The Difference Between a Democracy and a Republic
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Category Archives: Editor’s Classroom
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
Welcome, and… an Introduction from the Editor
“Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” ~ Proverbs: 22:16
Solomon writing Proverbs by Gustave Goré
There are days in Life – that I don’t know where to begin, but let’s give it a try…
To begin… There are two “Pages” that I invite EVERYONE to read – whether you have been a continual reader of our work or not – for it shall explain much about the purpose of the Metropolis Café site, it’s history and the true meaning for its existence; Le Metropolis Café, where our opening line states, “The process of re-educating our children begins HERE!” and Metropolis ~ the Story.
If you are a first time visitor – WELCOME to Metropolis.Café. For those who have not been with us for some time – Welcome back… and I am getting back to work – well – I have never quit – but an intense expansion project is in the works for our highly specialized Category, Words and Deeds. Continue reading
Bennett: But it’s all OK – Just Take a Little Pill…
ADHD drug Ritalin affects the brain like cocaine – so why is it being prescribed to children?
I was a third week Senior at Glenbrook North High School in 1965 – and I knew that something was wrong…
As I progressed from the 5th grade on – through the 6th grade and then into Middle School at Northbrook Junior High and subsequently into High School, I found myself beginning to lack in numerous areas of my education. In English, I was an astute reader (and still am), and Science classes were interesting to me – chiefly due to the exciting talents of one teacher in Junior High – who smoked a pipe in class! History was always a subject that I thoroughly enjoyed, but as time went on, many of the teachers became boring – hence I became bored – more so in High School. Continue reading
Meet Joe Black ~ ‘Ambassador for the game and life’
~ Foreword ~
Joe Black – when I knew him. ~ J.B.
I hadn’t seen Joe for about two and a half months and wondered why. Now I know the answer as to why.
I acquired my private mail box on Shea Boulevard in 1996 and while most of the folks remained private for one reason or another, I was soon introduced to Joe Black – for the second time in my life.
The first was in 1955, when I was seven years old and was just learning about the national pastime. I spent summers in Eagle, Wisconsin – I was a Milwaukee Braves fan – County Stadium was my ‘home away from home’. Joe Black left the Brooklyn Dodgers that year and signed on with the Cincinnati Red Legs – and brought with him quite a legacy – the first black pitcher to bring his team a pennant. Joe spent the rest of his life bringing the winning pennant home to whatever endeavor he tackled.
I never broke bread with the man – but we broke the silence of two people with little in common – and I never asked him for his autograph. May you rest in peace sweet man.
Without Apology I am,
‘Ambassador for the Game and Life’
Legendary Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Joe Black died of prostate cancer Friday morning at the age of 78, passing away at an aftercare facility in Scottsdale.
“At moments like this, when we’re worrying about other things within the game, it really doesn’t mean too much,” Commissioner Bud Selig said. “I’ve known Joe Black a long time. He loved the game and was so willing to always be helpful. He was one of those rare individuals who was willing to give of himself unconditionally. You just don’t find people like that, especially in professional sports.” Continue reading
Our Modern Era Village of the DAMNED!
Something is terribly wrong with the Education ‘Village‘ of America – the complete breakdown of America’s government controlled education system through indoctrination and Socialism. Our children have become truly ‘damned‘ and will have little chance to truly succeed in this nation – UNLESS – the system can be overturned.
This commentary was so-named because of then First Lady, Hillary Clinton’s comment, “It takes a village to raise a child.” In addition to my feelings that our children are truly ‘damned‘ as long as this system is allowed to continue.
The ‘Village‘ is the place that I would not wish to be in today. I was privileged to participate in one of the last non-socialist school systems. Hell – I also know that the conversion had already begun, but I had great teachers. At 73 years of age – I can still picture and name over 90% of those whose care I was placed into. Continue reading
Merely the Caretaker…
It was… maybe 48 years ago – 1972…
Cover, Recollections and Letters, 1st Edition, 1903
We had been married for about two years, and I was a sales representative at a Volkswagen dealership in Evanston, Illinois. The owners name was Herman Eberhardt. Older buildings, and the dealership was split, with the body and paint shop on the (appropriately) South side of the lot – and that is where the treasure was to be found…
I have told my story many times in the past, but will share the basis of it once more, so that you will understand the (personal) significance of my discovery.
It was 1958 and that year I attended the Crestwood Elementary School in Northbrook, Illinois. It was this one fortuitous year that I would receive the greatest gift of my ‘formal’ education – a year to remember for many reasons – chiefly among them was my teacher – Donald Adair. Continue reading
Haille’s Comet
Tonight I learned a valuable lesson of what I have long suspected about the failure of education in this nation, both within the Government system – and at home.
As I do several nights a week, I left my office and drove over to a Denny’s which I frequent. What – for the food? No – for the company of a good number of the staff who work at this store. From the cooks to several of the managers and those who I refer to as “my girls.’ Lulu, Ryleigh, Yaselyn and Haille – my Native American friend.
Haille is a young student in College and she was sharing with me tonight the insanity of her “English” class. The instructor has assigned a series of topics to individual students having little to do with the education of “the language.” Haille was assigned “race relations,” while another student was assigned the topic of “global warming.” Continue reading
My history with Stinkin’ Lincoln
A personal post – of sorts. WARNING: There is one word in the following text which in fact does violate the purposes of this web-site – however – I am not the perpetrator – the author of the words of a song is. ~ Ed.
Few remember the 1968 Broadway play, ‘HAIR‘. A live performance originally performed at the Biltmore Theater, 261-5 West 47th St. in New York City. I did not see it in New York, but while on R&R in Tokyo in ’69 (from ‘nam) I stayed at a hotel that was also hosting the Chicago cast for performances in that city. Only one performance was held, due to the nudity on stage. The cast and play were subsequently banned from further performances due to pornography laws. I was privileged to spend several evenings in the bar and restaurant with that cast and made some interesting friends, many of who I would meet up with again when I was released from the Army after my 21 months “in country.” Continue reading
‘Mask of Dimitrios‘
“For money, some men will allow the innocent to hang. They will turn traitor… they will lie, cheat, steal and they will kill. They appear brilliant, charming and generous! But they are deadly! Such are men as Dimitrios.”
Americans, living in what is called the richest nation on earth, seem always to be short of money. Wives are working in unprecedented numbers, husbands hope for overtime hours to earn more, or take part-time jobs evenings and weekends, children look for odd jobs for spending money, the family debt climbs higher, and psychologists say one of the biggest causes of family quarrels and breakups is “arguments over money.” Much of this trouble can be traced to our present “debt-money” system. Continue reading
…and so it would seem…
When the Metropolis Café project was launched in February 2017, my goals were numerous – and remain so, but… too few of the readers (or should I say ‘visitors’?) get it – but then this is the disease of our modern society.
For those who “don’t get it”, the segments of this blog which teach history (Mr. Adair’s Classroom in particular) is not meant to promote anything else but what has been incorrectly taught for the past century and a half. As an example, the cause of the Confederacy had less to do with slavery than you have ever been taught – and I was born in the Nawth! Continue reading
Teacher’s
My granddaughter and I have coffee with a good number of Arizona teacher’s nearly each morning. Also, being married to a teacher, I understand what they are going through – economically and otherwise.
We are not fans of Teacher’s Unions – they do little more than to line the pockets of those who run the Unions. We have seen this first hand as well. There are far too many outside influences interacting (controlling) with the Public (non)-Education system today – including and specifically – Government (the Department of Education), politics and Economics – and hence – through no fault of MANY of the teachers – the results are abysmal.
We grow tired of Bond Issues that do no more than provide funds for new schools, new paint, the mopping of the floors, questionable (manipulative) textbooks and window washing. It is way past time that the TEACHERS (throughout America) were properly cared for – after all – they hold the now and future of our children – and hence – the Nation – in their hands.
At Metropolis Café we support the endeavors and the battles of REAL teachers – everywhere.
We’ll see you at the coffee-shop in the morning. ~ JB
Continue reading