WYBI: CC Warrior Advice from the Battlefield

It’s “Warrior Wednesday” for today’s “Would You Believe It” anti Common Core article. I’m not sure about you, my fellow friends, but I’m fed up and roaring loudly these days about the gross overreach of the federal and state governments into ‘local’ education. I’m vexed about those blasted P3s (public, private partnerships) which saddled us with all things “Common Core”. So hang on to your manes, I’ve uncovered some sage advice worthy of passing on to you who are fighting ‘tooth and nail’ for your kids.

“Tooth and Nail”:

Sure, we’ve all heard the phrase a million times, but do you know the significance of it in our war against the “Core”? According to good ole, Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, ‘tooth and nail fighting’ means ‘to fight by ANY available means’. Other sources I found said the phrase means to fight in a way which resembles a wild animal. The animal will  bare its teeth and attack with its nails. So, my fellow soldiers, are we using ALL our available means when it comes to standing up to fight the CCSS Machine? I sincerely hope so.

Consider the following questions:

1) When we attend those important meetings, are we SO loud we end up repelling those whom we seek an audience with?
2) Are we expressing our ire with appropriate language?
3) Have we grown so weary we are leaving others alone in those much needed tasks to be completed?
4) Have we kept up with the latest factual and useful information available to us?
5) If a new person ready to join us in battle approaches you, can you help them take ‘baby steps’ in learning all about the mission to rid America of CCSS?

General Hannibal’s Words:

The famous Carthaginian general encouraged his troops with the following words:
“On the right and left, two seas enclose you…” (think how we are surrounded by overreach and greed)… “Here is where we first met the enemy…” (think about the CCSS Machine)…“The necessity of fighting holds on to you…” (think how many folks you’ve met and now work with who are not usually fighters)...”A despised enemy has often maintained a sanguinary contest…” (think about the smugness of those who support CCSS)…“renowned states and kings have been conquered by a very slight effort” (think how effective we citizen warriors have been).

Catiline’s Advice:

This famous leader against the Roman republic, shared some excellent points we can use in our modern day rise against education reform run amuck. “I am well aware, soldiers, that words cannot inspire courage..whatever courage is in the heart, whether by nature or by habit, will be shown in the field..maintain a brave and resolute spirit. Your spirit, your age, your valor give me confidence.” A few warrior considerations: is our spirit resolute? Is our courage showing in the trenches? Is our valor helping others who are not quite as strong?

A ‘Tiger’s’ Observations:

Clemenceau (a Frenchman who’s nickname “The Tiger” was given to him due to his will and energy to lead others) was instrumental in 1918 in turning the tide against the forces gearing up for WWI. In his speech which was not only a response to the socialist opposition he faced, but an encouragement to his troops, I offer the following:
“One aim——-victory!…at the most critical period of the war. I remember I told you we’d pass together through difficult and exacting times; of ‘cruel hours’…as long as you remain calm, confident in yourself,  determined to hold out to the end of this hard struggle, Victory is yours.” Do you notice his choice of words?! “Together” is used to note that while what they faced was tough, they were NOT alone! “Difficult and exacting”, YES! How many of us are sharper now than we were when we began standing up and being an activist/advocate? “Determined to hold out”..are you? I am.

Closing:
If you’d like to find not only these speeches, but others like them, look for the “World’s Greatest Speeches” published in 1942.
It is my belief that this is a great example of why we must know our past to be able to better our future. If I’d not known about these great leaders and their speeches, how could I help others keep their momentum going in the “War Against the Core”? I can’t help but ache for the millions of students who are being denied this opportunity to learn about the historical past from the leaders who were there. Instead, they are learning about it from snippets here and there and informational text.  If nothing else, let this be a reason why you continue to stand up and be a lion who roars.