Category Archives: Editor’s Classroom

A veteran of Viet Nam, student of history (both American and film), Jeffrey Bennett has been broadcasting for over twenty-eight years as host of various radio-satellite and internet based programs and has been considered the voice of reason on the alternative media – providing a unique and distinctive broadcast style, including topics such as your Financial, Physical, and Spiritual well-being, education, news, Federal and local legislative issues, which will affect our future, political satire (with a twist), and editorial commentary on current events through the teaching of history. Bennett has published numerous books on American History – TRUE history – not re-worked, altered history. Kettle Moraine Productions has also published books for unknown authors, whose dedication to truth – stands alone.

Jeffrey is the founder and CEO of Kettle Moraine, Ltd. Publications, which is the host and developer of numerous websites, including the Metropolis.Café, Dr. Kelley’s Victory Over Cancer, Sierra Madre Precious Metals (previously published under a group of different names) and The Federal Observer – a daily on-line publication, which co-authored and spear-headed a petition, which ultimately caused new legislation to be signed by President Bush within 450 days of the events that rocked our world on September 11, 2001. In addition, Kettle Moraine, Ltd., continues to produce Perspectives on America, a Tuesday though Thursday, two hour broadcast on the Republic Broadcasting Network Network.

The Forgotten Black Explorers Who Transformed Americans’ Understanding of the Wilderness

Esteban, York and James Beckwourth charted the American frontier between the 16th and 19th centuries.

York, the enslaved man who accompanied Lewis and Clark on their history-making expedition, appears in the rightmost canoe in this 1905 painting by Charles Marion Russell. Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

Every summer, millions of Americans flock to the United States’ 63 national parks. Federally protected wilderness areas offer people the chance to explore a wide variety of terrain, from the vibrant canyons of the Southwest to the imposing mountains of the West Coast. Today, these public lands often represent an escape for Americans, 81 percent of whom live in cities. Some may agree with the naturalist John Muir, who believed that “wildness is a necessity” and national parks are “fountains of life.”

When Americans walk through dense forests or descend into gloomy caverns, they might recall explorers of the past who trekked across the country decades before Congress established Yellowstone as the U.S.’s first national park in 1872. Names like Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett and Kit Carson loom large in the popular imagination. But their stories are not the only ones. Continue reading

~ Comment from a Retired Teacher ~

The following is a commentary which was posted on a column dated February 7, 2025 by a reader to the complete column which I have published on the Federal Observer entitled, The National Assessment of America’s Educational REGRESS. It was written by a retired teacher – but from a personal standpoint – I felt that what you are about to read – was far more POINT BLANK than the column itself. ~ Jeffrey Bennett ~ Editor

Several thoughts come to mind…

1. The teachers unions are strictly unions for the teachers. As a forced member of one of them years ago when I was a teacher you learn very quickly that they are organized to fight for more pay, better benefits, less work and very little accountability for the teachers. They care very little about students and achievement.

2. There are quite a few reasons for the continuing decline of education in America, and too many to write about here, but one of the main reasons is parental involvement and expectations. Too many parents invest little into their kids education and they expect the school to do everything and they have decided that they have nothing to do with their own children’s development. Once again, I could write about my experience in length, but space doesn’t allow it.

3. I left public school and went to private school because I couldn’t with good conscience teach the liberal dogma expected in the classroom. I taught for 29 years in a private Christian school and the expectations in the classroom for teachers, students, admin, and parents was remarkably different.

You ask why private school kids typically score higher on tests and learn at a more aggressive rate, it boils down to those expectations and following through with them.

There are many factors involved, but the unions do little except protect their own at the expense of the students they are expected to teach

William Wallace
February 7, 2025

Longenecker: Be Still and Read!

The future will belong to the literate, not the un-literate, and the decline of reading will invariably be corrected by those at the forefront of the educational revolution sweeping America – and that is the rise of classical education.

“Reading by the Sea” (1910), by Vittorio Matteo Corcos

Some years ago I was discussing with a Benedictine abbot the trends he was experiencing among postulants and novices at the abbey. “Two of the most startling things” he observed “is their inability to sit still, and the their inability to curl up with a good book.”

The decline of reading has also been noticed among college educators. This article in The Atlantic reports that college professors are alarmed by the unwillingness and inability of their students to read a book. Continue reading

The Importance of the Law: Comments from Frédéric Bastiat’s Insights

Introduction ~ Frédéric Bastiat is arguably one of the most important yet forgotten political economists of the eighteenth century. His defense of liberty, natural rights, private property rights, rule of law and justice make him a key figure in the development of classical liberal political thought. The purpose of this article is to analyze Bastiat’s insights into the nature of the rule of law and justice and how the perversion of law has been developed by Government authorities who in his own words, have used the power conferred to them by the electorate, to make use of “legal plunder” in order to pursue a private interests and advance a personal agenda in detriment of the individual in society. Continue reading

Who Were the Navajo Code Talkers?

The Navajo code, based on the language of the Navajo Nation, was considered unbreakable.

The United States’ Navajo code secured victories at major turning point battles and remained unbroken by the end of World War II. But it wasn’t a series of random, encrypted characters — it was a pre-existing language.

During the war, the U.S. Marine Corps enlisted members of the Navajo Nation, a Native American population and reservation in what is now Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. Their originally unwritten language became the basis of a code that was used in most Marine operations in the Pacific Theater, according the U.S. Intelligence Community, a group of federal agencies dedicated to national security. Continue reading

The Complex Legacy of George Orwell

George Orwell, one of the most influential political writers of the 20th century, is widely recognized for his searing critiques of totalitarian regimes in his novels Animal Farm and 1984. Orwell’s portrayal of state control, propaganda, and the manipulation of truth has resonated with readers across the political spectrum. However, Orwell’s personal political ideology and his critiques of totalitarianism are far more complex than is often acknowledged. Rather than being a passive observer or simply an opponent of dictatorship, Orwell was deeply involved in the socialist movements of his time, aligning himself – whether accidentally or intentionally – with Trotskyist circles. Orwell was a powerful voice of the left, despite being a target in the war among socialist factions. Continue reading

Baldwin: Alamo Heroes Appear Foolish Today

March 6, 2006 ~ It is that time of year for me to remind my readers about the magnificent stand by the defenders of The Alamo back in 1836. The Alamo fell on March 6 of that year. For more than 13 days, 186 brave and determined patriots withstood Santa Anna’s seasoned army of over 5,000 troops. To a man, the defenders of that mission fort knew they would never leave those ramparts alive. They had several opportunities to leave and live. Yet, they chose to fight and die. How foolish they must look to this generation of spoiled Americans! Continue reading

How Andrew Jackson Killed the Second Bank of the United States

“Gentlemen! I too have been a close observer of the doings of the Bank of the United States. I have had men watching you for a long time, and am convinced that you have used the funds of the bank to speculate in the breadstuffs of the country.

When you won, you divided the profits amongst you, and when you lost, you charged it to the bank. You tell me that if I take the deposits from the bank and annul its charter I shall ruin ten thousand families. That may be true, gentlemen, but that is your sin!

Should I let you go on, you will ruin fifty thousand families, and that would be my sin! You are a den of vipers and thieves. I have determined to rout you out, and by the Eternal, (bringing his fist down on the table) I will rout you out.”
Continue reading

Cost of Living in George Washington’s Time

~ The Forefathers’ Finances ~
Many of us might be understandably guilty of viewing life in 18th-century America through a lens that only consists of tricornered hats, lots of tea and Mel Gibson single-handedly altering the course of the American Revolution with his marksmanship. Lest we all entirely forget our high school U.S. history class, life today is essentially unrecognizable from life in the colonies, as tends to happen to societies over a quarter of a millennium.

Viewed from the 21st century, life in colonial America was like living on a different planet,” said University of Virginia professor Ronald Michener in a piece on economics of the time in The Colonial Williamsburg Journal. Continue reading

Original US Constitution Found in a Cabinet While Family Was Moving After 7 Generations

Original copy of the US Constitution – Credit: Brunk Auctions

An incredible piece of US history has been found, and is expected to bring $20 million at auction.

In the lead-up to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, 100 copies of the US Constitution were printed, but only 8 of them were signed by Charles Thomson, the secretary of the Continental Congress, for the official purpose of being brought to each state for the delegates therein to deliberate on.

One of those 8 copies was just discovered inside a house in North Carolina, making it the only privately owned signed copy or the Constitution in the country. It’s now going up for auction at at Brunk Auctioneers, and the opening bid of $1 million has already been met. Continue reading

Van Gogh’s Starry Night is Scientifically Accurate!

Artist used brushstrokes to reveal hidden turbulence in the sky, study reveals

Pictured is Vincent van Gogh’s famous oil-on-canvas artwork ‘Starry Night’, which the Dutch painter created in June 1889

Vincent Van Gogh’s ‘The Starry Night‘ is one of the most famous paintings in the world, recently voted by Brits as the greatest artwork of all time.

Painted in 1889, the painting’s legendary swirling backdrop has long been interpreted as a reflection of the artist’s state of mind.

But a new study suggests the post-impressionist masterpiece – held at the Museum of Modern Art in New York – actually has more scientific merit than history has given it credit. Continue reading

Dumb ’em Down Gradually

A complete broadcast which I originally aired on March 17, 2022.

Due to a series of issues that I am having to deal with today on September 5th of 2024 – I have chosen to re-air this amazing program. For those of you who know me – I don’t play games with the issues – ANY issues.

Enjoy it my friends – and get your children OUT of the Public FOOL system.

Dumb ’em Down Gradually

Would you pass the US citizenship test?

10 questions, including the Federalist Papers one everybody gets wrong

Government officials celebrated Independence Day by welcoming approximately 11,000 new citizens to the US during the July 4th holiday week.

Some 195 naturalization ceremonies have been organized between June 23 and July 5 by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). That’s double the 5,500 welcomed to the country in the same week last year.

But before being granted citizenship, all applicants must pass a two-part test. In the first part they must demonstrate an understanding of English. Continue reading

Finding Wisdom in the Past: Michelangelo’s Sistine Ceiling

Sistine Ceiling between 1508-1512 by Michelangelo. Fresco, Sistine Chapel, Vatican.

Our artistic traditions are full of wisdom. We can look to the past and, with curious minds and open hearts, absorb the lessons of our cultural history. The Italian Renaissance is filled with great stories that resulted in great art, and the story and art of Michelangelo are an enduring example. Continue reading

President Orders the Military to Sieze Newspapers and Arrest Workers for Printing Fake News

On Wednesday, May 18, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln issued an Executive Order, commanding General John A. Dix to arrest and imprison the editors, proprietors, and publishers of the New York World and New York Journal of Commerce newspapers for publishing a “false and spurious proclamation purporting to be signed by the President.”

This was part of an incident known as the “Gold Hoax of 1864.” Or, as this video from Life on the Civil War Research Trail calls it, “Fake News.” Continue reading

Bennett: I Challenge YOU…

For these past many years, this author and publisher have tackled many issues, which are of paramount concern to all freedom loving Americans; gun control (the 2nd Amendment), the illegal invasion of this nation (immigration), spirituality (not religion or ‘churchianity, Health Care, the intrusion on our privacy and rights (NSA and complete violation of ALL of the original Bill of Rights) – and so many more issues, which we are not prepared to devote a column to at this time, BUT…

What we are going to devote the Metropolis Café to – is the sorry state of what was once our greatness – the ‘education’ system in America, yesterday, today and tomorrow. Continue reading

Claude Frédéric Bastiat: The LAW (June, 1850)

~ PREFACE ~
THE LAW, first published as a pamphlet in June of 1850, and published on the first generation of The Federal Observer in 2001, is now a hundred and 174 years old. When a reviewer wishes to give special recognition to a book, he predicts that it will still be read “a hundred years from now.” And because its truths are eternal, it will still be read when another century has passed. These truths are particularly true and evident today. Frédéric Bastiat was a French economist, statesman, and author. He did most of his writing during the years just before – and immediately following – the French Revolution of February 1848. This was the period when France was rapidly turning to complete socialism. As a Deputy to the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Bastiat was studying and explaining each socialist fallacy as it appeared. He explained how a system of socialism must inevitably degenerate into a system of communism, totalitarian despotism, and from there, when the system becomes intolerably oppressive, into lawlessness and anarchy, inevitably to revolution and war. But most of his countrymen and the world have chosen to ignore his logic. Kettle Moraine Publications through Metropolis.Café, presents Bastiat’s THE LAW to the Sovereign Citizens of the Web because the same situation exists in the United States and the World today in the 21st Century as existed in the France of 1848. The same socialist-communist ideas and plans that were then adopted in France have now swept America. The explanations and arguments then advanced against socialism by Mr. Bastiat are – Word For Word – equally valid today. His thoughts on THE LAW deserve a serious hearing by all concerned and honorable citizens of the United States and the World. We cannot long afford to continue to ignore his logic.

~ The Translation ~
This 1950 translation of THE LAW was done seventy-four years ago by Dean Russell of The Foundation For Economic Education, Inc., Irvington-On-Hudson, New York. Mr. Russell’s objective was an accurate rendering of Mr. Bastiat’s words and ideas into twentieth century, idiomatic English. A nineteenth century translation of THE LAW, made in 1853 in England by an unidentified contemporary of Mr. Bastiat, was of much value as a check against this translation. In addition, Dean Russell had his work reviewed by Bertrand de Jouvenel, the noted French economist, historian, and author who was also thoroughly familiar with the English language. While Mr. de Jouvenel offered many valuable corrections and suggestions, it should be clearly understood that Mr. Russell bears full responsibility for the translation. ~ Jeffrey Bennett, Kettle Moraine Publications
Continue reading

Jeffrey Bennett ~ “It’s my turn…”

     President Abraham Lincoln

The year was 1863, and then President Abraham Lincoln issued his now infamous “Emancipation Proclamation.” The question remains, just whom did Lincoln emancipate. Technically, although he “set free” the slaves in the South, he had no authority to do so, as the Confederacy had declared itself a sovereign nation in 1861. As with our politicians of today, this seemed to be more a political ploy than anything else. By 1863, we can assume that Lincoln was already running for reelection. Hmmmmm … this sounds familiar.

Since making the decision to publish a series of books some years ago, I have been finding more authors on the internet writing of similar thoughts. Continue reading