Dakota Beacon

For the past decade, the American culture—and higher education in particular—have been pushing greater and greater specialization and a focus on job-skill training. While these skills are important for society, the question arises: have the liberal arts been pushed aside? Not at Grove City College. In this article, Grove City College Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Peter Frank ’95 details how the College is expanding a commitment to the liberal arts as the foundation of the student experience. He writes, “rather than abandoning our rich heritage centered on the classical liberal arts, we are not only safeguarding that heritage, but strengthening it.”

Recently there has been a lot of attention paid to gas stove emissions and to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Commissioner Richard Trumka, Jr. (yes, THAT Trumka, son of the late AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka) suggested gas stoves could be banned in the future because of their “health risk.” However, scant evidence supports that claim. “This is a hidden hazard,” Trumka said. “Any option is on the table. Products that can’t be made safe can be banned.”

Whoa! Trumka just let the cat out of the bag!

Some believe that Putin hasn't finished the Ukraine war because he isn't able to.  But could it be that he finds it to Russia's advantage to continue to drain our financial resources and distract our attention from our own business?  Every day that passes we lose money and advantage while this continues.  Our corrupt military-industrical-political complex is pocketing illicit funds.  The ones who are really suffering due to our involvement are the ordinary people of Ukraine and the American taxpayers.

That the 20 conservatives held firm throughout most of the negotiations speaks volumes about their courage, tenacity, and commitment to conservative principles. It also says a lot about congressional swamp dwellers who DID NOT stand up for change – especially those who criticized the hold-outs.

Kevin McCarthy finally won the gavel in the wee hours of Saturday morning and planned to immediately swear in the 434 lawmakers present in the chamber. Now comes the fight on the entire rules package proposal.

Moving out of full-time work is repurpose-ment, not retire-ment. It is a time to repurpose how and why we invest our time, energy, wisdom, experience, and resources.

The goal should be to finish life well. Being a good steward of this phase of life will not occur unless we are prepared with a proactive, well-grounded, and thoughtful vision. Be intentional and expectant about having your life experiences and wisdom being used providentially in the lives of others.

Do not let age define your life. Author Richard J. Leider states that “the trouble is, when a number—your age—becomes your identity, you’ve given away your power to choose your future.”

The Lord’s call does not fade over time but summons us to the high calling of life-long, meaningful service to Him.

Age with purpose.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, discussions about lockdowns focused almost exclusively on health effects of COVID-19 without a cost/benefit ratio of lockdown policies. One of the things most needed – but almost entirely absent – during those discussions was an articulation of the exact threshold for which potential negative health impacts would trigger a loss of freedom. In this article, Dr. Luke Conway asks: Who should set the threshold? He writes, “In order for science and politics to function together effectively, we desperately need to separate the scientific issue from the political one.”

The vote for Speaker of the House finally came to a dramatic end in the wee hours of Saturday, January 7.  Now we must all hope and pray for the best.

Over the Christmas break, author Dr. David Ayers made the trip to the Jimmy Stewart Museum in the central Pennsylvania town Stewart grew up in — Indiana, Pennsylvania. It was a reminder that George Bailey and Jimmy Stewart and all they represent stand in sharp contrast to the coarseness, animosity, profaneness, and hostility of our rapidly degenerating modern American culture. Ayers writes, “Whether it’s Woke cancel culture or ‘owning the Libs,’ we have come unhinged across the social and political spectrum. We need to bring back fundamental bedrock values, moral goodness, and interpersonal decency.”

Yesterday we saw just a glimpse of what our Founding Fathers intended as part of the process of government - debate ad deliberation to elect a Speaker of the House of Representatives.  The proper and normal process of electing a Speaker is a gave responsibility.  It is not a side show at all - the Snake Oil salesman here is McCarthy, not Goetz.  It is not a Clown Show, but potentially the most substantive and serious vote that will be taken by this Congress.

Liberals, Progressives, Leftists, Socialists, Democratic Socialists , Independents, Moderates, RINOs, Democrats or whatever they choose to call themselves on any given day believe that government solves all problems by throwing printed money at them.

Tomorrow be sure to tune in to your television set to see how successful 20 members of congress will be in reforming our House of Representatives and how many of the others really wish to be re-elected in 2024… Will so-called Republicans continue to make nominating speeches and take votes to determine their Speaker of the House… or will it be a pre-determined “Coronation by aristocrats… what  we have come to call ”The Swamp”.

A curious mutation in gun control activism occurred during the last few decades, whence began a fixation on something dubbed the “assault rifle.”

Never mind that an assault rifle, insofar as the designation was ever at all valid, had always referenced a weapon with a “select fire” feature allowing three types of operation: semi-automatic, fully-automatic or in three-shot bursts. This doesn’t, of course, describe the class of rifles (e.g., AR-15-style) now targeted, whose operation is semi-automatic only (one bullet released per trigger pull), just like 50 percent of all new guns sold. But whatever you call them, here are two facts:

Alfred Lord Tennyson penned a poem, popular among many and a favorite of some: “Ring Out, Wild Bells.” It exists as part of a larger work, “In Memoriam A.H.H.,” written in tribute to his dear friend and brother-in-law Arthur Henry Hallam upon his early and untimely death.

As with the passing of his friend, this piece superbly marks the passing of the old year. Tennyson captures the nostalgic fleeting year together with hope for the future. Everything that needs to be said he expresses. Tennyson’s words are worth sharing as we wistfully bid a heartfelt farewell to 2022 and hale the dawning of 2023.

Reflect on his words as we greet the New Year.

Conservatives realize that the 1986 promise of a secure border was never serious. Accordingly, they apply the axiom “Fool me once… shame on you; Fool me twice…shame on me!” Until the border has been 100% secure for at least three years… amnesty is off the table. The sooner that the border wall is finished and the border is 100% secured, the better for both Citizens and Immigrants.

Christmas, with all the falderal, brings with it everything one would expect for a celebration of the season. Cards and carols, dinners and decorations, gifts and greenery, meals and music -- everything to make the season bright.

The old, old story comes to life once more in the music of composer George F. Handel’s “Joy to the World” with words by Isaac Watts from Psalm 98. Likewise, composer Felix Mendelssohn wrote “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” with words by Charles Wesley and George Whitefield from Luke 2:14. Lesser luminaries offer their own songs and carols bringing joy to the season.

Many attempts to explain the endurance of the phenomenon of the Christmas celebration fill pages. In spite of the efforts and regardless of divergence of opinion, one thing remains constant. Generations over the millennia cannot relinquish Jesus Christ.

Conservatives realize that the 1986 promise of a secure border was never serious. Accordingly, they apply the axiom “Fool me once… shame on you; Fool me twice…shame on me!” Until the border has been 100% secure for at least three years… amnesty is off the table. The sooner that the border wall is finished and the border is 100% secured, the better for both Citizens and Immigrants.

At a gathering a couple of years ago, a young man, about age 20, registered surprise when I told him women didn’t have to sign up for Selective Service. His reaction was no surprise: Marinated in Equality Dogma growing up, he probably couldn’t imagine that the greatest sacrifice one could be required to make — to possibly have to shed blood for his country — is demanded of only one sex.

This could possibly change, as there has been a recent effort to require draft registration of women as well. Conservatives have generally opposed this, unsurprisingly, with the very good congressman Chip Roy (R-Tex.) becoming especially incensed at the notion. My medieval self sympathizes, too; I very much believe that shedding blood, whether your own or others’, is man’s work.

A selection of headlines from up-and-coming frank and truthful news sources gives a foretaste of America’s drift toward Third World status. Stories covered by the alternative media share the interests of the greater American public, stories seldom touched by the dominant media. Why? Mainstream media chose long ago to advocate for leftist and anti-American causes while championing Maxist-Socialist values. This fell far outside the American mainstream.

Here are samplings of story headlines that the dominant media won’t touch.

I have a confession to make… I am frustrated by our state GOP leadership supporting a 3 time loser as the (RNC) Republican Party Chairman for a 4^th term!  

We lost in 2018, 2020 and now 2022.  

I don’t know about you, but I cannot put a positive spin on the 2022 election being a success.

We all know the definition of insanity…

We have all heard that this next election may be the most important election in history.

In fact, I get tired of that line. However it may be true, in light of the direction our country is headed by the elite liberals running Washington DC and the White House.

The only way to stop the left is to win elections; re-electing the current chairman, Ronna Romney McDaniel to a fourth term is ludicrous!

Since I’m going to be criticizing a now widely accepted phenomenon, this piece may evoke eyerolls from some supporters. So be it, because certain things need to be said.

I must confess that with the way many of my fellow adults behave today, it can make me ashamed to be one. I almost sometimes feel as if I want to apologize to the children for the example the contemporary grown-up world now sets. We often lament, and rightly so, how disrespectful many modern youths are, yet a prerequisite for commanding respect is being respectable. There is little respectable about modern American culture.

Remember these points. First, it’s our money. Second, Social Security withholding was never voluntary. It was money mandated from individuals’ monthly pay. Third, as instituted in the 1930s, only a small number of people “contributed” and fewer still withdrew retirement benefits. Then came the “baby boomers” who increased the funding hugely. Moreover, wages grew as the economy expanded providing greater receipts for SSA. Fourth, SSA benefits have since expanded far beyond those originally promised.

As baby boomers age and retire, SSA makes their monthly payments from the current receipts of the younger generations. Older generations are living longer while the current demographics indicate a declining birth rate and a shrinking working-age population. This pay-as-you-go program closely resembles a Ponzi scheme -- which is illegal except when run by the federal government.

Alaska’s sole congressional seat, which had been in GOP hands for 49 years, was recently captured by Democrat Mary Peltola. The victory has been touted by liberals as either vindication of their agenda or as portending the end of the career of Sarah Palin, Peltola’s most high-profile opponent. Yet the result, which took weeks to finalize, was easily explainable:

It was a function of Alaska’s new ranked-choice voting (RCV) and Top-four Primary (TFP) system — a system electoral engineers would like to institute nationwide.

In essence, this system created a situation in which Palin and another Republican, Nick Begich, were both running against Peltola in the general election and divided up the GOP vote.

Only a few days remain until Santa’s big day. For those lagging behind in their Christmas shopping, time is running out. We are down to crunch time. Good luck ordering gifts “on line” and expecting to receive them before Christmas. What with company layoffs, inflation, supply chain issues, strikes, and other delays chances are risky that purchases made now will arrive before Christmas. You are tardy unless you don’t mind giving gifts late.

Not to fear! It’s for others to worry and get up tight. After all, it’s Christmas time -- the season to be jolly. Let nothing steal your joy. Besides, as an experienced procrastinator, I’m here to give all the advice you need.

Christmas ‘tis the season for giving! What better way to say “I love you” than with the gift of a book? A recipient’s prerequisite for receiving a gift book might be a wee bit of inquisitiveness about the world around him or her. Suggestions to follow include books meant to be edifying, revealing, and instructive. They are all quite readable, but not superficial. Detailed reviews may be found on-line.

All the turkey-time trappings of the Thanksgiving holiday tend to numb our sincere reflection. But this is a perfect time to consider whether we are thanks-giving or ungrateful people. Being grateful isn’t natural. Gratitude, for all its merit, is not something easily embraced or practiced, especially as we all face life’s challenges.

It is easier to complain than to be grateful. One of the biggest problems we all have is pride. We say to ourselves, “I deserve better.” “This is wrong.” “You’ve got to be kidding me.” “Not me, I’m not due this.”

How often do you feel grateful? But more importantly, how often do you pause to sincerely express it? If we are honest with ourselves, the answer is not enough—not even close.

In “My troubling COVID vaccine story experiences,” I wrote last year about how within a short period of time I met three men at the same recreational area who announced to me they’d had heart attacks. All three had previously taken the coronavirus genetic-therapy agents (GTAs, aka “vaccines”). Add the friend who suffered heart inflammation and the neighbor of mine who had an adverse reaction after having the shots, and it was quite a series of “anomalies.” I’ve had another similar experience now, too.

While in a supermarket checkout line Saturday, I got to talking to the fellow behind me, who was holding a pair of floral bouquets. He’d bought them for two different funerals. One was for his brother, who’d died of a heart attack — at age 24. The other was for a friend’s son who’d passed away. I asked him how old was the son was.

The Thanksgiving story never gets old. Unfortunately, some aspects are not well known. Most people have heard the names Samoset and Squanto. But, who were they?

The English Pilgrims, products of the Reformation, fled persecution to live their Christianity as they understood it. Their search for freedom eventually took them to North America seeking to establish a charter colony in Virginia. Inclement weather forced them off course bringing the Mayflower on November 21, 1620 to the shores of what is now Massachusetts. That winter took a deadly toll on the small Pilgrim contingent. Almost half died. Only three families remained intact.

Brown University professor Emily Oster has created quite a stir with her recent article asking for a “pandemic amnesty.” In it, she calls for “both sides” in the COVID debate to forgive each other so we can focus on solving current problems. If Oster wanted exposure, she certainly got it, with commentators far and wide responding to her plea. If she wanted to heal wounds and close chasms, however, she failed miserably. Many have told her to go pound sand.

Genuine calls for forgiveness are noble, but, Professor Oster, you (and your critics) miss a significant point here: Forgiveness does not obviate punishment. Were it otherwise, following Jesus’s “70×7” prescription would mean emptying the prisons and hurting our beloved children by never holding them accountable for misbehavior. 

While my data are far from exhaustive (and I’d welcome a more comprehensive analysis), the pattern I’ve outlined appears to hold everywhere or virtually everywhere.

What explains this? Big Tech meddling is significant — liberal researcher Robert Epstein found that it can shift up to 15 million votes in an election — but are Floridians somehow immune to Google and social-media influence? Or, maybe, did the polling outfits decide, inexplicably, to apply wholly unique criteria to Sunshine State polling?

Leftists will no doubt explain the anomaly by claiming that Florida practiced voter suppression. I would say that if you believe this, I have some swampland in Florida to sell you. But that swampland may actually now be quite valuable, as Americans are flocking to that state to escape Third World-like governance.

Definition of the US House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6^th Attack on the United States Capitol: A Democrat-controlled spectacle of a show trial concocted to propagandize the American public. Next hearing: November 14 (post-midterm election) featuring Donald Trump.

January 6, 2021 produced a dust-up that occurred at the “Stop the Steal” rally in Washington, DC. This organized protest was meant to be peaceful -- but strident. Its intent was a vocal rejection of what many people, with good reason, still believe was a dishonest 2020 presidential election. There is plenty of evidence that the purported “Insurrection” (so named by the champions of cheating) appeared bought and paid for by corrupt FBI leadership contrived to frame Donald Trump and his supporters. May the perpetrators of perfidy meet their match following the November 8 Election!

Should the race of a minority student who is applying to a college or university give him or her a decided preference over other applicants? Earlier this week, the Supreme Court heard arguments in two cases involving affirmative action in the college admission process. In this article, constitutional scholar Dr. John Sparks details the cases before the court and writes, “In both the cases—the Harvard case and the UNC case—lengthy trials unearthed considerable factual evidence which showed that race played an important and repeated part during the admission process. That is precisely what the plaintiff students find unfair and unconstitutional.”