The past few years have seen changes at a rate that statistically makes many of our heads spin, and in my opinion, rightly so.
First, it was boys and men in the girls’ bathroom. Then in the locker and dressing rooms. And now men claiming to be girls are competing in women’s sports. Much of this nonsense used to be (and should still be) criminal, but it isn’t.
And if you can believe the news these days, this kind of perversion hasn’t satisfied those targeting children yet.
So we have school-sponsored drag shows, encouraging kids to keep secrets from parents and further confusing kids who we know are already confused and stressed.
On its surface, it appears to be crazy — actually having to defend bathrooms, showers and women’s sports from the opposite sex is crazy.
We just celebrated Memorial Day and honored those who have sacrificed their lives in defense of their community, country, liberty and freedom. Freedoms that are rapidly being taken from us in some cases by threats by those who disagree. That’s wrong no matter who does it.
Corporations caved to this ideology some time ago. But maybe they have finally overreached.
Budweiser and Target got caught up in this nonsense for different reasons, but due to the same ideology.
Target stores recently came under fire for displays of women’s swimsuits clearly designed for men and other supporting ideology clothing ranging down to infants. It’s a free country and they can do that, but those who choose not to support this are haters and “phobes” of some sort because they don’t agree.
Target, because of the backlash, chose to make the size of the display as well as the location smaller and not so prominent. There were some bomb threats called in by groups horribly upset by this caving and that was their way of showing displeasure with it.
Choosing not to shop there is a peaceful protest — bomb threats by anyone on either side is not. Neither is violence, threats, arson, looting or any other criminal act, no matter what the politicians say.
The Centralia School District’s levy recently failed and there was a letter to the editor explaining why that person chose to vote no. Later, there was also a letter from a former school board member from another district quite upset by the failure. Both are entitled to their opinion and so am I.
I’m not suggesting that Centralia’s schools take part in any of this nonsense. I don’t know. But pressure is coming to all Washington schools to submit, and funding is the hammer they use.
I am suggesting that some schools and our government are more concerned with mandating feminine products in boys bathrooms (and similar acts of foolishness) than producing kids grounded in the fundamentals of reading, writing and arithmetic.
And parents, as well as others like myself, only have one way to vent — vote.
I’m certain there are great teachers in public schools, but unless we’re idiots, we have to acknowledge the others who are not. And some of them have social agendas and share it with our children in their classes, but shouldn’t. Sometimes, they are kind enough to put them out on social media. I hope that continues.
Growing up, I got an education in public schools despite my efforts. But by the time I had school-aged kids, they were sent mostly to private school, which was a financial challenge for us and is worse for parents today. Paying for both is not an option for some.
Public schools are not the enemy, but neither are the parents, grandparents and others in the community who are genuinely concerned about the direction and focus of many in this country.
I doubt in my lifetime we’ll see real school choice and allow parents to pick how they want their kids to be educated here in Washington, and that’s too bad. Because competition for the dollars, and a better education for each student, would be a good thing.
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John McCroskey was Lewis County sheriff from 1995 to 2005. He lives outside Chehalis and can be contacted at musingsonthemiddlefork@gmail.com.
