Email to School Superintendent in August - Nebraska - re Covid, sex ed, critical race theory

This email was sent to the local rural county school superintendent Thurs Aug 5th and received no response. As of 9/2 the school website says 6 staff and 6 students have covid and that masking is a personal choice. (small rural area). 

Greetings, X, 

    I don't currently have any family in the X County School system, but received a newsletter in my mailbox. As a member of the community, I wanted to mention some concerns/thoughts related to your letter. I'll try to be brief, or at least concise, as I know you are busy getting ready for the new school year! :) 

"Post-Covid" phrase/Masks & Vaccinations

    In your letter, you used the phrase "post-Covid" but, at the very least, that is inappropriate wording. I'm sure you know cases are rising in the state, the country, and the world. We're not out of it yet and it's unwise to indicate it's over.

    I'm very disappointed that masks are not required in the schools. I know masks can be a hassle, but it's a simple method of prevention. Especially when any child under age 12 is at a larger risk without a vaccine. 

    I'm very concerned that you didn't encourage people to get vaccines. I realize unfortunately covid and vaccines have morphed into a political issue, instead of basic science. I presume that science is still taught in schools and would hope that you and your staff encourage its use. :) As was mentioned elsewhere in the newsletter, the state requires certain vaccines for children, so this shouldn't be something unusual to encourage, especially in light of the statistics that show unvaccinated people bear the brunt of covid cases now.

    As I'm sure you're aware, the CDC is highly recommending every eligible person to get vaccinated AND for everyone to wear masks indoors, vaccinated or not. It should follow suit that schools, institutions of learning, would follow these recommendations from experts. 

     You mention safety as the school's top priority. Masks and vaccinations against this global virus is prevention that will keep the children, staff, families, and communities safe. I highly encourage you to reconsider the school's stance and focus on prevention, instead of being reactionary. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Department of Education Health and Safety Standards

    I also noticed mention of the Department of Education's revisions on Health and Physical Education Standards as an issue that came up in the past few months. I appreciate your simple update that the standards haven't been finalized, so nothing has been changed yet for X. 

    

    You mention that you will reach out to the community for input. Here is mine: After reading the proposed lessons, I reached out to the Department of Education and highly encouraged them to keep what they had, so I was very disappointed that the Governor encouraged fear-mongering in the general public and, as a result, crucial information about gender identity was removed. 

    I want to tell you how important it is that all people, children and adults, feel safe and respected, and I believe this is touted as a value in your schools. I have family and friends that are transgender, non-binary, LGBTQ+ and a fair number of them live in Nebraska or grew up in Nebraska, including small towns where they didn't feel safe or welcome. That can't continue.

    As an institution funded by taxpayer money, the schools cannot discriminate on the facts that are taught. I don't want to feel that fear-based religious teachings and misinformation seep into public schools and prevent students from learning about the real world. I'm sure there will be pressure from some families, but it's a matter of reality and more complete education. Pretending LGBTQ+ people don't exist is NOT a viable option. There are plenty of resources to help enlighten staff, students, and families, and I hope to hear about how they are being implemented.

    I sincerely hope that current teaching and future teaching provides students and families with fair, respectful, balanced information that includes and provides a safe/welcoming space for LGBTQ+ people. Whether or not you know it, there are people that are LGBTQ+ in your student body, on staff, and in families. If our school or county isn't welcoming for them, that is something that needs to be addressed. 

Critical Race Theory/History Classes

    Lastly, you mentioned Critical Race Theory and simply stated it hasn't been added to the curriculum and the district has not been asked to teach it. That's a pretty simple way to address it without delving into it, which seems like the best way to handle it! 

    

    My understanding is that Critical Race Theory 1) is a graduate collegiate level concept, 2) people have gotten upset about it without knowing what it is or trying to investigate/learn, and 3) some people that are upset are masking certain feelings or misconceptions that could be problematic. 

    I don't know what the current curriculum is, but I should hope that the history being taught is honest about the inequalities in the founding of this nation (and that still exist today). It can be VERY touchy territory, as I'm sure you know, but admitting a problem is the first step to fixing problems. And it often is uncomfortable, but that's growing pains, right? :) If and when it's deemed appropriate, I know there are resources and organizations that can help facilitate for these kinds of conversations. 

    Our county and state may lack diversity (98.7% White in X County, 88% in Nebraska), but that shouldn't prevent us from preparing children (and adults!) for meeting people from different backgrounds and having empathy and understanding. As you see every day, schools allow children to learn about the world outside of their home, and their own community. This encompasses both "LGBTQ+" and "race" and much more!

    As I said, I don't have family in the school system in this county at this time, but I do find the newsletters interesting for a variety of reasons. (For one, they helped give information that helped with my vote on construction! I'm excited to know there will be growth in the arts and resources for students!) 

    I hope that my concerns and comments are well-received and provide some insight and encouragement for moving people in this community out of fear of the unknown and into inclusiveness, growth, understanding, and fostering welcoming environments that encourage lifelong learning.

Wishing you and your staff well, 

In Response to Texas SB8 and Neb Gov P.Ricketts anti-abortion fervor

Phone call (3 Congress members) and email (state Senator) 

I'm calling/writing to urge X to support laws affirming pregnant people's right to abortion. Abortion care is healthcare, and pregnant people deserve the right to bodily autonomy. Banning abortions or restricting access, endangers the lives and well-being of women and their families, which is everyone. 

We cannot strip away constitutional rights and health care. We cannot fail our citizens like Texas has done. I fully support access to abortion and I urge X to honor their constituents and protect a woman's right to choose. This right is between a woman and her health care provider, not her elected officials, not her nosy neighbors, not strangers on the street. 

As a servant of the people, X must protect abortion access. 

Email to Governor Ricketts

Greetings, Gov. P. Ricketts,

You cannot take away women's access to abortion, which is health care, and call yourself pro-life. You need to step back from this issue. Following in Texas's footsteps is unconstitutional and unacceptable and the fact you take pride in trying disgusts me. 

Restricting access to abortion is forced birth and that is not freedom in any sense of the word. Abortion care is healthcare, and pregnant people deserve the right to bodily autonomy. Banning abortions or restricting access, endangers the lives and well-being of women and their families, which is everyone.  

We cannot strip away constitutional rights and health care so you can falsely claim you are protecting the unborn. We cannot fail our citizens like Texas has done. I fully support access to abortion and I urge you to honor your constituents and protect a woman's right to choose. This right is between a woman and her health care provider, not her elected officials, not her nosy neighbors, not strangers on the street. 

Cease your ignorant pursuits and resign for the good of Nebraskans.

Nebraska Governor Uses Need for Mental Health as an Excuse to Promote Guns and Deny Immigrant Children Homes

Greetings, Governor P. Ricketts,

Recently you denied the President's request to help immigrant children and said those resources are needed for the state's own foster children and youth in rehabilitation programs. The next day you pledged to protect guns and said that restrictions were a bad idea and we just need to up mental health care.

If you ACTUALLY believe any of this, when are you announcing a huge initiative to make mental health resources and access free to ALL residents of Nebraska? 

I'll wait. 

Hello?

Oh dang, I waited so long for your mental health care initiatives, it looks like hell froze over in the meantime. 

Be honest (if you know how.) You have ZERO intention of addressing mental health in this state and are using it as an excuse and bald-headed lie so that you can dog-whistle to your base in your discrimination against immigrants and your protection to guns, guns, guns, (which are less regulated than wombs in Nebraska).

When in fact, everyone in Nebraska DOES need access and resources to mental health care and it WOULD help tremendously if you had the gall to do something about it, instead of just using it as an excuse to do or not do something.

But in order for these mental health resources to be effective, you also need to address the issues that are at the heart of the difficulties that cause people mental anguish. Here are a few I can think of at the moment: 

• medical costs that bankrupt (Universal Health Care would solve that)
• finances (raise the state/federal minimum wage to a living wage comparative to what it should be with inflation. $15 is a start, but should be more like $20+)
• child care, maternity & paternity leave 
• police brutality (hi, did you not just see 15 cases lumped together in Omaha and dismissed to let cops get away with shit like murdering people? That isn't justice. And body cam footage is supposed to be for the people to hold cops accountable, not for cops to hide behind new rules.)
• The inequity for housing, school districts, etc. The list goes on and on.

So, if you want to deny immigrant children a place to live because you have racism and xenophobia on the brain (thought you were so pro-life, dude), and if you pander to gun-nuts because you want to make sure they don't point their guns on you, that's on you and your conscience. I judge you for it. You shouldn't be in public office because you don't serve the people. I also judge you for using the need for mental health as a reason for your bad calls when you have ZERO intention of doing anything about it. 

You should be ashamed for lots of reasons, including the concept that if this state honestly can't handle a few more children and caring for their mental health, we're a lot worse off than we should be and you should leave office and let some capable people that give a shit about the people of Nebraska step in and do the work you aren't willing to do. 

But I suppose you can always just make another prayer proclamation or else something else useless, like don a cowboy hat and lie about medical marijuana. 

Disappointed, As Always,

Context: 

Gov. Ricketts rejects request to house migrant children in Nebraska

Paul Hammel Apr 13, 2021  

https://omaha.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/gov-ricketts-rejects-request-to-house-migrant-children-in-nebraska/article_3eb981ca-9c69-11eb-b455-87f4e96d2e3f.html

LINCOLN — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts on Tuesday rejected a request from the Biden administration to house displaced migrant children in the state.

Ricketts’ rejection comes five days after a fellow Republican, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, announced a similar denial. Both governors said it was Democratic President Joe Biden’s “problem,” and he should deal with it.

“President Biden has created an immigration crisis on our border with thousands of unaccompanied migrant children coming to our country without their parents or family,” Ricketts said. “Nebraska is declining their request because we are reserving our resources for serving our kids.”

“I do not want our kids harmed as the result of President Biden’s bad policies,” the Nebraska governor added.

Last month, the U.S. government picked up nearly 19,000 children traveling alone across the Mexican border. It’s the largest monthly number ever recorded, though Biden has said there have been similar surges in the past during the early spring.

“Sponsors” for the children, usually parents or close relatives already living in the U.S., are sought so the children can live with them while pursuing asylum cases in heavily backlogged federal immigration courts.

The huge increase in the number of children traveling alone — some as young as 3 — and families has severely strained border holding facilities, which aren’t supposed to hold people for more than three days but often do. It’s left the government scrambling to find space and hire staff to care for children longer term until they can be placed with sponsors.

Lazaro Arturo Spindola, executive director of the Nebraska Latino American Commission, said Tuesday that unaccompanied children coming to the U.S. dates back to the 1960s, when more than 14,000 children from Cuba came to the country via “Peter Pan” flights.

Spindola said the governor’s announcement “basically lacks a logical reason and humanity,” and repeats talking points of the Republican Party.

An official with Nebraska Appleseed, a Lincoln-based advocacy organization for the poor and immigrants, said the border surge was “cyclical” and is a crisis not for the U.S., but for the children and families seeking safety.

“We have the capacity and knowledge to coordinate an effective humanitarian response. The United States is capable of welcoming with dignity children, families, and adults seeking safety,” said Darcy Tromanhauser, immigrants and communities program director at Nebraska Appleseed.

Ricketts said that the Biden administration should work with Central American governments to “reunite the children with their families in their home countries instead of pursuing the risky strategy of scattering them across the United States.”

When asked what harm would come to Nebraska’s children, Ricketts provided this statement to The World-Herald:

“Nebraska is not positioned to provide the proper supports relative to the necessary trauma-informed care, wraparound services and housing that displaced migrant children would need,” he said. “Taking on this crisis, which was created by President Biden, would also shift Nebraska’s focus away from managing our foster care system and Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers.”

This report includes material from the Associated Press.

Gov. Ricketts designates Nebraska as 'sanctuary state' for gun rights

Paul Hammel Apr 15, 2021 

https://omaha.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/gov-ricketts-designates-nebraska-as-sanctuary-state-for-gun-rights/article_e8e64502-9d3b-11eb-a063-4fca6c88eaf8.html 

LINCOLN — Doubling down on his pro-gun rights credentials, Gov. Pete Ricketts signed a symbolic proclamation Wednesday designating Nebraska as a “Second Amendment Sanctuary State.”

The proclamation comes as President Joe Biden recently announced a plan to address gun violence.

A growing number of Nebraska counties have adopted similar “sanctuary” resolutions. A bill also is pending in the Nebraska Legislature to allow counties to opt out of the state requirement that gun owners register and take a gun safety course to carry concealed weapons.

“The White House and U.S. Congress have announced their intention to pursue measures that would infringe on the right to keep and bear arms,” Ricketts stated in the proclamation. “Nebraska will stand up against federal overreach and attempts to regulate gun ownership and use in the Good Life.”

“Second Amendment sanctuary” refers to a declaration that a state, county or city will not enforce federal gun laws they consider to be too restrictive. At least four states, including neighboring Kansas and Wyoming, have declared themselves “sanctuary states.”

In Nebraska, at least 50 counties, including Buffalo, Hall, Platte and Gage Counties, have passed sanctuary resolutions in recent months, and similar measures are being considered in at least seven other counties, according to the Nebraska Firearms Owners Association.

Biden recently announced plans to ban the sale of so-called “ghost guns,” which are firearms that can be assembled with kits and cannot be traced by law enforcement. He’s also asked the Justice Department to draft model “red flag” laws that states could adopt. Red flag laws, like one enacted in Colorado, allow judges to order the confiscation of guns from someone who is exhibiting mental health issues or threatening behavior. The president also wants stepped-up community efforts to discourage gun violence.

Ricketts, who also spoke at National Rifle Association’s convention in 2018, has consistently opposed steps to impose stricter gun laws, saying that better mental health care and improved law enforcement are the keys to preventing mass shootings.

A representative of Nebraskans Against Gun Violence noted that the governor’s proclamation comes one day after Ricketts refused to offer “sanctuary” to unaccompanied migrant children who are showing up at the U.S.-Mexico border in record numbers.

“This decree is meant to placate those that are avid gun rights activists while shunning children that are seeking refuge,” often from gun violence, said Melody Vaccaro of the gun-control group. “Gun violence is a public health crisis and we support serious funding of research, proven community programming, and using a combination of education, policy, and accountability to reduce (it).”

Legislative Bill 236, introduced by State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon and prioritized by Sen. Robert Clements of Elmwood, would give counties the power to allow “permitless” carry of concealed firearms. Currently, gun owners must obtain a state permit and pass a firearm course before being allowing to carry a concealed gun.

LB 236 awaits first-round debate in the Legislature.

Another Nebraska gun rights proposal, LB 188 or the “Second Amendment Preservation Act,” would prohibit the State Patrol or local law enforcement officials from enforcing any new federal restrictions on firearms. That bill, which did not receive a priority designation, has not advanced from a legislative committee.

Nebraska Senators Fearful of Comprehensive Fact-Based Sex Education

REFERENCE:  https://journalstar.com/news/local/education/senators-object-to-proposed-nebraska-sex-education-standards/article_777126b5-2377-5dd9-b72a-b4eba9f4c34c.html?fbclid=IwAR0d0UwuFU0CCVPyARUh1CtPg1JSqyR694DSRU7ux9afX-J9Hokdcd5vpgk  

Greetings, Senator X,

I was very disappointed to see your name listed as one of several Senators who opposes the potential sex education updates. The fact that so many Senators are opposed to the proper education of our youth is upsetting, but not surprising. In fact, it proves to me why this change in education is so important.

When Governor P. Ricketts tried to scare people to speak out against it, I went to the NE Education site as he prompted and examined the document on projected Health Education. Contrary to his expectations and scaremongering, I found it to be quite inclusive, important, and age-appropriate. I wrote to the Governor and those in charge of the proposed changes and let both parties know as much.

First of all, the document was created with input from educators across the state and with advice from doctors, psychologists and other behavioral and mental health experts, not scary "political activists" as Ricketts tried to frighten people. Secondly, the health standards are not mandatory, but are guidelines so schools can adjust as needed.

I thought that the lesson plans did a great job because they relied on facts and information about what children may be noticing or experiencing about their world. For young children, I noticed a lesson about different family structures, like adoptive parents, or same sex parents, or divorced parents, etc. There's no reason to hide this information, as some students live in families divergent from "mom, dad, kids". Children should understand there is no shame in these families, and should learn to not shame their friends who have different situations. This allows children to be knowledgeable and care about each other. 

Likewise, children learning about the different people in this world helps them to understand we ALL have a right to be acknowledged and respected. This most definitely includes LGBTQ+ people. To think that children shouldn't know about this very important aspect of human sexuality is absurd. To treat it like something that should be hidden, or something shameful IS THE SHAMEFUL ASPECT. A good percentage of children already know someone who is LGBTQ+ or will meet someone who is or WILL REALIZE THEY ARE part of the LGBTQ+ grouping. To NOT give children factual and supportive information is detrimental to EVERYONE. 

How many youth have been bullied or had to hide who they were, even from their own families? How many have attempted suicide or self-harm? When we deny youth information about facts or information, we are denying them to be who they are AND denying them the resources to become strong supportive people who accept the differences of others. 

If Senators can't wrap their heads around the existence of LGBTQ+ people and their responsibility to protect their LGBTQ+ constituents, I should think they should spend some time with these lesson plans, as it would make them more mindful of their duties and who they represent. Denying education is absurd. 

To think that parents should be the source of information on these issues, as Ricketts promoted, is also absurd. If parents have bias and hatred and ignorance, they will be examples of that to their children and the cycle continues. Having scientific facts about our varied society in the classroom is essential. Imagine a child who feels "different". They hear all the time about how their parent hates [insert awful words here]. This child feels shame, and fear, and unloved. Imagine this same child hears in school that it's fine to be different, and it's perfectly normal to be non-heterosexual. This child has been empowered. This child has hope that there are adults they can turn to for support and information because their parents lack education, information, and perspective. 

Another important aspect I noticed is younger children learning the appropriate names for genitalia and learning about who is allowed to touch their bodies and how. There is no age limit for sexual abuse of children. If this information was left out of education so that "parents can talk about it"... can you imagine what happens to a child who is being abused by a family member? They don't have supportive people in the education system who can tell them what is happening to them is wrong or who can help them be removed from that harmful situation. Schools can be a place of protection for youth and they need to know that adults aren't afraid to be there for them and talk about these scary things and get help.

My own education in Nebraska was in Catholic school for K-12 and I had to rise above so much misinformation and ignorance in their sex education programs to get where I am today. I'm not the only one. It's a talking point among my family and friends how the sex education system failed us and gave us shame and misinformation. And at age 12, I already knew people who were LGBTQ+ and wish I had been given a better education to be more supportive and knowledgeable back then. If we can fix the education system so that there is less of a struggle for facts, information, and support, we must do it now, and the proposed lesson plans do this. The time for fear-mongering and handwringing is gone. We must rely upon facts and understanding to make Nebraska a more safe, welcoming, and educated place. 

I am very passionate about LGBTQ+ people being honored and supported and protected because they exist among my family and among my friends. Even if they weren't among those I love, I can't stand the idea that lawmakers in the year 2021 STILL want people to be ashamed of who they are. If that's the case, those people need to step down. This state, this country, this world is for EVERYONE. Ignoring these people doesn't mean that kids will never meet them or learn about them or BECOME them. Denying this part of our humanity is dangerous. 

To neglect the factual information about varying genders or sexualities is to neglect reality and to neglect the youth. Not providing this information as part of lesson plans will in fact lead to heightened problems with depression, suicide, abuse, and more. Everything is connected.

I need for anyone who doesn't "understand" LGBTQ+ people to find a way to learn about it and understand that they are every bit worthy of the human rights they have. 

THERE IS NO AGE TOO YOUNG to introduce these ideas because these children ALREADY KNOW. They already have LGBTQ+ people among their family and their friends, and may already feel different themselves. If there is a fear of "normalizing" this, then the problem is the fear itself. It's already "normal" to be different. Have you heard the idea that if black children already know about racism at a young age, then white children should too? Same concept. We get stronger together with facts, information, support, and truth.

We need to empower and strengthen our youth to recognize these differences in themselves and others, to not carry the shame put upon them by the ignorant, and to protect and support each other. I find that this knowledge-based health and sexuality plan for Nebraska schools does just that, and is very necessary for the citizens of our state to rise from fear and ignorance and embrace inclusivity, facts, education, and progress.  

Sincerely,

X

The Altar of the Gun God - by Danielle P Smith

The Altar of the Gun God by Danielle P Smith 

March 23, 2021

After yet another mass shooting

And so more bodies are laid at the altar for the God of Guns, Weapons, & Warfare, the true idol of this country. This God hides behind a document created by long deceased men who couldn't conceive of what their primitive man-made god of wood and metal would become. 

This "right" to own weapons of death is more precious than the lives on its bloody altar. They will sacrifice their own, as many as it takes, if it means they can still worship at the altar of their perceived protector. 

What fools be these mortals who willingly protect their killers, thinking themselves free. Their God whispers, spitting blood in their ears, "If they take me away, you will die. No compromise. No middle ground." The blood seeps into their brain, covers their eyes and they see red, everyone an enemy, forever at war. 

We shall not have Peace while War prances upon the graves laid out before it as sacrifice. Too arrogant to change, we shall bring about our own demise and there will be no one left to mourn. 

The body count is ticked out on the wall, a wall covered in red since time began. We don't see the writing on the wall. We just continue to add to it, as if we are powerless to stop it. Another. Another. Another. How it has always been. How it will always be. 

The God demands sacrifice eternal, but it's long past time to kill the God. The God that controls us, warps us, needs us, makes us kill ourselves. If we lay down weapons, the God cannot survive. This God is dangerous to worship but powerless without us, if only we tried.

Nebraska Governor Lies about Marijuana

Context: Nebraska Governor says Marijuana will kill your kids. Same governor who wanted to bring in illegal drugs for prisoner executions.

https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/543076-nebraska-governor-slams-push-for-marijuana-legalization-itll-kill-your 

https://www.aclunebraska.org/en/campaigns/tinkering-machinery-death 

 

Greetings, Governor P. Ricketts,

You once again embarrass the state of Nebraska, this time by saying "marijuana will kill your kids". What IS guaranteed to kill kids is YOU and your pursuit to purchase illegal drugs for capital punishment, wasting taxpayer money. You claim to be pro-life, and say God is your judge, but you are quite fine with deciding to kill other human beings. 

Your hypocrisy aside, your statement about medical marijuana is baseless and an outright lie with NO data or statistics to prove it or make it even any bit credible. The fact that you say it doesn't make it true. Just as if a person said "P. Ricketts is a public servant who puts the public first" - it doesn't make it true and it is NOT true because data and facts can be brought up to disprove this. Facts like "P. Ricketts lies about the dangers of marijuana." 

A public servant should not lie.

A public servant should not make false claims.

A public servant should not be doing things in his own best interests.

In case you are unaware, marijuana is a natural plant. If you believe in God as you claim, God put that plant here with a purpose. That purpose is pain relief and many Nebraskans, especially those with terminal diseases, can use this to improve their lives, or make their last days more comfortable. It can also prevent people from developing opiate addictions. And, as an agricultural state, Nebraska could most definitely benefit from marijuana as a crop, so you are denying potential income to farmers. 

The fact that you are opposed to medical marijuana AND deny others from having access to it or making a decision for themselves is proof that you are not putting the public first. You are treating Nebraskans like they are your children who have to do as you say, instead of adults who YOU are to serve. 

I believe that you are likely responsible for the unjustified death of the Medical Marijuana petition. You denied the people of Nebraska the opportunity to decide for themselves. I don't have facts to prove this, but you know the truth.

Why are you so afraid? Are you afraid that decriminalizing marijuana would decrease the prison population? That maybe you'd have less people to dehumanize in the penal system? Or kill? Would you profit less from prisons that had less prisoners? Shouldn't we WANT prisons to have less people? To prove that we are rehabilitating people and preparing them for re-entry into society? Doesn't that indicate you don't have the public in mind, but your own profits?

All I know is that I can't trust my governor to the tell the truth. I can't trust my governor to put the people first. I again ask you to step down from public office because you prove time and again you are not a public servant that puts the public first. 

Disappointed as always, 

X

Nebraska Governor Fearful of Teaching Children About Their Bodies

Context: Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts (Republican) put out a press release against updates to Nebraska Health Education updates that aim to teach children about their bodies, gender identities, and how to identify unwanted touch etc. He included the instruction for parents to read the update proposals and contact about this issue, most likely with the assumption that fearful parents would be appalled by the idea of educating children. 

https://www.1011now.com/2021/03/12/gov-ricketts-wants-proposed-sex-education-standards-scrapped-calls-some-updates-age-inappropriate/ 

The new sex education and health standards can be viewed by clicking here. The public can submit formal comments by emailing nde.standardsinput@nebraska.gov.

I wrote a thank you to those who would update the standards:

To Whom It May Concern, 

I am not a parent, but I am a taxpayer and an aunt to 10 children, at least one of whom has told us of her transgender status. After being directed to your pdf of updates and given your email by our fear-mongering governor, I wanted to advise you I applaud the updates to Nebraska's Health Education Standards.

As you know, it is crucial to teach children at an early age about how to be aware of different genders and identifications as well as to have control over their bodies and understand what to do about inappropriate and unwanted touch or attention. It's never too early because abusers aren't waiting for a certain age, and our governor proves not all children are living with safe or well-informed adults. This kind of information can prevent children from abuse and even suicide and is well worth pursuing despite fearful attacks you may be receiving. 

It is disheartening that an elected public servant is trying to motivate people based upon fear, miseducation and hatred of others. This only proves the need for this instruction. I thank you for trying to advance Nebraska Health Education to be truthful, inclusive, proactive, and progressive. Children need to have actual facts and information as our own governor makes it evident there are people (parents/guardians) who are unwilling or unfit to have truthful conversations with youth that need answers. 

Again, thank you for your updates to the Health Education system for Nebraska. I wanted to reach out and be a positive voice to tell you that you are doing the right thing by being truthful, inclusive, and proactive. This is what is needed to protect and empower future generations.

Best of luck

Sincerely,

X

 I also wrote an email to PRicketts telling him that he is unfit, something I get to do way too often.

Greetings, Gov. P. Ricketts,

In regards to your press release on updating Nebraska Health Education Standards, I am disappointed that you want to deny essential education to young children. You rely on fear-mongering and your own miseducation and you put Nebraska children and families at risk from your ignorance. 

You claim this information is "age-inappropriate". If you are not aware, children of any age can be bullied or abused and it is essential that they are given the knowledge and tools to identify this and seek help. Abusers don't wait until children reach a certain age. Not giving children proper information can lead to abuse or even suicide. 

There is nothing "political" about children learning the proper terms for their genitalia, or learning about differing genders, or learning about adoption, or same sex parents, as shown in the lessons for the younger classes. You don't seem to grasp what science is since you claim this is non-scientific instruction. 

If you are unaware, as a public servant to Nebraskans, you answer to hundreds of thousands of LGBTQ+ people and the people who love and support them, including me and my family. If you are unwilling to serve ALL Nebraskans, I ask that you step down from your position. Your ignorance and misinformation is disruptive and dangerous to everyone in this state. 

Disappointed in you as always, 

X

Nebraska US Senators Oppose Covid Relief - May I Never Be Like Them

To Nebraska US Senators Fischer and Sasse, 

I write this with futility knowing you'll never read this and I send my apologies to your aides who will have to read my frustrations and select the appropriate generic letter for a response.  

If there is a god, I pray to it that I will never be like you. To take an oath to work for the benefit of Nebraskans, but to unironically lambast "the other side" for being "partisan" while you deny any benefits to struggling Nebraskans because it's too "progressive". Progress is not a dirty word. Progress is why a female such as yourself, Senator Fischer, can serve in a federal public office. 

I write this letter in futility knowing that my Senators have no sense of decency. I know they don't work for all Nebraskans. Just the ones that line their pockets. I know that my Senators will take hundreds of thousands of dollars from taxpayers as their salary every year and then continue to degrade and demean them. You don't work for the Nebraskans who have struggled with evictions during the pandemic. You don't work for the people who have lost their jobs, for the struggling small business owners. You don't work for the people that have died from this disease. You don't work for the Nebraskans who are mourning the loss of their loved ones. And I already know you don't work for women or my LGBTQ+ family and friends. 

You two Senators are the epitome of what disappoints me about Nebraska, about this country, this world. You'll take your benefits where you can and screw anybody over who can't do anything about it, help out your cronies and come up with pithy statements about "cuddly puppies" as if that helps anyone. 

I wish that you could be as ashamed of yourselves as I am of you. I want people in office who recognize the tragedy of what happens to us WITHOUT progress and empathy. I want people who don't just play a game with our lives called 'political tug of war'. 

You are people that don't make this world better for everyone in it, and I pray I don't end up like you. So yes, I'll continue to write enraged, futile letters knowing your aides will never pass them on and two or more months from now, I'll get a generic "As you know" letter that provides me no comfort, that provides no justification for your employment in a position of "public servant" that you fail to fulfill. I don't think there is anything either of you could say, but there is a hell of a lot you could do to turn this around. But I won't hold my breath. 

As Ever, Disappointed in You,

X

Below are screenshots of Sasse & Fischer Statements on why they opposed Covid Relief and text of the same in the caption box for those using screen readers.

Sasse Statement on COVID Relief Vote

March 6, 2021

U.S. Senator Ben Sasse issued the following statement regarding his vote against the Democrats' pork-filled $1.9 trillion COVID relief package.

“This weekend’s spending is bigger than the entire annual economy of Canada, yet only one percent of it is vaccine-related. Here’s how midnight spending bills go down: Senators hide a bunch of crap behind titles like ‘The Cuddly Puppies Act,’ and then say anybody voting against it hates puppies. This $1.9 trillion ‘emergency’ bill is overwhelmingly non-emergency — we should’ve just bought Canada too.”

Senator Fischer Opposes Biden’s $1.9 Trillion Stimulus

Bill is Strictly Partisan, Full of Wish-List Items, and Leaves Out Rural America

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) released the following statement after voting against President Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus package:

“I voted against President Biden’s stimulus because the bill represented a strictly partisan, progressive wish list filled with items unrelated to aiding our recovery from COVID-19. In the last year, $4 trillion has been provided for relief with about $1 trillion still unspent.”

More information:

Senator Fischer offered several amendments to try to make the legislation more equitable for rural America. This included an amendment to distribute transit funding using a formula Congress already approved. This would ensure the transit funding doesn’t primarily benefit a few select coastal cities but instead is proportionately distributed across the country, including in Nebraska. 

Senator Fischer also offered an amendment to ensure protections for rural community health centers are not being degraded and that these centers are allocated the aid they need, rather than granting D.C. bureaucrats sole discretion over those funds.

Watch Senator Fischer’s floor speech on the House-passed version of Biden’s stimulus package here.

Permalink: https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2021/3/senator-fischer-opposes-biden-s-1-9-trillion-stimulus

Nebraska Governor afraid of Science and "Radical Environmentalists"

Reference: https://nebraska.tv/news/local/energy 

Governor P.Ricketts,

In regards to your comments about "radical environmentalists", I'd just like to point out you sound ridiculous and are clearly pandering to your base, when in fact, since our state's economy depends on agriculture, you should be learning from "radical environmentalists" who are all about sustainability of renewable resources such as solar and wind, instead of non-renewable, non-sustainable sources such as natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy. 

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas said Tuesday that failures in natural gas, coal and nuclear energy systems were responsible for nearly twice as many outages as frozen wind turbines and solar panels. 

Solar panels actually work just fine in cold weather, as you'll note by their inclusion in the International Space Station. From what I understand, it's pretty cold in outer space. In fact, light reflecting off of snow is a good thing for solar panels. Research this stuff, even just a little bit, or you just seem ignorant, spitting out your party's ill-formed platitudes and prove you are not fit to lead.  

In the light of climate change, you should be rewarding innovation that would ensure that the state's farmers, the caretakers of the land and animals, and our energy production sites are forward-thinking and prepared for the challenges coming our way. 

Do you have a fear of science, or innovation, or is the use of non-sustainable, non-renewable energy sources tied to your pocketbook? 

Sincerely, 

A Scary Radical Environmentalist who picks up trash because we only have one planet 

Nebraska Governor will allow guns at upcoming "protests" - endangers Nebraskans

Governor P. Ricketts,

I am disgusted that you continue to share baseless lies about voter and election fraud. Just because the election didn't have the result you wanted, doesn't mean there was fraud. With this continued lie, you are one of many Republicans responsible for the incitement of violence that led to reprehensible actions by Trump supporters at the Capitol and the unknown outcomes of those that will "protest" at the Nebraska Capitol. If you have not stood against him, you stand with him in his undemocratic, unconstitutional, and corrupt behavior.

Your decision to NOT prohibit guns at the upcoming "protests" is blood on your hands. Part of the reason more Capitol Police were not killed is because guns were prohibited in DC that day. Because you continue to cater to your gun-obsessed base and have ambitions that do NOT keep the well-being of every Nebraskan in mind, you open the potential for harm to the senators and employees in the Unicameral and the general public. I will hold you responsible. 

It's clear that Trump supporters have very clouded judgement, due in part to Republican lies about 'election fraud', and this includes permission to murder, commit federal crimes, and destroy federal property. For you to turn a blind eye and pretend otherwise shows your lack of decency and moral code. You are unfit to govern, serve, or protect the people of Nebraska. 

Disappointed in you as always, 


refer: https://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/ricketts-says-he-will-not-restrict-weapons-at-state-capitol/article_d6c684e4-a694-59ed-bbc6-561d7bec0460.html 

Rural County lacks Separation of Church and State

 Dear X County Sheriff, and X County Courthouse,

Sheriff Z, although I appreciate your calls for unity and respect in a post on the X County Sheriff Facebook page, I oppose your calls to “be more Christian” or “be Americans with Christian values”. As a government employee, you should uphold the Separation of Church and State and refrain from putting your religion forward on that forum. You are more than able to share your personal beliefs on your personal Facebook page. The same restraint goes for any government-related social media or community correspondence. 

To the X County Courthouse, I am opposed to the Nativity Scene I finally noticed on the Courthouse lawn. (I live out of town and have been staying safe at home during the pandemic.)  County/taxpayer/government property should be free of religious paraphernalia and iconography. Since it’s too difficult to encompass all faith/belief systems, you should promote none. Please do not use these or similar decorations in the future. There are plenty of secular seasonal decorations that can be utilized. 

Again, all government institutions must uphold Separation of Church and State and show no preference for any religious belief system over another. The promotion of any religion from a government organization is biased, unconstitutional, and at the very least polarizing to those of differing viewpoints. 

I hope you take this feedback into account, re-evaluate, and implement these requests for a more appropriate display of non-religious preference or promotion from government sources. If you want all to feel welcome in this community, sometimes that takes a bit of introspection to understand what you take for granted as “the norm” is not the experience of everyone else. 

The idea that we are a “Christian nation” is false and detrimental to the freedoms and respect that we mutually desire. I encourage similar re-evaluation and learning for other concepts and people that don’t seem to be “the norm” in this area. 

Thank you for re-evaluating and working to respect and welcome all.

Sincerely,

A X County Resident Who Believes in the Separation of Church & State

UPDATE 1/13/2021

Greetings, Recipients of my email calling for a renewed approach to Separation of Church and State from X County government sources, re, mention of Christianity and a Nativity Scene on the Courthouse lawn. 

I hope you are doing well. I regret to bother you as I know you have important work to do but, I did receive a response from M, and wanted to share my thoughts on his response with all of you.

M

Wed, Jan 13 at 7:56 AM

So then what do you think Christmas is all about?  We have contemporary displays on the court house lawn also like a big snowman etc.

I hope that most of you reading this can immediately identify M’s response as unprofessional and unhelpful. It actually reinforces everything from my email: the need for introspection on bias and the importance of honoring the Separation of Church and State. 

Although I do not know M, I am aware that he was just sworn in as a Commissioner, and has been serving as a Vets Affairs Administrator (and still will?) and I would assume as a government and elected official, part of the oath is to uphold the law AND to serve the residents of X County, both of which I find lacking in his response. I assume he is aware his response carries weight due to his position(s) and will put more thought into these interactions from now on. 

When I received his flippant two sentence response that challenges my presumed beliefs about Christmas and disregards the legal matter I initiated, I have to wonder what is motivating M and how can I trust him in office if he cannot respond thoughtfully and professionally to my assertion of a well known legal duty of Separation of Church and State?

From M’s response to me, I’m presuming that:

• M can tell the difference between a religious display (Nativity) and secular display (snowman)

• M assumes that because I invoke Separation of Church and State, I must not celebrate Christmas like he does or must not understand the holiday.

• (This is a false concept - people of faith can and should want BOTH freedom of religion AND Separation of Church and State to be protected and upheld) 

• M asserts that his way of celebrating (re: Christianity, Nativity) is the correct answer which belittles and doesn’t protect freedom of religion of his constituents. 

M’s rhetorical question to me is not appropriate, no matter his intent. Separation of Church and State is not merely an opinion of mine that can be dismissed because M might interpret it as a challenge to his concept of Christmas. It is a tenet, a foundation of our government that must be upheld, so no, faith-based decorations should not be on government property. This is not an attack on religion, but a neutral protection of it per the law.

While I don’t know M, and I don’t bear ill will, I don’t want to be stuck in an email loop forever (as I’m sure none of you do). My desire is to use this moment to reiterate that anyone in a government position, whether elected or not, has a unique challenge to be introspective in how one’s own belief systems may prevent one from being unbiased in one’s duties. 

If one is raised in a certain religion and finds many people in one’s immediate circle are the same, it can be easy to blur the lines of what is “normal” or “common” or even “correct”. This most definitely extends to other areas such as sexual preference, gender orientation, or any other number of ways humans get divided. We need to constantly reassess and grow for the better. I assume there is some sort of training within the government for these matters. Please note it is a valuable practice in a world more divided all the time.

To reiterate, and hopefully not have to do so again (ie, no contrary response is necessary, but an action-oriented 'this is how we're addressing it' email would of course be welcomed), I’m reminding members of the X County government how the freedom of religion is best protected by Separation of Church and State, hence calling for zero religious displays on the Courthouse lawn, and keeping this neutrality in mind in any meetings or government forums. Paired with introspection on bias, this allows the government, and its individuals, to remain impartial and to find ways in which our community can be more welcoming of others. 

Thank you for doing your part in re-evaluating how Separation of Church and State is upheld in government spaces in X County and how to be more welcoming to your constituents and any visitors to the area. 

Sincerely, 

A X County Resident Who Believes in the Separation of Church and State

UPDATE 2 ON 1/13/2021

RESPONSE FROM 2ND COMMISSIONER:

I would like to thank you for your email.  We can all use a little constructive criticism.  It keeps us from being complacent in our duties.

In response to the comment that we are not a Christian Nation; that is correct, we are not just a Christian Nation.  Our nation is made up of many faiths not just the Christian Faith.  We are, however, a Nation that was founded on religious principles.  I’m reminded of that every time I recite the Pledge of Allegiance. [ONE NATION UNDER GOD], and whenever I take currency from my pocket [IN GOD WE TRUST].

To answer your concern of separation of church and state, there was an article in the NEW YORK TIMES dated January 16th 2018 that addresses the misconception of Church and State.

Quoting the article, “the text of the 1786 Virginia Statutes for religious freedom gives insight into our nation’s First Amendment Right. It reads “no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinion in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities.’

In short, the act affirmed what we should recognize in every era: the right to practice any faith, or to have no faith, is a foundational freedom for all Americans.  This right is also behind what Jefferson meant when he spoke of the ‘wall of separation’ between the church and the state.

In its day, a constitutional prohibition that the state would not establish or restrain personal faith was truly revolutionary.  Sadly, in many countries today, religious freedom is still revolutionary.  America has the obligation to live this truth and demonstrate the depth of this powerful human right.

Unlike many places in the world, our government is not prohibited from referencing or accommodating religion, nor is the government compelled to scrub all religious references from the public square.  Rather, the First Amendment ensures both that the government does not show preference to a certain religion and that the government does not take away an individual’s ability to exercise religion.  In other words, the church should not rule over the state, and the state cannot rule over the church.  Religion is too important to be a government program or a political pageant.

Thankfully the courts have affirmed this time and time again.

In the case of Town of Greece v. Galloway, the court was clear that the government cannot coerce someone to participate in a particular religion, but it also should not attempt to restrict all acts of faith from the public square.  The concept of a ‘separation of church and state’ reinforces the legal right of a free people to freely live their faith, even in public; without fear of government coercion.  Free exercise means you may have a faith and you may live it.”

This should explain the existence of the Nativity Scene on the courthouse lawn. I would add that the Nativity does not belong to the county, nor is it stored on county property, and is not erected by county employees on county time.

The county has put up secular holiday displays and would consider other secular and non-secular tasteful displays to be erected if requested.

Hope this answers your concerns

Thank-you 

D
K
M

Commissioner

MY RESPONSE TO D:

D

Thank you for your well thought-out response. I appreciate your openness to hearing from constituents and responding respectfully. I appreciate the inclusion of information about legislature which tells me this was a researched response. 

I do want to point out that "Under God" and "In God We Trust" were added to the pledge and money in the 1950's as a fear-based reaction to Communism and Atheism aka "The Red Scare". The daughter of the author of the pledge (originally penned in the 1890s) voiced opposition to "under God" being added to the pledge in the 1950's. I do find that the inclusion of God in these places does muddy the idea of freedom of belief for our country; and fear is not a reliable rationalization for legislature :) 

I appreciate the information that the Nativity scene is not county property, nor stored on county property, nor erected by county employees. This information is good to know, but visually, the Nativity scene causes concern I had originally expressed. I still prefer government property to be free of religious decoration, but again, I appreciate the information and time put into your response. 

Thank you

X County Resident Who Believes in the Separation of Church and State :) 

Gov. P. Ricketts - My uterus is Pro-choice

Governor, P. Ricketts, 

I'm exhausted that you keep saying you are pro-life when you try to control women's lives with your absurd and useless waste of taxpayer time and money to create biased and unnecessary Days of Prayer to end abortion. Stop virtue-signaling and putting your religion into law. It's not cute. 

Get a clue. Abortion has always been around and will always be around and women deserve 100% safe access to it without your input. Women are not baby-making machines meant to do the bidding of bald-headed, clueless men such as yourself or anyone else who wants to create antiquated and draconian restrictions against us. 

As a person in this country, and in this world, I have freedoms and liberties which include being able to make decisions about my life, my family, my body. The fact that this upsets you and you want to outlaw abortion shows me that you overstep your boundaries and infringe upon those of others. Back off.

With a Sincerely Pro-Choice Uterus,

Governor P. Ricketts - Xenophobia, the Covid Vaccine and You

Governor, P. Ricketts, 

I write to exclaim my disgust at your depraved and abhorrent proclamation that undocumented workers will NOT receive the coronavirus vaccine. In case you don't understand, a person's humanity or worth is not linked to their immigration status. 

Covid-19 doesn't discriminate and you shouldn't either. Your insistence that you are pro-life is a ghastly, hypocritical statement when you can't even protect people in your state because of your misguided xenophobia. 

The undocumented workers make up a large part of the workforce, especially in meat-packing plants. Your assistance to them has been awful during the pandemic and you have proven you do not value their lives or safety. I'd like to remind you, you are not better or more worthy of medical assistance than a person working in a meatpacking plant. 

You lack leadership, ethics, humanity, and foresight in protecting residents of Nebraska and you should be ashamed of yourself. I know I am ashamed you "govern" my state. 

I insist you freely distribute the covid vaccine to EVERY PERSON IN NEBRASKA, regardless of any factor such as immigration status, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, gender, gender presentation, marital status, disability status etc. 

Sincerely Disgusted as Usual,