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Show SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 21, 1996 Opinion 4 Guest Editorial What am I saying? If you care By Ron Ford For several years, I have been aware of a dangerous new philosophy within state offices of education. I believe our educag tional leaders to be rational, persons, but I have difficulty understanding why they institutionalize such a threat to traditional values. Ive attempted to bring the issue to superordinates but it is perceived as a challenge to authority and God-fearin- insubordinate. The foundation of this philosophy is behaviorism and manifests itself as humanism. In the name of scientific research, they institutionalize bureaucratic conformity and nullify citizen sovereignty in the name of excellence and quality. Public schools are enclosed within this philosophy as they prioritize standardized testing, stereotype by disabilities and abilities, and teach to empirical rationales rather than empowering the unique talents and intuition of teachers and students. Concepts of motivation behavior and responsibility to change from innate, controlled and extrinsically paternalistic rewards. Goals 2000 is another brick in that philosophical entrenchment. When the public outcry calls for teaching values in schools, state offices of values education but it is anathemic to the philosophy of behaviorism (humanism). Traditional moral codes and newer irrational cults both fail to meet the pressing needs of today and tomorrow... False theologies of hope and messianic ideologies ... cannot cope with existing world realities. They separate rather than unite peoples. Behaviorists (humanists) teach situational morality because human behavior is a product of physiologial drives and environmental conditioning rather than thought guiding behavior. Traditionally, Liberal Arts philosophy guided our nations schools. Constitutional documents were created on the ideal of citizen sovereignty and governmental duties. Inalienable rights and citizen sovereignty were priorities and government was to be limited. Many still attempt to function by the Liberal Arts philosophy, though impacted by the new philosophy. self-direct- ed education-institutionaliz- e In local congressional races, I was pleased to see Republican candidates speak of the philosophical corruption and threat to national and state sovereignty. Amnesty Internationals effort to stop the execution of John Butler Taylor in the name of decency reflected growing audacity to impose authority upon local autonomy - the key to government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Sovereignty survives on choice and responsibility for choice. Its an innate motive to be empowered. Teachers are disenfranchised by coercive demands placed on them by scientific rationales and control priorities. Students feel the pressure to conform and conflicts result in the unconscious loss to personal power. Understanding innate motivation is Liberal Arts. Developmental and cognitive psychologies teach how our teaming centers can be organized for emancipation and empowerment. A grass roots movement is needed to speak to school boards, administrators, teachers and parents across the nation to restore Liberal Arts philosophy. The public is asleep in their drive for survival and dont realize it is tolerating an ethic dangerous to freedom. Workshops, conferences, and pageants can be organized to reteach Liberal Arts values and contrasts to traditional values. I hope my message is clear and it is obvious what my goal is. The time is now to stand up and lead out for freedom. Letters to the Editor What is your opinion? This newspaper welcomes opinions from its readers concerning any subject. Anything of a libelous nature or defamation of character will not be considered for publication. Please limit your letters to 300 words or less. Letters must be signed and include your full name, address and telephone number. Thank you for your interest. Blue Moon great Dear Editor: Lets hear it for the kids! Virtually every aspect of the Blue Moon dinner and dance held last week was organized by students in the music department at Kanab High School. What a great experience! They handled everything from artistic decor to zany music and all points be tween! My sincere congratulations to them for a wonderful evening! Special thanks as well to Rick Farnsworth and the Houstons entourage, the combo consistingof Kortney, Gwen and Jack, the servers, parents, and all of you who attended! Keep the good FUN! McKay Shields , a m A Stevens children respond . we wished to return. We never Southern Utah news have been missing either. Changingnames does not necDear Editor: essarily prove guilt. Our new We found the front page head- names were not fictitious. They AAA 24 SUN were a way of putting the past line in about abduction and missing behind us and starting over. kids, to be insensitive, incom- Also, a man on the run does not plete, and not true. We acknowl- tie himself down with a busiedge your right to print what- ness. We have helped our dad ever you want, but feel that re- rebuild homes in Orderville and FRIDAY 1 PM balance those must sponsibility See LETTERS, Page 5 rights. The articles were insensitive because they exposed matters of a personal nature in a sensational and negative way which affects not only the adults involved, but has had detrimental effects on us, their children. The articles were incomplete NEWSPAPER because they failed to mention Jacob Stevens our that dad, The Southern Utah News (ISSN No. 0049-165is published every a.k.a. Fred Nesbitt, acted for the N. Main St., Kanab, Utah 84741 . The SUNews serves Wednesday at 26 his chilbenefit and Kane County, Utah, and the Arizona Strip. Address communications to 26 dren. He felt the situation was N. Main St., Kanab, Utah 84741 , or telephone 801 Fax 801 abusive, which threatened our rates available Second Class Advertising upon request. physical and spiritual well beat Utah 84741 . Newsstand Kanab, postage paid price 50c per copy. ing. He also felt that he had rates to Kane County addresses and Fredonia and Yearly subscription inadequate legal council and lost Moccasin, Arizona, $22; others $30 (out of U.S. $50). The SUNews custody because of a plea barreserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement or submitted items. gain between attorneys that Richard Negus was not in his or our best interDixie Dennis and Brunner est. The lawyer also failed to Kanab News Publishers and Editor inform him of the appeal deadMyrna Cox line and when the deadline was Ruth Koontz Glendale News missed he was left with no legal Dillon Cunningham Production Staff Barb Kimball help. The headlines were not true Fredonia News Barbara Pyles because we were not kidnapped Feature Writer Twiia Cox or carried away by force, which Orderville News is the definition of abduct. We Postmaster: Send change of address left of our own will and have Rita Fraser cards to - 26 N. Main St., always been free to return and Kanab, UT 84741 Advertising he would have provided a way if i t S f J r .! fr r;vy y,Y.Y.V.v f SSi the-Januar- y Deadlines AAA iisi 9) well-being- of 44-2900, 44-2926. .- |