Each time I hit the road, I have an opportunity to listen to a wide variety of shows or podcasts. Without exception, I come away with so many thoughts and ideas for the radio show or this column, that there just isn't enough time for all of it. I end up putting some of it on my Facebook page associated with the radio show but it also prompts me to do one of the random thoughts and observations columns. The depth of my opinion and analysis isn't there but I trust the reader to get the gist of what I'm saying and hopefully it causes you to think about something that maybe wasn't on your radar before. So let's get to it.

The state of our education system is one of the reasons we have so many problems in America right now. Government schools have become indoctrination centers that discourage original thought or discussion of opposing viewpoints. Based upon the quality of people applying for jobs, government schools are also failing to teach our children marketable skills including basic reading, writing, and arithmetic. And don't get me started on consequential thinking skills or abilities. When parents complain about any number of problems present in our school systems, they are labeled as terrorists by the Department of Justice and told that they don't understand educating our children since they have come up for the most part with no formal training. One thing that often gets overlooked, however, is that these parents have experience in the education system. Most of us went through government schools when they were considered the best in the world. We understand and can relate to good teachers and effective teaching methods. We can also recognize the opposite. More importantly we can recognize the outcome and whether it is successful or a failure.

Misinformation is a hot topic in the national conversation. We have learned the extent that government agencies, especially the FBI, have become involved in identifying what they call 'misinformation' and encouraging big tech and corporate media to combat the spread by censoring those that express opposing views. it is propaganda control by a governmental entity. It is what every tyrannical government has done in history before they begin jailing people for expressing viewpoints that they do not like. If they are truly worried about someone spreading disinformation, they should probably focus on the politicians and their partners that create the political ads we see today. I don't care which party or which candidate, or which political organization is responsible for creating the advertisements, all of them take information out of context or outright lie. These do more harm than anything that is being censored by Facebook or Google or anyone else.

This is what happens when the progressives continue down the slippery slope they created. The Associated Press distributed an article regarding the World Series. The author(s) lamented the lack of African American players on the rosters of the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros. The clear insinuation was that Major League Baseball has a problem and discriminates against African Americans. To be sure each team has black players and not just a few. But these players are from the Caribbean or Central America and the author indicates these players are not to be counted when determining if there is a race problem in Major League Baseball. So it's not just the color of one's skin, it's now are you from the right region of the world? The victimization crowd is now assigning values to certain demographic groups based upon their own perceptions and criteria. Apparently if you're black and not directly from Africa, you don't count. How much farther will it go?

The Russian Ukrainian war is a complicated situation that is not as simple as the media wants you to believe. But one aspect that is simple, Vladimir Putin is setting the stage for the use of chemical, biological, or tactical nuclear weapons. Annexing four regions of the Ukraine allows him to cite Russia's nuclear defense doctrine. This allows the Russian government to authorize the use of nuclear weapons if a foreign entity attacks Russian soil. Also by claiming that he believes there is evidence that the Ukraine is about to use chemical or biological weapons, he would have "justification" to use similar weapons in defense. Knowing how the Russians work, it's extremely plausible that he could conduct the attack on his own troops and claim it was done by Ukrainian forces.

Since the 'racist' Jim Crow 2.0 voting law was passed in Georgia, there have been two statewide elections. In both cases, Georgia saw the largest turn out of voters in history. According to the Secretary of State's website, this was the case across all demographic groups. Yet Joe Biden, Stacey Abrams, George Stephanopoulos, and the rest of the woke mob claim otherwise.

Finally, get out and vote. Hillary Clinton and others are already claiming that the Republicans are going to try and steal the election. Which is odd given that anyone who claims the 2020 election was stolen is a conspiracy theorist that does not live in reality because an election cannot be stolen. There is ample legal evidence in several states that proves otherwise along with probably some personal knowledge from those that are now protesting the outcome of this election before it has really even started. One way to combat that is to ensure that we turn out in numbers that are unprecedented. And folks, if like me, you receive absentee ballots in the mail for people that do not exist, are dead, or moved away long ago, don't just throw those away. Report to them not just to the clerk's office but also to responsible media sources as well as legal authorities. We may not get those responsible prosecuted or removed from office but it certainly puts them on notice that we aren't going to take it anymore.

Content on the Beat

WARNING: All articles and photos with a byline or photo credit are copyrighted to the author or photographer. You may not use any information found within the articles without asking permission AND giving attribution to the source. Photos can be requested and may incur a nominal fee for use personally or commercially.

Disclaimer: If you find errors in articles not written by the Beat team but sent to us from other content providers, please contact the writer, not the Beat. For example, obituaries are always provided by the funeral home or a family member. We can fix errors, but please give details on where the error is so we can find it. News releases from government and non-profit entities are posted generally without change, except for legal notices, which incur a small charge.

NOTE: If an article does not have a byline, it was written by someone not affiliated with the Beat and then sent to the Beat for posting.

Images: We have received complaints about large images blocking parts of other articles. If you encounter this problem, click on the title of the article you want to read and it will take you to that article's page, which shows only that article without any intruders. 

New Columnists: The Beat continues to bring you new columnists. And check out the old faithfuls who continue to provide content.

Newsletter: If you opt in to the Join GCB Three Times Weekly Updates option above this to the right, you will be subscribed to email notifications with links to recently posted articles.

Submitting to the Beat

Those new to providing news releases to the Beat are asked to please check out submission guidelines at https://www.grantcountybeat.com/about/submissions. They are for your information to make life easier on the readers, as well as for the editor.

Advertising: Don't forget to tell advertisers that you saw their ads on the Beat.

Classifieds: We have changed Classifieds to a simpler option. Check periodically to see if any new ones have popped up. Send your information to editor@grantcountybeat.com and we will post it as soon as we can. Instructions and prices are on the page.

Editor's Notes

It has come to this editor's attention that people are sending information to the Grant County Beat Facebook page. Please be aware that the editor does not regularly monitor the page. If you have items you want to send to the editor, please send them to editor@grantcountybeat.com. Thanks!

Here for YOU: Consider the Beat your DAILY newspaper for up-to-date information about Grant County. It's at your fingertips! One Click to Local News. Thanks for your support for and your readership of Grant County's online news source—www.grantcountybeat.com

Feel free to notify editor@grantcountybeat.com if you notice any technical problems on the site. Your convenience is my desire for the Beat.  The Beat totally appreciates its readers and subscribers!  

Compliance: Because you are an esteemed member of The Grant County Beat readership, be assured that we at the Beat continue to do everything we can to be in full compliance with GDPR and pertinent US law, so that the information you have chosen to give to us cannot be compromised.