu as a "demon" that the "Jews of Israel should control."  Huh?  Jews of Israel should "control" their duly elected Prime Minister when he speaks about actions that affect Israeli security?  So those on the Left go from bitterly complaining that Netanyahu should stay out of America's political and foreign policy, but in the same breath demand Israeli's change their leadership (elections are in two weeks) or "control" him?    It's okay to condemn Israel and its electorate and to demand they act, without recognizing they too are a sovereign nation?  If the Left demands Israel refrain from interfering with US Policy, why should they then seem to think it acceptable to interfere with Israel's elections?  I am not the only one to notice this blatant hypocrisy.
        Which leads me to my main point.  The Democrats got suckered by the Republicans in this entire affair.  But American Jews are the ones (once again) put into the hot seat.  Memes began floating all over social media demanding folks choose allegiance between America and Israel.  The problem with these memes is the naiveté of the Left Wing.  You see, they are blind to the fact that there is a rising tide of Anti-Semitism throughout the World and the United States.  They fail to recognize that when they think they are attacking the Republicans on their stance on Israel, they are instead attacking Jews who support Israel.  And by sharing these memes, they enable and embolden Anti-Semites to crawl out from under their rocks to voice anti-Israeli and Anti-Jewish rhetoric. Amazingly, even when I pointed out these realities, my Liberal/Progressive friends remained not only blind to it, they justified their position by somehow using the very same canards Anti-Semites have been using...Netanyahu is a "Warmonger" and Israel is an "Apartheid State."  Is it any wonder that Anti-Semitism is on the rise when the one side of the political spectrum traditionally supporting education, free speech, rights for all women, rights for Gays, Lesbian and Transgender, now see it fit to attack the one country in the Middle East that supports the very same beliefs?  Does anyone else find it odd that many on the Left believe "Jews should control their Prime Minister" when Israeli Arabs, Christians and Druze all have the freedom to vote for their Parliament? Are Liberals/Progressives so ignorant that they do not know that Muslims are represented in the Israeli Parliament and the Israeli Supreme Court?  Can you say the same about Jews and Christians in Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Qatar, U.A.E., Libya, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan....?  Of course not, but is it just good sport to attack Israel with such rhetoric because the GOP embarrassed them?
         Israel is NOT an apartheid state, but ALL of the Arab nations in the world ARE.  Do my Liberal/Progressive friends know that as a visitor to Israel with their entry stamp in my passport, I am unable (even as an American) to travel to any Arab nation? I can do so only with a "clean" passport?  Do they know that if there is an entry stamp from Israel I am banned from entering any Arab nation?  Are my Liberal/Progressive friends aware that Gays, Lesbians and Transgenders are subject to beheading in all Arab nations just for being alive?  Are they aware that women are so equal to men in Israel that they too serve in military combat divisions?  Are they aware that Jews are NOT allowed to travel into areas controlled by the Palestinian Authorities?  Are they aware that thousands of Gazans enter Israel daily with work permits, but no Israeli citizen (unless providing aid or security) is allowed to enter Gaza, ever?  Are they aware that in Jerusalem, Jews are forbidden to go into Arab neighborhoods (or risk their lives), but Arabs travel freely within Jerusalem?  But more importantly, my Liberal/Progressive friends fail to recognize that the expansions of West Bank "settlements" that cause the Left so much heartburn are actually within areas already designated Israeli and are part of  agreed zones of future land swaps should a two-state solution be agreed upon?  Theft of land? If there has been a "theft of land" it has come at the hands of the Arabs.  Look at Hebron, an area purchased by Jewish Organizations in the 19th Century, but cordoned off by violent Arabs. Jews risk their lives to travel to Hebron, the burial site of Abraham and Isaac, Jacob and Leah (my wife and I traveled their on an armored bus...which should say it all).  To add insult to injury, if those Jewish ancestors are not considered unimportant to Liberals/Progressives because their existence is "biblical", so much for their belief that all should be free to practice any religion of their choosing.
        The bottom line for me is obvious.  Israel has never asked the United States to fight any of its wars, ever! Israel, however, needs America's support in order to defend itself.  Iran, while serving as the Puppet Master over Syria, Hamas, Hezbollah and the Muslim Brotherhood should not be rewarded for its support of murder and terror worldwide with a "deal" that leaves them emboldened as THE power broker of the region.  But if this happens, then clearly the Left will witness continued criticism of Israel and the ultimate expansion of Anti-Semitism, (and G-d forbid, Israel's destruction and a real genocide of Jews).   When college campuses move further and further to the Left by demanding the isolation of Jewish students and those that are pro-Israel, how do they think this will play out when these young and impressionable students grow up to be our future leaders with inbred angst and hatred of Israel and Jews?  Will those on the Left today eventually sit back and wonder what roles they played in enabling the loss of Jewish support for the Democratic Party and potentially Jewish life in America? Just look at what is happening in Europe.  To think this can never happen in America is also simply naive.
         If you think I am pushing fear, you have no idea.  For centuries, Jews have been subject to unreasonable suspicions.  Today one can still read and hear folks say "Jews own all of the banks.  Jews and AIPAC own Congress.  Jews own the World Bank.  Jews drink the blood of Christian children during Passover.  Jews covet money and blood.  Jews are sneaky and cannot be trusted."  Although none of these are true and most Liberals/Progressives know this, how can they be so naive to think their labels when applied to Israel such as "Warmongers", "Apartheid",  "Land Thieves," "Liars", do not enable Anti-Semites to clamor against all Jews everywhere.  
        Liberals/Progressives are quick to criticize Right Wing Media for sensationalizing issues and how"gullible" Right Wing viewers are for falling for the rhetoric of the Right, but the Left is guilty of the same, being unable to recognize the damage their very own rhetoric may create when they slam Israel for purely party loyalty purposes...which makes them just as guilty of hypocrisy.  As President John F. Kennedy once wrote; "Israel was not created in order to disappear - Israel will endure and flourish. It is the child of hope and the home of the brave. It can neither be broken by adversity nor demoralized by success. It carries the shield of democracy and it honors the sword of freedom."  That is neither an exclusive value of the Left or the Right.  Until the Left understands they have been played by the Right in this matter, they may be blamed for the results of their faux outrage at Israel.   Until then, Americans supporting Israel should be on high alert for the unintended consequences from Left-Wing efforts to attack Israel and innocently or not, Jews.  Have a great week.

         While most of the country is wrestling concepts surrounding Common Core education and its impact on adjusting methods for student learning and achievement, a more intense education platform is permeating American high schools under the guise of improving student "inquiry and knowledge."  That platform sweeping America?  The International Baccalaureate program, also known as "IB."  Sounds great right?  Students beginning in Middle School may be exposed to a more intense curriculum that includes emphasis on critical thinking and writing skills, with a focus on an "International" flavor.  
         Now I know that most of you appreciate that I take positions all over the political spectrum.  I have been referred to as a "Leftist" Liberal to a right wing "Libertarian."  Like most Americans, I consider myself to be an independent - typically falling Center-Right on the political spectrum.  But when it comes to the new IB education program, I am afraid I find myself falling on the hard right!  Yes, the hard right!
        As an educator, I work on a daily basis to challenge my students to critically analyze and think for themselves.  Many of my students are required to write term papers and to produce presentations.  So why would I be clamoring against a program that requires a rigorous curriculum that meets that same level of student commitment?  Because nowhere in the IB curriculum are American students required to take courses in AMERICAN history and AMERICAN government.  In fact, under the IB program, the study of history is offered as a two track option.  
           
           One track "explores the main developments in the history of Europe and the Islamic world from 500 
           to 1570 while the second track focuses on 20th century world history. Whichever route is selected 
           the course provides both structure and flexibility, fostering an understanding of major historical 
           events in a global context. It requires students to make comparisons between similar and dissimilar 
           solutions to common human situations, whether they be political, economic or social. It invites 
           comparisons between, but not judgments of, different cultures, political systems and national traditions."(See http://www.ibo.org/en/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/individuals-and-societies/history/).           
        According to administrators at my school, students may take American history and/or government, but it is solely an option.  Based upon the extensive work load piled onto students in the IB program, those currently enrolled in the program admit there is no real room in their schedules to take American history or government.
Now I am all for students learning about the history of the world and international relationships, but excluding any curriculum on the founding of America and our great Constitution leaves me a bit puzzled.  If the International Baccalaureate does not include American history and government, what kind of American history education will American students receive? None, and that is what upsets me.  You see, students learn American "Civics" and "History" in middle school.  Can anyone really remember what they were taught in Middle/Jr. High School?  Really?
         At my school, the best and the brightest students are pressured to enroll in the IB program.  Why?  Because it has artificially become the "most rigorous" of the education pathways to graduation - allegedly the only insurance available to guarantee admission into top tier colleges and universities.  What kind of students then are we going to produce?  Those ready to engage with peers across the globe?   You bet.  But those students will be laking a strong education in American history and government.  So, what type of American Citizens will we be producing?   As it stands now, non-IB enrolled high school students in Florida are not required to take American history that occurred before the civil war (only Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment provide this education).   In other words, most students only learn about America's Founders and Framers while in 7th and 8th grades, let alone how our democracy evolved from 1776.  This is a true travesty!
        I know I sound like a far right wing nut.   But any high school education program that does not require American students to learn American history and government... well, is unAmerican!  As President Thomas Jefferson once wrote; "Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty."  I doubt he meant to exclude American History and Government from the pillars that preserve our true American liberty!  American citizenship requires education in American history and government- and not one that omits it! Have a great week!