Dear Massachusetts Legislators: Something can't be boxed

 

Two powerful respected education voices 

(Dr John Barile and Max Page) 

worth sharing.

# 1 Dr. John W. Barile the inaugural School of Education Dean  at Central Connecticut State University writes in his new book, Leading from The Core  "In Schools that thrive, it's not mandates, test scores, or rigid oversight that make the difference; it's people. Leadership is about serving others:  In successful schools, influence comes from a principal who listens first, chooses consistency".  Barile understands mandates have never inspired teachers or students. Those who consider mandates can learn a great deal  about retaining and recruiting teachers in our public schools.   

# 2 Yesterday  Massachusetts Teachers Association President Max Page shared his notes taken from a talk given by  Former United States Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona at the Mass Budget Focus Conference.   

Cardona discussed his “ABCs of Public Education”:
A = “Agency.”  Trust our educators.  Give these professionals agency;  to do what educators are called to do.
B = “Better Working Conditions.”  Pay ~ yes, but also give them time to plan and collaborate, pathways for advancement, we need smaller class sizes.
C = “Competitive Salaries.”   There is a 20% pay gap between Massachusetts public school teachers and other professionals (with similar degrees). 

Page asks: "Is the Massachusetts Secretary and Commissioner of Education listening? Are our school districts listening?  It is the job of MTA members, and our statewide union to make them listen.”

On September 16th this year, I went up to Boston and testified at the education Committee, what can I do in 2-minutes?  My brief message that day, on the nature of the so called "literacy crisis" can be described as Groundhog Day Assessment moments.   The MCAS and the NAEP (high- stakes testing) use Norm Reference and Criteria Reference Assessments. In order to be valid these reference assessments require massive failure rates. I couldn't go into much detail with two minutes... but I did end with informing the Committee, "that is why I mentioned Groundhog Day above ~  I will see you again in 5 years".  

Barile was a guest on my Radio Show 103.5 FM New Haven, Readman: Truth to Power Hour recently where we engaged in conversation about building school climate, motivating teachers, children, and staff in our public schools. He speaks (with some 32 years experience in public schools, as a teacher, principal and superintendent) of mandates, and how they consistently demoralize teachers and students. This comes as no surprise to educators. 

I ask myself what is it that these mandates actually accomplish.  Sitting beside Max Page, (MTA President) waiting to testify, I questioned him "what are the Massachusetts Literacy Specialists asking saying they need"  "librarians at every school"  was his reply.   I told him of my home state Connecticut,  where the number of certified librarians in urban schools is now half what they were in 2002, before these mandates.   I didn't know Massachusetts, but Page confirmed it was the very same in MA. 

It is a known fact, there are six decades of rigorous research that shows access to books at home, in school and our communities correlate to higher test scores.  Students in poor urban and rural schools, have limited access to books in the home.  Access to public libraries often depends on distance from their home., and safe transportation. Taking away certified school librarians equals less access to books.  Understanding that correlation to books is only second to income, helps us understand that Massachusetts Literacy Specialists know what really matters!  

Where Have All The Teachers Gone..To Mandates Passing Everywhere 

Massachusetts is about to join nearly 40 other states who have passed literacy mandates. These literacy mandates remind me of the endless foolish quests for the Holy Grail in the middle ages, (just in case people have forgot, we never did find it).
  
Knights, Kings, Queens, Nobles, and Crusaders chase relics promising to cure all diseases give eternal life, and guarantee access to heaven. Perhaps these days, the lastest Holy Grail chase is rooted in the Science of Reading Programs. The Mandate sellers, claim to have found that Holy Grail in Science of Reading. Scripted Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension lessons are their Grail. SOR promoters, want policy mandates to insist teachers accept their Holy Grail.  

Of course they failed to mention to policymakers or legislators the 2008 Reading First Impact Study, following 6-years/6-billions dollars spent on Reading First schools. Schools that required these 5 scientifically proven to succeed reading instruction programs.  Reading First schools focused on scripted direct instruction in Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension in grades 1,2 and 3. They tracked the data for 6-years, and found no improvements in comprehension in any of those 6-years. Actually the only improvements in comprehension came from the "Control Group," the groups that change nothing, merely continued what they were already doing.. Trust me, Groundhog Assessments eventually catch up to all these Holy Grail Mandates. In the end Groundhog Day Assessments caught up with Reading First Schools. 

What are you suggesting, Jesse 

I don't want to argue programs, all mandated programs fail schools, teachers, children, and  parents. What will Massachusetts newest mandate get? In my professional opinion another wasted expensive literacy mandate and more demoralized teachers. Four Common Mandate concerns. 

1. Misalignment with Student Needs:

Many mandates fail to consider the diverse learning styles and socio-economic backgrounds of students. Standardized curricula often overlook critical thinking, creativity, and social-emotional learning, focusing instead on test preparation and rote memorization.

2. Bureaucratic Burden on Educators:

Teachers are frequently required to spend significant time on paperwork, compliance checks, and administrative tasks instead of focusing on instruction. This can lead to burnout and decreased job satisfaction among educators.

3. Resource Misallocation:

Mandates that prioritize standardized testing can divert funds from essential programs such as arts, physical education, and special education services. This imbalance hampers holistic student development.

4. Inflexibility in Curriculum Design:

Rigid mandates often limit teachers' autonomy to adapt lessons to their students' interests and needs. This can stifle innovation in the classroom and reduce student engagement.

Conclusion:

While the intention behind education mandates is often positive, their implementation can lead to unintended consequences. Effective reforms should involve input from educators, students, and communities to create policies that support meaningful learning experiences. What if we actually listened to educators and children? Can any of you imagine, children shouting please more SOR lessons? Not me!

Some Basis Recommendations:
 I say start with Dr. Miguel Cardona ABCs, Agency, Better Working conditions, and Competitive Salaries. Then start hiring librarians, para-professionals, literacy Specialists, and Tutors, (these are some of the things Elementary and Secondary Education Act use to fund before NLCB, RTTT, and ESSA.

• Engage teachers in policy development processes, (not 2 minutes speak outs)
• If you insist on Mandates, well design flexible mandates that allow for local adaptation.
• Focus on comprehensive assessments beyond standardized tests, (remember Groundhog Day never ends)
• Allocate resources to support diverse learning pathways.
• Hire more literacy Specialists, (the experts who are the most qualified to actually help struggling readers. 
• Fund Saturday and summer school programs that not only help with literacy, but are rooted in the three first go to for trauma, Art, Music, and Movement, (these are the things we use to fund before mandates. 
  
  

Sincerely,
Dr. Jesse P. Turner 
Professor Emeritus of Literacy, Elementary, and Early Childhood Education
Homeless kid saved by Mr. Bass 

My father could not give up alcohol, he left my mother and I alone, we were homeless for 2 years. I was a lost child, no free lunch programs in my day, no home to go to for lunch, but Mr. Bass saved me with a brown bag sandwhich in my desk for a year. If you like to listen to the song that inspire my morning walk today, it is Matt Butler song "Just One". Mr. Bass had no mandates, but he had that teacher gift of humanity. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fkvNwc7P7I

Mr. President, looking for extremist Terrorism, look no further than White Supremacy

 

Dear Mr. President, history consistently points to not to the left, but to right wing extremists. I am sorry about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, no one deserves to murdered for the political beliefs. Now you are for a witch hunt of the left, but the right has killed more than any other group. I am not certain how you have missed the data. Allow me to help you find it. "This analysis makes several arguments. First, far-right terrorism has significantly outpaced terrorism from other types of perpetrators, including from far-left networks and individuals inspired by the Islamic State and al-Qaeda. Right-wing attacks and plots account for the majority of all terrorist incidents in the United States since 1994, and the total number of right-wing attacks and plots has grown significantly during the past six years. Right-wing extremists perpetrated two thirds of the attacks and plots in the past six years.  " > https://www.csis.org/analysis/escalating-terrorism-problem-united-states <

Mr. President as you cry bogeymen on the left, White Supremacist are planning the next murders. So, while you play outrage, we remember 4 little Black Girls in Birmingham, Alabama at church on September 15, 1963. You did not ask the nation to remember today, you did not fly any flags at half mass. A refresher link to tweet your memory > https://calendar.eji.org/racial-injustice/sep/15 <

While you convincely forget, we remember. We say their names
Denise McNair (11),
Addie Mae Collins (14),
Carole Robertson (14), and
Cynthia Wesley (14).
We clearly remember it was White Supremacist Haters who took their lives in an act of terrorism. Justice did not move swiftly. More than a decade later in 1970 Ku Klux Klan leader Robert Chambliss was convicted of murder for participating in the church bombing and later died in prison. Several more decades later, in the early 2000s, Bobby Frank Cherry and Thomas Blanton were also convicted of murder for their roles in the bombing; both men were sentenced to life imprisonment.  Yes, justice is quick for the murder of White men, but four little Black Girls, well that takes decades. 

Mr. President,
we are not near broken,
We are not afraid,
We are determine,
We are fighting, and 
Our eyes are on the prize,
For we believe,
BELIEVE.  

 

If you like to listen to the song that inspired my morning walk this September 15, 2025, it is Rhiannon Giddens "Birmingham Sunday 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_T5KlTpvoM

Legacy Calls Us

  This past Friday, (09/12/25), I had the pleasure of interviewing the new CCSU Dean of Education, Dr. John Barile on my radio show Readman: Truth to Power 103.5 FM New Haven. He is (to my knowledge) the first dean at Central to openly challenge this idea that top down mandates/high states testing improve learning. John writes, in his recently released book Leading From The Core, how these top down reforms have harmed teachers, students, and school morale.

In a few weeks time we plan to meet up again, this time my plan is to share (with the newest dean), Central Connecticut State University's most esteemed graduate of 1853 Ebenezer Don Carlos Bassett; the first Black graduate of any Connecticut College. At that time, down in New Haven at Yale University, they did admit their first Black student, who was not permitted speak in the classroom, or participate in any classroom discussions. And he could not graduate. Similarly, here at Trinity College in Hartford, the first black student could attend classes, but he could not register, or graduate. And yes, here in New Britain at Central Connecticut State University, Bassett was given full status, and equal rights as any other student. Bassett graduated head of his class. Later he then went on to become one of the most significant Black American historic figures of the 19th Century. Bassett was one of the most innovative educators of his time. He was America’s first Black diplomat, known as the Hero of Hispaniola. He was a major leader of recruiting Black soldiers into the Union Army.

The new dean at Central, Dean Barile, is rooted in personal narratives. He is a bottom up visionary builder, and just like me... has a love of history. My plan, when we meet in October (as a proud member of the original Bassett Community) is to share with John what I see as the benefit of stronger connections between the Bassett Legacy and The School Eduction at large. My ultimate goal is to ensure that Ebenezer Don Carlos Bassett has a place in that new vision Dr. Barile is building. Legacy is easily lost in an era where Black History is being buried. The members of the Basset Community will not go gentle in that night. Read about the legacy of Don Carlos Bassett > https://afsa.org/ebenezer-bassett-legacy-americas-first-african-american-diplomat?fbclid=IwY2xjawMz5hVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHpaWQLKfGsQEShX0rvYgOwItPvyrVAc4ckOW1aR_4-lYid407w49Nr99wm2e_aem_UTx7JIg4rWx5uwIL60Lykg  

Christopher Teal, Author of "The Hero of Hispaniola" & Brayan Anderson Great Grand Nephew of Ebenezer Bassett. 

Picture of the Bassett Community on the end of their 10 year battle to name a university building at Central Connecticut State University, (Bassett Alumni) 

If you like to listen to the tune that inspired my morning walk today it is One Last Time from Hamilton > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPgDZBADR3Y <

I am a Professor Emeritus retired and active member of the Basett Community determine to help preserve the Legacy of Ebenezer Don Carlos Bassett, 

Jesse's Basic Radio Info

 

Email me if you have a topic or want to be a quest on my show > turnerj@ccsu.edu <

If you are wondering what tune inspired my morning walk it Buck Owens "Act Naturally" > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__SMDtF_DsY&list=RD__SMDtF_DsY&start_radio=1 <

My Labor Day Resistance Thoughts

August 8, 1963 The March On Washington 

My Labor Day 2025 Resistance Thoughts 

A clown ~ who wishes to be a king, occupies the People’s House at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. 
This 'would be' bully king threatens any who question his attempts to be king. 
His followers... willing to undo 250 years of hard earned Civil Rights. 
For them, just like him ~ winning is everything.  
Win at all costs! that's his mantra. 

He forgets ~ God sees all.  

He occupies the airways and social media 24/7. 
He salivates in his self proclaimed I am above the law tweets. 
The United States Supreme Court playing Calvin-ball ~ stamps & seals his every dream.  

ICE, wearing masked Proud Boy uniforms, run a war on immigrants.  
In broad daylight ~ at workplaces, schools, churches, shopping malls, 
they have no search warrants, they drive unmarked vehicles and wear no ID, 

This clown wants armed troops in the cities that dare to question him. 
He is preparing for the day he refuses to leave office, 
He is Fascism rising in America.  
Our Silence and Apathy ~ are his path to becoming king.  

He forgets... we've rejected kings since 1776 
He forgets... "the people" can speak out, assemble, and have the ballot.  
He forgets... American Folk Music stands in his way.  
He is too busy dancing on the stage to YMCA  

He doesn't hear people singing the old songs... 
~ Woody Guthrie,
~ Pete Seeger,
~ Bob Dylan,
~ Joan Baez,
~ Paul Robeson,
~ Trini Lopez,
~ The Staple Singers,
~ Joni Mitchell,
~ Judy Collins,
~ Emmylou Harris, and my Momma’s favorite Peter, Paul, and Mary.  

American Folk Music sings "Resistance 24/7" 
I fortify my soul, listening to these old songs 
Building Resistance.  
Inspired and emboldened by the songs my Momma sang.  

Know this, Mr. Trump
You cannot stop the songs, the singing. 
Our songs carry us into the streets, 

And on Election Day As MC Hammer sings, “You Can’t Touch This”.   

When Peter, Paul and Mary’s  "If I had a Hammer"  hit the Top 10 on AM, 
Momma couldn't help ~ but get up, sing, move.  
I am my mothers only son, 
She taught me ~ no one is above the law! 
Everyone deserves justice. 
Freedom belongs to one and all, 

And, this music is the People’s Resistance.  

I can see the old kitchen table, 
I can hear Momma saying "up Little Jess,  Move, Sing" 
Come dance with me.  

“Well, I got a hammer, and I got a bell 
I've got a song to sing all over this land 
It's the hammer of justice, it's the bell of freedom 
It's a song about love between my brothers and my sisters 
All over this land 
It's the hammer of justice 
It's the bell of freedom 
It's a song about love between my brothers and my sisters 
All over this land”  

So, Mr. Wanna Be King, 
You can’t touch the people’s resistance

See you at the polls November 2026.  

Still singing and dancing with Momma, 
Dr. Jesse P. Turner  
Professor Emeritus Central Connecticut State University. 
Radio Host 103.5 FM Readman: Truth to Power Hour. 

You don't even have to ask which song inspired my walk this morning, it is Peter, Paul and Mary's cover of 'If I had a Hammer" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKgm9ARmOMM 

Momma and I in the kitchen of our resistance

Two Blogs in one: Fannie Lou Hamer and John 1,2,&3

Willis Moore and Jesse Turner Rawa Syrian Restaurant New Haven CT 

Today, I was with Brother Willis Moore having coffee with him, preparing for my Readman: Truth to Power Hour show on 103. 5 FM New Haven, ( https://wnhh.org ). this Friday at 11 with my guest Dr. Julian Vasquez-Heilig, (https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjvh/ ).
Willis and I were engaged in intensive critical preperations, particularly regarding public education. Dr. Vasquez Heilig is America's number one Foot Soldier for Justice and Equity in education. We understand that Julain is gacing us with an hour of air time. We talked for over 3 hours. Willis gifted me with a coffee mug with a quote from Fannie Lou Hamer:

"You can pray until you faint...

If you don't get up and do something about it,

God ain't going to put it in your lap." 

I am drinking tea from that cup as I write. I am the bigger picture type, and Willis is the pragmatic one. I talk about challenging the system, he talks about what can we do to help parents understand what is at stake. We discussed dozens of questions to ask Julian. All good all worthy, but it was Mrs. Willis who came in toward the end of our conversation, but she caught enough to understand where it began and where it was going, She said I have a question for Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig. She is an active member of the New Britain NAACP, a mother, wife, and concerned human being. She said ask him: "What can we do locally to fight back against Trump, inequity and injustice in Black, Brown, and poor White schools?" Like my Momma Mrs. Moore knows words, prayers and questions matter. Her question matters, and will be asked on Friday. This idea of acting locally will guide my actions for the rest of the year. 

Like always, coffee with Willis Moore primed the well, helped me see the bigger picture, and not forget there is no bigger picture, without the smaller picture. I left inspired. Mrs. Moore's question and comments reminded me of the powerful role mothers play. On Friday, I asked Willis to join us on the show. Like Fannie Lou Hamer said get up and do something. Let us all get up and do something on Friday 8/29 at 11, (https://wnhh.org). Let us all get up, listen up, see, and talk it up about it to others after the show, keeping passing it on. Imagine if we tune in on Friday. Imagine if we talked it up with our family, neighbors and friends after the show? Now, imagine all of us passing it on. I could and should end this blog here, but Willis gave me a cup. A cup that held the dreams and love of a Black mother Fannie Lou Hamer, who could not have children of her own, she was sterilized without her knowing. She adopted two daughters. Fannie is a Civil Rights Legend, but first she is mother supreme, and should be taught about in every school in the land. On Friday come hear Willis and I listen to Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig Back To School Message for Teachers, parents and Leaders. 

   

Momma's John 1.1,2 & 3 Lesson or blog number 2. 

John 1.1,2&3 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and in the Word God."
When I went home from coffee with Willis. I sat in my garden, and remembered Momma. Her memories calling me to the well.

When I was an angry homeless child,
I would hit out at anyone and everyone.

I would say hurtful things to my mother:
"Momma this is wrong,
I hear you praying all day long, nothing ever happens.
I ain't got a bed of my own,
No kitchen,
No sitting room,
We have nothing Momma.
Momma God ain't listening to your prayers, I am tire of hearing you pray."

I could not imagine more hurtful words from a son to his mother. The last thing a faithful mother needs to hear is God is not listening to her prays. What could she say, what could she do, where could she go with my words...Now poor boys say things to their mothers that cut deeper than any knife. I may not have meant it, but I knew my words cut Momma. Hurt my mother. I could see the pain, and the fear, on her face.

She sat still, stayed silent for a long time before she said a word. I knew my words cut, by the tears rolling down her face. Even though I was a child, I knew Momma felt being homeless was her fault. That cut hurt her, but the deepest cut, was "God ain't listening, I am tire of praying". Those words cut so deep, she was near breaking. There wasn't anything that scared her more than her son losing faith in God. 

Three minutes can be an entity in a young boy's eyes.  Life has a way of freezing critical moments in a 12 yeqr-old's memory. By the best of my reflections, her silence was three minutes at the most. Just long enough for her to silently pray: Dear, Lord, Dear Lord help me..help my son. 

"Son, I wish I had answers about why us.
I wish I could give you a house on a hill, a bed, a bedroom, a garden, a place to run, jump and grow.
I can't give you those things right now,
But one day I promise you will have all of those things.
Now about God listening to my prayers,
No one expelled you from school,
The police have not come looking for you,
You are not running with hoodlums.
Now you listen to my mothers rank their prayers...

A mother prayers are many.
My ranked prayers:
First comes prayers for your child's schooling,
Next comes please Lord keep my child out of trouble, and,
keep my away from that bad crowd." 

Number one is school, number two is out of trouble with the law, and number three is keep my boy away from those gangsters. Now number 4 is yes a place of our own, 5 kitchen home cooked meals, and a bed of your own, but without 1,2, and 3, well 4, 5 and 6 don't matter much.

Before I cut Momma with my words, I did not know mother's ranked their prayers. I was twelve years-old, I had no clue to a mother's burden. My words were meant to cut, to hurt, to embarrass her. In the end, I was broken, I was embarrassed, and I could do no more than cry, fall into her arms, and say I'm sorry Momma. A mother's redemption lifts her children. Her forgiveness is life saving. 

A homeless kid, words cut. I cut her that day, like the cut before that, the one before, and the dozens of other cuts. We sat on that bench we sat on every night for two years. In the train station, surrounded by the masses of people coming and going to work. Invisible to the world. That bench in that invisible place where God made my Momma strong. Where prayer shielded us. She opened her bible, read the word, and asked her only son, let us us pray together. I said, Momma you pray numbers 1, 2, and 3. I'll cover 4,5 and 6. Like Momma I rank my prayers to this day. My mother's redemption to this day lifts me. 

Sometimes John 1,2 and 3 prayers are enough, but shelter and food are high up on the prayers of poor mothers as well. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."  Momma heard the word, she heard God, and God was with her. For that 12 year old homeless kid, praying for a bed and a kitchen cooked meal of his own helped keep his faith. Ranking his prayers redeems him still. 

Momma worked 6 days a week even when homeless

 Not certain, where to go next with this blog today. Momma loved saying sometimes a person has to stand up and testify. I guess I am standing up with Fannie Lou Hamer "You can pray until you faint, get up and do something...God ain't going to put it in your lap. Thank you Fannie and thank you Momma. On the air on Friday, I shall testify. 

If you like to hear the tune that inspired my morning walk today, it is Bruce Springsteen's sing Bob Dylan's "The Chimes of Freedom". Link live Manchester England 2025 > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ3SbxZ3EdQ <

Chime of Freedom opening verse:

"Far between sundown’s finish an’ midnight’s broken toll

We ducked inside the doorway, thunder crashing

As majestic bells of bolts struck shadows in the sounds 

Seeming to be the chimes of freedom flashing

Flashing for the warriors whose strength is not to fight

Flashing for the refugees on the unarmed road of flight

An’ for each an’ ev’ry underdog soldier in the night

An’ we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing"  

Peace, love, hope, and may our struggles be joyful ~ Dr. Jesse P. Turner's radio sign off. 

Is this fascism rising in America?

Jaunary 6, 2021 capitol attackers pardoned, but the Sandwich guy WELL? 

 

I watch as National Guard, Marines, and masked ICE agents are deployed in our nation... Is this how Fascism in America rises?

"And if then the tyrants dare

Let them ride among you there, 

Slash, and stab, and maim, and hew,—

What they like, that let them do.”

“Rise like Lions after slumber

In unvanquishable number,

Shake your chains to earth like,

Dew, Which in sleep had fallen on you,

Ye are many-they are few 

~ Percy Bysshe Shelley ~

    I read Shelley and find myself wondering, is America falling?   have never feared for my nation’s future, until now. Donald Trump steps on our Bill of Rights every day. I include the first 10 amendments of The Constitution of the United States of America here to reflect my charge against this man. The first 10 amendments are America's Sacred Ground. 

In my view, this man has attacked the First Amendment since 2016. He repeatedly calls the press  fake news, and calls protestors thugs.  All the while praising the mob who violently attacked our nation’s Capital on January 6th. 2021. He diminishes Amendment 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 by ordering ICE Agents to snatch immigrants off the streets ~ without a warrant, in plain daylight, while hiding behind face masks.  They wear SWAT vests, carry high powered weapons, and refuse to identify themselves. 

        I find myself wondering, when will Shelley’s lions rise?  When will they come to see that they are the many; these thugs are the few.  Why not a national strike?  Shut down the economy.  Along with these modern day Detention Center Bastilles.  Shelley's Lions did not rise after the Massacre at Manchester in 1819 England. 

        But you and I remember.  We remember  Chile... Argentina... Italy... Spain...  and Germany. We have seen this before.  History repeats itself.  I wonder aloud ~  Where are the lions? 

I list my evidence below:

Bill of Rights

Amendment 1 Freedoms, Petitions, Assembly (Constantly attacks these)

Amendment 2 Right to bear arms (Support this one, but my thinking how long before permits come with loyalty pledges) 

Amendment 3 Quartering of soldiers (Has touch this one yet)

Amendment 4 Search and arrest (In my View ICE and his political DOJ office violate this one regularly) 

Amendment 5 Rights in criminal cases (Well not if you are an immigrant, Green Card Holders, and if he gets his way Birthright Citizens are in danger)

Amendment 6 Right to a fair trial (Depends on your loyalty)

Amendment 7 Rights in civil cases ( Well this one depends on if he wins in my view)

Amendment 8 Bail, fines, punishment, (Again not for immigrants sent to El Salvador, or any nation willing to take immigrants for a price)

Amendment 9 Rights retained by the People (I see loyalty pledges down the road)

Amendment 10 States' rights (This one depends on when they favor his position)

        For the first time in my life, I am very scared of Fascism rising in our United States of America. I am a teacher, a writer of prose, and Facebook Posts.  I am no Lion ~ only a teacher who, like Shelley, dreams of Lions Rising.  

    I saw this, heard this, and  read this before.  I remember, I am Jesse, 70, retired, and safe.  I can wait for these Lions to rise up. I can smoke my cigar, drink a little bourbon, and tell Toast (my dog) all that is wrong in America.  I can hope, and take comfort that there are Lions out there,  somewhere.  I chase my tears away with a puff on my cigar.  It is my silence that tugs at this old heart of mine.  It is apathy that keeps their eyes off me.  This safety condemns my soul... 

    What does an old  history/reading teacher do when the  president is trashing our sacred rights?  I am just a teacher, a recently retired teacher.  Do I stay quiet, while I smoke and drink the fine gifts they gave me when I retired?  I am no Lion, but I remember all too well hearing a Chilean Lion's unfinished song. 

I remember hearing about the Chilean teacher "Victor".  He was a poet, a folk singer, a Lion of Lions.  He carried no gun. He sang his songs. His Chile's traditional folklore inspired the working people of Chile.  General Pinochet kidnapped him along with thousands of Chilean citizens who protested the death of their President.  Thousands would be murdered, and thousands more would just “disappear”. The last time Victor was seen was at the university.  He was helping students distribute food and gasoline.  It was right there, with the students, that he was taken.  Victor Jara was targeted because he was a folk singer.  The army made an example of him. He was beaten and tortured.  He had been shot 44 times, when the students finally found his body in the streets ~ as a warning to "All Lions".  The Teacher, The Lion, is immortalized in American Folk Music by Arlo Guthrie in New York City   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vatEqeFmXdQ   

Make no mistake,  America supported Fascism in Chile, and Pinochet’s rise to power.  When President Allende was killed, so too was his nation’s democracy.  Why did Nixon fear President Allende enough to support Pinochet’s Coup?  Allende had just passed legislation which established the Chilean National Health Service, guaranteeing universal health care for Chile.   Nixon along with the CIA feared Allende's brand of democratic socialism would spread throughout South America.  Pinochet’s brutal dictatorship would rule for seventeen brutal years, from 1973 to 1990.   Pinochet lost a 1989 Plebiscite, and  free elections brought Christian Democrat Patricio Alywin to power.  There are no songs for Pinochet.  His only legacy is one of shame and pain.  He was indicted in 1998 by Spanish Baltasar Garzon, and arrested in London, where he was held under house arrest, and ordered to return to Chile.  There he was indicted and charged. He would die in shame before his conviction, no one sings  a memorial song.   Whose song is sung? Victor Jara ~ Chile’s Lion, songs from him and for him, are sung every year in Chile, and all over the world.  A recent movie, The Penguin Lessons,  has me remembering Chile’s Lion Teacher and Folk singer.  In 2006, Dublin, Ireland, I heard Christy Moore singing  Jara’s Song “Victor Jara of Chile lived like a shooting star He fought for the people of Chile with his songs and his guitar". 

His hands were gentle and his hands were strong. > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiKPu5WmOkQ  <

Art moves people to remember, to question, to reflect.  Art endures, even inspires Lions!  Fascism threatens everyone’s Freedom. We can be lions, or we can be silent. I chose to be a teacher of truth, a lion like Victor Jara.  So yes, I am scared for Our Country, Our  People, Our Constitution. It is so easy to enjoy my conversations with Toast in our yard... But Lions must roar!  Lions must warn the pride!  Lions must stand up to the threat!  I can bury my head in the sand as  America’s Bill of Rights and Constitution are under threat. But I am a Teacher...  a Lion...  I am writing to warn the pride...   November '26 and again two years following, November '28,  requires every Lion and Lioness to turn up at the polls.

If you like to listen to the tune that inspired this Teacher Lion tonight, it is Bob Marley’s Stand Up For Your Rights > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhJ0q7X3DLM <