I attended public schools for twelve years, those facilities being in Selma, Alabama, Lubbock and San Antonio, Texas—ending things in Anchorage, Alaska. Overall I’d say I got a decent education. Early on, our class would say the Pledge of Allegiance each morning, while at least once a week, all students and teachers walked outside to sing the “Star-Spangled Banner” – this taking place while standing at attention with hands over hearts. The word for such is patriotism.
Disruptive behavior was not tolerated during my school years from 1959 – 1972. Paddling’s were given out for smarting back to a teacher, and as far as I know, no kid was sent to a hospital afterwards. I got my fair share of swats, all of them justly deserved.
While attending grade school at Southside in Selma, I got into a scuffle with another boy on the playground. The man overseeing things that day—I now assume to be a teacher—stopped us from rolling around on the ground as small kids do when they fight. He quickly walked inside the building, coming back out with a pair of small yet puffy boxing gloves.
I know what you’re thinking here, but you can’t make this stuff up. My brother will attest to the truth of it because he was there. The two of us first graders attempted to box, yet within minutes we were tired and ready to call it quits. Those gloves were brought out on more than one occasion, never again for me, but for other boys that didn’t see eye to eye. I doubt anyone ever got seriously hurt while wearing them. Snowflakes would now have that man arrested if this took place, although boxing gloves are much safer than guns in removing pent-up hostilities.
Before I graduated in 1972, a questionnaire was given to students. It asked questions such as: do you believe marijuana should be legalized, and do you think the Vietnam War is justified. The war was just winding down at this time. This questionnaire had three choices: Yes, No, and I’m not sure. I didn’t put two and two together at that time, but they were checking to see how liberal or conservative a graduating student was. I always kept that in the back of my brain.
Several years ago, when Kathy Lee Gifford was a morning talk show host, she mentioned her children quite often. Generally, the praise this Christian mother gave them was for academics or funny things they’d done. Her kids were in private schools, as were the Obama’s, Trump’s, Clinton’s, and other high profile people. That should tell you something.
It was during this time that I came across an article written about the Gifford’s, with forthcoming comments below it most distasteful—some folks skewering her for bragging about her children on television, and then laughing at the woman for husband, Frank Gifford, having an affair. My late mother told me that some people were born to root against those who are successful in life. She equated it to jealousy.
After seeing that take place with Kathy, I decided to keep my children and grandchildren out of things I write about, that is until here lately, when I started seeing erroneous information coming out regarding school vouchers. I’m a firm believer in school vouchers because I know they work.
My two children went to Christian schools. We had to pay for it as vouchers weren’t available. Not only did we pay, but we still were taxed for public school as well. Joleen and I didn’t complain, and for a while I worked two jobs just to make sure all of the other bills were paid.
Our son, Gunnar, graduated Valedictorian of his class, including being presented with a congressional appointment to the Air Force Academy, where he graduated in 2000. Miranda received scholarships to attend Colorado State University, where she graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors.
Gunnar just retired from the United States Space Force as a Lt. Colonel – with Miranda operating her own business in conjunction with husband Dennis. I’m sure I’ll now be harpooned by my two for doting on them, yet I, like Kathy Gifford, believe that bragging on one’s children is most appropriate, unlike what school psychologists might say. My guess is these self-acclaimed experts on kids don’t even have children of their own.
I want their children, my grandchildren, to attend Christian or private schools, mainly because these educational facilities continue to instill morals and character into youth, discipline, patriotism to their country, and most of all, teach them about Jesus.
If the National Education Administration would stop trying to indoctrinate kids to their liberal way of thinking, like they attempted to do with me during my three years of high school and failed, and if they’d take a cue from private schools on what teaching methods work best, a greater number of students would be academically better prepared once they leave high school.
Vouchers do work and the numbers prove it. If private schools didn’t offer quality education, you can bet your bottom dollar that Bill and Hillary would’ve never sent daughter Chelsea to one!
I like to write junk... 