Surrendie and his cousin Do! love this story, because it involves surrender of kids to public schools, creating the perfect Democrat voters!

More than twice as many Americans – 56 percent — know that Paula Abdul is a judge on “American Idol” as know that the phrase “government of the people, by the people, for the people” comes from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address (21 percent) — a phrase President-elect Barack Obama used in his election-night victory speech.

The average American is nearly illiterate when it comes to basic principles of American history, government and economics, according to a new report from the Intercollegiate Studies Institute – and politicians are even worse.

More than 2,000 people were administered a 33-question test this Spring on American history and our political and economic institutions. Of them, 71 percent — college and non-college educated alike – got a failing mark, ISI’s Josiah Bunting III said, presenting the study at a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Thursday.

“It can truly be said that we are suffering from an epidemic of civic ignorance,” Bunting said. “The extent of failure is pervasive, cutting across every segment of the American population.

How bad was it?

• Less than half of Americans can name all three branches of government.
• Only 27 percent of Americans know that the Bill of Rights prohibits the government from establishing an official religion in the U.S.
• 54 percent do not know that the Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war, not the president.

Politicians scored even lower.

Darryl DeMarzio, an assistant professor in the education department at the University of Scranton, told CNSNews.com that many politically correct college campuses no longer teach “history” classes, as most people remember.

“One of the purposes of a history course now is not the acquisition of historical knowledge, but it’s a vague skill like ‘thinking historically,’ or something like that,” DeMarzio said.

The culprit is that teachers are steeped in a philosophy called “constructivism.”

“That’s the idea that knowledge is not something that teachers possess and give to students or teach students,” DeMarzio tolld CNSNews.com. “Rather, knowledge is a process in which students construct meaning for themselves.

So what we are talking about is more feel good socialization education, rather then practical reality.

FoodHot Chocolate (well, we are having way below average temps this week) for thought: Christine Todd Whitman and Robert M. Bostock - Free the GOP: The Party Won’t Win Back the Middle as Long As It’s Hostage to Social Fundamentalists (Via Little Green Footballs)

Four years ago … our central thesis was simple: The Republican Party had been taken hostage by “social fundamentalists,” the people who base their votes on such social issues as abortion, gay rights and stem cell research. Unless the GOP freed itself from their grip, we argued, it would so alienate itself from the broad center of the American electorate that it would become increasingly marginalized and find itself out of power.

At the time, this idea was roundly attacked by many who were convinced that holding on to the “base” at all costs was the way to go. A former speechwriter for President Bush, Matthew Scully, who went on to work for the McCain campaign this year, called the book “airy blather” and said its argument fell somewhere between “insufferable snobbery” and “complete cluelessness.” Gary Bauer suggested that the book sounded as if it came from a “Michael Moore radical.” National Review said its warnings were, “at best, counterintuitive,” and Ann Coulter said the book was “based on conventional wisdom that is now known to be false.” …

In seven of the nine states that switched this year from Republican to Democratic, Obama’s vote total exceeded the total won by President Bush four years ago. So even if McCain had equaled the president’s numbers from 2004 (and he did not), he still would have lost in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina and Virginia (81 total electoral votes) — and lost the election. McCain didn’t lose those states because he failed to hold the base. He lost them because Obama broadened his base.

This is where I usually get into one of those long posts where I barely know when to stop (and get myself flayed), so I’ll try and be brief.

This is something that I have mentioned a few times over at Pirate’s Cove, as well as here at McCain Blogs and at Stop The ACLU. The two authors of the column call it social fundamentalists, which, quite frankly, is a bit insulting, even though I am not one. Me, I call it the moralists. In my political opinion, most moral issues do not belong as part of the core agenda of the GOP, particularly at the national level. These issue mostly should belong to individuals and to private groups. There is nothing wrong with having high morals, but the GOP as a party seems to be pushing these issues over the ones that were established per the Constitution: keeping the country running.

I guess, for me, it goes back to the fact that the Conservative movement is based on Classical Liberalism. There are 3 cores to the Democratic political model: the economic, the moral, and the political. In Classic Liberalism, the model states that government stays out of those cores as much as possible. The government that governs least governs best, but gets involved when necessary. Social Democracy is when government gets massively involved in economic issues. Classic Conservatism is when government gets involved highly in the moral core, and somewhat in the political core.

Personally, I rarely get involved in the main social focuses of the day. For instance, gay marriage. Personally, it is not a hot button issue for me. If I had to vote, I would probably vote against gay marriage. Marriage is between a man and a woman. But, but, I see no reason to stop homosexuals from having civil ceremonies and being considered domestic partners. If 2 people love each other, who the hell am I to stop them? This is America. Freedom. And Prop 8 is the perfect example of how it should work. Private citizens and groups doing it, rather then the national GOP pushing it in Congress.

Now, let’s look at stem cell research. The big issue is embryonic stem cell research. Certainly, the backing of this research by Liberals is because of its implications to abortion on demand, another big moral issue, obviously. This is an issue that is a hot button one for me. I think it is despicable that the Left pushes ESC research simply for abortion issues, and, the GOP has opposed the research, mostly on moral lines. Should the GOP push legislation and block federal funding for ESC research on moral lines? Yes, to some degree. But, it is a loser method. Like with abortion, the Left has won the morality of the issue by using non-offensive language, such as “the march of progress” and “blocking potential cures.” They did this with abortion with terms we all know, such as “choice,” “reproductive rights,” and “a woman’s right to choose.” Funny how under Obama’s health plans, you will be forced to get a health care checkup, loosing your “choice,” but, I digress.

We should not forget the morality of the ESC issue, but, the political party should fight it on mostly non-moral grounds. For instance, ESC research has provided no cures, no medicines, and no treatments without massive issues, usually known as “teratomas.” Monster tumors. Adult stem cell research, and now placental stem cell research, have been providing cures, medicines, and treatments. I just posted one earlier. Which is why private industry is spending lots of money on them. If ESC was so great, they wouldn’t be whining to the feds for money. The GOP should block the use of federal money for the ESC research because it is a waste of money.

Abortion is, of course, the big issue. And one I personally rarely get involved in. I hate to say it, but, it is not one of my hot button issues, except in terms of late term abortions, which are, per the doctors that perform them, performed mostly because the mother decided very late that she doesn’t want the baby, and not for medical reasons, and the issue of parental notification. I could go on and on on these issues, but, for brevity, I won’t. Just consider, though: if a minor gets busted for, well, pretty much anything, the parents must be notified! But, here we have a massive life changing medical procedure, and in many states parents do not have to be notified. Just. Plain. Wrong. The GOP could certainly fight on legal grounds on these two issues, rather then moral grounds.

Abortion on demand has been turned into a privacy issue by those who support it. And, it is the Democrats number one all-encompassing issue, make no doubt about that. So, how does the GOP fight that? They mostly don’t, not as a Party. Again, let the individuals and private groups do it. They managed to get abortion on to several State ballots, and, if we stay true to our conservative roots, that is where it belongs. 9th and 10th Amendments. Limited government, particularly at the federal level. Certainly, the national party should fight if Democrats try to expand abortion on demand.

Certainly, many people will disagree with me. Hey, it’s America, that’s your right. My opinion is that the national Party, and even the State Party’s, should ease off the moral issues that have become so prominent, and focus more on our core ideals: limited government, continued low taxes, national security, individual rights and individualism, and a government that empowers and enables, not one that does it for you.

To wrap up (got a bit long winded), I should say I am no big fan of Whitman. Didn’t care for her when I was living in NJ, and still don’t. But, to me, she is making some sense. We shouldn’t expand our base by being a be all say all Party which stands for virtually everything, at least in rhetoric, like the Democrats. We should expand our voting base by being a Party of ideas, and holding our elected officials to those ideals.

Down the road a couple hours from me, political correctness run amok

A veteran whose son was killed in the 2000 terrorist attack on the USS Cole has sued officers at the Marine base where he works, saying they violated his free-speech rights to display bumper stickers that link Islam with terrorism on his vehicle.

Jesse Nieto has worked as a civilian at an electrical distribution shop on Camp Lejeune since 1994. He previously served 25 years in the Marine Corps, including two combat tours as an infantryman in Vietnam, according to his federal lawsuit filed Monday in the eastern district of North Carolina.

The lawsuit — which does not seek monetary damages — asks the court to declare that Nieto’s constitutional rights were violated by the Marines and to allow him to express his political viewpoints on federal installations.

I wonder if the NC ACLU or the parent organization will get involved and stand up for Nieto’s Rights? He has been told he would be fired from his job if he didn’t remove the stickers, he has been ticketed, and

In August, Lt. Col. James Hessen, the base’s traffic court officer, ordered Nieto to peel off the anti-Islam decals, the lawsuit said. Nieto did so while a Marine observed. Two weeks later, Hessen ordered Nieto to remove the rest of his decals, including one that said “REMEMBER THE COLE, 12 Oct. 2000,” the lawsuit said. Nieto refused.

Hessen also issued an order barring Nieto from driving his vehicle onto any military installation, which includes his workplace and Arlington National Cemetery, where Nieto’s son is buried, the lawsuit said.

ACLU? Hello?

How do we win the War on Terrorism when the military leadership won’t acknowledge which religion is behind the majority of terrorist acts?

Photo via Winds Of Babylon thru WorldNetDaily, where you can see the other sticker (and this one, if it gets banned at Photobucket, like many others critical of the Religion of Peace)

While the stock market continues to go down post election, gun sales continue fabulously. But, how fabulously?

Between Nov. 3 and Nov. 9, the Federal Bureau of Investigation received 374,000 requests for background checks on gun buyers - 49 per cent more than the same time last year, CNN reported.

That’s a lot of checks! One of them mine.

“The spike in gun sales … is a serious overreaction to Obama’s election,” said Harvard law professor Mark Tushnet in an e-mail to The Globe and Mail.

Prof. Tushnet, who has written a book about the U.S. gun debate, said that while Mr. Obama may support moderate gun control, he won’t - and couldn’t - enact swift changes.

“Whatever [Mr. Obama's] ‘deep’ views on gun control, the issue is going to be very low priority for his administration and for Democrats in Congress,” Prof. Tushnet said. “And such legislation would, of course, be extremely controversial. I don’t see any significant political force among Democrats to spend the political capital needed to enact more than the most minor tinkering with existing gun regulations.”

It won’t be sweeping legislation. It will be death by 1,000 papercuts. Tiny legislation that no one really notices. And regardless of what Obama said on the campaign trail, Obama has always been against guns.

Let’s see: we had the biggest two days drop since 1987 on Wall Street, occuring the two days after That One was elected. On the flip side, you might want to pick up some stock for companies such as Walther USA, H&K, Smith and Wesson, Glock, Baretta, Browning, and others who manufacture guns. Can’t wait to see their earnings reports for the 4th quarter!

• Fears of gun restrictions trigger increased sales
• Fears of a Dem crackdown lead to boom in gun sales
• Enthusiasts Flock To Buy Guns After Obama’s Win
• Election ignites locals to purchase firearms
• Gun Sales Up in Kern County Since Obama’s Win
• In Fort Worth, Obama’s election prompts run on guns and ammunition

And locally here in Raleigh

Barack Obama said he would improve the economy. Turns out he already has, at least in one retail niche: gun sales.

Starting in the days before the election, gun shops across the state have been mobbed by buyers who fear that Obama and a larger Democratic majority in Congress will restrict firearm sales.

Many were stocking up on things such as assault rifles, high-capacity magazines and handguns that they think would be the most likely targets of new laws, though practically everything related to shooting has been selling more quickly.

As I mentioned yesterday, I went and applied for my handgun permit. And the Wake County Sheriff’s office was packed with people of all ages and races. There was a little old blue hair, and she was applying for 3 licences. Heh! Do I need a gun? No. I approve of ownership of most (it is certain bullets that I am against, as they are not “arms”), but I have never felt a need. I will not keep it in my nightstand 10+1. I may or may not get my concealed permit in time. But, I would rather get one now before the Democrats hose our Right to own one.

Do I think it will happen right away? No. But, I also do not think it will be big, sweeping legislation. A bite here, a bite there, and soon the flea has eaten the buffalo.

And down in Athens, Georgia, a few people freaked out over a sign.

Despite Obama’s attempt to shift his position on gun rights - OK, he flat out was lying about what he really believes - quite a few people aren’t buying it. Instead, they are buying something else

Sales of handguns, rifles and ammunition have surged in the last week, according to gun store owners around the nation who describe a wave of buyers concerned that an Obama administration will curtail their right to bear arms.

Mr. Nelson said sales at his store had risen about 30 percent since Mr. Obama declared his candidacy. “People are concerned about overreaching legislation from Washington,” he said. “They are educating themselves on the Internet.”

In Colorado, would-be gun buyers set a one-day record last Saturday with the highest number of background check requests in a 24-hour period, according to figures from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

Based on Obama’s actual voting record and talk prior to becoming the Democrat presidential nominee, people have a right to be worried. Looks like Obama’s comment about people clinging to their guns and Bibles our of fear has become a self fulfilling prophesy. Only it is Obama who brings the fear.

Of course, it might be dangerous writing the same thing in a few months, since it will probably be considered a hate crime.

More: Just put in my application for a handgun permit. Only those with good moral character need apply in North Carolina, so, safe to say not many Liberals will be approved, especially since there is also a clause about mental illness. LOTS of people applying in Wake County, and there were plenty of people at a gun shop in Raleigh looking specifically at hand guns. Personally, I am leaning towards the Walther P22. Only a .22 Caliber, but, not expensive, and fits my hand very well.