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National Association of Scholars Announces Launch of The Civics Alliance

By
John Crowder
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Patriots for Liberty and Constitution

(National Association of Scholars Press Release, March 22, 2021)

New York, NY, March 22, 2021 —  Today, the National Association of Scholars (NAS) is announcing the launch of The Civics Alliance, which will work to unite Americans in the effort to preserve civics education that teaches the United States’ founding principles and documents, key events of American history, the structure of our self-governing federal republic, and the spirit of liberty and tolerance.

“This new alliance is a necessary step to ensure that the teaching of our Nation’s civics and history accords with the principles of its founding and the reality of that history,” explained NAS president Peter W. Wood.  “Progressive action civics, while encouraging our students to become activists, fails to promote a full understanding of civics.  It fails to teach the responsibilities of citizenship, how our federal republic operates, and the Founders’ reasoning behind America’s balance of powers, Bill of Rights, or encouragement of public education.”

The Civics Alliance brings together education reformers, policymakers, and concerned citizens dedicated to preserving traditional civics education against the threat of New Civics.  Some of the original signatories to the Alliance include Robert Woodson, founder and president of the Woodson Center and 1776 Unites; Ryan Williams, president of The Claremont Institute; Wilfred McClay, professor of the history of liberty at the University of Oklahoma; Roger Kimball, editor and publisher of The New Criterion; and Glenn Loury, professor of social sciences at Brown University.

In addition to The Civics Alliance Open Letter and Curriculum Statement, which all are welcome to sign, NAS includes a toolkit for signatories to use to guide and influence civics instruction in their institutions, local schools, and states.

David Randall, NAS director of research added:  “Civics class shouldn’t be an opportunity to indoctrinate students.  It should be an opportunity to teach students about our means of self-government and the spirit of tolerance and liberty.”

The Civics Alliance Open Letter makes a number of recommendations to encourage non-partisan civics instruction at both K-12 schools and colleges.

With this Alliance, NAS hopes to return civics education to a traditional curriculum, so that America’s students will learn about the nature of their republic and be prepared to fulfill their civic duty by ensuring that it continues to preserve the liberties and rights enumerated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

NAS is a network of scholars and citizens united by a commitment to academic freedom, disinterested scholarship, and excellence in American higher education.  Membership in NAS is open to all who share a commitment to these broad principles.  NAS publishes a journal and has state and regional affiliates. Visit NAS at www.nas.org.

 

“Building Idaho’s Future:” Governor Little Signs Bill Investing in Clean, Plentiful, Water

By
John Crowder
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(Idaho Governor’s Office Press Release, March 22, 2021)

Governor Brad Little (Official Photo)

Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little signed Senate Bill 1121 into law last week, the fourth of his “Building Idaho’s Future” bills that make strategic investments in critical state priorities.  Senate Bill 1121 directs $50 million to projects that promote clean, plentiful supplies of water for generations to come.

“Water is truly the source of life.  How we manage – or mismanage – our water resources determines our success or failure as a state.  Our strategic investment in long-term water projects and safe water systems for our communities will benefit Idahoans for generations to come.  I appreciate my partners in the Legislature – especially the floor sponsors, Senator Dave Lent and Representative Matt Bundy – for recognizing the need to build Idaho’s future through investments in clean, abundant water,” Governor Little said.

“Building Idaho’s Future” is Governor Little’s plan to use Idaho’s record budget surplus to provide Idahoans historic tax relief and make strategic investments in transportation, education, broadband, water, capital construction, and other critical areas to propel our state forward.

Senate Bill 1121 directs funding toward the following critical water projects:

  • Enlargement of the Anderson Ranch Reservoir north of Mountain Home – The project provides needed water for the rapidly growing Treasure Valley and surrounding areas.
  • Mountain Home Air Force Base – The project ensures a sustainable water supply for the Mountain Home Airforce Base.  Idaho is one of the few states with a U.S. Air Force base that has the ability to significantly expand, and a stable water supply is critical to the base – an operation that contributes $1 billion annually to Idaho’s economy and ensures our security as a nation.  The project secures a stable water supply for current and expanded missions at the base.  This investment demonstrates Idaho’s proud support of a strong U.S. military and the women and men in our armed forces.
  • Large Upper Valley Recharge Project in eastern Idaho – The project will increase the sustainability of the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer.  The aquifer was declining at an unsustainable rate until recent investments by water users and the state.  Increased recharge efforts will provide further opportunities to improve aquifer levels for the benefit of farmers, ranchers, and communities across southern Idaho.

 

Local Moms Discuss Journey Into Activism at First Liberty Dinner

By
John Crowder
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March 22, 2021

On Saturday, March 20, local moms Chantelle Holman, Michele Holyoak, and Ashley Smith spoke about their journey into activism at the first of the Liberty Dinner Series events to be held in Pocatello.  The Liberty Dinners, sponsored by the Pocatello-Chubbuck Observer, are catered dinners that feature speakers discussing some aspect of the fight, locally, statewide, and nationally, to recover/preserve Constitutionally protected freedoms, currently under unprecedented attack.

The evening began with a prayer given by Elijah Whitecar, President of the Turning Point USA chapter at Idaho State University.  Whitecar then led the Pledge of Allegiance.

While guests enjoyed a dinner catered by Littlbird’s Grill at the Bannock County Veterans Memorial Building, John Crowder, Publisher of the Pocatello-Chubbuck Observer, briefly explained the impetus for the dinner series.  He described how, living in California from 1981 until two years ago when he moved to Idaho, he had seen the infiltration of socialist ideas throughout the state’s institutions, from the schools to the media, corporations, and the government.  This, he stated, led to an inconceivable decline in the standard of living, with high taxes, excessive regulation, massive homelessness, and rising crime rates.  Crowder said that these same ideas that had made areas of California unlivable were taking root in Idaho, and that it was important for residents to become educated and involved if they were to prevent a similar fate.

Crowder then introduced the evening’s speakers, who are the founders of RECONNECT Southeast Idaho.  Smith began by saying, “We are just three moms who saw what was happening in the world and felt strongly that something needed to be done.  It is our hope and our prayer that the spirit will be felt here tonight and that you will take away from our story the things that you need and we hope that our story can give you some courage to take action when you see things happening that do not feel right.”

Smith went on to say that, though she felt she was, “too busy” and “unqualified” at times, as she witnessed, “two weeks to flatten the curve” lead to the loss of many rights and freedoms, she had to do something.

Smith described how the three of them came together.  “Although we woke up to all that was happening at different times because of our different circumstances, we were able to connect and go on this journey together where we have learned a lot of lessons.  As we were waking up to the realization of all that was happening we realized there was a need to organize efforts so that we could take action in a meaningful way.”

Holyoak continued their story, describing how she and Smith had decided to attend a City Council meeting and speak out against the mask mandate.  It was there that they met Holman.  As Michele and Ashley were starting a Facebook group to raise awareness, Chantelle learned of the film, NONESSENTIAL: A Documentary, which tells the story of Eric Moutsos, the founder of Utah Business Revival, and his fight to save small businesses that were being destroyed by government edicts surrounding the coronavirus.

Inspired by the film, the three decided to find a venue and invite residents to see the 1-hour move and hear from Moutsos and others on how they could take action.  Over two nights, over 300 attendees saw the documentary and heard from local elected officials Commissioner Jeff Hough, Chubbuck Mayor Kevin England, and Idaho Representative Kevin Andrus.

Holman concluded the presentation by describing their progress and plans for the future.   The group has created a Mission Statement, which reads, “Our mission is to Reconnect Southeast Idaho by gathering the liberty minded, educating, and influencing our community in and with the values of freedom, set up by our Founding Fathers.”

RECONNECT Southeast Idaho is forming a nonprofit corporation and has selected a Board of Directors.  Their goals include organizing events that promote freedom, offering educational opportunities, and influencing local government.

Upcoming events being organized by them are the Un-Masquerade Ball (April 24), a “Back to Traditions” gathering, scheduled for June, a children’s Constitution Day Camp, scheduled for August, and beginning in the fall, a class on Foundations of Liberty.

The next Liberty Dinner is set for Saturday, April 17, at the Bannock County Veterans Memorial Building, 300 N. Johnson Avenue in Pocatello. The dinner, which is $25 per person (sponsorships available), features Idaho Representative Ron Nate discussing tax relief, including the elimination of the grocery tax and reduction of property taxes.  To reserve a seat, contact John Crowder at (925) 628-4033 or by email at jcrowder27@hotmail.com.

Like and Follow the Pocatello-Chubbuck Observer on Facebook to see updates on these and other local events and to read about what is going on in government at the local, state, and national levels.

To learn more about RECONNECT Southeast Idaho look for their page on Band and/or Facebook.  To receive their monthly email newsletter, send an email with the word, “newsletter,” in the subject line to reconnectsoutheastidaho@gmail.com.

 

 

Idaho Lt. Governor Janice McGeachin Begins Capitol Clarity Radio, Thursdays, 5:00 P.M.

By
John Crowder
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March 21, 2021 (Photo Credit:  Lt. Governor McGeachin FB Page)

Idaho Lt. Governor Janice McGeachin

Idaho’s Lt. Governor, Janice McGeachin, who at the beginning of the legislative session this year started Capitol Clarity (livestreamed from Boise) with Representative Dorothy Moon, will now be hosting a radio show of the same name.  Thursdays at 5:00 p.m., you can hear from Lt. Governor McGeachin, along with her guests, as she hosts Capitol Clarity Radio on 670 KBOI.

In the first episode, which aired on Thursday, March 18, Lt. Governor McGeachin explained the purpose of Capitol Clarity before being joined by Idaho State Senator Christy Zito to discuss 2nd Amendment rights and what is happening in the Idaho Statehouse to protect them.

You can listen to the first session of Capitol Clarity Radio, here:  Capitol Clarity Radio Link

 

Pocatello City Calendar, March 22 – 26, 2021

By
John Crowder
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(City of Pocatello Press Release, March 21, 2021)

Monday, March 22

No Meetings Scheduled

Tuesday, March 23

Site Plan Review
1:30 p.m., Iwamizawa Conference Room

Wednesday, March 24

Animal Shelter Advisory Board Meeting
12:00 p.m., Council Chambers

Planning & Zoning Commission Clarification Meeting
6:00 p.m., Council Chambers

Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting
6:30 p.m., Council Chambers

Thursday, March 25

No Meetings Scheduled

Friday, March 26

No Meetings Schedule

Support Students Learning Americanism, Hear from Local Moms Working to Protect Constitutional Rights, Tonight, Saturday, March 20, at Liberty Dinner

By
John Crowder
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0

March 20, 2021

Tonight, Saturday, March 20, the first of the Pocatello-Chubbuck Observer sponsored Liberty Dinners will be held, starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Bannock County Veterans Memorial Building.

The Liberty Dinner series is an opportunity for those concerned about the erosion of Constitutionally protected freedoms and government excess to hear from those working to preserve Idahoans’ rights while supporting the promotion of Americanism and patriotism with our youth.

Part of the proceeds from tonight’s event go toward the AMVETS Americanism Contest, which features opportunities for young people in grades K-12 to learn about America and to create essays and posters for the competition.  Last year, hundreds of dollars in prizes were awarded to local students in the AMVETS Idaho Post 1 local area contest.  See article, here:

Pocatello: AMVETS Idaho Post 1 Honors Winners of Americanism Contests

Tickets for tonight’s dinner are still available.  Reservations are encouraged, as seating is limited.  To reserve a spot, contact John Crowder at (925) 628-4033, or via email at jcrowder27@hotmail.com.

Like and Follow the Pocatello-Chubbuck Observer on Facebook and/or MeWe to learn about future events.

 

Boise State University Statement on Suspension of UF 200 Classes

By
John Crowder
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0

March 20, 2021

Earlier this week, Boise State University issued the following statement regarding the recent suspension of UF 200 classes:

We have been made aware of a series of concerns, culminating in allegations that a student or students have been humiliated and degraded in class on our campus for their beliefs and values.  This is never acceptable; it is not what Boise State stands for; and we will not tolerate this behavior. 

Given the weight of cumulative concerns, we have determined that, effective immediately, we must suspend UF 200.  In conjunction with academic leadership, we will determine next steps to ensure that everyone is still able to complete the course over the coming week and will communicate with all students in these classes.  While an in-depth review of this course was already underway, we must be responsive to these specific allegations and ensure that this and all our courses live up to this standard of mutual respect.  

Further, we will develop and deliver a series of professional development sessions for faculty on fostering learning environments characterized by mutual respect.  

Finally, we have created a purpose-specific mid-term evaluation for students in UF 200 that will invite all enrolled students to share their experience as members of the course community.  As always, students have multiple options for reporting instructor bias, including anonymous reporting.

Boise State University is committed to ensuring that each and every one of our students is treated with respect, and that all have the right to hold and to voice their own personal and political beliefs.  Our campus is richer, and learning is made more effective because people of all backgrounds and beliefs are invited to meet, exchange ideas, and learn together.  

Boise State students have multiple options for reporting, including:

1) File an Academic Grievance, triggering a review under Boise State Policy 3140.

2) Report bias based on a protected class to Institutional Compliance, triggering an investigation under Boise State’s Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy

3) Submit a CARE report, initiating a review of the complaint by the Dean of Students

4) Students who wish to report concerns anonymously may do so through Boise State’s Compliance Reporting Hotline. 

Reporting options and resources are also found on the university’s Report a Concern website.

 

National Association of Scholars Report Details Systemic Failure of College Finance, Proposes Reforms

By
John Crowder
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0

(National Association of Scholars Press Release, March 4, 2021)

New York, NY, March 4, 2021 – Colleges and universities have facilitated a massive transfer of wealth from American families to higher education bureaucracies through rising tuition and student debt, finds a new report by the National Association of Scholars.

Priced Out: What College Costs America details the spending habits of 50 universities and shares the worries, thoughts, and hopes of students, parents, and college administrators to investigate the psychology behind students’ decisions to take on overwhelming debt and the choices administrators make in spending that tuition.  The report also offers recommendations to reform America’s student loan system by encouraging colleges and universities to have skin in the game, to focus on instruction, and to discourage credentialism as a stand-in for experience.

“Many colleges and universities spend beyond their means to attract more students and increase their institution’s ranking.  This is wrong,” explained report author and NAS researcher, Neetu Arnold.  “In an effort to fill budget gaps, colleges need to attract more students.  They do this by spending more on facilities and administrators, but rarely on instruction.  This necessitates tuition increases, which forces students who attend college to take on more debt.  The feedback loop is further helped with government subsidies.”

Mrs. Arnold’s analysis of 50 colleges and universities found that:

  • Tuition increases at public universities far exceeded their losses in state funding; in other words, state disinvestment cannot be the sole cause of rising tuition.  Administrators mostly used tuition increases to pay for increased university expenditures.
  • The total number of administrators and staff grew by roughly 50% between 1987 and 2018, driven by a 94% increase in the “Executives” and “Other Professionals” categories.
  • Universities devoted increasing amounts of their resources to government relations, marketing, and public relations, at the expense of undergraduate instruction.

Peter Wood, NAS president, noted: “Over the last four decades, tuition in American universities has grown exponentially in terms of what families make in yearly income.  Worse, these increases in tuition have not equated to more or better instructors.  These facts alone signal a system failure.  Colleges and universities should act to reform themselves.  If they are unwilling, Congress and state legislatures should step in to provide common-sense reforms.”

Priced Out concludes with 14 recommendations to refocus higher education on undergraduate instruction, to reduce administrative bloat, and to provide families with incentives to make more fiscally responsible choices as they decide which college students should attend and how much debt they should incur.  These recommendations include:

  • Universities should consolidate offices and departments to reduce duplicate roles.
  • Universities, particularly public institutions, should create 2-3 year vocational tracks, with classes staffed by industry veterans.
  • Universities should have “skin in the game” when students borrow loans and assume responsibility for a portion of loans when students default.
  • Federal and state governments should cut funding to four-year universities that provide remedial education and related services.
  • State governments should make public university employee salary information publicly available and easily accessible.

In the wake of the financially devastating coronavirus pandemic, universities can no longer ignore their profligate spending habits.  Higher education’s finances must be reformed.

NAS is a network of scholars and citizens united by a commitment to academic freedom, disinterested scholarship, and excellence in American higher education.  Membership in NAS is open to all who share a commitment to these broad principles.  NAS publishes a journal and has state and regional affiliates. Visit NAS at www.nas.org.

 

U.S. Senator James Risch (R-ID) Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill to Boost R&D Grants

By
John Crowder
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0

(U.S. Senate Press Release, March 17, 2021)

(U.S. Senator James Risch, Official Photo)

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to improve underserved states’ ability to successfully compete for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards.

The FAST Fix Act will reform the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program to encourage federal research and development grants to be awarded to small businesses and universities in states that have historically lacked SBIR and STTR awards.  If enacted, this bill would encourage more awards to commercialize ideas, compete in the global marketplace, and create local jobs.  The FAST Fix Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-Nev.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), John Kennedy (R-La.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).

“The FAST Partnership Program is not sufficiently focused to reach the underserved states it’s intended to benefit,” said Senator Risch.  “The FAST Fix Act will make commonsense changes to the program application process to ensure research and development grants reach states like Idaho to galvanize our continued growth and success.”

“The FAST Partnership Program helps next generation research and development small businesses prevail,” said Senator Crapo.  “The FAST Fix Act will bolster competition for FAST grants in rural states like Idaho and encourage more participation in the grant programs to help certain small businesses reach their full potential.”

“Nevada small businesses are the engine of our economy and particularly during this period of economic uncertainty, we must do more to help small businesses access SBIR and STTR award opportunities,” said Senator Rosen.  “I’m proud to support this important piece of bipartisan legislation that will open the door for more funding opportunities to Nevada’s hard-to-reach communities to support innovation and job growth.  I will continue working in Congress to strengthen economic development in underserved areas of the Silver State.”

“Rural states like North Dakota will benefit from the FAST Fix Act as it aims to give states that have been less likely to receive SBIR and STTR awards a fair shot moving forward,” said Senator Hoeven.  “This will help encourage research and development, make us more competitive in the global marketplace and create local jobs in less-populated states like ours.  It’s important that we continue to expand economic opportunities and help entrepreneurs and small businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“As part of my Innovation State Initiative, I’ve been working to help Nevada’s economy diversify and further develop its cutting-edge industries for the 21st century,” said Senator Cortez Masto.  “The FAST Fix Act will help small businesses, startups, and research institutions all over the Silver State get key federal grants to pioneer creative new technologies and approaches.”

“It’s important underserved areas like those in West Virginia are not left behind when it comes to federal grant funding for small businesses and universities,” Senator Capito said.  “Investing in our local communities will bring more jobs, and these grants can serve as a catalyst for economic growth.  The FAST Fix Act would do away with the one-size-fits-all bureaucratic process, and help SBA better fulfill its mission of serving community employers and workers.”

“States like Louisiana use FAST grants to help small businesses succeed, but the program’s assistance is not reaching communities that rely on these resources to spark innovation.  The FAST Fix Act would prioritize applicants in historically underserved areas in Louisiana and elsewhere.  I’m proud to partner with Sen. Risch to see this through,” said Senator Kennedy.

“The FAST Partnership Program is intended to aid disadvantaged, research and development focused small businesses.  But over the life of the program, Alaska has consistently ranked at the bottom of the list of states getting awards – demonstrating the program is not working for Alaska and other states.  The FAST Fix Act implements small but significant changes to the program to improve funding allocation and give higher priority to applicants in historically underperforming, states such as Alaska,” said Senator Murkowski.  “Reforming this partnership is an important step toward maximizing the innovation of Alaskans.”

Background: The FAST Partnership Program provides one-year funding to organizations to develop SBIR/STTR outreach and training programs to help facilitate more awards in their state.  Special consideration is intended for entities in states that have historically lacked awards.  However, under the one-size-fits-all application process, all applicants are equally considered for the FAST program regardless of SBIR/STTR award history.  As a result, the program is not penetrating the very states it’s intended to serve.

The FAST Fix Act would increase competition for FAST grants in each state and give priority to applicants located in historically underperforming states to encourage more SBIR/STTR awards are distributed to underserved areas.

 

AMVETS Honor Guard Receives Electronic Bugle Through Donation from Symbii Home Health and Hospice of Idaho

By
John Crowder
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0

March 20, 2021

L – R Miguel Dominic (AMVETS Honor Guard Cmdr), Lance Kolbert (AMVETS Cmdr), Terrel Tovey (Bannock County Commissioner), Rob Mackesey (Symbii Director of Marketing) Photo Credit: AMVETS FB Page

Thanks to a generous donation of $650 from Symbii Home Health and Hospice of Idaho, AMVETS Idaho Post 1 Honor Guard now has an electronic bugle to use in the performance of their ceremonial duties.

The local AMVETS chapter expressed their appreciation for the donation on their website.  They posted, “On behalf of AMVETS Post 1 and AMVETS Honor Guard I would like to thank the good folks at Symbii for their donation of $650 for the Honor Guard Electronic Bugle.

Your donation will help our Honor Guard bring a high level of professionalism and honor to our veterans and their families.

Thank you, Symbii.”

 

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The Pocatello Chubbuck Observer seeks to be a fair and objective portal, where readers can find the local, regional and national news, recent facts and entertainment.
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