> My great grandfather’s brother became one of the architects of Port Sunlight, the first company town, and my great grandfather, “pioneer contractor”, built railroads, bridges, tunnels, waterworks throughout the region I live in now. With a high school education from the Liverpool School for Boys. Can you imagine assigning a bridge to a current high school grad?
I can barely imagine assigning basic reading tasks to a current high school grad.
I am a proud grandmother who this week will celebrate my oldest grandson's high school graduation and acceptance into the civil engineering program at one of our great state universities!
I will grant that it's certainly not all of them. But there are an *awful* lot of people "graduating" from high school who are really just being shuffled out of it, who can't read, can't understand what they read even if they can manage to puzzle their way through the words, can't do basic math, and are even so *still* going to be accepted into college to rack up tons of debt, and who will start out taking classes like "English 095" and "Mathematics 090" to get them up to the bare minimum to even *try* to get a college education. The Primary (so-called) Education System in the US is a deliberately engineered failure.
On the flip side, congratulations to your grandson, and I hope he does well. Good choice of program as well. A hard STEM field is the *only* thing I could *possibly* recommend attending a university for these days.
I've been thinking we need an intermediate, remedial school between high school and college. Its purpose would be to learn English, basic practical math, and maybe even accurate history. We don't have to call it "reform school."
Responding to your comment re: current h.s. grads not being able to do the simplest academic tasks, I agree. However, please recall that just 5-6 years' ago the COVID scare-demic sent all the kids home from school, destroying our education system, even elite colleges, with the parents in many cases still having to pay full tuition for this interrupted education. What I understand is that boys especially were damaged by this policy.
Re: hard STEM fields. What I've noticed in studying my own family's genealogy, mostly English, early settlers in the CT and RI colonies, is that many of the men pursued work in fields that we would call civil engineering today. One became the first State Surveyor in Vermont; another later was a well-regarded millwright in upstate NY, whose work took him and his family to Wisconsin and Minnesota, where several of their children were born, before returning to NY. So perhaps my grandson pursuing study in this field was pre-ordained, although skipping a couple of "liberal arts" graduates' generations;-)
> However, please recall that just 5-6 years' ago the COVID scare-demic sent all the kids home from school, destroying our education system, even elite colleges, with the parents in many cases still having to pay full tuition for this interrupted education.
Oh, I mean, that certainly didn't *help* anything, but this problem existed even thirty years ago, when *I* was first attending university. Not at the same scale, certainly, but there were already "zero hundred level classes" at that point. If a person needs to take a class to learn basic multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction, they are simply *not ready* to attend a university for *any* degree program.
It's just now the problem is endemic. And yet the "public education system" costs more and more, every year, for worse and worse results.
The education "system" is just that, a system. The system is old and tired. I see the teachers trying to teach at my grand kids school, they look tired and drained. They did change the schedule to 4 days a week. If you look at the information mandates that states are forcing the teacher to cram into a school year it is ridiculous. They need to real it back to the three basics. A liberal can't teach history or constitutional government.
Sad but true. A college classmate, late Sixties, a huge liberal, became a high school Social Studies teacher in Arizona and ended up as the head of the National Social Studies Teachers' Union or whatever it is called. Both our kids attended private school thru high school to avoid that sort of individual with an agenda.
I'm the proud grandmother who's grandson graduates from high school this coming week. He's of the bloodlines of Elizabeth's article. He rejected college. He wants to WORK! He will take classes at a tech school. This kid is so driven, that he'll be a Founder. See "Founder’s Fire: From 1776 to the Age of Trump" by Arthur Herman. See Doug Casey's "The Preparation". I don't know what his path will be, but he has the most dogged determination imaginable, and he has a plan.
Back in those days, even 8th Grade knowledge was more than a liberal arts college education today!
Especially, one of my grandfathers, with only an 8th Grade education, knew more and was outstanding in many endeavors and occupations over the years, even over persons supposedly licensed in said occupations. He could succeed in all of them.
My grandpa built his own house, did plumbing , electrical (taught my husband) and everything the house needed. He worked at the Fisher Body plant and because he didn't have a college education, he had to show the college educated engineers how to design and do what was needed for projects. And he was denied promotions. So sad.
Mine never built his own home, major remodels though, with 9 children to give a home too. He also was accomplished in any task of construction, and helped in the remodeling and additions of the majority of his offspring, including ours {my Mother}. Although my dad was an accomplished remodeler, grandad did all of the electrical wiring here where I now live as well, plus adding some to the original home. He was also a Rural Mail Carrier! Learned to water ski when he was 75, and would swim across the reservoir even.
Of course in the light of Christ Jesus, wisdom personified.
“I wisdom, dwell with prudence, I find knowledge and discretion. The fear of the Lord is the hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil I hate. I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength.” - Proverbs 8: 12-14.
I am an 80year old, white woman with Irish roots embracing engineering, gold mining, pioneering and farming. I find myself living in despair in Northern California for 60 years. Our charming gold town is being overrun by sneering Bay Area and Los Angelas intelligentsia seeking to escape the cesspools of their creation. Your well researched and well written articles lift me out of the muck and bring hope that other conservative writers lack. Please continue to listen to Jesus, writing truths that give hope to the conservative community.
Same — why I returned to TX … found some of the old school culture remains & one can still breathe & enjoy the starry night sky unsullied by city lights!✨🤠✨
The pace of events in the world is not only relentless, it’s been necessarily accelerated leaving little time to process, evaluate and contemplate. We have been fulfilling the Chinese curse of living in interesting times which can be fatiguing for those bright souls who care enough to notice. Thank you for being a beacon and an oracle to help us make sense of the world in transition. No explanations for much needed down time is required other than by the expectations we impose upon ourselves. The Lord knows exactly how much we each can handle at any given moment and it is wisdom to listen to his leading. Blessings to you including that of the restorative peace found in respite.
Thank you, Elizabeth, for the great shot of hope this morning. Do rest up, listen to Jesus, and recharge your batteries. The world needs you. And I am extremely jealous of your feathered friends, and the swimming companions. What a beautiful place to live.
Me and my sibs are engineers/builders, as was my Dad. This was the best, most encouraging article I have read in a long time. I have been waiting for Canadians to rise up, the real Canadians. I have been waiting for the Brits, Irish, and Scots to get their belly full of these evil infiltrators. It takes courage to decide to stand up and so no more, ever.
Regarding the British council elections just held, you need to check out Rupert Lowe and the Restore Britain party. That is the future of conservatism in the UK. In the only location (Great Yarmouth) where they stood, all 10 candidates were elected easily with a greatly increased turnout leaving Reform nowhere. Now they roll out across the country.
Agree. Rupert Lowe could be the UK’s Trump and their way out of this mess. My concern is that the UK has lost most of its population who are risk takers - who will take a stand against authoritarianism and the insanity of cultural suicide.
We Americans are a bit ornery and I’ve always been proud of that. We may go off track for awhile but - so far - have had enough common sense to self correct before it becomes fatal. I’m praying the UK will do this (as well as the rest of Western Europe) but I have my doubts.
We have long time English friends who vote conservative but I get so frustrated with them. It’s almost the attitude that everything is okay in our small town so we’re not worrying yet. (And in the meantime, we’re off on another holiday!) Maybe I expect too much but they have three grown, successful children and several grands and by George, at least write letters to the editor. Something!!! Arrggghhh
I have a daughter in London and 2 grandchildren there - my daughter detests Tommy Robinson, believes everything she hears about him on the BBC. Her only REAL objection to the Labour Party is high taxation.
She is insulated by her successful job and position so she doesn't see what the rest of the UK is facing. Kind of like living in Beverly Hills and saying, "What do you mean California has problems?"
John - I have a book recommendation on trying to understand the liberal mindset and it’s really terrific. It’s David Mamet’s “The Secret Knowledge - On the Dismantling of American Culture” (“The struggle of the Left to rationalize its positions is an intolerable, Sisyphean burden. I speak as a reformed Liberal.”)
Mamet said he never sat down to really talk to a conservative until he was 60. And what made him begin thinking his ideas might be wrong was that he realized that his actions didn’t match his words. It’s a great book.
I don’t understand the mindset either when otherwise intelligent people seem to live in such bubbles. It’s probably more difficult for your daughter as I suspect all of her friends/acquaintances feel the same and it’s tough to stand against the crowd.
It is for columns like this I have renewed my subscription; A small amount, well spent. Wonderful, insightful and informative; Very few write like this; Elizabeth. you are a Treasure.
A young exterminator, along with whom I believe to have been a trainee, came knocking recently, trying to persuade me to hire him. He went on and on refusing to leave, so I said, “Look, my ancestors were knighted for killing snakes (it’s on the coat of arms) so believe me I’ve got this!” That did it!
I love the optimistic view and the straight honesty! No matter what happens, Jesus IS coming, oh glorious day! Meanwhile, we do what we must. 12th generation American, my mom’s family came on the Mayflower, and a relative was treasurer of the Bay Colony. We build, they tear down. And so it goes.
JoJo, you beat me by eight years. My direct ancestor on my father’s side sailed on the ship Abigail from England with his two brothers in 1628. He is listed as one of the founders of Charlestown, MA. I believe that spirit of rugged individualism and hope for the future lives on in so many of us and is what’s made this nation so great.
> My great grandfather’s brother became one of the architects of Port Sunlight, the first company town, and my great grandfather, “pioneer contractor”, built railroads, bridges, tunnels, waterworks throughout the region I live in now. With a high school education from the Liverpool School for Boys. Can you imagine assigning a bridge to a current high school grad?
I can barely imagine assigning basic reading tasks to a current high school grad.
I am a proud grandmother who this week will celebrate my oldest grandson's high school graduation and acceptance into the civil engineering program at one of our great state universities!
I will grant that it's certainly not all of them. But there are an *awful* lot of people "graduating" from high school who are really just being shuffled out of it, who can't read, can't understand what they read even if they can manage to puzzle their way through the words, can't do basic math, and are even so *still* going to be accepted into college to rack up tons of debt, and who will start out taking classes like "English 095" and "Mathematics 090" to get them up to the bare minimum to even *try* to get a college education. The Primary (so-called) Education System in the US is a deliberately engineered failure.
On the flip side, congratulations to your grandson, and I hope he does well. Good choice of program as well. A hard STEM field is the *only* thing I could *possibly* recommend attending a university for these days.
I've been thinking we need an intermediate, remedial school between high school and college. Its purpose would be to learn English, basic practical math, and maybe even accurate history. We don't have to call it "reform school."
Responding to your comment re: current h.s. grads not being able to do the simplest academic tasks, I agree. However, please recall that just 5-6 years' ago the COVID scare-demic sent all the kids home from school, destroying our education system, even elite colleges, with the parents in many cases still having to pay full tuition for this interrupted education. What I understand is that boys especially were damaged by this policy.
Re: hard STEM fields. What I've noticed in studying my own family's genealogy, mostly English, early settlers in the CT and RI colonies, is that many of the men pursued work in fields that we would call civil engineering today. One became the first State Surveyor in Vermont; another later was a well-regarded millwright in upstate NY, whose work took him and his family to Wisconsin and Minnesota, where several of their children were born, before returning to NY. So perhaps my grandson pursuing study in this field was pre-ordained, although skipping a couple of "liberal arts" graduates' generations;-)
> However, please recall that just 5-6 years' ago the COVID scare-demic sent all the kids home from school, destroying our education system, even elite colleges, with the parents in many cases still having to pay full tuition for this interrupted education.
Oh, I mean, that certainly didn't *help* anything, but this problem existed even thirty years ago, when *I* was first attending university. Not at the same scale, certainly, but there were already "zero hundred level classes" at that point. If a person needs to take a class to learn basic multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction, they are simply *not ready* to attend a university for *any* degree program.
It's just now the problem is endemic. And yet the "public education system" costs more and more, every year, for worse and worse results.
The education "system" is just that, a system. The system is old and tired. I see the teachers trying to teach at my grand kids school, they look tired and drained. They did change the schedule to 4 days a week. If you look at the information mandates that states are forcing the teacher to cram into a school year it is ridiculous. They need to real it back to the three basics. A liberal can't teach history or constitutional government.
Sad but true. A college classmate, late Sixties, a huge liberal, became a high school Social Studies teacher in Arizona and ended up as the head of the National Social Studies Teachers' Union or whatever it is called. Both our kids attended private school thru high school to avoid that sort of individual with an agenda.
👏🏻👏🏻🥹👏🏻👏🏻
I'm the proud grandmother who's grandson graduates from high school this coming week. He's of the bloodlines of Elizabeth's article. He rejected college. He wants to WORK! He will take classes at a tech school. This kid is so driven, that he'll be a Founder. See "Founder’s Fire: From 1776 to the Age of Trump" by Arthur Herman. See Doug Casey's "The Preparation". I don't know what his path will be, but he has the most dogged determination imaginable, and he has a plan.
Spot on Elizabeth I enjoy your directness. in the words of a dated, once famous Canadian/Canadien, “Another wonderful accordion solo.”
Keep on keeping on.
I would imagine high school was a bit different in those days.
Back in those days, even 8th Grade knowledge was more than a liberal arts college education today!
Especially, one of my grandfathers, with only an 8th Grade education, knew more and was outstanding in many endeavors and occupations over the years, even over persons supposedly licensed in said occupations. He could succeed in all of them.
My grandpa built his own house, did plumbing , electrical (taught my husband) and everything the house needed. He worked at the Fisher Body plant and because he didn't have a college education, he had to show the college educated engineers how to design and do what was needed for projects. And he was denied promotions. So sad.
Mine never built his own home, major remodels though, with 9 children to give a home too. He also was accomplished in any task of construction, and helped in the remodeling and additions of the majority of his offspring, including ours {my Mother}. Although my dad was an accomplished remodeler, grandad did all of the electrical wiring here where I now live as well, plus adding some to the original home. He was also a Rural Mail Carrier! Learned to water ski when he was 75, and would swim across the reservoir even.
Your grandpa and mine would have been great friends !!
I would strongly expect so. :D
Of course in the light of Christ Jesus, wisdom personified.
“I wisdom, dwell with prudence, I find knowledge and discretion. The fear of the Lord is the hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil I hate. I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength.” - Proverbs 8: 12-14.
Write as He guides you.
❤️❤️
I am an 80year old, white woman with Irish roots embracing engineering, gold mining, pioneering and farming. I find myself living in despair in Northern California for 60 years. Our charming gold town is being overrun by sneering Bay Area and Los Angelas intelligentsia seeking to escape the cesspools of their creation. Your well researched and well written articles lift me out of the muck and bring hope that other conservative writers lack. Please continue to listen to Jesus, writing truths that give hope to the conservative community.
Same — why I returned to TX … found some of the old school culture remains & one can still breathe & enjoy the starry night sky unsullied by city lights!✨🤠✨
The pace of events in the world is not only relentless, it’s been necessarily accelerated leaving little time to process, evaluate and contemplate. We have been fulfilling the Chinese curse of living in interesting times which can be fatiguing for those bright souls who care enough to notice. Thank you for being a beacon and an oracle to help us make sense of the world in transition. No explanations for much needed down time is required other than by the expectations we impose upon ourselves. The Lord knows exactly how much we each can handle at any given moment and it is wisdom to listen to his leading. Blessings to you including that of the restorative peace found in respite.
Polemarchus, beautiful. Thank you.
Thank you, Elizabeth, for the great shot of hope this morning. Do rest up, listen to Jesus, and recharge your batteries. The world needs you. And I am extremely jealous of your feathered friends, and the swimming companions. What a beautiful place to live.
Excellent article.
Take care of yourself.
Great to see your optimism! You made a good case for it.
Love your writing, optimism, and boldness. I subscribe. Everyone should and also
share your work. Your work and Coffee and Covid make a great morning. Blessings to you and your otter companion💚
I also read Jeff Childers ( C and C) and Sean Dietrich every day!
Yes, Jeff Childers is also great! I read him daily as well.
Yes!!
“Frontier faith!” Well said Elizabeth. Wishing you good rest and recovery.
Me and my sibs are engineers/builders, as was my Dad. This was the best, most encouraging article I have read in a long time. I have been waiting for Canadians to rise up, the real Canadians. I have been waiting for the Brits, Irish, and Scots to get their belly full of these evil infiltrators. It takes courage to decide to stand up and so no more, ever.
Take care of you! One Scot to another.
Your writing hits me at a primal level. Hard to explain. Powerful.
Regarding the British council elections just held, you need to check out Rupert Lowe and the Restore Britain party. That is the future of conservatism in the UK. In the only location (Great Yarmouth) where they stood, all 10 candidates were elected easily with a greatly increased turnout leaving Reform nowhere. Now they roll out across the country.
Agree. Rupert Lowe could be the UK’s Trump and their way out of this mess. My concern is that the UK has lost most of its population who are risk takers - who will take a stand against authoritarianism and the insanity of cultural suicide.
We Americans are a bit ornery and I’ve always been proud of that. We may go off track for awhile but - so far - have had enough common sense to self correct before it becomes fatal. I’m praying the UK will do this (as well as the rest of Western Europe) but I have my doubts.
Watch Tommy Robinson's Unite The Kingdom Rally on the 16th of May in London. Should be huge!!!!
I will do that. Thanks for the reminder!
We have long time English friends who vote conservative but I get so frustrated with them. It’s almost the attitude that everything is okay in our small town so we’re not worrying yet. (And in the meantime, we’re off on another holiday!) Maybe I expect too much but they have three grown, successful children and several grands and by George, at least write letters to the editor. Something!!! Arrggghhh
I have a daughter in London and 2 grandchildren there - my daughter detests Tommy Robinson, believes everything she hears about him on the BBC. Her only REAL objection to the Labour Party is high taxation.
She is insulated by her successful job and position so she doesn't see what the rest of the UK is facing. Kind of like living in Beverly Hills and saying, "What do you mean California has problems?"
John - I have a book recommendation on trying to understand the liberal mindset and it’s really terrific. It’s David Mamet’s “The Secret Knowledge - On the Dismantling of American Culture” (“The struggle of the Left to rationalize its positions is an intolerable, Sisyphean burden. I speak as a reformed Liberal.”)
Mamet said he never sat down to really talk to a conservative until he was 60. And what made him begin thinking his ideas might be wrong was that he realized that his actions didn’t match his words. It’s a great book.
Thanks - I have that book on my Amazon Wish list.
I knew Mamet's first wife - she was a classmate of my sister in NYC.
I don’t understand the mindset either when otherwise intelligent people seem to live in such bubbles. It’s probably more difficult for your daughter as I suspect all of her friends/acquaintances feel the same and it’s tough to stand against the crowd.
Yes, I don't believe she hears many dissenting voices.
Personally, I love the second paragraph as I believe the same! 👍
Bgagnon, yeah, me too! Heh
Yes, very exciting. And he won ten out of ten seats
It is for columns like this I have renewed my subscription; A small amount, well spent. Wonderful, insightful and informative; Very few write like this; Elizabeth. you are a Treasure.
A young exterminator, along with whom I believe to have been a trainee, came knocking recently, trying to persuade me to hire him. He went on and on refusing to leave, so I said, “Look, my ancestors were knighted for killing snakes (it’s on the coat of arms) so believe me I’ve got this!” That did it!
I wonder if a snake is representative of "reptilian slayer" ! Very impressive!
He couldn’t argue with a snake-killing woman. He was a lightweight; he just wanted to kill bugs. 🤣
LOL.
I love the optimistic view and the straight honesty! No matter what happens, Jesus IS coming, oh glorious day! Meanwhile, we do what we must. 12th generation American, my mom’s family came on the Mayflower, and a relative was treasurer of the Bay Colony. We build, they tear down. And so it goes.
JoJo, you beat me by eight years. My direct ancestor on my father’s side sailed on the ship Abigail from England with his two brothers in 1628. He is listed as one of the founders of Charlestown, MA. I believe that spirit of rugged individualism and hope for the future lives on in so many of us and is what’s made this nation so great.