Some wonder where I came up with my screen name. Among other sports I grew up playing baseball from childhood into college and have followed the game all of my life, which is where the name originates. Professional baseball has been all about teams trading players for over a century. Some of those players have been called trade bait to attract other teams to do deals with them. The players they offer, the trade bait, are usually good or have upside that might fit another team’s needs. However, they are not considered key players on their current rosters. So the clubs use them to attract the talent they believe they need from rosters of other clubs.

Such was also life in my business career. Hence, TradeBait.

Today’s scripture is from Matthew 16:13-18;

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.”

All of life hinges upon your response to these questions of Jesus, “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” If you answer as Simon, God the Father has informed you. Be thankful, have peace in your soul and tell others. It is worth noting that Jesus asked these questions at what was believed to be the gate of Hades itself at Mt. Hermon in Caesarea Philippi, the center of Greek paganism and debauchery that is said to have included human sacrifices and sexual perversion in the cave beyond its entrance. Which is why he went on to say in verse 18;

“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” 

These scriptures lead in well to today’s subject, which is also a major worldwide culture and character divider in America that has a constructionism dividing line – Christianity.

I will be spending more time in this and future threads discussing the applications of these terms. Reminder:

Strict Constructionist – Literal and narrow reading (interpretation) of the document that limits the powers of the federal government to what it provides.

Loose Constructionist – Views it as a “living document” that is interpreted broadly that adapts to society as it evolves and its needs change..

For this subject, please ignore the federal government related documents and powers aspect in the definitions. Insert the Bible and its authority instead. Consider which Christian denominations, groupings, and individual belief systems would have strict versus loose constructionists today. Remember that strict is a literal or narrow as written view while loose views it as a “living document” that adjusts with an evolving society and world.

All sorts of descriptive words have been used with the two. Fundamentalists, traditionalists, Bible thumpers, holy rollers, snake handlers, Jesus Freaks and such would come to mind with some folks to represent the strict constructionists. Ecumenical, whiskapalians, Gracelanders, cultural Christians, liberation theologists, Christ progs, social gospelers and so on represent the loose constructionists.

If we go back to the Revolutionary War period we could say that most Christians were strict. That would mean they had a more narrow interpretation of the Bible and operated more rigidly in the churches. The loose interpretation would go to the enlightenment influenced folks who trusted reason and experience as they would view the Bible more philosophically. That was a smaller, but growing group in those days. Over time it led to the social gospel and social justice to take root during that period. Some may have called themselves Christian in a cultural sense. That would make them more acceptable to society.

The same applies today. It would seem obvious that perhaps the majority of Christians have a loose constructionist view of Christianity. Even some members of the Catholic Church have been looking the other way and supporting social gospel and justice positions. Many ignore church tenets about abortion, homosexuality, divorce and so on. This attitude is especially true in blue states where the Catholic Church dominates Christian culture, yet, is still losing membership who walk away, per their own statistics provided by the Catholic News Agency. These are clearly cultural Christians who are loose constructionists of the faith who have influenced the priesthood to lighten up on the old dogmatic approach if they want their attendance and donations.

Catholicism may have been THE most conservative, strict constructionist faith in Christianity at one time. But it really never has translated that way in the election booth in America as the blue states continue voting lockstep for the political party that endorses the activities the Bible has warned against for many decades. For example the majority there refuse to vote for GOP candidates; a political party that openly supports Christianity, is pro life and has conservative societal views.

But a similar aversion to the written word has also been happening with Protestants. This “we all have sinned so how can I judge them” argument is accepted as the gospel in many churches. They sing their beautiful contemporary songs and listen to pastors who never mention the reality of sin, discipline, Hell, or the judgment that is a significant part of Christianity. They sell cheap faith – get saved, baptized and go do your thing. You have your fire insurance. This type faith is a million miles wide and less than an inch deep.

Starting at America’s founding, in what direction has the majority of Christianity moved over the 260+ years since Jonathon Edwards, George Whitefield and the Great Awakening of strict constructionists led hundreds and even thousands of attendees at each service to fall to the ground as if dead from fear for the state of their souls due to the realization they had fallen short of Holy God’s desire for their lives? The answer for the Christian version of leading up to more recent times is obvious – the wrong direction away from truth. It is also the opposite direction of the 50+ founding fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence and risked everything for our freedom.

This has led to songs such as these from artists who sense we have been in trouble as a people.

As well as from others who sensed and discovered there was more to life and found it in the red letters…

Add in some direction for finding what we truly seek. Yeah, it’s a Christmas special. So what, it’s truth!

Observation

What direction has #47, cabinet and patriots been pushing the SCOTUS and government in general? Yup. Clearly he is pushing it all back toward our founding and a strict constructionist understanding and administration of the Constitution. With all of the deep state and liberal pushback, how will he and the patriots get it done?

Us.

We the People of MAGA are his real military. This war has nothing to do with us taking up arms, although we are certainly willing to do so if the fist of criminal oppression rises against us. But in this situation there is a war for the hearts, minds and SOULS that involves the education of the masses in opposition. Many of the oppressors have no idea they have been manipulated by the globalist cabal who have used loose constructionism as their weapon in government as well as being in collusion with some faith leaders going back nearly two centuries.

Which is why it is so encouraging to see TPUSA on fire with young people all over this nation. They know the world they have been raised in is filled with bull crap activists that are as misguided as the educators trying to brainwash them. They were already thinking things through and none of it added up. Evil did not win the day it killed Charlie Kirk. It birthed a response that will engulf and devour the demons like a lion. For those who have not been keeping up TPUSA reported on 1/12/26 that there have been 1,371 new chapters opened on college campuses with a total of 4,221 new chapters nationwide in only FOUR MONTHS.

They remember Charlie just as we do. The reason they remember Charlie is he spoke with them and encouraged dialog instead of speaking at or down to them like leftists do.

The full benefit of this commitment by America’s young people will be felt for decades and it is only beginning.

The Constitution with related laws and rights are not “living documents” to be viewed loosely with the prevailing attitudes and understanding of the times any more than that view applies to the Holy Bible. They contain universal truths. The Declaration of Independence even states, “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator…” and so on. They establish a foundation for law and governance that comes from an understanding of Christian faith. The two fit hand in glove.

The Creator of all and everything does not change. He made that perfectly clear in Malachi 3:6. Hebrews 13:8 gives the same message about Jesus. The Lord had mankind write what He wanted written. He gave of Himself with His Son on that Cross at Calvary. He left Himself in the lives of believers through the Holy Spirit (Ghost). He also inspired the words that were written and approved by the founding fathers of our country in the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights – the latter two documents that resulted from the Declaration and its submission to the providence of God.

The purpose of the Holy Word that He gave us as well as the founding documents of America are what they are. They do not change – we do. We conform to them to live in harmony with God as well as one another.

There can be no amendments to the former. It is written with the blood of Christ and He said, “It is finished.” That eliminates the living document aspect of loose constructionism from consideration with the Bible. The latter acknowledges Divine Providence, Creator, Supreme Being, the Lord, etc. You can not have Divine Providence without God, as it is a Christian term.

When our nation gets in trouble it is because we fail to live up to that covenant. Our founding fathers stated they wanted that covenant when they stated the nation sought to be under the Divine Providence in the documents. The diaries and personal correspondence of nearly all of them are even more effusive and convincing, there is no legitimate alternative conclusion of their intent. When we turn from that relationship and start doing what the world does individually and corporately, which is supported by the backers of loose constructionists in the Christian church as well government, our world gets turned upside down. Cause and effect go on full display.

The globalist cabal who have loosened the law over that time have made it increasingly difficult to have justice served throughout the corrupted system. They have used the method to do the same to Christian faith based institutions. And as always we can follow the money that helped them do so.

To counter and enter the Golden Age prepared, MAGA needs to strengthen and resolve to stay in sync with the Lord. The good news is the next Great Awakening has clearly begun. The churches are filling. Young people are strengthening their faiths in large numbers. Faith based community ministries are reaching out to help others. Older adults are teaching and mentoring again. More folks are openly talking about their faith and extending the hand of friendship. More are standing up to the crazies. People sense there is more to life than they have been led to believe. Truth is sought and fear is evaporating. Something is coming. The battle has been joined…

Doubt it? Ask the criminal leaders of Venezuela, Iran, Cuba with more to come.

Conclusion

Next week will bring more strict and loose. Until then…

Remember Wolf’s site rules. Note and label all AI. Please be kind to one another, we are all in this together. May God richly bless America and all of you.

Trust Trump and the plan.

It is time to kick off the next American series with a name change and an off ramp from pure American history. There are too many “American Stories” out there now with far better authors than me to keep that in play. We have closed out the Declaration signers and discussed the Articles of Confederation while lightly touching on the Constitution previously. Each one of the posts of this series is intended to be less than a 10 minute read. The attached videos may add to that total time allocated.

The series image at the top is my personal vision of America. More folks ought to try hiking in the Smokies or their favorite national and state parks. Their perspectives about life in America might change for the better.

Today’s scripture is from Matthew 7:24-27;

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

Take that to the bank.

Series Intent

Unfortunately, YT will continue to play a part in this series due to their command of music and movie videos that Rumble cannot seem to duplicate yet. Since we are in a simulation anyway, who cares?! 😂

I will never stray far from the theme of AMERICA FIRST with the serious stuff.

These short stories will not be overly complicated. They will be based simply on observations, personal experiences, and publicly available evidence and documentation as in the past. To be sure I will continue with parallels, interconnections and inflection points that are baked into our American Experience. I seek to lighten these stories up to help readers have fun as well as inform. The heavy lifting was done with the Declaration of Independence series.

So let the fun begin.

My series title is a steal from the great, or insane, or pysop (your choice) movie from Robin Williams, The World According to Garp. Here is the trailer for those too young or did not see it. Note the year of release – 1982.

Also note the obvious CIA psyops in the movie that have surfaced (imagine that), have increased in scope and are ingrained into society today. Which brings us to who was Director of that renegade organization during those years? This guy – William “Bill” Casey from 1981-1987 during the Reagan years when all of us were focused on The Cold War and its end as well as recovery from the horrible economy and Iran hostages fiasco of the peanut farmer.

Fine, happy lookin’ feller. 😀 He also brought us a mixed bag of the Iran-Contra affair. Dude was CIA through and through for decades even without official titles. He was in the OSS after WW II before it became the CIA. So what was going on in Central and South America during his time in the saddle besides the Contras? Well, coke up the nose in America became king and the nation of Columbia was its capital for production and distribution. He was a practicing attorney who spent time as SEC Chair, under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, and Chair of the Exim Bank in the 1970’s. However, he also served on the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board at the end of President Ford’s term.

For those who want a snapshot of Casey, there is a short read from a 1987 Time article below.

https://time.com/archive/6709197/death-of-an-expert-witness-william-joseph-casey-1913-1987

This one made my eyes bleed, but was interesting perspective on him in spots. He was very hard to pin down.

https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/document/cia-rdp90-00965r000807500037-5

But this February 1981 quote was his most famous, “We’ll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false.”

So, Bill, you said the government does disinformation programs to deceive the American public? I am so disappointed to read that. 😂 Notice it was said in 1981 and had obviously been done as a normal CIA practice for many years before that.

Again, no wonder the current DS corruptocrats hate POTUS so much. We know his agenda matches what We the People want, not what the DS wants you to believe.

Remember the Casey name, he reappears in the Conclusion today.

So back to this story, yes, in my opinion Robin and the movie about Garp was clearly a psyop of epic proportions and a precursor for more to come.

I promise not to be quite that insane in my own psyop versions, but being that my alter ego is Goober Gump, the fictitious brother of this guy, well…

Welcome to my world…

Your View Matters

For this first series and story we will stay with American history to set the stage and it is a really important concept if you seriously want to understand your life and government in America. When it comes to how you read and understand the Constitution, assuming you have, your viewpoint of its intent and content matters. As an example, if you were a Federalist back in those days you thought differently about it than an Anti-Federalist. So, let’s establish the two primary ways to interpret it that are still used today. I am going to keep this short and simple as I promised.

The two primary legal, political, and moral approaches to the Constitution are:

Strict Constructionist – Literal and narrow reading (interpretation) of the document that limits the powers of the federal government to what it provides.

Loose Constructionist – Views it as a “living document” that is interpreted broadly that adapts to society as it evolves and its needs change.

Then there are the true rebels who use whichever is expedient to their cause of the moment.

Note the immediate stress and contention between the two. Strict supporters point to the 10th amendment; that powers not delegated to the U. S. by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people. Seems rather straight forward, doesn’t it? If the issue is not covered under the powers of the feds or specifically prohibited; it was up to the states and We the People to handle.

Au contraire.

The Loose folks said the Necessary and Proper Clause (Article 1, Section 8) supported their theory that feds had powers not listed, including any powers needed to accomplish the powers that are listed through Congressional action. They do not call it the Elastic Clause without good reasons.

You decide for yourself if that stress on Constitutional interpretation was intentionally introduced or a consequence of disagreement of the parties involved in the Constitution’s creation. I have my own opinion and will not influence yours – yet.

Then There Is The Judiciary

The judiciary is designed in the Constitution and subsequent case law to be the arbiters of truth and justice of that document and related laws. How can the judiciary truly be that non-partial when their justices and judges are nominated, confirmed, and appointed in political processes? Human nature tends to influence how one sees the world and performs one’s role in it. You are not going to appoint or confirm a sworn enemy or ideologue you oppose if you have the power. In understanding the subject Constitution and laws along with their application; it all eventually leads us back to had control of Club Senate back in their day (BITD) as well as today because that is where the judiciary confirmation process exists.

Which is why it was of monumental importance when Harry Reid nuked the filibuster for non-SCOTUS judicial confirmations with Turtle answering when the GOP took over by nuking them on SCOTUS nominations. Harry got his leftist, loose constructionist federal judges. Turtle got the conservative, strict constructionist justices.

The historical political battle in our nation has always been between strict and loose constructionism. The rules of the game are set, then one group or another starts trying to change or reinterpret them to fit their goals. It has seesawed back and forth over the entire time period. The one consistency is that the Federalists of the past and Democrats after Jackson have tended to be loose constructionists while the Jeffersonian Republicans and GOP from Lincoln on have tended to be strict constructionists. This has polarized the general population over the years as one group or another became dominant.

Historically, it started as the post Revolutionary War patriots dealt with the process of isolating the loyalists and Tories along with building a country that could stand on its own accord. It took time and great effort to put down insurrections and mischief their enemies initiated to protect their personal interests. Over time the patriots rooted out their opponents, at least enough to insure America’s survival and progress. Many of those losers returned to Great Britain. Others converted and assimilated into society. It took a couple of generations and some funerals. This led to the Federalist Party’s demise as the Jeffersonian Republicans represented the vast majority of commoner patriots who actually fought in both wars.

However, even with the success there remained embedded operatives indebted and working for the ruling class and the Crown of Great Britain. As an example the southern plantation class along with the northern mercantilist and banker class sold “Cotton is King” to the nation to continue national slavery operations despite prohibiting the foreign slave trade operations decades before. They wanted to keep the money flowing from trade relations in Europe going, primarily with Great Britain, as they were becoming wealthier by the day.

Enter the Civil War.

If any of that intrigue sounds like it may still be going on today, you may be paying attention.

With this understanding you may be able to better understand why all of this current day retribution demanded by We the People seems to be taking so long. Every day it seems a loose constructionist and/or corrupt federal judge oversteps their authority. The depth of corruption and depravity in America has been breathtaking as well as disconcerting to discover. The amount of work that has to be done to fix things is daunting. The war rages on. Just always remember the definitions of strict and loose constructionists because there is a constant struggle within our government and people based on which interpretation rules on every issue.

There will be more applications of these two principles to consider that will be the focus of future threads, however, they will not always reference government related activities and conditions.

Conclusion

I cannot leave without a blast from the past. Does anybody remember the UPI press service of yore? It was formerly AP and UP at the forefront of what we now affectionately call the fake news. UP hit the skids long ago having gone through bankruptcy a couple of times and currently exists as a small disseminator of quirky stuff. But while they were still trying to remain a viable news source, they did political hit pieces. The fun in looking back on the declarations of idgits from the past is really, really hard to pass up. So below you will see a pre 2016 election article from UP.

Need a teaser? How about,

“With Hillary Clinton threatening to rack up the biggest electoral victory since George H. W. Bush obliterated Michael Dukakis in 1988, the scenarios for a comeback by the bilious billionaire are becoming increasingly far-fetched.“

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/Opinion/2016/08/17/From-Russia-with-love-an-October-surprise/7531471424582

Another mention of ole Happy, Bill Casey, above. Notice the article writer’s name? Walter Shapiro. He was a Dem operative. He was good at being wrong, a lot. Including about COVID from which he developed complications and cancer before dying last summer without getting a chance to see the “bilious billionaire” win his second election against a female Democrat candidate from hell. It was either that or TDS that caused his demise, not sure which.

So let’s look at the bio of the not so dearly departed who uttered that phrase.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Shapiro

Actually that was the first time I have ever seen the word “bilious” written or said. Seems it relates to a colorful fluid in the liver. I think it would make a good Wheatie word for Wolf to use in a daily.

😀

Oh, the irony. The Trump curse struck yet again.

Remember Wolf’s site rules. Note and label all AI. Please be kind to one another, we are all in this together. May God richly bless America and all of you.

I begin by going back to the opening Part of this series that was posted almost one year ago today. I had no plan to time this out in the way it has, in fact, when I started this series it was being done on random days, not as a Daily Opener. Then Gail suggested I do so to pick up the author slack and Wolf gave the approval. So here we are.

This series started because it was clear to me along the way that God was delivering We the People from evil once again. That understanding crystalized at Butler, PA. Then on November 5, 2024, Donald J. Trump and JD Vance won the election in convincing fashion even with the commies cheating their azzes off.

At various points in American history there have been inflection points when God’s hand has pulled us back from the brink of total destruction while using committed American patriots equipped for the task to do so. I have no doubts that He did it again that day in Butler as well as election day. Since that latter point the transformation that began and remains on-going has been a whirlwind that is tightly orchestrated. In my opinion this did not happen by good fortune; it was predetermined by God while being guided, planned and implemented by His instruments and servants.

As I finish this series I have grown to realize that I do not agree with all of the words and actions of any one patriot in our entire history. There is always something they did or said that I wish was different. I know I am not alone in that realization. I know I am not alone in the realization that there are many things I wish I had said or done differently as well. All of the giants from our founding forward were simply flawed men and women who gave their all to the cause of freedom and liberty. They did their best and that is all anybody could ask of them… or of us today.

I am also struck by a simple introspective question we all should ask. Am I part of the solution or the problem?

Thinking things through before speaking or acting would eliminate a lot of issues. Which is what our founding fathers did in the final Declaration of Independence document. They literally kept all of the windows and doors closed in the middle of summer in the assembly room of Independence Hall to insure secrecy. To be sure there were many disagreements, much pompousness, misunderstandings and so on within the human condition of those involved. However, they came together in consensus agreement on the final content of the document and signed their names affirmatively; while knowing they were committing treason and were subject to death. They knew they were not only endangering themselves, they were doing so to their families, communities, and the colonies themselves.

They knew the new nation would be totally dependent upon God’s protection. When you study their letters and statements they say it openly. At minimum 50 of the 56 were professing Christians with the others being deists or drifting between the two beliefs, but who also believed in a Creator as the Declaration document stated.

That is the context for the colonists’ words and actions. God or a Creator was their source of authority to do and say what they did in the Declaration of Independence. The British believed that the Crown and Parliament were the established authority of the colonies.

I guess we know who won that question of authority. A higher calling than one of man tends to do that.

As a result of the passionate engagement of patriots then as well as similar commitments down through the years; it is still true today. When you hear or see anything to the contrary you know it is false and intentionally misleading. That should alert you to a possible seditionist or traitor if not proven to be just an ignorant statement.

The founders took courage and did what had to be done to be free, but not before they invited God/Creator into their process and acknowledged their dependence upon His providence and will. They made a one way, front loaded covenant with God/Creator. So what has God/Creator done in response?

We are still here and the most powerful, influential nation on earth despite our missteps and sins. We just need to refocus, clean the decks, and get better at our mission. A reminder…

A Look Back

From my first January 5, 2025 post:

…I contend that it is that same American spirit that charges through the words of the Declaration of Independence that led to the greatest, ongoing experiment in national governance in world history. It is a spirit that is very much alive and expressed by the massive America First MAGA movement today, whose spirit is spreading like wildfire worldwide.

Not all of the 56 signers were present during the discussions and negotiations that surrounded the production of the document. They signed on anyway. They knew what was at stake and agreed in principle with the contents of the document. In this series we are going to dig down into understanding their roles and who many of them were as human beings. We need to personally identify with their commitment such that we may be emboldened to go and do likewise. This series will focus on many of these brave patriots.

Hint: They acted a lot like many America First MAGA patriots do today. Quite a few were from wealth and dignified. A handful were truly messed up people. Others were heroic and inspirational. Some were bombastic and others were pensive. A large number were highly educated and accomplished. Others were less educated, yet enlightened and committed to the cause. Blended together they gave us the foundational start for a truly blessed nation.

At the time I wrote that statement I had no way of knowing how applicable it would be now that we have arrived at the end. Simply, my heart had been stirred to tell these stories here on the Qtree, where patriots are many.

Have you noticed what has happened internationally with the MAGA movement in the year since I wrote those words above? It became a worldwide movement that has resulted in America gaining great respect, $18 trillion in investments, and world peace breaking out in unheard of places between long term enemies. The old order is being destroyed before our eyes. They fight back harshly because their self constructed evil world is being attacked. When we sift past the propaganda and fear porn we realize their takedown is all being handled systematically and with truth, which is further evidence of God’s hand guiding our nation.

I brought this forward again because when we read the signers’ stories, we see that our MAGA elected officials are similar in so many respects. None of the current version are perfect, but there is little doubt they are giving their all for We the People as the patriots did then. There were counter operations and enemies of state acting as black hats back in their day just as there are today. Nothing was easy then, nothing is easy now.

We need to take time to celebrate the wins and patriots who brought them, discuss the parallels between then and now as well as identify the sometimes hidden black hats and seditious activities that undermine the American Experiment. We already know most of the traitors.

7th/8th Grade American History – A Lesson Learned

I have posted previously that I homeschool a couple of subjects with our Grandson #1 who is a 6th grader. We share a love for history. His focus and intensity rises when we study the assigned material and he asks really thoughtful questions. Before this Series on the signers I would not have been able to answer some of them. A handful of the answers to those questions are different and contrary to what the course curriculum and even some alleged historical accounts provide. We do not shy away from discussing those differences.

An example from a past subject of a Series I did on here is the Great Chicago Fire accounts from over 150 years ago in 1871. Nearly all current historical accounts of the event still say that bad ole Elsie the cow caused it by kicking over a lantern in the O’Leary’s barn as I discussed in the Fire! series. However, even AI calls that a myth now. Yet, the authorities of that day made the O’Leary’s the scapegoats without ever charging them. That continued to be the story for over a century until they were absolved by city leadership three decades ago long after the couple was dead. Yet, virtually none of the current historical accounts we reviewed noted the owners and cow were absolved from the accusation. The curriculum we used still showed it the former way. Since that curriculum is used by over a million kids, well, you get the picture. Ridiculous.

Shifting back; with the subject course curriculum provider regarding the Boston Massacre they gave a stock answer that did not rock the boat. Instead of accepting on face value we researched and discussed the actual documentation and evidence to base our own conclusions. When we do this sometimes they are different, sometimes they are similar. But the point I am teaching #1 is to do the work himself with adult assistance as needed and never accept anything of substance at face value. It teaches him critical thinking in all things.

As an example as it applies to this Finale of the series, some founding fathers, especially those in the Sons of Liberty, used the awful event of the Boston Massacre to grow the discontent and move the people more toward the independence movement (thankfully). However, many of the independence supporting descriptions in print, art and verbally left out the violent mob aspect that threatened the British soldiers. In our study the curriculum portrayed these subject colonist depictions as patriot “propaganda” and provided a definition of what propaganda is.

This was an unfortunate illustration. The curriculum providers either do not know or do not want to present the truth. To call the depictions propaganda is over the top. In reality, we only know what others from the period and soon after have provided. The truth is what it is and there is no consensus, just narratives about the actual events subject to perception of the presenters and perspectives of the readers. There were dozens of eye witness statements in the trials and even they could not get their stories straight. Some of the “witnesses” could have been operatives on either side as there were over 400 people present in the chaotic event. There is no way to know for sure and examine deeper because they are dead.

As a developer of curriculum, historian or teacher you should never call historical representations as being propaganda without proven evidence. It reveals a bias when you do. In the real world of education in America we know great bias exists, so I was not the least bit surprised. Most folks realize that the leftists love to rewrite history. They make sure they hire and appoint people of their political and cultural persuasions into roles that influence school text. When proven wrong most shrug it off as being not important. If there is one thing we all have learned together on the QTree; schools and education sources are filled with their own propaganda, outright lies, and agendas.

They were not done. The only victim of the shooting mentioned in the curriculum account was a man of color, Crispus Attucks, who was the first person shot for throwing projectiles at the soldiers. Apparently Attucks was a freed man, a mulatto. He was one of eight people shot, five of whom died from their wounds. None of the other names of victims were listed in the curriculum’s account. The objective of the curriculum writer for noting the name and skin color of the person is totally out of context with the historical account, but reveals their bias. I informed #1 that none or all of the victims names should have been listed without skin color because the color of one’s skin was not relevant to the event. Mr. Attucks was not shot for having a different skin color than others; he was shot for throwing crap at British soldiers who did not obey orders and military protocol. It was good they asked no questions about Attucks on the quiz/test.

The propaganda discussion in the curriculum turned into the opening I needed to explain how #1 should “think things through” and come to his own conclusions, even if he needed to answer any quiz/test questions as the material had been presented fo scoring purposes. This taught him to become more discerning about what he read or heard. He could then be content knowing the truth even if the material misrepresented or outright lied. The smirk on #1’s face told me he got what I meant. Yes, a child with my genes in him. 😂

Which is what all of us patriots have learned over the past decade that Donald J. Trump has been trying to lead our country. Take NOTHING at face value. Research and test it. Quit accepting other viewpoints who try to influence as fact without verification and evidence. instead, look for the motives of the presenters and influencers first.

The actual results of the Boston Massacre trials are documented. The commanding officer of the soldiers was ruled not guilty and it seems to be a correct verdict. Many in the crowd testified to not hearing him give a command to fire and they also observed him standing in front of the soldiers, which he would never do if he wanted them to shoot. These witnesses were generally not loyalists, they were part of the mob that generally did not like the British military at all. Six of the eight soldiers were also found not guilty, which seemed unlikely since 8 colonists were hit and 5 eventually died from the musket fire. But there was insufficient proof to convict. Two were found guilty of manslaughter due to overwhelming witness testimony and evidence they fired their muskets. However, their punishments were only a brand on one thumb of each person’s hand. The curriculum portrayed them guilty of only causing accidental deaths. Nope. They had to know better than that since the convictions are in court documentation and first person accounts. That was intentional misinformation. So I corrected it with #1 and fortunately there were no questions on the quiz/test.

However, their very real propaganda will be accepted by thousands of home schooled students and their parents who did not do the work to check it closer. But as for me and my house…

As those knowledgeable of the event would know, John Adams, was the lead lawyer who represented the British soldiers. He was excellent at his craft. He accepted the case when all others were reluctant to do so. The royal Governor Hutchison was trying to defuse the heated emotions and independence movement. So, Hutchison delayed the trial and encouraged Adams to take the case as they had a good relationship. John Hancock urged Adams to accept as well to calm the patriot waves. Adams agreed and the result we now know. The curriculum portrayed it as Adams having sterling, personal moral reasons of not wanting anybody to go without legal council and doing the right thing no matter the consequences.

Yeah, OK.

The truth is that Hutchison could have used loyalist lawyers to defend or not even charged the soldiers. But he knew the situation was a powder keg ready to explode. So convincing a respected colonist lawyer with both loyalist and independence minded connections and clients to take the case that softened the blowback made more sense. Hutchison accomplished his goal by using Adams.

Adams accomplished his of keeping the British from using even more violence to quell the unrest than the colonists were prepared to experience. Based on his comments afterwards he knew the verdicts would not reflect the complete truth that the British soldiers murdered 5 and wounded 3 other unarmed colonists indiscriminately. Incited to do so or not, the British soldiers’ responses were way over the top. Two being convicted of lesser charges was at least something to offer while buying time for his cousin, Samuel Adams, and the other patriots of the Sons of Liberty like Paul Revere to gather more support for the movement.

John Adams was not in that hell raising patriot group. He preferred to work on the independence issues he supported through the law and politics. He really was not a man of the people anyway, he felt more comfortable with the elites and aristocrats. His success in the defense of the defenseless kept his hands clean with the British authorities and military. That would prove useful for his continued acceptance in their circles for intel as the events unfolded.

When the Boston Tea Party subsequently took place, we know that a large number of well armed and capable British soldiers were there and observing, yet, took no action against the fake Indians dumping 342 valuable crates of tea from three British ships into the Boston Harbor. The troops wanted no part with the even larger hostile crowds who were present like those that had been faced with the Boston Massacre. Their lack of response also reflects Hutchison having already developed a plan for addressing future unrest that did not include violence if it could be avoided. That plan hit the colonists in the wallet and involved recovery of lost taxes, making the mercantilists whole for the damages, and even more oppression from Parliament against them.

All of these historical characters had a part to play. Only they would know the truth of what they did and they are not talking because they stopped breathing long ago. We just know the narrative taught in schools and in various curriculum is often shallow and sometimes manipulated. That makes them susceptible to fake or incomplete narratives. The documents and evidence from first hand accounts combined with critical thinking works better.

The MAGA movement will be written about one day as the shot heard around the world for our period in American history as well as world history. At least it will in the reports and stories of honest authors. After that the propaganda and lies may be used to deflect from its true value and effect. However, the trajectory of world and human history made a marked turn that cannot be hidden and the truth will be known to those who choose to pursue it. You know it from the huge international investment into America and the major changes in dozens of aligned nations around the world. That cannot be hidden – it is a parting of the sea type change.

Just like the long term effects of the Boston Massacre and Boston Tea Party. Once again, history becomes our guide.

Something About Those Words…

I hope your heart quickens as mine does when you read the following words once again;

In Congress, July 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, —That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness...

That part in bold stands out to me. What Thomas Jefferson and the founding fathers saw in those days 250 years ago is what We the People of the MAGA movement see today. It is our moral and legal authorization to do what we have been doing.

Exciting times. As Thomas Jefferson said in my two favorites quotes from him,

“I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery.”

“Educate and inform the whole mass of the people. They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.”

And so both will continue. God bless America.

Please remember Wolf’s rules for our community. In general that means to be respectful to each other and to pull no shenanigans that your mom might find offensive or otherwise cause jail time. That said, free speech is honored here.

Please note a name change for this series next week. Although it started as “American Stories: When in the Course of human events” with an emphasis on the signers of the Declaration of Independence. it is now time to move on. There are many more stories to tell.

Be blessed and go make something good happen!