April 2021- Public Opinions
CRT and The NC State Board of Education
Race narratives have become a constant media “go to” and as such a very controversial subject matter. Perhaps one of the biggest controversies in the North Carolina School system at this time is the instruction of what is known as Critical Race Theory or “CRT.
So, what is CRT? According to a quick historical search on the issue, Derrick Bell, a law professor from Washington University, began the philosophical writings of CRT in the 1970s and early 1980s. It was born out of the realization by legal scholars, lawyers, and activists that many of the advances of the civil rights era had stopped and in some circumstances were being reversed.
Based upon Mr. Bell’s writing and philosophies, CRT has become a a movement that challenges the ability of conventional legal strategies to deliver social and economic justice. CRT calls for legal approaches that take into consideration race as a nexus of American life. CRT is an effort to strengthen the civil rights movement but also places those concerns within a broader economic and historical context. It “elevates the equality principles of the Fourteenth Amendment above the liberty principles of the First Amendment.” And thus, we have unveiled the real issue of CRT.
For those who would like a refresher course the first amendment states: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
The North Carolina State Board of Education (SBE) is now redirecting the state’s curriculum to teach CRT and this should be concerning to all, not just parents. The impact of this curriculum as it relates to the First Amendment has not been studied by our Governor and most importantly, by our State Board of Education who voted for the revision of our current social studies curriculum. We are pulling further away from subject matter that will assist our youth to respond to the global economy to include science, math, languages, technical course work, etc., and we are teaching new social norms based upon CRT media narratives that appear questionable and socialistic in content.
The NC State School Board needs an overhaul and I believe Lt. Governor Mark Robinson might agree. Board members include our Lt. Governor, the State Treasurer, Dale Falwell and 11 other members appointed by the Governor. The eleven gubernatorial appointees serve eight-year terms. The policies developed by the North Carolina State Board of Education set the direction for all aspects of the Department of Public Instruction. We need to revise the mission of our NC State Board; perhaps even reorganized the Board. A political appointed Board position for 8 years is too long and detrimental to the delivery of education. The most important question we must now ask ourselves is how do we “right” a left leaning NC public educational system?
- Elizabeth T. Bradsher, Former Fairfax County VA School Board Representative
To Fear or Not to Fear COVID -This is the Question
Just over a year ago, the COVID pandemic changed life as we know it. When COVID struck, we were all shocked and scared, fearful that we or someone close to us would contract it and die prematurely. We all wanted to do our part to ‘slow the spread’ and ‘flatten the curve’ as we were told that hospitals had a very real expectation of being overrun with ill people and not have enough resources (ventilators, etc.) to care for everyone. But time has marched on and we know so much more now (some 15 months later) about COVID and what to expect from it, so why are some of us still paralyzed with fear while others not?
As individuals with unique perspectives, each of us (undoubtedly) can weigh in with an opinion on issues of therapies, distancing, mask wearing and taking any one of the available vaccines. I would contend that most folks make decisions based on ‘trusted voices’ (influenced by whom they receive the information from) rather than being ‘accurately self-informed’ (i.e. relying on the data they have uncovered for themselves from all sources). I offer my thoughts here as truly a holistic perspective that you may appreciate as being diverse and broadly informed. So, I associate myself in the ‘accurately, self-informed’ bunch. I will go as far as to claim to be a critical thinker, one who questions everyone ‘presenting’ and everything ‘presented’.
To support my holistic perspective, you should know I have healthcare in my family. First, I have an RN for a sister who is on the front lines working in a major city hospital clinic and doing some home health care as well. Literally, she is triaging and caring for patients daily. Under tremendous pressure throughout the pandemic, she has had all the healthcare-worker required training as patients are constantly asking for her input and recommendations (in addition to their conversations with their respective physicians). Driven to be accurately informed, she has put in hundreds of hours of research on all related topics (therapies like HCQ, masks, vaccines and their associated mechanisms-of-action, etc.). I also have a retired general practitioner as a brother-in-law. Also, my husband and I owned and managed a local homecare business for eight years locally.
Secondly, my holistic perspective is supported by the fact that I am a former pharmaceutical scientist, having worked as a discovery research chemist for 5 years for Eli Lilly, early in my career. In this role, I was developing and executing strategies and techniques for creating new chemical entities as well as isolating novel therapeutic ingredients from natural sources. This role required a great deal of creativity and critical thinking. Why is this relevant, because I had to exploit all resources and develop experiments that provided accurate answers-- answers that were both definitive and that others could rely on with certainty. In addition, I have worked professionally supporting pharma and all the life-science industry as global marketer and business development professional for the last 20 years. Most recently, I served in a senior management role for a biotech where we partnered with companies developing new therapies as well as diagnostic tests (including novel (non-PCR type) COVID tests for potential home or workplace use. This means, me and my colleagues were spending the time to understand the science of COVID in order to develop a diagnostic test for it detecting it.
I took the time to lay out my perspective so you would find me as credible when I share my opinion on the current state of COVID fear. So, I trust you believe me when I say all that I really do understand the associated science of COVID, etc., the pharmaceutical and diagnostics industry positions, and yet can sympathize with small business owners who struggle with lockdowns to stay afloat. Also, that I contend that most folks are confused as they receive their information from ‘trusted sources’ (friends, healthcare workers, the news, commercials, Dr. Fauci).
So, confident with data to back up my positions (having also considered all the info from my own research plus info from influencers and/or trusted voices), what follows is my discernment (in the form of answers to key question) regarding the factors that are at the root cause of fear as it relates to COVID. But, I will share my bottom line take-away: respect the virus, steer clear of the vaccine, stop wearing a mask.
Should I fear the COVID virus? Sure, but only to the extent that you would for preventing the transmission of flu virus (i.e. hand-washing, cleaning surfaces, etc.). COVID 19 is a modified SARS-COV-2 flu virus (modified with HIV and bat virus genes) and, as such, the virus is a bioweapon. People have died from COVID, yes. However, clearly reported deaths from the regular flu are nil from 2020 which strongly suggests that regular flu death cases were reported as COVID deaths. Further investigation reveals healthcare facilities have much higher reimbursement for COVID cases.
Are there known therapies that are safe and effective for the cure/prevention of COVID 19? Yes, medical journal publications support the HCQ-combo and the Ivermectin treatments.
Are face masks effective at protecting the wearer from transmitting the COVID 19 virus? No. It’s like trying to contain a mosquito with a chain-link fence. Most importantly, the masks are very harmful to one’s health (wearers suffer from lack of oxygen and they cause bacterial pneumonia). Scientific journal and NIH publications clearly support that this is true.
Are the COVID vaccines safe and effective? No. First, those who take it are not immune to COVID and continue to have to socially distance and wear masks, etc. The facts are all these vaccines are not approved by the FDA and have little (negative) or no animal trial data to prove their safety. The RNA vaccines are not vaccines, but rather gene therapies that research supports can actually cause immunologic disease. The side effects are extensive, including inducing miscarriages and death. Those who take it must sign a consent that aligns with the guidelines outlaid in the Nerumburg Code, the post-Nazi-era set of research ethics/principles for human experimentation since it is an experimental therapy (authorized by the FDA as emergency use only).
To those who may be lathered up at my assertions regarding COVID fears, I have 4 points to share in a statement regarding the opinions I have expressed here. 1) It would seem folks have set ideas in their minds. As a conservative Christian, I assure you that I value free speech and a healthy dialogue. 2) If your ‘trusted voices’ have differing opinions, I would question their willingness to be critical thinkers (yes, even your doctor) and require validation of any assertions they make rather than just assuming they are fully knowledgeable and accurate. 3) If you are feeling pressured by authorities to comply to mask mandates and mandatory vaccination, know your rights and exercise them on your own behalf (before they are lost). 4) Question seriously the motivation of any influencer (news, radio commercials, employer) that coercing you to take action they may harm you as they may not have your best interest in mind, but rather their own. I think doing so is not wrong or conspiracy theory, but rather I consider this behavior to be ‘critical thinking’ in reality. In the end, I trust God, the discernment He has provided to comprehend the truth and know He is not the author of confusion.
Psalms 34:4 - I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
- Kathryn Lawrence, Finance Chair & Secretary
Something to Think About
Thomas Jefferson, who created the Democratic Republican Party, argued that it should be a republic – a state in which the method of governance is democracy, but the principle of governance is that the rights of the individual are paramount. He argued that, “Democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty one percent can vote away the rights of the other forty nine.”
At that time, Benjamin Franklin has been credited as saying, “Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for dinner.”
Very well stated indeed. Look at what is going on up in ‘La La Land on the Potomac’ today. The parallel is all too obvious. Our Constitution is a Republican method document – NOT a ‘democratic’ form of government. We have really lost our way. We will, all of us, pay the price for our folly.
- Paul Lynch, Communications Committee Chair
The Left Eats Their Own Heros
There are many topics of interest here in Person County that are grist for the mill in the opinion section of this newsletter. I was considering what specific item to opine about when I ran across an article that mostly ‘flew under the radar’ and few likely noted it. I was so struck by the irony of it that I just had to share it with you.
Most have heard I’m sure about one worthy named Professor Richard Dawkins of Oxford University. He is a notorious evolutionary biologist and ‘atheist of atheist’s who for the last 3 decades has wallowed in endless commentary and attacks on religion, with Christianity as his favorite target (surprised, aren’t you?). He has written numerous books on why God does not exist, and how only weak minded fools have faith in any deity. As you can imagine, he is a darling of the screwball left, and has won many accolades for his writings and speaking on the subject.
In 1996 he was presented with the “Humanist of the Year” award, a coveted honor (using the term with great sarcasm) given by the American Humanist Association, which is one of the largest and most influential atheist organizations in the country. However, it seems that our worthy, in the last several years, has fallen afoul of the LGBTG++ (whatever!) crowd by taking a position, from a biological standpoint, that has offended some in the trans movement. His apparent over-the-line comment (among several others) was:
Is a trans woman a woman? Purely semantic. If you define by chromosomes, no. If by self-identification, yes. I call her "she" out of courtesy. — Richard Dawkins (@RichardDawkins, October 26, 2015)
(This is actually a relatively recent comment. He has said this same thing, in different ways, for the past 25 years at least! Today’s woke left cuts no slack for what someone said decades ago).
The horror! Some trans group complained to the AHA board, and they rescinded Dawkins’ prestigious award, along with stern admonishment about his opinions being ‘insensitive and wrong’, and that he must apologize and ‘correct’ his viewpoint from a biological perspective! In other words, he must repute his scientific viewpoint, deny the obvious biological science that there are only two sexes, and outright lie. Or else! He tried to apologize and pacify them, but no joy – they smell blood and are not going to let go. Hoisted on his own blind liberal petard!
I find this kind of thing absolutely delightful! The screwball left has reached a point where calling conservatives ‘racist, white supremacist, Nazi, nihilist, misogynistic, deplorable domestic terrorists’ (did I leave anything out?) is just not enough to satisfy their warped lust to rule all public dialog. They are eating their own, and it is happening everywhere now. When we stand our ground, hold to and proclaim the truth, they tuck tail and run.
Remember this from James 4:7 – “submit yourselves then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”. (NIV)
We cannot lose! Stand firm, and fight!
- Paul Lynch, Communications Committee Chair
Person County 2021 Tax Increase
You may have missed it, but an opinion piece on taxes was submitted by Jim Mattson, Treasurer, in March.