You Actually CAN Fight City Hall
Whoever coined the phrase “you can’t fight city hall” wasn’t really an American—not in any meaningful sense of the term. Governments derive their authority by “the consent of the people” and not the other way around. There is a reason we use terms like “public servant” and “civil servant,” because both those who are elected, and those who have the privilege of working for the people, should spend their days with a healthy fear of and respect for those they serve.
Why should you help me?
First of all, not everyone can engage in this kind of fight. (Read the background here.) Dozens of teachers have told me they are afraid for their jobs if they mention their faith, or their political convictions, even on their own time. A few close friends and family members have told me that my own decision to engage in freedom of expression is “just dumb.” I should be silent, friendly, neutral and go along with whatever nonsense the state, or the media peddle. “No one wants to hear from a farmer.” “Stick to Patrick Henry.”
Well, that’s exactly why I’m doing what I’m doing. I don’t want to live in either North Korea or the modern United Kingdom, for that matter. I don’t want my children to live under some sort of totalitarian Chinese social index system, where the wrong opinions keep you from using public transit or building a home. I WOULD RATHER DIE. I believe, profoundly, that our economic prosperity and our political liberty is based on the notion you can express your opinion without the state taking reprisals against you. If you agree, help me win the battle.
But Can’t anyone engage in a boycott?
Private citizens can boycott anything they like. Claremont Unified School District, however, just like any public agency, is not allowed to pick and choose their employees or vendors based on their political opinions. If they could, you could end up living in a town where only members of the right political party got a public service job. You could be told, literally, to forfeit your most cherished beliefs to keep your job as a peace officer or fireman. I know a businessman in my area who was told by the union president of the local school district that unless he stopped opposing the school district’s curriculum choices, he would lose all their business.
Do we want to reward thug tactics of that sort? If you don’t want that kind of America, join me.
Claremont School District is Blatantly Racist
I criticized — get this — Louis Farrakhan, a grossly unrepentant, Jew-hating bigot and racist of the worst sort. I questioned the casual racism of LeBron James and the implied racism of a Barack Obama for seeking Farrakhan’s favor. I expect ALL PEOPLE, of all colors to abide by a common standard. I questioned the double standard, and for that I was labeled insensitive, crude, and unsafe for children.
Since that time, there has been an outbreak of antisemitic violence in New York and around the country – motivated by the exact same ideology voiced by Louis Farrakhan. How can we expect this to stop if we make the absurd claim that people of color can’t be racist? If you like Claremont’s double standard don’t support me. If you think they need to be called to account, help me.
My Enemies Lie About Me
We now know that a public school teacher, likely on public time, began an anonymous campaign against me, quoting Twitter conversations of mine out of context. I was being called every vile name in the book for defending Columbus Day, and the progress of Western Civilization. Some of my correspondents asserted that my children were in danger, just because I was their father. Consider your own families. How would you feel under such attack? Yes I fought back. Yes, I insulted them. What would you do? The public school teacher in question didn’t bother telling her friends how I was being insulted or ridiculed. She only produced one side of the conversation, because she doesn’t care about the whole truth. She’s one of those self-appointed “white liberal saviors,” who think people of color can’t succeed without her help.
Well, as a result of her campaign our business was lied about on Twitter, Yelp and Facebook. People who had never been to our farm accused our employees of using the “N” word and being dismissive of minorities. The “madness of mobs” set in and, in addition to me, my family and staff had to suffer the attack. The fact that it was all an absurd lie didn’t matter. The damage had been done.
The truth is I hire the best people for the job. Quite a few of them don’t share my faith or my politics. I married the daughter of a Greek resistance fighter in World War II and my kids joke they are the “brown Rileys.” I think that racism is just stupid, and I have proven that by the way I live my life, so these accusations were particularly galling. It’s one thing to take them from anonymous internet idiots, but to have a 20 year customer, Claremont Unified, validate this hate campaign — well, it’s a testimony to the reality of witch hunts.
If you agree, help me fight back.
I see skies of blue, red roses too..
It really can be a wonderful world. We are going to win this case. The facts, and the case law, are on our side. An Obama-appointed federal judge has ruled in our favor, time after time, against ridiculous assertions by the opposition that, essentially, peasants should bow before the local authorities.
Ponder that wonderful world: Imagine public servants who are DEEPLY AFRAID of denying the Constitutional rights of their citizens. The only way that can happen is if you make them pay for their misdeeds. Help me make them pay.
I am in agreement with what you have demonstrated over the years, the children are given factual information and a history lesson, surely our country has had its fair shares of trials and tribulations, unfortunately there are many who provide a disservice to the young minded, instead of a freedom to rationalize and differentiate without dumbing down of young minds. I don’t care about colour of skin, or persons preference of their makeup, I detest those who have agendas and try to force opinion with blatant disregardful for others. Having a professor whom would fail you for your political or personal beliefs is atrocious. Debating and argumentation is fine, trying to persuade others that we have a living constitution and that nothing is carved in stone is something our forefathers knew far to well to be aware of and provided safeguards. My heart is with you J.R., blessings and be well.
Having been a teacher and bring my classes to Riley Farm, I can say this. I thing it is an enriching experience for students of all grade levels. Students are allowed to participate in hands on activities that reinforce learning of our US history. History has not changed and cannot be changed. Learning how our great country was founded, the challenges we faced, and the challenges we overcame to become the great nation we are today is important. First, in order for history to not repeat itself we must be armed with knowledge. There is no better reinforcement tool for learning than to see these historic events reinacted live.
Regarding any personal political political beliefs of the owners, the corporation staff, the working staff professionals and employees is their personal rights and proactive. Theses people at Riley farms, in my experience, have never changed their educational programs and historical reanactments to meet whatever their personal political beliefs have. IT IS A FREE COUNTRY!!! WE ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND FREEDOM OF CHOICE!!! Until this rediculous lawsuit was filed I had know idea of the political personal beliefs of anyone at Riley farm. There educational programs reinforce curriculum which is not not politically motivated.
Think of it this way, do we know the personal political beliefs of all the merchants, corporations and service providers even their key employees of all who provide goods and sevice to us? Yet we are consumers. Why is this case and different??? Riley farms provides a great service and immersive experience. Their staff has always been courteous and havs gone out of their way to help students.
Although it is none of anyone’s business what my personal political preferences are, I will state this: I am not a Republican. I have many friends of different political viewpoints than myself. I do business with corporations everyday and do not care or investigate their personal political beliefs. In my opinion, service and product count. That’s the bottom line. Thank you!
I agree 100%. Those that harbor negative views, let alone feelings about the American experience and the American cause “know not what they do” to quote someone missing from their lives. America from the first pilgrims to the present day has been an experience in moral good and self correction bringing liberty and freedom to more people than any country in the history of mankind. Every civilization, every nation and every people prior to the American experiment in a Republican form of government rooted in a religious people had its conflicts, tragedies and depravity. American on the other hand has been the greatest for good and that is because her people have been the most generous with both lives and treasure for the benefits of their worldly neighbors. When that truth gets erased from the American memory, God help us all!