Triad Conservative

COVID-19's Silver Linings

Item: Schedules for lots of public school systems throughout the state include at least 4-5 weeks of online learning at the beginning. In some places, like Guilford County, it is much longer. And these periods may be extended. Parents are once again forced to scramble.

Item: The North Carolina Association of Educators develops a fairly militant set of demands in connection with reopening the schools, some of which entail funding. The Durham chapter wants health care and economic support for children of undocumented immigrants as a precondition.

Item: The American Federation of Teachers calls for teacher strikes. The National Education Association demands that Congress fund local and state budget shortfalls.

One of the severe impacts of the COVID-19 lockdowns has been on children and parents. Shutting down the schools in many cases necessarily forced parents out of the workforce. Some parents are not well-equipped to direct their kids' education. Some do not enjoy the support of spouses and grandparents. There are probably some homes without adequate technology. Some kids have a better environment at school than at home for various reasons. And computer-based learning has its limits, especially for some kids.

Extracurriculars-- ordinarily very important to many kids-- are also affected.

But regardless of whether the home is poor or affluent, parents must ask if the public education system is faithfully serving their kids. The answer is obvious. The politicized, fraudulent governmental response to COVID-19 extends to the public schools; and kids and parents are being affected severely. The kids are being used as pawns to achieve other political goals. As in other contexts, public school administrators (and the governor himself) could have chosen to reopen and make accommodations for at-risk school employees and students.

Unfortunately, charter schools are subject to Governor Cooper's edicts. Charter school parents, who had previously found a way to beat the traditional public school system, now are among those impacted.

All of these circumstances have created silver linings because parents can vote with their feet.

There has apparently been a record number of inquiries into home schooling within the state. The fact is that the plethora of home school curricula and options makes this a great choice for many families. Some families are getting creative, forming "pods" or micro-schools.

Local private and Christian schools are also fielding lots of inquiries. They are apparently going to experience significant growth.

Even the permanent virtual public school options for home schooling might turn out to be better in some respects than traditional public schools. While the educational content might be lacking, as in many of the public schools, parents can more easily monitor what is going on. That makes the content of what is shared with children more accountable and transparent. Otherwise, parents have major reasons to be concerned what kids will be taught at public school.

And ultimately, to the extent that COVID-19 might persuade some mothers to remain at home and out of the workforce, that is usually best for kids. Their availability to nurture and support and parent and supervise their kids can be priceless.

Recent events have proved once again that the progressive/socialist crowd and the education establishment cannot be entrusted with our kids' and grandkids' education. Kids are obviously their last priority. One key silver lining of this entire COVID-19 charade would be if parents understood this truth, and proceed to make permanent adjustments.

Meanwhile, county commissioners and state legislators and Congress ought not reward the public school establishment by funding education at current levels. If they continue to receive the same monies, and refuse to be available to teach in-person, that would be a horrible injustice.

Hospital System Fires Doctor for Speaking Out Publicly on COVID-19

Doctors Tout Hydroxychloroquine

Mike Adams' Death Was Caused by UNC-Wilmington Administration/ Faculty, and the UNC Board of Governors Engages in Bean-Counting

It took several days, but the news was announced today. The late UNC-Wilmington Professor Mike Adams, a well-known conservative commentator, was determined to have taken his own life. The county sheriff's office said he shot himself. He had taught criminology and sociology.

During the period prior to his death, Adams had been the object of an inquisition at the university where he had taught for many years.  He had engaged in free speech on his personal time; and the Nazi's at UNC-W decided that he had violated their speech codes. They therefore endeavored to push him out. He was forced to resign with a severance payment. Faculty members at other institutions from within his own discipline also participated in the blitzkrieg.

The vicious, violent left could barely contain their glee with news of his passing.

Let's be completely straightforward. The faculty and administration at UNC-Wilmington bear partial responsibility for his death. They drove him to despair. He committed suicide shortly thereafter.

Suicide is a manifestation of overwhelming depression. Depression is often caused by some kind of loss. Adams had taken away from him his own profession and vocation and calling in an abusive, unjust manner. It was likely a key part of his identity and his feelings of self-worth.

But he had also staked a nationwide reputation as a outspoken conservative who survives the progressive/socialist mob within academia. The mob won, at least temporarily, although I suspect they will face eternal defeat.

In a matter that is not entirely unrelated, the UNC Board of Governors recently selected a new president of the entire university system. His name is Peter Hans, who used to head the state's community college system. 

Hans has been given his official charge. His performance-based pay will be based on three main factors:

• Increase in on-time graduations;
• Reduced educational expenses; and
• Reduced average student loan debt.

That's it. They engage in bean-counting.

But let's recall recent history to understand the bigger picture.

University students and faculty engage in criminal acts removing and vandalizing monuments, or otherwise cheer on others performing these acts.

University students and faculty trained in the progressive/socialist worldview on campus engage in violent protests and rioting.

Those with a conservative worldview are shot down, and are boxed out of faculty positions. 

University (i.e., taxpayer) resources and platforms are used to advocate for socialist and cultural Marxist outcomes.

And the UNC Board of Governors-- appointed by the REPUBLICAN General Assembly-- does NOTHING about it. Meanwhile, the culture at one university within the system drives one conservative faculty member to despair, and indirectly kills him.

If there was any semblance of justice, the Board of Governors would identify all those at UNC-W who participated in pushing Adams out, or who advocated for that outcome. And they would push THEM out.

Docs Fighting the Censors Regarding COVID-19

Here is more evidence that the societal response to COVID-19 is errant and fear-based and politically motivated. Start at about the 5:00 mark: 

Is Soros a Criminal? Seems Like It!

Trump is Wrong to Attempt to Police Socialist Cities

Goldie Wells' Push for Greensboro Taxpayers to Get Stung for Reparations for Slavery

It was almost inevitable.

Consider the political character of the city of Greensboro, or the lack thereof. Consider recent events. Consider Asheville's recent actions.

The Rhino Times reported late last week that council member Goldie Wells has requested that reparations be discussed. Of course, this means she is pushing for taxpayers to transfer wealth to local African-Americans.

The article does not indicate whether she would restrict benefits to true American blacks whose families had been here for centuries; or if recent dark-skinned arrivals from the Caribbean and Latin America and Africa also would receive benefits.

Reparations can be done in various ways, at least theoretically. Asheville chose to enhance the charity programs offered there.

It must be noted, however, we have been transferring wealth and income to African-Americans for at least 75 years. The current cumulative value of these direct and indirect transfers, I suspect, amounts to trillions of dollars. 

Think about the following examples:

1. Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), and later, TANF
2. Food Stamps and its current equivalent
3. Housing assistance and subsidies of various types
4. Heating and home energy assistance
5. Cell phones
6. Mass transit
7. EEOC settlements
8. The progressive income tax
9. Medicaid
10. WIC
11. Other public health programs
12. College scholarships designated for minorities, public and private
13. Affirmative Action and diversity programs
14. Public funding of HBCU's, and public education in general
15. Head of Household tax refunds

This is only a partial listing. There are likely other examples. And it should be noted that future taxpayers will be paying for current programs because of deficit spending and interest payments on our national debt, which will ultimately become unsustainable.

The city of Greensboro has its own versions of income and wealth transfers to minorities, including its notorious recent program to give away down payment money for the purchase of homes. There are others.

It does not matter that such a proposal for reparations is profoundly unjust. Many Greensboro residents of various races come from families that arrived in the United States long after slavery was abolished. And many did not benefit from slavery.

And when Goldie Wells makes a grab for monies from other racial groups, it is not occurring in a vacuum. We have already paid loads of reparations; and we are continuing to do so. The fact that these have not been labeled as such does not diminish that reality even one iota.

Chances are that Goldie will successfully grab our money, as she has in the past. This is yet another reason for many to leave Greensboro. The riots and the city's non-response already pushed a lot of people in that direction. But now she is providing a clincher.

 

North Carolina's Partial Hydroxychloroquine Ban

On March 24, 2020, the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy enacted a rule regarding use of certain prescription medications during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the drugs regulated was hydroxychloroquine.

The Board specifically prohibited pharmacists from filling prescriptions for hydroxychloroquine for prevention. At that time, fears were being communicated that the medication was being inappropriately prescribed and hoarded, and that supplies would vanish. I am not aware that the rule has been repealed since then, despite the fact that the pharmaceutical industry has had four months to ramp up production. The Secretary of Health and Human Services, Dr. Mandy Cohen, requested and obtained a similar prohibition from the Medical Board.

What are the implications?

Very elderly patients and patients with certain co-morbidities that place them at a higher risk of death or severe complications due to COVID-19 cannot be prescribed this drug as a preventive unless they are inpatients in a health care facility. Health care workers and others who work with the general public at higher risk also cannot be prescribed this medication as a preventive.

Meanwhile, the federal government has 100 million doses stockpiled.

I participated in a webinar several nights ago during which it was explained that the drug is available over-the-counter in some foreign countries; and has a pretty safe risk profile.

The United States has a poor record compared with most other countries with regard to fatality rates among those infected with COVID-19. In fact, many poor countries have better fatality rates than we do. There might be many reasons for this; but it has been postulated that the easy availability of hydroxychloroquine in these countries might be a factor.

Our state government has used the vulnerability of the elderly and those with co-morbidities to justify lockdowns and business closures and draconian rules the public must follow including facemasks. But doctors are not permitted to prescribe these patients hydroxychloroqine to help prevent the disease.

The FDA has not approved the use of hydroxychloroquine for this purpose. But licensed physicians historically have had the freedom to prescribe legal medications "off-label" even when not approved by the FDA for a specific condition.

There seems to be some reason to believe that this drug is helpful for COVID-19-- both for prevention and for treatment. Several studies have produced promising results. While this has become a point of ideological contention in the United States, many nations overseas have had little hesitation to try it; and those countries seem to be doing better than we are.

When we analyze the avalanche of bad decisions that have been made repeatedly since early March, with little exception, we have to wonder whether there is a motive or a grand design behind all these bad decisions. An effective drug for prevention could have dispelled much of the panic and hysteria and over-reaction associated with the pandemic.

I rarely quote the great socialist, FDR, but one of the most accurate things he ever said is the following: 

In politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way.

Walker, Foxx, Murphy Vote for "Cancel Culture" Measure

The US House of Representatives passed a measure this week-- HR 7573-- to eliminate certain statues from the U.S. Capitol building. These statues are of historical figures who are now regarded by the cultural Marxists as politically incorrect.

The roll call vote is found here.

Among the numerous Republicans who voted in favor were Rep. Mark Walker, Virginia Foxx and Dr. Greg Murphy. 

For those who suggest that it might be necessary for a Christian pastor to vote in this manner, please note that Jody Hice of Georgia, another Baptist minister, voted against.

"Cancel Culture" insists that those with whom one disagrees must be targeted for extinction; and historical figures must be removed and repudiated-- regardless of their significance, and regardless of the heroic content of their character or their contributions. Cancel culture, like communism itself, insists that history must be erased and revised in order to further the revolution that is being pursued.

While the Confederates might have been wrong about slavery, they were right about many things. And as our friends at the Abbeville Institute point out, the Civil War was about much more than slavery.  Lincoln himself was a scoundrel, as demonstrated in two important books by Thomas DiLorenzo.

This bill was extremely impulsive. The vote supporting it was on the wave of the George Floyd riots, and all the emotion and pressure surrounding recent events. It was a huge cultural capitulation, and mass cowardice on the part of the many Republicans who supported it.

Many years ago, the country decided to honor certain Confederate figures because of their principled heroism. It was part of the great national reconciliation in the wake of the Civil War. And more than likely, the North understood at its core that its own cause was not entirely just, even though this would never be openly admitted.

It should be noted that Virginia Foxx has a conservative, constitutional opponent this year-- Jeff Gregory who is running for Congress as the Constitution Party candidate.

And to the extent that Walker and Murphy might be preparing to run for higher office one day, readers ought to take note.