News Corner

By Anne Koutsoutis

One of America’s greatest achievements has been the maintaining of political freedom and government by discussion. The roots of this achievement go back to Europe, especially England, but the United States has successfully adopted and added to this heritage of liberty.  At its best, the American political system makes it possible to use public discussion and free expression as a means of education, finding the answers to new and difficult questions, and avoiding any anti-libertarian movement that might seize power in moments of panic.  At times seemingly wasteful and slow-moving, democracy has always held within itself the possibility of growth, and this growth has been made possible because of free speech.

In the age of big government, censorship by big tech, a biased media and cancel culture, freedom of thought and discussion is difficult to maintain, but it must be maintained. There is no guarantee that the right answers will be found at the right time. It is, however, the best hope for continued American progress. Open debate plus constructive listening and criticism is the key to maintaining a free society. The simple fact is that censoring speech is a recipe for illiberalism and regression. That is, and always has been, the reactionary way.

The so-called “tolerant” left, which preaches acceptance and understanding toward all people regardless of race, gender, and religion, is not so tolerant when it comes to our free speech and political affiliations. This is a toxic sentiment that seeks to tear down our country symbolically and literally. 

In “The Friends of Voltaire,” published in 1906, Evelyn Beatrice Hall wrote the phrase: “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.” 

Today, there is much work that needs to be done. We must be willing to point out the hypocrisy and discrepancy that runs rampant in the left’s ideology. It is only through conversation, not cancellation, that we will be able to expose the left’s hypocrisy, unify America and restore American patriotism.

Now, let us get to work.

Anne Koutsoutis, First Vice Chair, MCGOP, President, CCWRC

Roots of Critical Race Theory

I am sure that many of you recall that during the Korean War hundreds of American Servicemen who had been captured and held by Chinese communists in North Korea and China. After the Armistice most were returned to the United States. Considerable efforts were made to investigate the experiences of these men in order to obtain a full understanding of the tactics and techniques employed by the communist captors.

Three years after the end of the conflict, a report was released which focused primarily on Chinese efforts to obtain “false confessions” from the American prisoners, of which approximately 50% complied. These confessions were obtained, not by physical torture which most of the prisoners feared, but by the manipulation of the beliefs, statements, and conduct of the prisoners.  Why did the Chinese want these false confessions? Because, over time the repetition of false confessions actually convinced the prisoners that they were actually guilty,  and this over time, bred self-loathing and self-resentment. In the end the captives were turned into compliant pawns. 

The Geneva Convention of August 12, 1949 established standards of international law for the humanitarian treatment of combatants during war expressly prohibited any form of  “coercion to secure information, etc. and went even further to state that POWs who “refuse to answer… may not be threatened, insulted, or exposed to any unpleasant or disadvantageous treatment of any kind.”

Isn’t it curious that in the United States today, we do not hold ourselves to a similar standard of conduct toward even our own citizens but abuse them in ways prohibited by international law.  Partisan hacks and Leftist ideologues use threats, insults, and unpleasant treatment of American citizens who happen to believe, think, speak and act in ways that do not comport with the standards of the Left.

The truth of the matter is that there is an entire industry in the US that is paid to employ these same coercive and manipulative tactics against the American people. That is the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion industry  which is apparently seeking to actively shape compliance of American citizens, including federal employees and members of the armed forces. It is said that this industry is one of the greatest threats facing Americans today because it is steeped in critical race theory, a dangerous and divisive Marxist based philosophy.

Why are taxpayers funding this industry?  Why do we allow that industry to thrive? Why aren’t our leaders in the Executive Branch, in Congress, and in the military standing up against this? How is it that we have become so compliant so quickly?  Why is it that our news media talks incessantly about things such as transgender bathrooms or Confederate statues. Why is it that our education system focuses on wokeness  racism, transgender bathrooms, and wrecking women’s sports to the detriment of actual learning? Nothing like this is heard in China as it strengthens it position as the world’s leading power. The Chinese don’t make the mistake of constant haggling about identity politics. They know it is a waste of time and are likely instigating brainwashing efforts to turn Americans into “compliant pawns”. 

When are we going to demand the press, and our politicians focus on things that are not a waste of time?

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William Richbourg is a member of the Montgomery County Republican Central Committee.

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