Love it Jess! My motto now is I’m 75, what the hell do I care what anyone thinks of me! I wish you could have made it here to my Event at John Knox this past Sunday. We had 75 people & Elad Gross & Keri Ingle & a fully engaged audience. For 2 hours a great discussion went on about Missouri politics & National politics!
Yes, Susan is such a great constant irritation, we’re recruiting her to help with educating the public about our Lee’s Summit school board. They just voted to defund our district by asking for a lower levy than they are allowed. The call is coming from in the house!
Excellent writing and excellent point as always Jess. I think we often underestimate the power we have as an individual to catalyze change. If we all are the spark, then we can become a roaring fire.
I love that. Our Lees summit school board member Bill Haley decorated his table at an event supporting our school district with spent shotgun shells, a “redneck lives matter” banner, and a sign warning you may encounter the Lord’s Prayer, country music, etc.
No one spoke out against it that night. He claims he would have removed it if they did. It wasn’t until the next day he was called out. We all need to speak up and be willing to be say something. Otherwise, we are part of the problem.
Jim, I would say the kindling would be those folks like Dick Cheney and Adam Kinzinger! They could not bear to see what was happening in their own party and the bigger threats to democracy and inspired by the sparks of people like Jesse and y'all. became encouraged to help start a big bonfire; and Kamala and Tim are using that fire to light candles of hope in the hearts of many wonderful Americans everywhere!!
Sorry, I guess I was a little arcane in my metaphor. I would consider witnessing injustices more like oxygen for the fire but not wood or something else that can burn.
you absolutely reinforce my faith in good people!! We need you in our lives and others like you!!! When i was a younger woman I can remember multiple times through elementary, high school and beyond being called the advocate of the playground as if that was a bad thing and having men tell me that I was "too much" when I spoke my opinion. The very things that I as made to feel less for I now am proud of! You keep going, keep speaking and advocating !!!!You represent the best of human beings!!!
You are educating me in things that I should know. Substack may be the best instrument that has been available in recent times. At 77 I feel I’m finally getting an education. Thank you and I’m in awe of your dedication and spunk.
Excellent strategy, Jess. I hope your testimonial helps inspire others to do the same. Yep, the funders and conspirators collaborating to disable, diminish, and destroy public education in favor of parochial / private/ "Christian" schools and home schooling (usually also in service of some extremist "Christian" doctrine) have been at this for years and will continue as long as they are making progress. Every small obstacle in the path slows them down just a tiny bit and offers the chance to educate the rest of the population about how they are being snookered.
And one more thought, regarding the sacredness of property that the Kochs want you to believe was of paramount importance to the Founding Fathers -- to the extent that has some truth in it, it is very much reflective of the fact that one of the biggest sources of wealth and capital in that era was the enslaved populations owned by the slaveholders. Yes, those slaveholders were highly committed to the importance of their continuing to own these other human beings (who could be bought, sold, used, and traded just like any other owned property). Was that aspect of colonial-era property rights expanded upon at all in the Koch-funded seminars? I bet not.
When I graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in May of 1997, the featured speaker at commencement was Marian Wright Edelman and she made an incredible impression upon me that evening when she stated, - “You just need to be a flea against injustice. Enough committed fleas biting strategically can make even the biggest dog uncomfortable and transform even the biggest nation.”
Your words remind me so much of her speech that echoes in my mind almost daily. Whenever I feel a little bit hopeless or think that maybe it’s futile to speak up and speak out, I run across your Substack. Knowing that someone else out there is fighting good flight and is committed to being one of the fleas that keeps on biting gives me hope that we may just eventually transform the nation and wrestle it from the grips of corporate greed.
I'm gonna start practicing being a burr in their sides instead of being a burr in my honey's side. I did register for the Sarah Huckleberry conference...I guess that's a start?
Ever since Proposition 2 ½ appeared on the ballot in Massachusetts, we've been witnessing the efforts of people who send their kids to private schools to defund public schools.
I understand that the situation may be better here than in other states, but it's still galling.
It's important that all of us continue to fight against the degradation of public education, even, or maybe especially, those of us whose children are long out of high school, and who may have more time to give.
You are a superb wrench in the flywheel of bull shit. I attended public schools my entire life and never once was aware of governmental oversight in my education, schools in mostly red states; KY, Iowa and Ind. This includes a degree from Purdue University. I was never aware of anything but mostly kind dedicated TEACHERS doing their best to keep order and giving the students an education in the history of our country, good English, science and math. Has education changed that much?? I don’t think so.
I somehow was entered into the “Heritage Foundation” email chain. It is interesting to read the events and sources of information they offer. I believe there is a course that folks can register to learn how to be an effective sponsor. It reads just like propaganda if you aren’t on their wavelength. I am from St Joseph and I have watched St. Joseph Christian School expand tremendously in the past few years. Herzog Foundation is funding this massive growth. When Stan Herzog died, I had read that an amazing amount of money was going to be pumped into the education system, but I didn’t realize what was happening at the time. I am now becoming aware of the Herzog influence trying to defund our public schools. Crazy how they slowly infiltrate the community.
Good topic, Jess. Here in SC our Education leader, a Christian Nationalist whose children have never been in a public school has partnered with PragerU, a right wing propaganda outfit & introduced a teaching agenda that includes the following:
“ Other videos from PragerU argue that “income inequality is good,” that voter suppression is a “myth,” that the Democratic Party is responsible for racial inequality facing Black Americans and that that immigration from the Middle East and North Africa is part of the “suicide of Europe.”
One video from conservative political commentator Steven Crowder argues that efforts to rename Columbus Day as Indigenous Peoples Day are about “teaching your children to despise Western Civilization.”
Videos about environmental issues argue that solar and wind energy are bad for the environment because of their building material needs, that a world without fossil fuels would cause “doomsday” and that conservatives’ approach to protecting the environment is better than a progressive one.”
She is a Bob Jones University grad who of course home-schools, during the election campaign it was pointed out that the SC Constitution requires a masters degree for Superintendent of Education, whoops! With 120. Days til election, BJU rushed thru her masters degree on-line while their website states it’s a 18 month curriculum.
Jess only you could mix John Lewis and Thoreau and come up with something concrete to do in service to Democracy! Thank you for offering us a way forward in fighting the American Oligarchs. You are a #Shero!
It appears that they aren't only selective regarding elements of the Constitution, but also the Founders. I'd like to introduce them to my favorite founder, Thomas Paine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Paine
unfortunately, the right wing talk show host Mark Levin loves to use Thomas Paine to fuel his alternative libertarian views on history. I think he wrote a whole book on that.
Love it Jess! My motto now is I’m 75, what the hell do I care what anyone thinks of me! I wish you could have made it here to my Event at John Knox this past Sunday. We had 75 people & Elad Gross & Keri Ingle & a fully engaged audience. For 2 hours a great discussion went on about Missouri politics & National politics!
I am so happy to hear it. Solidarity.
Yes, Susan is such a great constant irritation, we’re recruiting her to help with educating the public about our Lee’s Summit school board. They just voted to defund our district by asking for a lower levy than they are allowed. The call is coming from in the house!
Bravo Susan!
Once again I am in awe of your stamina and persistence in the face of such overwhelming adversaries. You are amazing.
Excellent writing and excellent point as always Jess. I think we often underestimate the power we have as an individual to catalyze change. If we all are the spark, then we can become a roaring fire.
Can’t love this enough…. “If we all are the spark, then we can become the roaring fire.” Thank you!
I thought the same thing and I think the fire is roaring right now.
I love that. Our Lees summit school board member Bill Haley decorated his table at an event supporting our school district with spent shotgun shells, a “redneck lives matter” banner, and a sign warning you may encounter the Lord’s Prayer, country music, etc.
No one spoke out against it that night. He claims he would have removed it if they did. It wasn’t until the next day he was called out. We all need to speak up and be willing to be say something. Otherwise, we are part of the problem.
If we are the spark what is the kindling?
Jim, I would say the kindling would be those folks like Dick Cheney and Adam Kinzinger! They could not bear to see what was happening in their own party and the bigger threats to democracy and inspired by the sparks of people like Jesse and y'all. became encouraged to help start a big bonfire; and Kamala and Tim are using that fire to light candles of hope in the hearts of many wonderful Americans everywhere!!
Witnessing injustices like Jess said?
Sorry, I guess I was a little arcane in my metaphor. I would consider witnessing injustices more like oxygen for the fire but not wood or something else that can burn.
Jim, there are enough lies out there for a bon fire 🔥
you absolutely reinforce my faith in good people!! We need you in our lives and others like you!!! When i was a younger woman I can remember multiple times through elementary, high school and beyond being called the advocate of the playground as if that was a bad thing and having men tell me that I was "too much" when I spoke my opinion. The very things that I as made to feel less for I now am proud of! You keep going, keep speaking and advocating !!!!You represent the best of human beings!!!
Oh my gosh, I can so relate to that! I’m “mouthy”. A man would be called a leader, a woman is called bossy. It’s so annoying.
You are educating me in things that I should know. Substack may be the best instrument that has been available in recent times. At 77 I feel I’m finally getting an education. Thank you and I’m in awe of your dedication and spunk.
Excellent strategy, Jess. I hope your testimonial helps inspire others to do the same. Yep, the funders and conspirators collaborating to disable, diminish, and destroy public education in favor of parochial / private/ "Christian" schools and home schooling (usually also in service of some extremist "Christian" doctrine) have been at this for years and will continue as long as they are making progress. Every small obstacle in the path slows them down just a tiny bit and offers the chance to educate the rest of the population about how they are being snookered.
And one more thought, regarding the sacredness of property that the Kochs want you to believe was of paramount importance to the Founding Fathers -- to the extent that has some truth in it, it is very much reflective of the fact that one of the biggest sources of wealth and capital in that era was the enslaved populations owned by the slaveholders. Yes, those slaveholders were highly committed to the importance of their continuing to own these other human beings (who could be bought, sold, used, and traded just like any other owned property). Was that aspect of colonial-era property rights expanded upon at all in the Koch-funded seminars? I bet not.
When I graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in May of 1997, the featured speaker at commencement was Marian Wright Edelman and she made an incredible impression upon me that evening when she stated, - “You just need to be a flea against injustice. Enough committed fleas biting strategically can make even the biggest dog uncomfortable and transform even the biggest nation.”
Your words remind me so much of her speech that echoes in my mind almost daily. Whenever I feel a little bit hopeless or think that maybe it’s futile to speak up and speak out, I run across your Substack. Knowing that someone else out there is fighting good flight and is committed to being one of the fleas that keeps on biting gives me hope that we may just eventually transform the nation and wrestle it from the grips of corporate greed.
I'm gonna start practicing being a burr in their sides instead of being a burr in my honey's side. I did register for the Sarah Huckleberry conference...I guess that's a start?
Yesssssss!
Ever since Proposition 2 ½ appeared on the ballot in Massachusetts, we've been witnessing the efforts of people who send their kids to private schools to defund public schools.
I understand that the situation may be better here than in other states, but it's still galling.
It's important that all of us continue to fight against the degradation of public education, even, or maybe especially, those of us whose children are long out of high school, and who may have more time to give.
You are a superb wrench in the flywheel of bull shit. I attended public schools my entire life and never once was aware of governmental oversight in my education, schools in mostly red states; KY, Iowa and Ind. This includes a degree from Purdue University. I was never aware of anything but mostly kind dedicated TEACHERS doing their best to keep order and giving the students an education in the history of our country, good English, science and math. Has education changed that much?? I don’t think so.
Same here Anthony. Education under control by radical right wingers is a real danger. Denial of reality is dangerous.
I somehow was entered into the “Heritage Foundation” email chain. It is interesting to read the events and sources of information they offer. I believe there is a course that folks can register to learn how to be an effective sponsor. It reads just like propaganda if you aren’t on their wavelength. I am from St Joseph and I have watched St. Joseph Christian School expand tremendously in the past few years. Herzog Foundation is funding this massive growth. When Stan Herzog died, I had read that an amazing amount of money was going to be pumped into the education system, but I didn’t realize what was happening at the time. I am now becoming aware of the Herzog influence trying to defund our public schools. Crazy how they slowly infiltrate the community.
They are absolutely trying to decimate the St. Joseph school district
Definitely!
Too many running for school board, requesting book bans, etc etc.
Too many elected officeholders employed and sponsored by Herzog.
Thanks so much for all your Good Trouble!
Good topic, Jess. Here in SC our Education leader, a Christian Nationalist whose children have never been in a public school has partnered with PragerU, a right wing propaganda outfit & introduced a teaching agenda that includes the following:
“ Other videos from PragerU argue that “income inequality is good,” that voter suppression is a “myth,” that the Democratic Party is responsible for racial inequality facing Black Americans and that that immigration from the Middle East and North Africa is part of the “suicide of Europe.”
One video from conservative political commentator Steven Crowder argues that efforts to rename Columbus Day as Indigenous Peoples Day are about “teaching your children to despise Western Civilization.”
Videos about environmental issues argue that solar and wind energy are bad for the environment because of their building material needs, that a world without fossil fuels would cause “doomsday” and that conservatives’ approach to protecting the environment is better than a progressive one.”
OMG. The Prager U videos are complete trash.
She is a Bob Jones University grad who of course home-schools, during the election campaign it was pointed out that the SC Constitution requires a masters degree for Superintendent of Education, whoops! With 120. Days til election, BJU rushed thru her masters degree on-line while their website states it’s a 18 month curriculum.
😩 These monsters need to be stopped by the Harris/Walz admin and thus is why voting down ballot is do important!
Jess you inspire me and give me hope! I look forward to your posts!
Jess only you could mix John Lewis and Thoreau and come up with something concrete to do in service to Democracy! Thank you for offering us a way forward in fighting the American Oligarchs. You are a #Shero!
It appears that they aren't only selective regarding elements of the Constitution, but also the Founders. I'd like to introduce them to my favorite founder, Thomas Paine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Paine
Thank you for the boost of inspiration, Jess.
unfortunately, the right wing talk show host Mark Levin loves to use Thomas Paine to fuel his alternative libertarian views on history. I think he wrote a whole book on that.