Do We Have an Education Crisis in America?

            The liberty principle for this Freedom Friday is that America is stronger when all students receive adequate educational opportunities. All children should be taught how to read, write, and do mathematics at a level where they are proficient. No one should graduate from high school who does not know how to read, write, and do mathematics. Yet, just the opposite is happening in some cities across the nation.


            Walter E. Williams, professor of economics at George Mason University, stated in a recent column that there is “an education crisis among black students” and “Black politicians, civil rights leaders, and their white liberal advocates have little or no interest in doing anything” about it. As evidence for what he said, he gave the following statistics:

In city after city with large black populations, such as Baltimore, St. Louis, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., less than 10% of students test proficient in reading and math.

For example, in 2016, in 13 Baltimore high schools, not a single student tested proficient in math. In six other high schools, only 1% tested proficient in math. Citywide, only 15% of Baltimore students passed the state’s English test. Despite these academic deficiencies, about 70% of the students graduate and are conferred a high school diploma.

            How can we expect the rising generation to be prepared for adulthood if we are not teaching them basic knowledge that will help them to succeed? I am appalled by the figures stated above. In 13 high schools not one student was proficient in math, and in 6 other high schools only 1% of students was proficient in math. If they cannot do math, how can they balance their checkbooks or check their bank accounts? In addition, only 15% of the students could pass the State test for English. I assume that test includes reading proficiency. How can these schools allow students to graduate who do not know English or mathematics? It appears to me that a diploma from such high schools mean nothing.


            Williams stated that these “Examples of academic underachievement can be seen at predominantly black public schools across the nation.” However, he sees a bigger problem than the underachievement in academics: “The strangest part of this is that poor academic performance is accepted and tolerated by black politicians, civils rights organizations, and white liberals.” The people who profess to care about the black community is not concerned about the lack of education among black students.


            According to Williams, “the poorest performing schools have the highest per pupil spending.” This means that it is not a matter of money. Williams accused colleges of “gross dishonesty” because they admit many of these underperforming students to college even though they are not qualified to do college-level work. How do the schools justify admitting unqualified students?  

In a futile attempt to make up for 12 years of rotten education, colleges put these students in remedial courses. They also design courses with little or no true academic content. Colleges have their own agendas. They want the money that comes from admitting these students. Also, they want to make their diversity and multiculturalism administrators happy.

            In other words, these colleges are using black students to further their agenda of multiculturalism and diversity and are not concerned about the individual students at all. It is not fair for any student to be forced to go to a failing school. So, what did Williams suggest? He used statistics from a study done by Thomas Sowell in New York City that shows black students attending charter schools being better educated than those attending regular public schools. 

The statistics prove that liberals are lying when they claim that “racial integration is a necessary condition for black academic excellence.” It is obvious that black students do fine when they are properly taught. So, there must be another reason for keeping black students uneducated. Could it be that they fear educated blacks would see “behind their curtain” and leave the Democrat “plantation”? Educated blacks would be much more difficult to control because they could thin for themselves and make their own decisions

            Politicians are a big part of the problem. There are “many charter schools [that] provide superior educational opportunities for black youngsters,” but New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is not a believer. He thinks that the education establishment should “Get away from high-stakes testing, get away from charter schools. No federal funding for charter schools.”


            It sounds to me that Americans of all colors should flee people like de Blasio. Our nation cannot afford to have students graduating from high school who do not know how to read, write, and do mathematics. We need our rising generation to be well-educated and prepared to take their place in the adult world.

Is It Safe to Come Out?

            Alaska and other Republican-led states are opening and jump-starting their economy, while most Democrat states are continuing their lockdowns. I know that blue states were hit harder by the coronavirus and had higher levels of cases. However, I wonder if it is COVID-19 or a political agenda that keeps blue states locked down.


            By the end of May, Alaska will be fully open. Restaurants and shoppes will be working at full capacity. The number of coronavirus cases has remained low and manageable, but the state continues the 14-day quarantine period for anyone entering Alaska. Assisted-living centers, nursing homes, etc. are not open for visitors yet. The Anchorage Alaska Temple will be open for live marriage ceremonies, and meetings will be starting soon. 

So, what does all this mean for me and others who fall into the “vulnerable” age and health groups? We know that the coronavirus is still out there lurking around for victims. I also know that I am just as vulnerable today as I was in March when I was told to stay home. Is it safe for me to enter the community again, or should I continue self-quarantine? How long can my husband and I put off doctors’ appointments without causing more problems with our health?

As I wonder about what I should do and what I should encourage my husband to do, I am grateful for a reminder from Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In an interview with the Church News, Elder Renlund described COVID-19 as an indiscriminate virus made of protein and ribonucleic acid that has no soul, no temperament, and no personality and that affects people differently. However, we can rely on personal revelation to sort out our different circumstances and what we should do in our individual lives.

…When we want personal revelation, we need to study it out…. As the leaders of the Church seek revelation in the COVID-19 pandemic, we study. We study what the medical experts are saying and try to sort through how it will apply.

To think that God will just simply reveal what we have not studied is naïve and nonsensical.

…I never get personal revelation if I am angry, excessively frustrated, or even excessively anxious.

            Elder Renlund said that we must be at peace to receive personal revelation and reminded us that President Russell M. Nelson pled with us “to do the spiritual work necessary to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly.” He then quoted President Nelson as saying, “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” The prophet said this in the April 2019 General Conference. One month ago, he asked us to “refine our ability to recognize the whisperings of the Holy Ghost.” He added, it has never been more imperative to know how the Spirit speaks to you than right now.”


            This is a good reminder from Elder Renlund. Even though Alaska is opening, and other people are going and coming as they please, it may not be time for me to leave the shelter of my home and/or car. I need to listen to the medical experts and try to see how what they say applies to me and my husband. Then I can go to the Lord to see if I the correct information. It seems that no one else can make the decision for me. I must be willing to take the time and make the effort to find the answers for myself.

What Can We Expect from the Durham Investigation?

            An announcement made recently by Attorney General William Barr disappointed many conservatives about the width and depth of John Durham’s investigation. These disappointed conservatives believe that former President Barack Obama and his Vice President Joe Biden are guilty of crimes against America and have been waiting anxiously to see them brought to justice.

Barr dampened their hopes a bit when he said the following about Obama and Biden: “As to President Obama and Vice President Biden, whatever their level of involvement, based on the information I have today, I don’t expect Mr. Durham’s work will lead to a criminal investigation of either man.” He said that Durham is focused on investigating other people.

Last week two Republican senators released a recently declassified list of people from the Obama administration that requested intelligence reports unmasking information on former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. The name of Joe Biden was on the list, which connects the list to Barack Obama. The list is important because “a senior U.S.government official leaked classified details of Flynn’s call with Russia’s ambassador to The Washington Post on Jan. 12, 2017.” 

Unmasking of Americans who make connect with foreign officials seems to be a common event. However, it is usually a serious crime to show classified material to anyone that does not have a security clearance high enough to see it. We know that Durham is investigating the origins for the Russian Collusion Hoax, but we do not know if Durham has investigated the unmasking of Flynn. 

Barr did not say anything about it when he said, “I have a general idea of how Mr. Durham’s investigation is going. As I have indicated, some aspects of the matter are being examined as potential crimes.” He added, “Not every abuse of power, no matter how outrageous, is necessarily a federal crime.” Barr’s statement makes me believe that officials can abuse the power bestowed on them by the American to some aspect, but the abuse would not necessarily be a federal crime.

An additional statement by Barr comforts me about the rule of law in our nation: “As long as I’m attorney general, the criminal justice system will not be used for partisan political ends. This is especially true for the upcoming elections in November.” In other words, the FBI will not be snooping around Joe Biden, and the IRS will not be withholding tax exempt status from Democrat supporters – much different than what took place in the last election.

I am in the group that was hoping for Obama and Biden to “be brought to justice” for the damage that they did to America. I believe, as do numerous other people, that the corruption in the Democrat Party went to the highest levels of government – the Oval Office. I was disappointed, but I am thinking differently about it now after reading a couple of articles.

This article quotes several people, one of which emphasized that the call between Flynn and the Russian ambassador was not one of the calls that were unmasked. He suggested that it did not meet any of the three criteria for unmasking by the FBI, but it could have been spied on by the CIA on order from the President of the United States. The CIA spies on people outside the United States, and Flynn was in the Dominican Republic at the time that the Russian ambassador called him. I still do not know the name of the official that leaked classified information, but I understand a little better how spying might have happened on the call.

The article also gave me better understanding about the idea of indicting, convicting, and throwing Obama and Biden in prison for the rest of their lives. The author reminded readers of the fiasco that the United States has endured for the past three years with investigations of Trump. If Obama were prosecuted, it would set a terrible precedent for future presidents of either party, both before and after elections.

… Such a spectacle would draw worldwide attention and obliterate everything else our country needed to be doing that would have more impact on our country’s, and even the world’s, future.

If there were a trial, it would go on for years, and that wouldn’t even include all the appeals. No matter how it concluded, whether it was an acquittal, a partial conviction, a hung jury, or a jury nullification, it would still be argued for decades. Either way, Obama would be a hero to millions throughout the world, and he could go on another anti-American world tour as a victim of an unfair justice system. The ones who actually did the crimes at his direction would be brushed aside in the frenzy and even forgotten.

But it appears that A.G. Barr and Michael Horowitz are leaving nothing undiscovered and fully intend to proceed with criminal prosecutions. If those who did the crimes under Obama’s orders and direction have to hire hugely expensive attorneys, perhaps even sell their homes, as General Flynn had to do, they will be angry, very angry at Obama’s getting a pass. They will tell all on each other and on him.

Obama will be helpless to stop it. He will not be able to deny anything in the courtroom, and more truth will come out than if he himself were on trial. He will have to watch his own destruction.

            After reading this article, I can see clearly that Obama could be left high and dry without any support or excuse. We know that the bad actors are starting to retain lawyers, and we can see that they are getting nervous about Durham’s investigation. The above outcome would be interesting to watch and quite satisfactory. Everyone in the world would have the truth, so it would do Obama no good to attempt to talk himself out of a terrible situation. Maybe those who think of Obama as a God would be convinced of his corruption. Maybe his supporters would see why so many of us did not like Obama. Oh, the satisfaction that could come to millions of Americans who had to endure his presidency and insults!

Who Is Sidney Powell?

            I chose Sidney Powell for my weekly VIP because she made a powerful difference in the Flynn case. Powell is the lead attorney for Donald Trump’s former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn who was charged with lying to the FBI. She came on his case, and fireworks started. 


            The first time that I remember hearing about Powell was when the Department of Justice announced its plans to drop the Flynn case due to improprieties of his own lawyers and the prosecutors. The next thing we heard from Powell was her accusation that former President Barack Obama, other top administration officials, and the FBI set up her client. She cited the revelation in recently released documents that said the FBI agents failed to tell Flynn that he was under investigation or to warn him that lying to them would a federal crime.


            Powell emphasized that Obama knew about the telephone call in December 2016 between Flynn and then-Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak prior to the FBI interview of Flynn on January 24, 2017. Then-Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates testified that Obama’s knowledge of the call surprised her when she learned about it.


            I recognized immediately that Sidney Powell had a powerful presence as well as being a brilliant attorney, so I wanted to know more about her personally. I found the following at her web site. She has practiced law “for decades” in the Fifth Federal Circuit, while representing “individuals, corporations, and governments in complex commercial litigation.” She was “lead counsel in more than 500 federal appeals – 350 of them as an Assistant United States Attorney and Appellate Section Chief in the Western and Northern Districts of Texas.” She has served as president of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers and the Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit. She is a member of the American Law Institute. She certainly has the credentials to be powerful!


            Powell used her knowledge and experience to become the author of LICENSED TO LIE: Exposing Corruption in the Department of Justice. She wrote the book after she watched “a core group of federal prosecutors break all the rules, make up crimes, hide evidence, and send innocent people to prison.” In her book, she “names the prosecutors who then rose to positions of great power and the judges who turned a blind eye to their abuses of unfettered power.” She also writes about “government misconduct and prosecutorial misconduct” for various outlets.


            As if being a powerful attorney and author were not enough, Powell “speaks often at local and national events, for non-profits and business associations, at CPAC, TPUSA, and other political symposiums, and at colleges and universities.” She is also a media figure who is “highly sought to comment on current legal issues and government investigations” including the Mueller investigation of Trump. She appears on numerous television and radio programs.

Why Should Obamagate Be A Concern to All Americans?

            The topic of discussion for this Constitution Monday concerns spying by the federal government against U.S. citizens. Recent declassified documents clearly show that the Obama administration was spying against presidential candidate and then President-elect Donald Trump, his campaign, and members of his cabinet in the months leading up to Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2017. Obamagate is the name given by Trump to the illegal operations, and it is not a conspiracy theory. 


            According to this article at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Barack Obama was not the first President of the United States to spy on Americans. The article references the New York Times for December 16, 2005, about George W. Bush authorizing spying against Americans.

According to the Times, Bush signed a presidential order in 2002 allowing the National Security Agency to monitor without a warrant the international (and sometimes domestic) telephone calls and e-mail messages of hundreds or thousands of citizens and legal residents inside the United States. The program eventually came to include some purely internal controls – but no requirement that warrants be obtained from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court as the 4^th Amendment to the Constitution and the foreign intelligence surveillance laws require.

In other words, no independent review or judicial oversight.

            At least the Obama administration went to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISA) for warrants. The applications were based on lies, but they at least made the pretense of being legal! The statement above references the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution, so we need to know what that amendment says. 

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

            It seems reasonable to me that technological searches and seizures are included in this right of the American people. The ACLU article continues with its explanation.

The US Supreme Court (US v. Katz 389 US 347) has made it clear that this core privacy protection does cover government eavesdropping. As a result, all electronic surveillance by the government in the United States is illegal, unless it falls under one of a small number of precise exceptions specifically carved out in the law.

United States Code Title 50, Chapter 36, Subchapter 1

Section 1809. Criminal sanctions

            (a) Prohibited activities

                        A person is guilty of an offense if he intentionally 

(1) engages in electronic surveillance under color of law except as authorized by statute.

In other words, the NSA can only spy where it is explicitly granted permission to do so by statute. Citizens concerned about surveillance do not have to answer the question, “what law restricts the NSA’s spying?” Rather, the government is required to supply an answer to the question “what law permits the NSA to spy?”

                         

            Conservative Americans, among others, are calling for investigations and indictments against members of the Obama administration. The amount of evidence continues to increase that the Obama administration was not being honest about its activities. The evidence is compelling that the Obama administration was engaged in corruption. They were trying to keep Donald Trump from being elected as President of the United States. When that failed, they continued the corruption to remove him from office. The Russian collusion investigation and the impeachment proceedings for talking to the President of Ukraine are both efforts to remove Trump from office. Now we know more about their reasons for their actions. David Harsanyi published an article in The Daily Signal about the evidence of corruption.

We know the Justice Department withheld contradictory evidence when it began spying on those in Trump’s orbit. We have proof that many of the relevant FISA warrant applications – almost every one of them, actually – were based on “fabricated” evidence or riddled with errors. We know that members of the Obama administration, who had no genuine role in counterintelligence operations, repeatedly unmasked Trump’s allies. And we now know that, despite a dearth of evidence, the FBI railroaded Michael Flynn into a guilty plea so it could keep the investigation going.

What’s more, the larger context only makes these facts more damning. By 2016, the Obama administration’s intelligence community had normalized domestic spying.

Obama’s director of national intelligence, James Clapper, famously lied about snooping on American citizens to Congress. His CIA director, John Brennan, oversaw an agency that felt comfortable spying on the Senate, with at least five of his underlings breaking into congressional computer files. His attorney general, Eric Holder, invoked the Espionage Act to spy on a Fox News journalist, shopping his case to three judges until he found one who let him name the reporter as a co-conspirator.

The Obama administration also spied on Associated Press reporters, which the news organization called a “massive and unprecedented intrusion.”

And though it’s been long forgotten, Obama officials were caught monitoring the conversations of members of Congress who opposed the Iran nuclear deal.

            Harsanyi gave all the above example and then asked an important question: “What makes anyone believe these people wouldn’t create a pretext to spy on the opposition party?” He reminds his readers that there is also evidence that Obama “was keenly interested in the Russian-collusion investigation’s progress.” He also reminds us that Obama’s interest does not mean that he is guilty of committing a specific crime. However, the story with members of his “staff is a different story.”

            In addition to relating numerous examples of corruption, Harsanyi told us why this is all important: The “same characters central to all this apparent malfeasance now want to retake power in Washington.” If Biden is elected as President of the United States, we can be sure that many of the same people would become part of his administration. Besides, he was involved in some of the same meetings that Obama was. We need to know “what Biden knew and when he knew it.” Obamagate should be a concern to all Americans. If the agents of corruption are not brought to justice, the privacy of all Americans is at risk.

Why Do I Need Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost?

            This week in my Come, Follow Me studies, I studied about baptism, what it is, and why it is important. The best documented information on baptism that I have seen is found in Mosiah 18:8-10 as taught by Alma, an ancient American prophet.

8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life –

10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you? 

            These verses teach the principle that we become the Lord’s people through the covenant of baptism by immersion. Jesus Christ set the example for baptism when He went to the Jordan River to be baptized by John the Baptist. He taught that one reason for us to be baptized is to be obedient to Heavenly Father and to enter the gate to the straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life. There are other reasons to be baptized, two of which are to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to prepare to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Alma taught that there were certain expectations for those who accept baptism. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles summarized those expectations as follow:

Alma began baptizing all who wished to make a covenant with Christ. He asked that they “serve [God] and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly” upon them. These new disciples would also demonstrate their faith by:

·         Coming into the fold of God.

·         Being called his people.

·         Bearing one another’s burdens

·         Mourning with those that mourn.

·         Comforting those who stand in need of comfort.

·         Standing as witnesses of God at all times and in all things and in all places.

·         Entering into a covenant to serve God and keep his commandments.

This declaration by Alma at the Waters of Mormon still stands as the most complete scriptural statement on record as to what the newly baptized commit to do and be (Christ and the New Covenant [1997], 106).

            Alma taught the expectations for those who are baptized, and Elder Holland emphasized that Alma was teaching people who wanted to be baptized and wished to make a covenant with Christ. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917-2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described the blessings of accepting the covenant of baptism: 

I have noted throughout my life that when people come to fully understand the blessings and the power of their baptismal covenant, whether as new converts or as lifelong members of the Church, great joy comes into their lives, and they approach their duties in the kingdom with contagious enthusiasm (“Alma the Elder: A Role Model for Today,” in Heroes from the Book of Mormon [1995], 84).

            As mentioned above, a second purpose for being baptized is to prepare to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. We need the Holy Ghost to be with us to lead and guide us through this mortal journey. He influences our conduct and strengthens our testimonies of Jesus Christ. Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught the following:

The Holy Ghost gives us the strength and courage to conduct our lives in the ways of the kingdom of God and is the source of our testimony of the Father and the Son….

By choosing to be in His kingdom, we separate – not isolate – ourselves from the world. Our dress will be modest, our thoughts pure, our language clean. The movies and television we watch, the music we listen to, the books, magazines, and newspapers we read will be uplifting. We will choose friends who encourage our eternal goals, and we will treat others with kindness. We will shun the vices of immorality, gambling, tobacco, liquor, and illicit drugs. Our Sunday activities will reflect the commandment of God to remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy. We will follow the example of Jesus Christ in the way we treat others. We will live to be worthy to enter the house of the Lord (“The Covenant of Baptism: To Be in the Kingdom and of the Kingdom,” Ensign, November 2000, 8).

We make a covenant with God when we are baptized that we will keep His commandments and do the things that He wants us to do. He promises that we will have the Holy Ghost to comfort us and bless us according to our faithfulness. Sometimes people look at the expectations of baptism and feel like they are making a great sacrifice. 

My grandson was baptized a year ago and had this same concern. I reminded him that he now has the gift of the Holy Ghost to guide his words and actions and to give him additional power to keep the covenant that he made at baptism. He liked the word “power” and much more capable of keeping his covenant.

I am grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost. I love to feel His presence with me. I seek His guidance, and I strive to be obedient to His promptings. I want to qualify to be in the kingdom of God as well as to be of the kingdom of God. I know that I can do both by following the promptings that I receive from the Holy Ghost.

Should Parenting Classes Be Taught in High School?

            Families, communities, and nations are stronger when parents take marriage skills classes before marriage and parenting classes before having children. For my marriage and family studies degree, I am required to take several marriage and parenting classes. The classes are good after more than 50 years after marriage, but they could have helped a lot more in the early years. This semester I am taking a parenting skills class, and I hope to pass along my new knowledge to other parents.


            The first lesson was about a family pyramid that shows the importance of doing first things first. The bottom layer of the pyramid is taking care of self. To do their best parenting, a parent needs enough sleep, proper nutrition, regular exercise, spiritual studies, and other ways to keep themselves healthy in body, mind, and spirit. The next level builds on the first - the relationship with the spouse. If we are in a good place, we are much more likely to meet the needs of our spouse.


            The spousal relationship affects the relationship that each spouse has with each child. A good relationship between the parents is essential for the best relationship with the children. A good relationship with a child will affect how well the child will listen to what the parent says, so teaching is affected if the relationship is strained. The top of the pyramid is correction. If a parent must keep correcting a child, it should become apparent that the child has not been properly taught. The pyramid approach shows that each step depends on the step below it. If a parent gets to the point of needing to correct a child, they should start at the bottom of the pyramid and determine that all levels are as they should be. If they are not, make those corrections and do the teaching before correcting a child. By the time the parent works through the lower levels of the pyramid, they often discover that the need for correction no longer exists.


            The second lesson was about the importance of understanding the child. Most parents recognize that a child moves into a different stage about the time that the parent feels comfortable with the current one. Wise parents study the upcoming stages and are prepared before the child moves into it. Wise parents also study the disposition and temperament of their child and adjust their parenting techniques for the child. Since each child is unique and what works with one child or in one stage often does not work with the next child or in the next stage, wise parents are constantly learning and changing in their role as a parent.


            The third lesson was about guidance and discipline. The lesson focused on the idea that disciple and discipline come from the same root word. Therefore, discipline does not mean punishment. Discipline means to guide and teach. Parents must learn to give praise and to say “no.” Even though choices and consequences are part of parenting, but parents must learn to do both appropriately. A big part of this lesson was on controlling anger and eliminating physical and verbal abuse. Anger is a human response to certain stimuli. Since anger is an emotion and emotions are neither good or bad, we must recognize that it is what we do or say when we are angry that is important. It is okay for a parent to say, “I am angry because you ran across the street when I called you. That was a bad thing to do, and this is the consequence. You will not be able to walk around the block with me for the next week.” It is essential that the parent control his anger and never lash out at the child.


            The fourth lesson was about nurturing. A big part of the lesson was about validating a child’s emotions and helping them to recognize and manage their emotion rather than getting angry. This technique is called “emotion coaching,” which helps a child to gain emotional intelligence. One interesting quote said that emotional intelligence may be more important than IQ.


            The lesson for next week is about motivating children. Many parents use bribes to motivate their child to do something that is important to the parent even though bribery does not bring lasting change in the child. Parents may use bribery because they do not know what else to do. However, a parent can learn better ways to motivate if they take a parenting skills class.


            Since the goal of most parents is to prepare their child to launch successfully into adulthood, it is helpful to learn the various skills that will help the parent in this task. Many people are blessed to grow up in families where the parents are great role models and set good examples of how to teach children properly. However, many other people grow up without seeing good parenting examples, or even knowing that what they see is not the best way to parent. I believe that a short parenting class in high school would helps thousands, if not millions, of young people become better parents. Better parenting skills would strengthen families, communities, and nations.