Americans need to have a serious discussion about growing up into adulthood. I make that case for maturity and adulthood in episode 18. It is unsatisfactory to engage in the current cultural drift and remain there. We all have to dig down deep within sometimes to learn to cope with adversity. The process of digging down deep […]
So You Need a Safe Space?
So, you need a safe space. Seriously? Let’s drop an anchor at the shore of common sense and examine this issue together. Link on homepage or go to @citizenscivics or civicsandcitizenship.org Note: We are ready to go into production for our next group of episodes. Getting the new studio ready as I write new episodes. […]
The “American” Thing To Do
What does your Memorial Day observance look like? I remember fondly the May weather, the parade, the celebrations of “Decoration Day” as my mother called it, and the visit to the cemetery to decorate the gravesite of a distant relative who lost his life in World War II. I also remember that Memorial Day was […]
How The U.S. Constitution Is Organized
Common sense dictates that if we own something, we ought to know where to find it, right? We have rights as American citizens but do you know where to locate those rights? It’s amazing to me that a significant number of Americans know more about their favorite TV shows than about their rights in the U.S. […]
It All Starts in the Home
Americans in previous generations were taught that our nation was to be an example of freedom (including responsibility for oneself) to the rest of the world. They passed that American way of thinking down to me. We were not taught to flaunt freedom in the faces of other countries or to be falsely prideful of […]
Winning and Losing
As a child, tried as I did, I never succeeded in learning to do a round -off flip flop. I learned the basics of dance but never mastered toe shoes. Girls’ basketball and volleyball were fun but I was not first or even second bench material. Here’s some other things that I tried but never […]
Critical Thinking vs Critical Theory
Americans seem to have left critical thinking behind and replaced it with critical theory. As I see it, logic, common sense, and thinking for yourself has been replaced by the prevailing opinions of the day… a sort of “groupthink.” Perhaps I will do a video teaching on this soon. For now, check out episode 14b […]
Listen. Think. Ask.
“Why” is a great three-letter word. Why? Because the answer gives you clues. It also helps you to be a better citizen. Check out episode 14, “Use Your Ears to Listen and Your Head to Think.” Just click on the video or podcast link on the homepage!
Geography is a Part of Citizenship
In episode 13 of Common Sense Civics and Citizenship, I discuss the fun of getting to know our fellow Americans. Today I looked up some information on South Dakota, a state on my bucket list. At first, I was only interested in seeing Mt. Rushmore but there is so much more to see! South Dakota […]
Do You Know Your Rights?
Do you know your rights? Most of us are familiar with the Second Amendment but have you read and understood your First Amendment rights or better, all of the Bill of Rights? I heard the quote, “It’s ok for me but not for thee.” In other words, if they like a right, that right only […]
Passing On Our Patriotism
You don’t need a trip to Washington to learn about our House (The House of Representatives). No matter what your level of interest, you’ll find fun details and info at www.history.house.gov There’s information on everything from the 1927 Congressional Club Cookbook, to the House Practice and Traditions, to Minorities in Congress, tothe History, Art and […]
U.S. Flag Etiquette
When I homeschooled my two young daughters, we started every school day with a prayer and then marching around the house with small American flags and singing the George M. Cohan tune, “You’re a Grand Old Flag.” They loved this start to their school day, particularly the rhythmic nature of the phrase “boast or brag.” […]
A nation of laws, not men
“Every child in America should be acquainted with his own country. He should read books that furnish him with ideas that will be useful to him in life and practice. As soon as he opens his lips, he should rehearse the history of his own country.” Noah Webster, On the Education of Youth in America, […]
The World of Work
“It is a grand mistake to think of being great without goodness and I pronounce it as certain that there was never a truly great man that was not at the same time truly virtuous.” -Benjamin Franklin In other words, we cannot be truly great unless we are truly good. In Episode 8, we explore […]
Opinion vs. Offense
“There isn’t name calling, or “opinion shaming” nor is there “instant offense” in a civilized society. Freedom of speech means that people are entitled to their opinion and can freely express that opinion. Learning how to form an opinion and express it respectfully rather than being instantly offended is just common sense civics and citizenship.” […]
