Faith

David Barton Part 2: Historian Responds to Critics’ Claims, Academics‘ ’Extreme Hostility Toward Faith’ & Obama’s Alleged King George III-Like Behavior

Editor’s Note: This is the second segment of TheBlaze’s series on conservative historian David Barton. He will also be appearing at some of the events surrounding Glenn Beck’s “Restoring Love” event in Dallas, Texas, this week.

Historian David Barton Responds to His CriticsEarlier this week, we brought you the first part of our series on conservative historian David Barton. You learned some of the major criticisms that have been waged against him, while also gaining perspective into his worldview on America’s founding. TheBlaze spoke exclusively with Barton to get his response and to better understand how he views the nation’s founding.

(Related: David Barton Part I: An In-Depth Look at the Harsh Criticisms of the Conservative Historian)

 

“I am a threat to their paradigm”

When asked to share why he believes some see him through such a negative lens, he said that critics view him as a threat to their worldview and ideological confines.

“I am a threat to their paradigm,” Barton said. “They have a particular paradigm built on a set of beliefs. I challenge those beliefs based on historical evidence that weakens their perspective.”

The academic world, he explains, embraces a far more secular worldview than mainstream society. He also said that numerous studies corroborate the notion that college and university campuses are among the most hostile place in America for faith and religion (and those who embrace a belief in a higher power).

This dynamic essentially leads to “extreme hostility toward faith,” Barton believes. In a grander sense, he adds that it leads college academics and historians to gloss over the role of faith in the nation’s founding.

“What they teach is a reflection of who they are and what they personally believe and that’s the way it is with every teacher,” he said. “Professors are so much more liberal than students are.”

Historian David Barton Responds to His Critics

Barton said that when he attends campuses, this disconnect between students and liberals is evident. From secular to religious colleges, he said that “kids love” him and “professors hate” him. Regardless of the ideological dynamic that exists between these two sides, Barton worries that the students are being impacted by their leftist professors. He also believes that many of the professors, too, have been impacted by their own more-secular education.

“There’s no way that you can go through intensive training and not have that run off on you to some degree,” he said of the students who are trained by allegedly religiously-hostile professors.

 

Church and state

When it comes to the separation of church and state, Barton claims that the Founders simply wanted what the First Amendment says — for Congress to make no laws that would limit people’s ability to worship freely (it reads, in part, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”).

“[The First Amendment] always dealt with the church being the victim, the state taking over and trying to do the Obama thing — ‘Here’s what you will do or the government will punish you,’” Barton explained.

To get the nation back on track, he says the Constitution is the best document to consult, considering that it is the “original design” for how the nation should be operated. Additionally, populism plays a role in getting America back on the proper course. Barton noted that the majority of the nation supports keeping God’s name in the Pledge, among other faith-based stances. Allowing the people’s voice — the majority — to be heard is the solution.

“If you let the people be in charge you’ll get the same results that the constituion will give you…go back to founding principles,” he added.

Historian David Barton Responds to His Critics

When atheists and secularists co-opt the discussion, the minority gains power over the majority, Barton explained, calling such a result “unconstitutional.”

“That’s exactly why the Founding Fathers did not allow filibusters in their day,” he added. “It allowed 40 senators to have more power than 60 senators. The Founders got it right.”

 

A “self-made historian”?

Barton also tackled the consistent framework through which he is represented, as most outlets call him a “self-made historian.” When asked how he reacts to what seems like it could be an attempt to depict him as uneducated or not properly prepared to take on historical constructs, he had plenty to say.

“They don’t attack the facts — they attack the education – and that’s a way to change the topic,” Barton said. “If education really matters, there’s a lot I can point out. Ben Franklin didn’t have an education at all. George Washington didn’t have a military education.”

The historian explained that Americans have traditionally prided themselves “not on the labors you wear, but the fruit you produce.” He took specific aim at Warren Throckmorton, an associate professor of psychology at Grove City College (we mentioned Throckmorton in our original piece).

“The case of Throckmorton is a great example. He’s a psychology guy. Tell me what history experience he has — he has no training in that area at all,” he said, going on to wonder why Throckmorton is permitted to critique him with little scrutiny when he, too, purportedly has little formal history education.

Historian David Barton Responds to His Critics

“I have spent more time in history documents than any [person] they want to name who has a history PhD. There might be half a dozen people in america that have read as many history documents as I have,” he continued. “If that translated into actual degrees I would have four or five PhDs.”

We told Barton that writer Stephen Prothero also challenged the historian’s claims about President Thomas Jefferson. As we previously noted, Prothero wrote that Jefferson dubbed the Biblical book of Revelation as the “ravings of a maniac” and that he never accepted the divinity of Jesus. The professor also claims that the virgin birth was rejected by the Founding Father and that the Trinity was “hocus-pocus phantasm.”

Barton said that this is absolutely explainable, as he provided a more divided view of Jefferson than many historians have.

“The easiest way to explain this — what if I only chose quotes from Ronald Reagan from the time he was a Democrat? Woud that be an accurate depiction or not?,” Barton asked. “Jefferson had several religious phases. During the last 15 years of his life he started to critique his former beliefs.”

He went on to say that it‘s unfair to examine the last 15 years of Jefferson’s life and to frame him based upon his behavior during that time, when he lived the first 70 years as a more traditionally-religious man. Ignoring the bulk of Jefferson’s life, Barton says, isn’t an appropriate way to tackle the history.

Jefferson lived his life as a Christian, Barton said. As far as whether the former president and Founding Father died with the faith he purportedly espoused, Barton is divided. He called such a discussion “a complicated situation.”

“If you believe as many denominations do, ‘once saved always saved,’ you would believe he stayed saved. If you believe that you can lose salvation, you can argue that he could lose it,” he said. “If I could use an Obama phrase, ‘that’s above my pay grade.’ “He didn’t renounce the faith — he still was a great lover of Jesus. He just wasn’t sure Jesus was the divine son of God.”

 

The state of religious freedom in America

Aside from addressing critics, Barton went on to discuss the state of affairs in America when it comes to religious freedom, dubbing them “the worst we’ve had since King George III.” While it’s been the worst in terms of government abuses and suppression, Barton believes that populism has been excellent, specifically in the faith arena, where believers have been standing against the contraceptive mandate, among other freedom-related issues.

As for his involvement in Glenn Beck’s “Restoring Love,” Barton is helping citizens in the Dallas, Texas, area and empowering them as they volunteer to assist the poor and those in need this week. He’s managing about 25 projects related to the “Restoring Love” initiative. During our discussion, he touted the importance of helping one’s fellow man.

“I‘m a firm believer in limited government and if I’m an advocate for that I need to do more myself,” he proclaimed. “If individuals would pick up the social needs, the government wouldn’t need to.”

Stay tuned for part three of the series, which will consist of a live Spreecast discussion with Barton next week.

Comments (121)

  • Modern_Cicero
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 5:30pm

    If you interpret the beginning clause of the First Amendment as banning religious expression – because people may listen to the expression and feel compelled to follow it – then you have to interpret the next clauses as being banned behavior as well, for the same reason. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” If this erects a wall of separation prohibiting religious expression on government property, then, “[Congress shall make no law] abridging the freedom of speech” means speech must be equally banned on government property. And the same logic follows for, “[Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom] of the press”; “[Congress shall make no law...abridging] the right of the people peaceably to assemble”, and “[Congress shall make no law...abridging...the right of the people] to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” If the first clause bans religious expression, the following clauses ban free speech, free press, peacable assembly and petition for redress for greiviences. Either all clauses must be read with a “wall of separation” interpretation or none of them should be.

    Report Post »  
    • stage9
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 8:18pm

      That is a very interesting perspective Modern_Cicero, and one I’ve never really considered before. Thanks.

      Report Post » stage9  
    • TPaine
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 8:20pm

      That’s exactly right, and this government would like to trash the entire Constitution, and outlaw everything except itself. We’re moving toward the Soviet system here, and soon, there will be no “rights” or freedoms left, lest the government grant them. When Kruschev said, “We will bury you!” he was spot-on. It’s just taken a little longer than originally planned. And we have done it to ourselves.

      Report Post » TPaine  
    • cyril
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 9:35pm

      I have come to appreciate the Roman statesman. I just finished reading “Laws,” and found it very well written. With what you have just written, I would say he would have been proud that you use his name. You have given me a new perspective. Well said!

      Report Post »  
    • acidovorax
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 10:55pm

      CICERO, how do you justify that “respecting” and “abridging” mean the same thing?

      Report Post »  
    • StonyBurk
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 8:20am

      T’anks Modern C — Some years ago a sitting US supreme Court Justice told a law schools’ captive audience that his fellow justices were wrong to suppose the history of an amendment (or basically any other criteria) could not be used to suggest we can understand the meaning of the terms as they were understood when a law was adopted. How terrible for America that the lack of Knowledge is now deemed necessary to good government. where –when the Northwest Ordinance was proposed and adopted they wrote Religion,Morality, and Knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind. …”Adopted while the Constitutional Convention was in progress– and passed again (article III intact) while the Bill of Rights was being drawn up. The concept that motivated the fundamental law appears to have come from a popular Sermon preached May10,1787 by Elizur Goodrich (see Political Sermons of the American Founding Era 1730-1805 ,Ellis Sandoz ed. pp909-940 especially p.915 and compare) When a group of Veterans of WWI ,common to the practice of that time– can erect a simple Memorial to the dead of all wars atop Sunrise Rock in the Mojave desert and it was cared for from 1934 –until stolen 2010 by Veterans and their friend. When that was Not even challenged in Court until @2000 When we were not told that the establishment clause required a religious free government /public square until about 1980 -We’ve got a problem.

      Report Post »  
    • cyril
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 10:00am

      acidovorax:

      I would say he is still on solid ground simply by extending his context “[Congress shall make no law respecting] or abridging the free speech of…“ The word ”or” denotes some connection with what came before it. To me the Amendment reads with regard to “respecting”, “interfering” and “abridgment” means “controlling.” This in no way denigrates the responsibility implied throughout the Constitution.

      Report Post »  
    • The_Cabrito_Goat
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 12:34pm

      Yes! Haha thank you, Cicero. I too have read your work in my Latin class. I only wish you were around today (although back in the day, you were a hardcore anti-christian)

      Report Post » The_Cabrito_Goat  
  • ACTFORCHRIST
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:54pm

    Barton’s facts have always been correct, as are John Daniels in his new book, ‘The Coming” A True Story Of Horror.’ @ Amazon.com. This book is a must read for anyone concerned with our country’s future. Unbelievable

    Report Post »  
  • Teaparty-grammy
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:48pm

    It has been my experience that liberals decide how they want things to be, then create an entire mythology to support that idea, and start behaving as though it were reality. And if you want to see hostility, just get between a liberal and his/her delusions. Hell hath no fury like a liberal forced to glimpse a little truth and reality! David Barton regularly blows the fairy dust out of their eyes, and boy, do they ever hate him for it!

    Report Post » Teaparty-grammy  
    • BlazingBob
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 7:29pm

      Now that 70 percent of the federal government’s budget is going to individual assistance programs. It will take more than “fairy dust” to break liberals addiction to government and their belief that Obama will eventually make all of their bills go away.

      Report Post » BlazingBob  
  • Calm Voice of Reason
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:34pm

    Reason has an inherent secular bias, there is no way around that fact. You can rant and rail that academia is hostile to religion all you want, but there really is a very simple explanation for why religious belief declines with formal education and it has nothing to do with indoctrination.

    Report Post » Calm Voice of Reason  
    • NeoFan
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:49pm

      So here is a question for all of your SorosT-ards. What are you going to do when his plan fails here in The US and you cant earn a living from your moms basement spamming conservative blogs? Maybe go back to porn or something?

      Report Post »  
    • Cindy in CA
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 5:34pm

      Growing up in the 50’s and early 60’s, we were afraid that Russia would attack us. We knew Communism was bad for our freedom hence the slogan “Better Dead Than Red”. The Russian leaders always said that they would not defeat us militarily but through our children. Over the years I have seen the changes and now Communism is acceptable. Our children have been indoctrinated by leftist secular teachers and professors. This is why we need people like David Barton to tell the truth about our history and get back to the roots of our country.

      Report Post » Cindy in CA  
    • dont_drive_slow_in_the_left_lane_obliviot
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 5:37pm

      Isaiah 1:18
      New American Standard Bible (NASB)
      18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord,

      Sorry, looks like God has been reasoning for a lot longer than you have.

      Report Post » dont_drive_slow_in_the_left_lane_obliviot  
    • dont_drive_slow_in_the_left_lane_obliviot
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 6:01pm

      So it would stand to reason now that reason may not originate from man and therefore may not be inherently a secular trait. In light of this one ancient verse it seems unreasonable that you can now state it as a fact with no way around it. Since man cannot positively disprove the existence of God, it is still possible that God exists and therefore would be the creator of reason whether mankind understands it or even agrees with it or not. This statement is reasonable. So here is the test: are your reasonable or unreasonable?

      BTW, the reason for religious decline in academia is simply arrogance, not enlightenment. My one simple example shows your ignorance. If you deny it without any thought or discussion then you display arrogance which would prove my point. So now I have also cast doubt on your other thesis.

      Should you choose to reject this outright then you display arrogance and unreasonable dogmatic tendencies which ironically is what you accuse religious people of. Should you choose to at least consider it you display the reason you claim to have but then cast doubt on your philosophies that you resent as absolute.

      Bottom line, either way your’e screwed.

      Report Post » dont_drive_slow_in_the_left_lane_obliviot  
    • acidovorax
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 7:34pm

      “So it would stand to reason now that reason may not originate from man and therefore may not be inherently a secular trait.”

      How did you determine this proposition? Did you use your capacity to reason? If so, then by what evidence do you have to support that such a capacity is not inherently yours?

      “In light of this one ancient verse it seems unreasonable that you can now state it as a fact with no way around it.”

      This verse demonstrates nothing. It was written by men. The fact that they claim God said X is not compelling.

      “Since man cannot positively disprove the existence of God, it is still possible that God exists and therefore would be the creator of reason whether mankind understands it or even agrees with it or not.”

      The skeptic does not have to prove the existence of God, that is the burden of the believers who make the positive assertion. It is possible that God or deities exist, there is simply no compelling evidence to say conclusively yes or no.

      “BTW, the reason for religious decline in academia is simply arrogance, not enlightenment. My one simple example shows your ignorance. If you deny it without any thought or discussion then you display arrogance which would prove my point.”

      Your example demonstrated nothing but an unsupported assertion that the Biblical passage, written by men, was truly from God. As for your assertion concerning arrogance, this is convenient rationalizations. A common tactic used in debate to marginal

      Report Post »  
    • therealconservative
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 8:43pm

      @calm

      “there really is a very simple explanation for why religious belief declines with formal education and it has nothing to do with indoctrination.”

      And the answer is?

      Report Post » therealconservative  
    • Calm Voice of Reason
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 9:08pm

      I am not a paid stooge, nor am I a communist. I don’t know what schools are turning out commies, but it wasn’t the ones I went to. Do freshman come across Howard Zinn and Noam Chomsky and think they got it all figured out? Sure, but that’s a natural side effect of the drugs/alcohol, Bob Marley, and being away from Mom & Dad and not the backbone of any University curriculum.

      @Don’t Drive Slow: I don’t know what to add to what Acid replied to you. I suppose I might mention that any argument about the origins of reason should not be built on false dichotomies, straw men, or begging the question.

      @The Real Conservative: Critical thinking, my good friend. Critical thinking.

      Report Post » Calm Voice of Reason  
    • historyguy48
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 9:33pm

      Comrade academia isn’t anti-religion, they have just substituted the religion of Marxism for our religions. It is very hard to worship two gods, God, or Karl Marx. So they have chosen Marx and deride God.

      Report Post » historyguy48  
    • sandyclaus
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 12:04am

      One of the problems with secular reason is that it has no higher authority than itself. So you are correct when you say it would naturally reject religion. But who or what is left to make final decisions on differing opinions? If one man’s opinion is chosen, would that not be arbitrary? If you go with the majority and their position, is that not a form of tyranny? According to reason, there are no true absolutes, all is subject to relativity. This way of thinking ends up, as all philosophers eventually do, in the theater of absurd,because there is nothing they can truly rely on. Such as what might be right today is wrong tomorrow. Reason focuses on man who is flawed. It may sound intellectual and give you a warm fuzzy, but its temporal nature does not last, nor is it capable of answering the deeper meaning of life.

      Report Post »  
    • DOra Glasberg
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 12:21am

      Religion is the opiate of the masses

      Report Post » DOra Glasberg  
    • acidovorax
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 8:26am

      SANDY, your argument is both a misunderstanding of what truth is and also a logical contradiction. “Who”decides what is true is a fallacy of authority; no one gets to make the claim “it is because I say so”. A proposition is true because it best represents reality. E=mc2 is not true because Einstein says it is, but because it best explains our observations of reality.

      But if we are to accept your original premise, then all of what you wrote is merely unsupported opinion, because you believe that truth is determined by someone else. So what you state is not compelling until some higher authority makes a proclamation that your post is true.

      Report Post »  
    • sandyclaus
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 11:51am

      Acid,

      That was my point, that in the realm of belief anyones values are either valid or invalid depending on how they are accepted. I was not referring to the provable, such as math, but how should man live. By what rules should he be governed, what is right and wrong, what is acceptable and unacceptable? Who decides? If man is the measure of all things, and there is no God, than why should I listen to you or vice versa? If you look at the philosophers down through history, those who supported reason started to realize it was a losing argument. Eventually this led to existentialism that bordered on the absurd and could never answer the ultimate question. You are right, I was giving my own opinion and at the same time undermining it, trying to illustrate that man is flawed and needs a higher source, God. If man is autonomous, according to reason, how can he be held accountable to right and wrong. While you and I may agree that murder is wrong, is stealing wrong? What if……. comes into play. I might think that it is always wrong, but you might suggest otherwise depending on the situation. How do we decide which one is right in a world of no absolutes? Because with no higher authority than man there are no absolutes.

      Report Post »  
    • The_Cabrito_Goat
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 12:40pm

      Most scientists are atheists not because of their education, but because of background, hailing from “free-thinking” families many of them, along with immigrants who migrated from atheistic countries.

      http://godandscience.org/apologetics/why_are_scientists_atheists.html

      Report Post » The_Cabrito_Goat  
    • acidovorax
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 5:48pm

      SANDY, I understand your point, though I do believe that morality can be objective and as with all logical propositions can be defended or refuted through reasoned analysis. This is not to say that any claim of “it is good to do x” or “y is wrong” is objectively true, but that such propositions must be able to withstand counter-arguments to be considered justified. To your point, no one has to act in accordance with such propositions, but then no one has to act in accordance with Biblical passages as well. The fact that believers assert that punishment will be meted out in the after life doesn‘t seem to sway individuals from acting against God’s will.

      Report Post »  
  • hauschild
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:27pm

    You know what is really nice to see in Barton? The due LOVES what he does. You can just see his eyes light up when he talks about this stuff. And, anybody that knows anything about anything, realizes these are the types always at the top of their professions.

    Just like Brett Favre was born to toss the rock, Barton was born to absorb and teach history honestly.

    Report Post »  
  • christos
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:20pm

    …Nero is a closer parallel,

    Report Post » christos  
    • D-Fence
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 7:42pm

      Christos, are you Greek? That would explain your comment. Add context to your reply. My reply: Oh no, Obama is far worse than Nero. You see Nero just fiddled while the nation burned. Obama is actively setting fire to our beloved repurblic.

      Report Post » D-Fence  
  • Paul_Zummo
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:02pm

    I find Barton’s logic infuriating. First of all, he blithely assumes that anyone who criticizes him or Jefferson must be a pinko leftist. I have news for him – leftists aren’t the only ones who disagree with Barton. In fact, it‘s because I’m a conservative and care about the damage done by progressives through the ages that I find Jefferson’s beliefs to be completely wrongheaded.

    Second, Barton doesn’t actually rebut any of his critics – he simply mocks their credentials and ignores the substance of what they have said. Why? Because he can’t rebut them on the facts. Jefferson DID deny divinity of Christ. Jefferson DID deny mock the story of the Virgin Birth. Barton‘s only counter is that Jefferson’s views evolved. Not so. Jesus’s theological views in 1801 were basically the same as they were in 1821.

    Barton and his defenders seem to be under the impression that we’re somehow destroying the American legacy by criticizing Jefferson. There are numerous founding fathers, especially Madison, Washington, and Adams, who conservatives rightfully should revere. Noting that one of the men of this generation held views inimical to conservative thought is hardly tearing down this country. Conservatives should know who the real Jefferson was, not the mythological creature of Barton’s imagination.

    Report Post »  
    • hauschild
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:31pm

      Your evidence on Jefferson? Have a reputable link or book?

      History is tricky. As anybody that has existed for around 40 years or more, you learn that history is often rewritten right before your very eyes. So, who to believe?

      When it comes to the founders, does it make more sense that they’d lean more towards religion or away from it? I think it’s basically common sense stuff.

      Report Post »  
    • usedCZARsalesman
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:40pm

      Umm, when Barton pointed out that Jefferson held consistent beliefs for the first 70 years of life yet liberals ony focus on the last 15 (Jefferson could easily have been going senile or just became one hell of a skeptic late in life…NO WAY of telling), THAT IS REBUTTING HIS CRITICS!

      The fact remains that the founders intent was to protect the CHURCH FROM THE GOVERNMENT, but always wanted the church to have a voice in the polotical arena…anyone who says otherwise is simply misrepresenting the facts and history just to make their arguments to deny people religious freedom more acceptable…period

      Report Post » usedCZARsalesman  
    • JUSTANOTHEROPINION
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:55pm

      Dear PAUL_ZUMMO, I would debate this subject with you if it didn’t just go over your head. It is very obvious that you don’t get the foundation of his argument. It‘s just a pure and simple shame you don’t get it. May God guide your way.

      Report Post »  
    • acidovorax
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 7:40pm

      “There are numerous founding fathers, especially Madison, Washington, and Adams, who conservatives rightfully should revere.”

      Are you speaking of John Adams? The Founder who passed the Sedition Acts that incarcerated Americans for speaking out against the government?

      Report Post »  
    • Paul_Zummo
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 9:05pm

      Wow, I am really shocked that almost none of the responses actually address what I said.

      “Umm, when Barton pointed out that Jefferson held consistent beliefs for the first 70 years of life yet liberals ony focus on the last 15 (Jefferson could easily have been going senile or just became one hell of a skeptic late in life…NO WAY of telling), THAT IS REBUTTING HIS CRITICS!”

      Except that Barton is wrong. As I said, Jefferson’s beliefs were fairly consistent throughout his life.

      For those who want links and proof, start here, where I quote from Jefferson. Notice the dates.
      http://the-american-catholic.com/2012/06/27/jeffersons-jesus/

      If you‘re so inclined I’m sure you can find my dissertation on Jefferson somewhere. Hopefully I’ll have a book out in the next year or so.

      I really don’t understand the hostility. Instead of revering Jefferson, learn the truth about him. You’re on the website created by a guy who has spoken the truth about other American heroes like Theodore Roosevelt. TR was a radical Progressive – so was Thomas Jefferson, with a little religious heterodoxy thrown in for good measure.

      Report Post »  
    • Paul_Zummo
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 9:11pm

      BTW, for the person who brought up Adams and the Alien and Sedition Act – you do realize that Jefferson encouraged state governments to censor the press, right? He was fine with clamping down on the opposition press so long as it was the states and not the federal government. Lincoln Levy‘s book on Jefferson’s civil liberties goes into more detail on the subject, and Levy was I believe actually a fan generally of Jefferson.

      Report Post »  
    • Paul_Zummo
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 9:16pm

      All right, one last thing. I actually agree with Barton more generally about how the left has tried to diminish the Christian roots of this nation. He also makes some fair points about academics in general, even if he over-generalizes. An he also rightly corrected some of the more extreme myths about Jefferson – that he was an atheist, that there is definitive proof that he fathered children by Hemings. But then he goes too far in the opposite direction and tries to turn Jefferson into something he’s done.

      The leftist academics are wrong about a lot. They just happen to be right about Jefferson.

      Report Post »  
    • acidovorax
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 10:42pm

      PAUL, I mentioned Adams solely for the reason that you stated that he was one we should “revere”. I don’t revere men. I revere truth, because truth is, regardless of who states it and what they actually do in life. As for Jefferson, I made no positive or negative statements regarding him. Though I am confused to hear Jefferson called a “radical Progressive”. I have never read any works by him to consider his political philosophy in such a manner.

      Report Post »  
    • fanuv24
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 2:32pm

      It amazes me, Paul, absolutely amazes me, that some of these folks are gulping the Barton-flavored Kool-Aid as fast as they can, paying no attention whatever to the shuck-and-jive that Barton is playing, not only in his writing, but with response to his critics. He says other people don’t deal with the facts, but rather attack the education; that would be HILARIOUS if it weren’t so ironic! Because instead of dealing with the facts they bring up, he takes Throckmorton to task (not mentioning co-author Michael Coulter at all, of course) because he’s a psychologist. So? He can READ, and when he simply reads things that counteract Barton’s claims, or when he simply finds things that Barton leaves out that also counteract those claims, it doesn‘t matter that his pedigree is no more in history than is Barton’s.

      It’s sad when fellow conservatives, fellow Christians, so blindly swallow the Kool-Aid that Barton is dishing out, rather than being seekers of truth. Thanks for sharing, Paul.

      Report Post »  
  • ds7
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:46pm

    whenever i encounter libiots and use some of david barton’s findings they go bonkers.

    david barton and wallbuilders is definitely an american treasure!

    Report Post » ds7  
  • Canada_Goose
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:43pm

    Famous Republican quotes on religion & government….

    The divorce between church and state ought to be absolute.
    “It ought to be so absolute that no church anywhere in any state or in the nation should be exempt from equal taxation; for if you exempt the property of any church organization, to that extent you impose a tax upon the who community.”
    - President James A. Garfield

    “Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they’re sure trying to do so, it’s going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can’t and won’t compromise. I know I’ve tried to deal with them.”

    - Barry Goldwater

    Report Post » Canada_Goose  
    • scuba13
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:10pm

      “The God that gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time”. – Thomas Jefferson

      Report Post » scuba13  
    • Stone Cold Truth
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 5:29pm

      “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.”
      – George Washington

      “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable.”
      – George Washington

      Oh, eternal and everlasting God, direct my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the Lamb and purge my heart by Thy Holy Spirit. Daily, frame me more and more in the likeness of Thy son, Jesus Christ, that living in Thy fear, and dying in Thy favor, I may in thy appointed time obtain the resurrection of the justified unto eternal life. Bless, O Lord, the whole race of mankind and let the world be filled with the knowledge of Thee and Thy son, Jesus Christ.
      – George Washington, Prayer

      We have this day [Fourth of July] restored the Sovereign to whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in Heaven, and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His Kingdom come.
      – Samuel Adams

      The rights of the colonists as Christians…may be best understood by reading and carefully studying the institutes of the Great Law Giver and Head of the Christian Church, which are to be found clearly written and promulgated in the New Testament.
      – Samuel Adams

      “The Congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools.”
      – United States Congress 1782

      Report Post » Stone Cold Truth  
    • Stone Cold Truth
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 5:34pm

      The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.
      – John Adams
      The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected, in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.
      – John Adams

      Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
      – John Adams

      I have examined all religions, and the result is that the Bible is the best book in the world.
      – John Adams

      The Christian religion is, above all the religions that ever prevailed or existed in ancient or modern times, the religion of wisdom, virtue, equity and humanity.
      – John Adams
      The only foundation for . . . a republic is to be laid in Religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object and life of all republican governments.”
      – Benjamin Rush
      “He is the best friend to American liberty, who is most sincere and active in promoting true and undefiled religion, and who sets himself with the greatest firmness to bear down on profanity and immorality of every kind. Whoever is an avowed enemy of God, I scruple not to call him an enemy to his country.”
      – John Witherspoon

      Report Post » Stone Cold Truth  
    • Stone Cold Truth
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 5:40pm

      “The rights essential to happiness. . . . We claim them from a higher source — from the King of kings and Lord of all the earth.”
      – John Dickinson
      “Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.”
      – Benjamin Franklin
      The Christian religion is the best religion that has ever been given to man
      – Thomas Jefferson, Jefferson Memorial
      In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government ought to be instructed … No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.
      – Noah Webster, Preface Noah Webster Dictionary, 1828
      “I verily believe Christianity necessary to the support of civil society. One of the beautiful boasts of our municipal jurisprudence is that Christianity is a part of the Common Law … There never has been a period in which the Common Law did not recognize Christianity as lying its foundations.”
      – Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story, Harvard Speech, 1829
      “And this be our motto, ‘In God is our trust’”
      – USA National Anthem, Third Verse
      And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God … and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.
      – Abraham Lincoln
      “Our laws and our i

      Report Post » Stone Cold Truth  
    • Stone Cold Truth
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 5:44pm

      “We have staked the whole future of our new nation, not upon the power of government; far from it. We have staked the future of all our political constitutions upon the capacity of each of ourselves to govern ourselves according to the moral principles of the Ten Commandments.”
      – James Madison
      “Religion [is] the basis and foundation of Government”
      – James Madison

      “Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ.”
      – James Madison
      Original Harvard University Student Handbook 1636

      Let every student be plainly instructed and earnestly pressed to consider well: the main end of his life and studies is “to know God and Jesus Christ, which is eternal life” (John 17.3), and therefore to lay Christ in the bottom, as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and learning. And seeing the Lord only giveth wisdom, let everyone seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seek it of Him (Prov. 2.3).
      – Original Harvard University Student Handbook

      Report Post » Stone Cold Truth  
    • Stone Cold Truth
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 5:53pm

      O LORD, OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, high and mighty King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, who dost from Thy throne behold all the dwellers on earth, and reignest with power supreme and uncontrolled over all the kingdoms, empires and governments; look down in mercy we beseech Thee, on these American States, who have fled to Thee from the rod of the oppressor, and thrown themselves on Thy gracious protection, desiring henceforth to be dependent only on Thee; to Thee they have appealed for the righteousness of their cause; to Thee do they now look up for that countenance and support which Thou alone canst give; take them, therefore, Heavenly Father, under Thy nurturing care; give them wisdom in council and valor in the field; defeat the malicious design of our cruel adversaries; convince them of the unrighteousness of their cause; and if they persist in their sanguinary purpose, O let the voice of Thy own unerring justice, sounding in their hearts, constrain them to drop the weapons of war from their unnerved hands in the day of battle! Be Thou present, O God of wisdom, and direct the counsels of this honorable assembly; enable them to settle things on the best and surest foundation, that the scene of blood may be speedily closed, that order, harmony and peace may be effectually restored, and truth and justice, religion and piety prevail and flourish among Thy people. Preserve the health of their bodies and vigor of their minds; shower down on them, and the millions they here represent, -

      Report Post » Stone Cold Truth  
    • Stone Cold Truth
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 5:56pm

      -such temporal blessings as Thou seest expedient for them in this world, and crown them with everlasting glory in the world to come. All this we ask in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Our Savior. Amen.

      - First Prayer in Congress September 7, 1774, Jacob Duche, Carpenters Hall, Philadelphia

      “The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country.”
      – Calvin Coolidge
      “Without God there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life. Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first, the most basic, expression of Americanism. Thus, the founding fathers of America saw it, and thus with God’s help, it will continue to be.”
      – Dwight D. Eisenhower

      Report Post » Stone Cold Truth  
    • 68Patriot
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 6:42pm

      STONE…I am now a big fan. Thanks for the posts.

      Report Post »  
    • Canada_Goose
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 7:17pm

      No one disputes the faith of our Founding Fathers. To speak of unalienable
      Rights being endowed by a Creator certainly shows a sensitivity to our
      spiritual selves. What is surprising is when fundamentalist Christians think
      the Founding Father’s faith had anything to do with the Bible. Without
      exception, the faith of our Founding Fathers was deist, not theist. It was
      best expressed earlier in the Declaration of Independence, when they spoke
      of “the Laws of Nature” and of “Nature’s God.”

      “I have examined all the known superstitions of the world and I do not find
      in our particular superstition of Christianity one redeeming feature. They
      are all alike founded on fables and mythology. Millions of innocent men,
      women, and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been
      burnt, tortured, fined, and imprisoned. What has been the effect of this
      coercion? To make one half the world fools and the other half hypocrites; to
      support roguery and error all over the earth.”
      - Thomas Jefferson

      Christianity…(has become) the most perverted system that ever shone on
      man…Rogueries, absurdities and untruths were perpetrated upon the
      teachings of Jesus by a large band of dupes and imposters led by Paul, the
      first great corruptor of the teachings of Jesus.”
      - Thomas Jefferson

      Report Post » Canada_Goose  
    • Canada_Goose
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 7:22pm

      The clergy converted the simple teachings of Jesus into an engine for
      enslaving mankind and adulturated by artificial constructions into a
      contrivance to filch wealth and power to themselves…these clergy in fact,
      constitute the real Anti-Christ.”
      - Thomas Jefferson

      “I would not dare to so dishonor my Creator God by attaching His name to
      that book (the Bible).”
      - Thomas Paine

      “Among the most detesable villains in history, you could not find one worse
      than Moses. Here is an order, attributed to ‘God’ to butcher the boys, to
      massacre the mothers, and to debauch and rape the daughters. I would not
      dare so dishonor my Creator’s name by (attaching) it to this filthy book
      (the Bible).”
      - Thomas Paine

      “It is the duty of every true Diest to vindicate the moral justice of God
      against the evils of the Bible.”
      - Thomas Paine

      “Accustom a people to believe that priests and clergy can forgive sins…and
      you will have sins in abundance.”
      - Thomas Paine

      And; “The Christian church has set up a religion of pomp and revenue in
      pretend imitation of a person (Jesus) who lived a life of poverty.”
      - Thomas Paine

      Report Post » Canada_Goose  
    • Cesium
      Posted on July 27, 2012 at 4:04pm

      I fail to see how these guys were Jesus obsessed wack jobs like so many of the christian’s in this country today. Deism is different than Evangelism..

      Report Post »  
  • TXVET48
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:34pm

    Interesting.

    Report Post » TXVET48  
  • All Pro
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:22pm

    @KAYDEEBEAU
    Among the last acts of his life, Washington tried to influence others, as he made provisions in his will to free all the slaves who belonged to him.
    http://www.mountvernon.org/meet-george-washington

    A word of advice, it isn’t a real good idea to challenge a Libertarian on this kind of thing, or the constitution, or the federalist papers, or the articles of confederation of the United States of America.

    Report Post » All Pro  
    • Teaparty-grammy
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:12pm

      I have the highest respect for Mr. Bartonl and really enjoy listening to his “history lessons”, as I always learn something new. The way the left-wing has co-opted public education in this country and turned our public schools into little more than Communist re-education camps is a CRIME, and IMHO the crime is TREASON. To separate our children from their history and heritage is to leave them adrift in a dangerous world with no defenses against the lies they are taught.

      We have a lot more work to do that getting rid of the Communist POS in the White House. We need to root the Communist apologists/promoters out of our public schools and restore public education to what it once was. Our children are being educated to become mindless, compliant sheep who are easily led and deceived. I was appalled by and protested against the crap my children were being taught 30+ years ago. I see it has gotten much worse now–especially at the college level! I went back to college for an Associate’s degree a couple of years ago, and I was amazed/appalled at the politically correct leftist CRAP that was being passed off as education and are crammed down every student’s throat as “required courses” to get a degree–especially the history course! I was old enough and experienced enough not to be taken in by the Communist lies and half-truths, but really felt badly for my younger fellow students, who obviously were not, and had been spoonfed this insidious crap throughout their scho

      Report Post » Teaparty-grammy  
    • kaydeebeau
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 6:18pm

      @ All ….so how exactly does a link to the Mt Vernon Estate website provide support for your claim that Jefferson had the same opportunity to free his slaves as Washington did but didn’t take advantage of it? Odd, I found no reference to Jefferson or the laws of Virginia during the period of Jefferson’s life on the Mt. Vernon Estate website. I did find such information in the link I provided you.

      Now I realize I must surely pale in comparison to such a great Libertarian thinker as yourself…….so please oh great one continue to enlighten

      Report Post » kaydeebeau  
  • loveoursoldiers
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:15pm

    Rush just talked about something I think will become huge news shortly.. a smoking gun ( not a real gun, libs)
    Someone ( sorry don’t have the name) wrote a book about Obama’s hate for suburbia. Supposedly when Obama was a community organizer this is one of the things he was taught. The notion that whites left the cities.. went to suburbs.. took their money ( and taxes) with them and left the cities
    ( mostly black) in shambles. So now what he is doing is targeting suburbia and trying to take the money from those racists and give it to the cities (blacks).
    Another stunning revelation …. supposedly Obama is in DIRECT contact with the community organizers that taight him Alinsky…. iow.. Obama and those COs are really the ones running this country. And these Alinskiites believe that whites are racists and they are working to take their money.
    hmmmmmmmm
    makes sense to me
    Remember when Obama said something about you don’t need big houses.. something about why not give some of the rooms to others? it was a long time ago so I don’t remember specifically but I DO remember I thought.. oh oh.. this guy has plans to take our homes away. I still think that .
    Suburbia.. wake up.. you are the ones Obama hates.

    Blaze.. get on this story please!

    Report Post » loveoursoldiers  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:44pm

      I will give you one reference that ties all this togeather into the larger picture UN Agenda 21, which is also supported by Soros.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • anomnomnommm
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:05pm

      @SNOWLEOPARD

      YES! Acorn and the Annenbergs are also behind it, and the neo-communists. I deciphered the last state of the union speech and it turns out that Obama has been signalling our launch codes to Iran. And aliens.

      Report Post »  
    • justangry
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:37pm

      I think Agenda 21 is more than just Soros. And for that matter anyone in the CFR has Soros ties. Which includes practically everyone with any power, extreme wealth and influence. Spooky dude has his hands in everything it seems.

      http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2b/CFR-Interlocks-2004.jpg

      Report Post » justangry  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:05pm

    Barton is mostly right on history and his honest, accurate stance has all the liberal professors running scared. Truth always trumps a lie. The libs want to rewrite history and almost had it rewritten and then old Barton comes along and destroys their little playhouse. Libs tried to stop history being taught a few years ago. History kept getting in the way of their description of America. They were not successful so they tried rewriting it. They almost succeeded again…..almost.

    Report Post »  
  • justangry
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:04pm

    And they’re going to continue to attack him unitl he gets that piece of paper. It’s just the way it is.

    I’d also suggest, since he didn’t get that piece of paper, he stops generalizing academia. It really doesn’t help his cause any. There are a lot of lefty profs., but there are conservative profs. as well. As for the claim their secular, I don‘t know that’s the case. Seems they take a nuetral position because of the diversity of the student body. Not to mention the diversity of the faculty.

    Report Post » justangry  
  • CHARACTER MATTERS
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:54pm

    Barton is a vast warehouse of historical knowledge.

    And he always references original sources to back up his historical views.

    Report Post »  
    • The_Cabrito_Goat
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:08pm

      Yes indeed, I have great respect for people who study history for knowledges sake. Yknow, the eggheads.

      Report Post » The_Cabrito_Goat  
  • All Pro
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:53pm

    I meant to say the law prevented Jefferson from freeing his slaves. It didn’t.
    Mr Barton still thinks dishonest Abe freed the slaves. I guess he’s never read the emancipation proclamation or the amendments to the constitution.

    Report Post » All Pro  
    • kaydeebeau
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:06pm

      Really – ?????? http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=99

      Care to provide the level of details and sources as in the above referenced link to support your claim?

      Report Post » kaydeebeau  
    • MaddBill
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:14pm

      He’s right. After 1806 the laws in Virginia regarding emancipation changed. If an enslaved person was freed, they were required to leave the state. If they stayed, they could be re-enslaved (although in practice this didn’t happen much)

      Report Post »  
    • Locked
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:56pm

      Looks like everyone’s telling a bit of the story here. Going to try and stick to the facts:

      1. Yes, you could legally free your slaves in VA (while you were alive, or in your will). This was made more difficult in 1806 (as minors, “elderly” and the “infirm” required additional support from the former owners), but it was still legal.
      2. This is obviously true, as Jefferson DID free five slaves in his will, including two of Sally Hemings’ children.
      3. Barton’s point that they had to leave VA within 12 months due to the 1806 law is also true, however…
      4. In 1816, the law was amended with an ‘escape hatch’ that would override that provision. That ‘escape hatch’ was that ‘freed people could petition local courts to exempt them from exile on the grounds of ‘their extraordinary merit’ and ‘good character.’’
      5. Although he was hated by a portion of the population at the time of his death in 1826, Jefferson was still widely respected AND a former president to boot. If he had wanted to, he definitely could have petitioned the local courts to exempt the exile of his former slaves.
      6. Instead, the 260 other slaves were transferred to his heirs, and many sold to pay off debts.

      In conclusion: yes, the laws were toughened in 1806; yes, freed slaves could be recaptured if they remained in VA for 12 months; but yes, Jefferson could have freed his slaves and bypassed that provision as well if he had wanted to. Hope that helped :-)

      Report Post »  
    • chips1
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 6:58pm

      Slavery will never really disappear until Sharpton, Jackson, Farikkan and others like them actually allow them to make their own decisions.

      Report Post »  
    • ChristianHistorian
      Posted on August 3, 2012 at 12:20am

      Kaydeebeau,

      Lincoln said of slavery in March of 1865 in his first inaugural address:

      “I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so.”

      http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres31.html

      Lincoln’s goal was to preserve the Union with or without slavery

      “If there be those who would not save the Union unless they could at the same time save slavery, I do not agree with them. If there be those who would not save the Union unless they could at the same time destroy slavery, I do not agree with them. My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that. ” Letter to Horace Greeley August 22,1862

      http://condor.depaul.edu/tps/Abraham_Lincoln_an_Abolitionist_Abraham_Lincoln_Horace%20Greeley_1862.htm

      The abolition of slavery didn’t occur until the 13th Amendment was ratified by Congress under President Andrew Johnson in December 1865.

      The Emancipation Proclamation freed no slaves. I challenge you to read James McPherson’s “Battle Cry of Freedom” which is the seminal work on the Civil War.

      This is common knowledge for us “egg head academic histo

      Report Post »  
  • blackyb
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:52pm

    Get rid of the U.S. Department of Education and allow States and local communities to teach as they should be. Parents are paying and should have the final say in what their children are being taught. Those who do not like decency being taught, can then take their children out and enroll them in some school that will ruin them. Our youth deserves better than what they have been getting and being indoctrinated with by those who wish America harm. Let them leave the country or get a job doing something where they will not be able to harm the youth. Many, if not most of what is out there in schools and universities are not fit to be around American children.

    Report Post » blackyb  
    • Teaparty-grammy
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:22pm

      The Dept. of Education is the worst thing that ever happened to America’s school children, and * thought Bush was wrong, wrong, WRONG when he created it! Federal rule of education is never a good idea–it is a recipe for schools becoming little more than government re-education centers, which they have. The intentions of “No child left behind” may have been good, but the results have been disastrous. Now the damned schools spend all their time teaching kids to take those Federal tests. Skill at test-taking is NOT an education. And a Federal one-size-fits-all Federal education bureaucracy forces public schools to toe the “politically correct line”.

      Schools should be local insttutions that serve the needs of local communities–not servants to a monolithic Federal educational bureacracy!

      Report Post » Teaparty-grammy  
    • Teaparty-grammy
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:35pm

      I agree–the first step to taking back local control of schools is to eliminate the Dept. of Education. It has become nothing more than another huge, bloated Federal bureaucracy that sucks up most of the taxpayer dollars that SHOULD be used to fund local education. And the Federal “strings” they attach to the money are unacceptable: “Teach this left-wing, politically correct quasi-Communist point of view, or lose your funding.”

      THAT needs to stop, and stop NOW. “Politically correct” is just a nice term for mind control and stifling free speech. All you have to do 8s look around to see the damage done to our society by this BS: Fort Hood–nobody spoke up about the nutball psychologist because they were afraid of being crucified for saying ANYTHING about a Muslim extremist in their midst. Our intelligence agencies and law enforcement are not allowed to actively seek out illegals and terrorists to prevent them doing further harm because that would be “racial profiling”. Nobody is supposed to speak out against the outrageous violations of our Constitution being committed by that POS in the White House on a daily basis, because to disagree with him would be “racism”. Since WHEN? Since the PC Police came to town.

      If we are going to survive as the country our founding fathers created, we need to refuse to be intimidated by this PC BS and take back local control of our schools to stop the brainwashing of our children!

      Report Post » Teaparty-grammy  
    • ChristianHistorian
      Posted on August 4, 2012 at 5:00pm

      Agreed. Dept. of Ed is not an enumerated power of the Fed in the Constitution. As a public school educator, having the fed out of education would make our jobs so much easier snowed could teach more do paperwork less. The downside s when and if the Dept. of Ed is eliminated so is the guarantee that every child in every state receives the same quality of education. This is where the federal dollars come in as an equalizer. A strong education system is key to our long term success as well as our national security readiness. We do something no other country does. We educate EVERY child yet we are compared to other industrialized nations who cherry pick who is smart enough for an education and who will work on farms and in factories. We (teachers) are doing the best we can with the resources we are given (students and funding) and the mounds of federal regulatory hoops we have to jump through. I am glad I live and work in a state where the teachers unions have no power.

      Pres. Carter created the Dept. of Ed in Oct. of 1979. It has

      Report Post »  
  • lainpa
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:51pm

    Amen, Mr. Barton!

    Report Post »  
  • blackyb
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:49pm

    The left is trying to impress that people are stupid if they are not “certified” with a piece of leftist paper to say you are this or that. They are fools. Their places of indoctrination needs to be shut down and Universities who teach the Truth and the Consitution as it is meant to be instituted. There needs to be educational institutions who are not leaning left and because they have promoted their name to fame educating the youth in the manner they should be educated so they come out of institutions and can stand on the True pincipals of Law and decency. These over hyped universities are nothing more than over rated places of reknown for indoctrinating the youth against their own country. Close all of them down.

    Report Post » blackyb  
  • MeteoricLimbo
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:40pm

    The silly stinkers are doing wonders for the business. Free advertizing at its finest

    Report Post » MeteoricLimbo  
    • MeteoricLimbo
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:44pm

      Pardon me, that was suppose to be on the chick-fil-a article but it seems to work all over

      Report Post » MeteoricLimbo  
  • ChildofJesus
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:38pm

    well said, i wish i was able to voice my thoughts as well as he did but he’s absolutely right.

    Report Post »  
  • dontbotherme
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:36pm

    Mr. Barton in one of those special people who is a “holder of the truth”. Some people can’t handle the truth & will try everything to hide or destroy the truth & anyone who is it’s messenger.

    Report Post »  
  • All Pro
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:28pm

    When asked to share why he believes some see him through such a negative lens, he said that critics view him as a threat to their worldview and ideological confines. “I am a threat to their paradigm,” Barton said. “They have a particular paradigm built on a set of beliefs. I challenge those beliefs based on historical evidence that weakens their perspective.”
    BAH-HAH-HAH-HAH.
    Maybe because Barton’s version of history always starts with
    “Once upon a time…”

    Report Post » All Pro  
    • NikolaTesla
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:36pm

      You are an example of the statement, sir. You have no intelligent argument to make so you try to belittle. You have a sad weak mind.

      Report Post » NikolaTesla  
    • blackyb
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:44pm

      Your point being?

      This man, is right in that students are being dummed down to believe, not history but the lying professors with agendas that are contrary to who America and her Constitution is.

      Report Post » blackyb  
    • LIBSALWAYSLIE
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:45pm

      ALL PRO, thanks for fitting the liberal mold to a tee! You liberals got nothing, and it becoming more and more clear every day that all you do is lie and ridicule those you disagree with. Liberals are pathetic.

      Report Post » LIBSALWAYSLIE  
    • All Pro
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:48pm

      @NikolaTesla
      1500 characters isn’t enough.
      He already lied when he stated that the law in Virginia prevented him from freeing his slaves. Well that’s strange, it didn’t seem to stop George Washington from freeing his! I only have 1200 characters left. That isn’t enough to shovel up the rest of his B.S.

      Report Post » All Pro  
    • Thordomr
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:52pm

      I know I love it when he tells the story, “Once upon a time….. communism, socialism, liberalism and statism worked and everyone was happy because everyone was taken care of and needed for nothing and lived the perfect life like in Russia and China and North Korea and Cuba. No one was killed by guns cause no one had any, but the government and everyone was equal, except those in the government and everyone was free to do what they wanted, except those not in the government. Then one day the evil conservative tea partiers perverted the US constitution and claimed it was based on Judeo Christian beliefs and ruined it all.” That was is SOOOO my fav!

      Report Post »  
    • kimosd1
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:21pm

      Isn’t it always the way of the Progressive. So childlike in their comments. Can’t use critical thinking or deductive reasoning…demean the person. How Saul Alinsky of you. They argue their points as little children do. They parrot what they hear from their handlers without giving any thought to what they are spewing. Anyone that has even the most basic understanding of US History knows that the left picks and chooses what it spouts and when that dosen’t work they demagogue the source. Nice try though.

      Report Post » kimosd1  
    • Locked
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:26pm

      @Blackyb

      “This man, is right in that students are being dummed down to believe…”

      … please tell me you intentionally used “dummed down” instead of “dumbed down.” I don’t usually critique spelling, but when someone is arguing the intelligence of others and doesn’t seem to know how to spell “dumb,” they seem… well, dumb.

      Report Post »  
    • Teaparty-grammy
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:42pm

      @ KimoSD1, who posted, “Isn’t it always the way of the Progressive. So childlike in their comments. Can’t use critical thinking or deductive reasoning…demean the person. How Saul Alinsky of you.”

      Yeah — I think they call that the “so’s your old man” form of debate. :)

      Report Post » Teaparty-grammy  
    • djsGA
      Posted on July 26, 2012 at 6:29pm

      Our universities used to be places of education. Now, I only consider them to be places of indoctrination.

      The universities sadly remind me of the agency in the book 1984 that was responsible for changing things in society that did not go along with what the government and the elitists wanted.

      Wait!!!

      Have I been drawn into the pages of George Orwell’s novel?

      Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:27pm

    Understand something, Obama is acting much, much worse than a ‘King George III’ of our nations history; he is already past that point and on the verge in his uttermost madness and depravity of becoming either a model of Stalin or Mao in our times.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • WillG
    Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:24pm

    Spot-On Mr. Barton! I applaud you Sir!

    Report Post » WillG  

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In