(Original article published in March 2016; updated for March 2019, March 2022, and March 2025)

At least, that’s what the media is teaching our society.  Check out these Web resources, and see if you find the dysfunction.  Begin by visitng http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/stamp-out-bullying/

Pay close attention to the section that says, “What Are the Signs That My Child Is a Bully?”  Now, keep those traits in mind when reading  https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it

If teachers do this, they would lose their job, and their career would be ruined for life.  Yes, we’ve witnessed government officials using Twitter to rant, citing their right to free speech….except that it’s not speech.

Speech is speaking; publication on a media platform is freedom of the press, also protected under the first amendment.  However, if they incite sedition (the crime of inciting rebellion or violence against a lawful authority, with the intent to cause its overthrow or destruction.  An insurrectionist is one that participates in an act of rebellion), that’s another matter.

What is the most effective means of teaching?  By example.  What is the most effective way individuals learn?  By what they experience.

Recently, some “concerned community members” in our community ran for school board on a platform of extreme conservative values – and won.  What happened?  There’s used to be decorum and discussion displayed at school board meetings.  When those people were elected, it wasn’t uncommon for school board members to show up for meetings in T-Shirts with inappropriate language and wearing sunglasses.  That behavior goes against the school district’s dress code.  The questions to ask:

• What is this teaching our young people?
• What does this portend for the future of our nation?

Thankfully, two years later, more appropriate individuals were elected to round out the board positions that were expiring, but the conservatives still make the news by filing frivolous lawsuits and “behaving badly.”

Sadly, this kind of behavior does not portend well for the future of our nation – as we’re all witnessing at this particular time in history.