'Knowledge' is not necessarily 'truth.' The truth 'enlightens' what would otherwise be darkness.

As Mike often reminds us, the common man is the 'noble sovereign' of himself and the foundation of a free republic. Thanks for the sparks! ;-)

Yes, but even if I am alone, with no one interested, my conscience is still in use. My heart is always beating, whether right-side up or upside-down..

Integrity and self-respect -- I like it!

Every asserted truth must stand up to repeated scrutiny.

Reminds me of compulsory education. Rather than make a logical, reasoned argument for whatever is being taught, 'educators' compel students to parrot the party line. Independent study is not encouraged, nor an honest dialogue or questions that challenge the narrative of dependence upon the powers-that-should-not-be.

Works for me! Plato's dialogues come to mind...

Breaking through monopolies and rackets is the advance of civilization. America's independence is a prime example. Trump comes to mind in the political arena today. Nikolai Tesla is a prime example in the scientific community, rejected by Edison himself. Most genius is ridiculed by authorities and experts.

Tampering with people's thoughts is generally a prelude to stealing their possessions (and power). It is the standard modus operandi of the ruling class. How I answer the questions "who am I" and "why am I here" is the object of every tyrant...

;-)

'Uniformity', like 'equality', is a denial of individuality, and is the creed of social engineers both secular and religious. The effect of coercion is the same -- hypocrisy in the name of 'order' for the 'common good' as defined by those with the power to rule.

Too true! ;-)

Beautiful!

Our children started out at a Montessori school, in which all the educational materials are hand-made, often by the older students and parents. The grading system was completely different. One thing I liked was that students that had 'mastered' a particular task would help younger students learn it. It was very empowering. Later, when we started homeschooling (after having moved FAR away from the Montessori school) we looked into various online programs, some were good, some not, it was quite new at the time. Online education is now a burgeoning field. My children are in college now and enjoy the programs and facilities available. They have had NO problem 'socializing' and are big advocates of following the rules -- even with a father that questions authority as a matter of principle. ;-)

Online education is whatever you make of it -- the Koreans are head and shoulders above the US as far as education goes, they have been for decades...

Publius, the first objection to homeschooling is the lack of 'socialization' the children would get. (!!) Heck, that's the PRIMARY reason for homeschooling! I don't want my children 'socialized.' Then of course the next objection is that the children won't obey authorities. (!!) Again, education is not supposed to be indoctrination to permanent obedience and dependence, i.e. to remain a child. The purpose of education is to learn how to be responsible for oneself, to stand on one's own feet, and to treat others as you would like to be treated -- i.e. how to live in the world.

Do we learn or are we taught? Feed a child's thirst for knowledge with honest dialogue, not government sponsored propaganda which provides no nourishment and students are naturally unfulfilled by it.

We still live in the world, and there is no shortage of other people to play with. Guess what, there is plenty to do and learn outside of school! In fact, I would say that we learn more from our day-to-day experiences than from mandatory education programs. Geniuses are not geniuses because of school, they are geniuses in spite of it! ;-)

Hence the takeover of education and media by the statists.

Mike, I do not believe the majority have fallen for the lies of the nanny state. Certainly the media is trying to promote it, but the fact is that the nanny state can't deliver. They only keep the current slaves on the plantation. Yes, they are doing all they can to disempower the middle class, but you can't keep a good man down! The silent majority is even bigger than Trump voters. It is due to all the responsible people in this nation that are keeping it going. 20 urban centers versus 2000+ counties is no match. The cities will be the first to feel the brunt of their socialist policies -- they will starve way before the rest.

The present is the fruit of the past, and as you sow, so shall you reap. I can hope for a sunny day but the farmer may hope for rain -- somebody is going to be disappointed. I for one trust in the process of life -- call it 'faith' if you will. Hope is a poor substitute for intent. The are no guarantees either way, but one takes responsibility and the other does not.

With GWB, the press fell in line so as to not appear unpatriotic. With Obama, no criticism was ever made for fear of being called racist. Criticism of Hillary was considered sexist. A politically correct press is the hallmark of totalitarianism. In typical communist fashion, the leaders live in luxury (like the Obama's) while making the populace 'sacrifice' for the common good. The press is merely to keep the masses in line.

I would say that the 'right' of freely examining and of free communication among the people is indeed a primary guardian of every other right. The right to learn the truth and communicate it is ever under attack by the powers-that-should-not-be. Illusion, delusion, and servitude are products of censorship and propaganda.

Big Business is the enemy of progressives yet these monopolies arose due to the government regulations libs demand.

Today's colleges and universities are pumping out more of the same progressive liberal claptrap, preparing students for jobs in service to the governments that prop up the monopolies in the fields of communication, medicine, energy, transportation, and government itself.

Hence the nearly complete takeover of the American media by 'progressive liberalism.' It's funny that we so easily identify Communist and Nazi propaganda in other countries but will not recognize it in our own. It just dumbfounds me how the Democrats have been completely 'transformed' from being defenders of liberty of opinion, religion, consensual sex, alternative health practices, racial equality, anti-war, etc. into promoters of perpetual dependence upon the State for the 'promises' they make. A 'liberal' is supposed to be concerned about 'coercion.' Now 'coercion' is their modus operandi. They now demand their soma as their right. How did we get here? Broadcast media.

In my youth, I was arrested for pot possession and spent 6 weeks in jail awaiting a court appearance. I was threatened with 1 year in jail. They took my car (asset forfeiture), and I was released with time served and a record. As far as I am concerned, my honor is intact. It was a political crime, and I was a political prisoner. Had I actually tried to fight the case in court, they would have thrown the book at me. My step-father the Harvard Law Suma Cum Lauda graduate only negotiated a deal -- I was so disappointed to see that my making an argument to a jury was never considered. The entire legal profession is about extracting assets from citizens to pay the salaries of the lawyers and their union(s). Where was the 'crime'? Where was the 'mens rea'? Where is the victim? The arresting officer bragged that they were now going to use my car for surveillance because they don't get much funding from the State. I was merely their catch of the day...

Whatever happened to "sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me?" Do teachers tell their crying students that any more? They did in my day.