Three American Values, inscribed on every one of our American Coins: E Pluribus Unum, Liberty and In God We Trust.

Three American Values, which lead to vastly different results than the French values: Libertė, Egalitė, Fraternitė my friend Robert Scott, who also periodically writes for the Edgefield Advertiser, wrote about in the May 8^th, 2019 print edition.

Robert’s editorial made it to the online version, and I encourage you to read it by clicking here!

We live in a time period of history where there is a lot of confusion.  Generally, I disagree with Mr. Scott’s conclusions on a wide range of fronts.  However, I am glad he is encouraging American’s to review the philosophical underpinnings which drive culture and ultimately politics and nation-states.  One thing Mr. Scott and I likely agree on, is that politics is downstream of culture.

Last month I shared in “Notrė Dame Revisited,” two tidbits of history about this historic French building.  First, it is owned, not by any church, but by the French Government.  Second, on October 10, 1793 the statue of Mother Mary was removed from Notrė Dame and replaced with a statue of the secular goddess “Reason.” 

This “modern” change was a change from a theological worldview to a secular worldview, over 200 years ago.  Many argue this change contributed to very different results between the American and the French Revolutions, both wars taking place during that era of change, and how our nations developed as a result.  I would encourage you to read that editorial, as well as listen to the commentary about Notrė Dame by Dr. Albert Mohler, which is linked within, by clicking here!

As it relates to the three American Values in the title of this editorial, as you contemplate these values, compared to the French Values Mr. Scott wrote about last week, I would encourage you to watch a short 5-minute video prepared by Mr. Dennis Prager.

Mr. Prager, founder of Prager University https://www.prageru.com/, is an online collaboration of dozens of world known thinkers from business, non-profit, government and academia whose vision is to prepare “Short Videos with Big Ideas!”  Their homepage states “with 2.1 billion views and counting, our videos are changing the conversation about American Ideas.”

Mr. Prager coined these three American Values: E Pluribus Unum, Liberty and In God We Trust as “The American Trinity.”  No pun intended!  In the video he compares the difference between the French value of “liberty” and the American value of “Liberty.”

He also discusses the inequality which true liberty allows.  Mr. Prager takes head on the reality that some American’s desire to replace American values with European values. Prager then discusses where such trends will take us.  Finally, Prager ends by stating “Which set of values Americans adopt will determine whether America remains free, prosperous and the force for good in the world that it has been.   With the exception of the Civil War, this is the greatest internal battle in American History.”

More next week.  Here’s wishing you a productive week!

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My March 29^th, 2018 editorial to the Edgefield Advertiser was about Notrė-Dame, how it was crumbling from within, and in my opinion was a potential symbol of the church at large. 

Rather than re-printing last years editorial, I would encourage you to read the online version:  http://www.edgefieldadvertiser.com/2018/03/notre-dame-at-risk-potential-symbolism/, prior to continuing with this weeks.

Monday April 15^th, 2019 the world watched in horror as this heirloom to our Judeo-Christian faith, as well as centuries of history went up in flames.  What has been interesting to watch, as well as encouraging, following this tragic event, is the outpouring of love for Notre-Dame coming from all sectors of our secular society, not merely those who adhere to the Judeo-Christian faith.

I would venture to say that even now, after all the publicity Notre-Dame received last week, that most global citizens don’t realize integral parts of its history.  For example, the structure is not owned by any “church,” but rather the French Government.  Or perhaps, that on October 10, 1793 the statue of Mother Mary was removed and replaced with a statue of the secular goddess “Reason.” 

This “modern” change was a change from a theological worldview to a secular worldview, over 200 years ago.  Many argue this change led to very different results between the American and the French Revolutions, both wars taking place during that era of change.

I could write more editorial, but I would rather encourage my friends who want to learn about the history of Notre Dame, and how it impacts the worldview’s at play today, to listen to last Tuesday April 16’s “Daily Briefing” from Albert Mohler.  It can be found by going to this link:  https://albertmohler.com/2019/04/16/briefing-4-16-19

Dr. Mohler’s Bio is taken from his website:

“Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. serves as president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary – the flagship school of the Southern Baptist Convention and one of the largest seminaries in the world.

Dr. Mohler has been recognized by such influential publications as Time and Christianity Today as a leader among American evangelicals. In fact, Time.com called him the “reigning intellectual of the evangelical movement in the U.S.”

In addition to his presidential duties, Dr. Mohler hosts two programs: “The Briefing,” a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview; and “Thinking in Public,” a series of conversations with the day’s leading thinkers. He also writes a popular blog and a regular commentary on moral, cultural and theological issues. Called “an articulate voice for conservative Christianity at large” by The Chicago Tribune, Dr. Mohler’s mission is to address contemporary issues from a consistent and explicit Christian worldview.”

In closing, I have written many times in this venue about the cold civil war we are facing, and how ultimately the conflicts we face are conflicts of worldview.  It is my humble opinion that we will only prevent this cold civil war from boiling over, if our citizenry become passionate about understanding our history, and the conflicting worldviews at play.  The source I listed above is a daily venue to help one’s personal effort in that process.

Here’s wishing you a productive week.

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I have been contemplating whether to continue my weekly editorial due to time constraints.  Last week I received some encouragement I hadn’t expected.  I won’t mention the individual by name, but I am sure he will know I am speaking about him, when he reads this.

Last week I was at a statewide meeting in Columbia, when a peer from another county, who is a member of another political party, as well as another race, asked me if I was going to continue writing my weekly editorial for the Edgefield Advertiser.  He encouraged me to do so.

Knowing he took the time to read my column, and to personally encourage me meant a lot!  Even though to be candid, there are many days I don’t complete my own work, and I personally question the investment of my time in this arena, his encouragement leads me to press on!

If you have been following my writing for the last three years, you know I strive to write about non-respecter of person issues.  Things which unite, regardless of race, creed or socio-economic status.  I have stated on more than one occasion I write about these things because I am extremely concerned about the cold civil war taking place in our republic, which is becoming vitriolic and at times demonic.

If you feel this trend too, and are concerned about it, I would highly recommend three books, which I believe may help us bridge some of the ill-informed gaps which must be crossed, if we plan to keep this cold civil war from boiling over.

The first one is The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion, by Jonathan Haidt.  The second one is Them: Why We Hate Each Other and How to Heal, by Ben Sasse.  The third book is particularly for individuals of the faith community, The Daniel Dilemma: How to Stand Firm & Love Well in a Culture of Compromise, by Chris Hodges.

While I don’t agree with everything in the first two books, I believe they are worth reading, or if you are like me, listening to.  The third book, in my honest opinion is on the money. More next week. 

Here’s wishing you a productive week!

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As I prepare for Hump Day, which also happens to be Master’s Week, I am beginning the day sipping coffee, sitting in the dark on my great-grandfather’s front porch, listening to the rain fall, the wind blow, the thunder roll and watching the lightning. As dark turns to day, and the rain tapers off, I also am enjoying the sounds of birds, insects and the steaks (cows) in the field. I am also keeping track of the traffic count, which each passing year increases on this beautiful country road our family has been blessed to know for well over a century.

I am thinking about life 100 years ago and am wondering what my 12-year-old grandfather and 44-year-old great grandfather would be thinking, as they potentially sat on this same porch, drinking coffee as they prepared to go to work. As there was a 32-year span between the two men, I am confident that in addition to the labor that was ahead for that specific day, they were thinking of different things. Yes, I called my 12-year old grandfather a man, as the expectations of 12-year old farm boys 100 years ago was vastly different than the expectations today’s society places on 12-year old individuals.

My great grandfather’s mind might have been on the devastation of World War I, which was six months away from ending, a fact no one knew at that time. He may have only been thinking about this year’s agricultural business, so focused on the immediate that he couldn’t think beyond what was right in front of him. Having been blessed to know my grandfather during the last decade of his life, I can safely assume my great-grandfather was thinking further ahead than one year.

No doubt, much like today’s agricultural business owner he was concerned about the labor force, the weather and cost structures he couldn’t control. Since he died in 1926, I am confident he couldn’t have imagined industrialized agriculture as we have witnessed in the last half a century. I am confident he couldn’t have imagined the future of agriculture being in hydroponics or aeroponics, where entire cities could see their greens and vegetable food supply being produced vertically inside containers or high-rise buildings, with high-tech systems monitoring lighting and water with unimaginable specificity, as we are witnessing in the 21st century.

I am confident he couldn’t have imagined the traffic count in front of his driveway being what it is this morning. I am confident he couldn’t have imagined the only region he had ever known being transformed by industries called cyber-security or golf. The idea of his neighbors’ homes being rented for thousands of dollars a week during a golf tournament would have been ludicrous – especially when he had only a few years prior constructed his home for $ 300 and a motorcycle!

As for my 12-year-old grandfather – he very likely was only thinking about how quickly he could accomplish his morning chores before school! While the events of his life would later force him to think long term, and become adept at it, at that point in his life, he was very likely focused on just getting through the day.

For me, thinking about history, both at a high level, as well as the individual family level, I am grateful for our heritage. As you look at your personal family heritage, I hope you are grateful as well and that you can glean wisdom from both family failure and success.  Then, regardless of where you are today as an individual, will choose to put your hand back on the plow with vigor, in such a way those coming behind you will look at your life’s work and be grateful for your effort.

I hope you can focus on more than simply getting through the day, sometimes a great challenge, I know.

However, you choose to begin your Hump Day – I sincerely hope you have a productive day!

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My July 26, 2017 print edition of The Edgefield Advertiser was titled “You Have Influence.” It highlighted a worldwide event titled “The Global Leadership Summit,”  which was taking place outside of Chicago on August 10^th and 11^th, 2017.  I encouraged you to attend the local simulcast event, which was one of over 400 venues participating in the United States.

Returning on Saturday August 12th, as I travelled from Chicago, IL to Greenville, SC for a wedding, the only thing I saw on the television screens both inside the airports and my hotel lobby was the incidents taking place this weekend in Charlottesville, VA, where an extremely small percentage of our population was garnering virtually all the expensive media air time.

As I walked through O’Hare airport, I committed in my own mind to not watch the news, to do my best at tuning out my Facebook feed, which was largely filled with comments about this small percentage of our population, garnering so much attention.  I instead decided to focus my energy on what I had learned in the auditorium of over 10,000 people in a Chicago Suburb, an event where over 400,000 participated nation-wide via simulcast, and another 400,000 plus international folks will participate in the following days.  I pondered on this new generation of leaders, perhaps surpassing over a million worldwide participants, and how this tremendous movement likely received no airtime in the main stream media.

I choose hope.  I believe a new generation of leaders are rising up, in every county of our republic and in many nations of our world.  This new generation will be armed with humility, in addition to other leadership skills and will chart a course where they will not profit from division, like so many do today.

I want to share with you a synopsis of Bill Hybels opening message at this global event.  There are “10 Rules of Respect,”, but he started with a question, followed by making three critical statements.  The question was, “How do we lead in an era of increased incivility and disrespect?”

The statements were, “The solution begins with me,” “The highest value at GLS is humility,” and “Armed with enough humility, you can learn from anyone.”

Here are the “10 Rules of Respect:”

1. Leaders must set the example for how to differ without demonizing.
2. Leaders must be able to have spirited conversations without “drawing blood.”
3. Leaders must not interrupt others who are talking or dominate discussions.
4. Leaders must set the example of limiting their volume levels and refusing to use “incendiary” or “belittling” words that guarantee to derail true conversation.
5. Leaders must set the example of being courteous in word and deed . . . to everyone, at every level.
6. Leaders must never stereotype people.
7. Leaders must apologize immediately when they are wrong, instead of denying or doubling down.
8. Leaders must form opinions carefully and stay open-minded if better or new information comes along.
9. Leaders must set the example of showing up when they say they are going to show up and doing what they say they are going to do.
10. Leaders must set “Rules of Respect” for everyone in the organization and enforce them relentlessly as a sort of code of conduct.

In closing, what we witnessed in Charlottesville this weekend was not leadership.  It continues to receive the bulk of expensive media time because it gets ratings, which provides advertising revenue, which makes money.  Perhaps I’ll write more about the lack of leadership in the media next week, but for now, I sincerely hope you will join me in praying for the next generation of leaders, which ARE being developed, who WILL lead based on the points above, and will not seek to profit through division.

Here’s wishing you a productive week!

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Last week (http://hscottcooper.com/contrasting-three-events-on-memorial-day-ea-may-31-2017/) I closed my editorial with the following paragraph:

“What encourages me about our time period in history, where our collective knowledge of these conflicting worldviews is so poor, is that we can rapidly improve our knowledge, if we are willing to make the investment.”

When it comes to making the needed investment, there are two critical points I believe we must begin with:

First, parents must be willing to make the educational investment in their children.  Dropping them at the schoolhouse isn’t enough.  To grandparents – if, for whatever reason, your children are not making the required investment in your grandchildren’s proper education, you have a civic duty, indeed a moral obligation, to ensure your lineage is properly educated.  Your legacy depends upon it.

Second, we must begin as early as possible.  There is a lot of focus this time of year on Graduation.  Graduation from High School, Graduation from College and perhaps graduate school.  If we look back in history, say a century ago – young men graduating from eighth grade had great expectations placed on them.  Many had already become men, bearing responsibility for helping provide their families’ sustenance.  Young women graduating from the eighth grade were also being taught to think about their role in providing for the family, both existing and future families.

This week, I encourage you to think about the young adults you know graduating from Middle School.  I think two of the books which should be on the summer reading list for these young adults, ages 13 and 14, are:

The first book was actually written by two teenagers. Alex and Brett Harris, at the age of 19. Do Hard Things, A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations, in short tells stories of great teenagers from our history who accomplished amazing feats during their teenage years, and contrasted those stories with today’s culture where adulthood (responsibility) is actually being pushed further and further into an individual’s future.

The second book deals with Economics.  In my opinion, we must educate all young adults entering High School the truth about Economics.  Specifically, how government run systems created in the last two generations have placed a tremendous economic burden on them.  Much of that burden, which they will bear, began prior to their conception!  The author states, “this upcoming generation has been plundered and deceived.”  Thus, the title of the book is Plunder and Deceit: Big Governments Exploitation of Young People and the Future by Mark Levin.

I am hopeful The Edgefield Advertiser will place my editorials online, so after your Middle School Graduates, or you, have read the books, we will be able to discuss the merits of their content online.  They will be placed at my website, www.HScottCooper.com as well as my Facebook Page, www.Facebook.com/ScottCooperSC.

Here’s wishing you a productive week!

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The greatest challenge we have in our republic is avoiding consequences caused by polarized advocates who can’t hear each other.  The screaming from the extreme is so loud the middle can’t hear a clear message or see a clear path, even when we have a middle of the road compassionate leader, who is trying to articulate one.

One could say the extremes don’t want to hear each other.  Better stated, they don’t want you to hear.

Many have been trained to shut down debate as soon alternative views are shared, by calling names.  Spend any time in Social Media, and you will see this is true.  The name often ends with “phobia,” includes racist, or the individual is labeled uncompassionate.  Words like ignorant or snowflake are also commonly used, but the result is the same – the ability to hear the ideas expressed, if there are any legitimate ideas, is drowned out by name calling.

Some believe the tactic of name calling is utilized because the individual employing this strategy doesn’t really have a coherent message, or isn’t confident enough in their message to discuss it civilly.  I believe there is some truth to that.  Regardless of which polarized side uses the tactic, we need to demand better.

Most citizens, when this tactic is employed simply tune out.  I would urge more citizens to rather than tune out, that we toughen our personal skin, engage and demand better.  Let us NOT allow the polarized utilizing this tactic be successful, where the good patriotic citizen disengages, but rather may the good patriotic citizen stand up, demand more from the bully – enabling the bully to either hone their debate skills, or pick up their sticks and stones, and go home.

I believe the middle of our country, which is where our Commander-in-Chief, with his 8^th grade tweeting style regularly reaches, is up to the debate, and up to any required change we must execute to achieve a more unified, financially stable and sustainable republic.

The tactics described above, which are rampantly being deployed, lead to comedians like Kathy Griffin, plays like “The staging of Julius Caesar” by the New York City Public Theater, where a sitting President is assassinated, or the mass assassination attempt last week of the GOP Congressional Baseball team in Alexandria, VA.

These tactics must stop, or we will continue to see an escalation of violence.  The duty lies with us though, average American’s, to engage and put an end to it.  It won’t stop on its own in the media or on the University Campus.  It will only stop when the middle demands it to stop.

I hope you have a blessed and productive week!

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In my article last week, I applauded Saudi Arabia, the cradle of Islam, for hosting the summit where United States President Donald Trump called on the world to work together to “Drive Out” those who seek death and destruction.  Our Commander in Chief specifically stated that those who adhere to the death and destruction of infidels must be driven out of the mosques throughout the world.  Although President Trump didn’t specifically state it, one should deduce he meant the mosques in the closed nations of the Islamic faith, like Saudi Arabia, from where he was speaking, as well as the thousands of mosques which are being constructed all throughout the Western Hemisphere.  It should be noted that many of the newly constructed mosques throughout the West are on sites of former churches of both the Protestant and Catholic Christian traditions.

Monday morning, I had the privilege of attending the Memorial Day Service in Edgefield, where the names of fallen heroes from Edgefield County, who fought in past wars, were read.  I am so thankful for Michael Washington, Edgefield County’s Veterans Affairs Officer, and all the others who organized this important event.

As I sat listening to the names of the fallen service members, who invested in us with their service and sacrifice in the Armed Forces, I couldn’t stop thinking of the thousands of civilians who are dying annually in the war Commander in Chief Trump was addressing one week prior.  The warfare taking place today most often leads to the death and destruction of civilian innocents and most of their names will never be read in future Memorial Day Services.  Yes, large attacks like September 11^th, 2001 we will continue to remember, and read the names of those lost.  But the vast majority of skirmishes in today’s war, taking place on a weekly basis around the globe, will not be memorialized.

Then I reflected on another historic day which coincides with Memorial Day 2017 – the 564^th Anniversary of the fall of Constantinople, when the Islamic Ottoman Turks invaded and conquered the cradle of the Eastern Orthodox Church.  On that day over 4,000 citizens were killed and some 30,000 were enslaved or deported. The majority of churches were burned.  Constantinople was renamed to Istanbul.

Finally, I reflected on the demographics of the crowd honoring Edgefield’s heroes and the challenge we have ahead of all of us in educating not only the upcoming generation, but much of the generation currently in leadership about the worldviews which for centuries dictated the prevention and outcome of the wars those we memorialized this week fought in.

The Barna Group, which studies the five dominant faith groups in our republic has found that only roughly 4 % of today’s Millennials have an understanding of the Judeo-Christian worldview upon which Western Civilization was built.  The percentage of Generation X’ers isn’t significantly better.

What encourages me about our time period in history, where our collective knowledge of these conflicting worldviews is so poor, is that we can rapidly improve our knowledge, if we are willing to make the investment.

More on making that investment over the coming weeks.  Here’s wising you a productive week!

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I watched three programs this weekend which I greatly appreciated, because I learned things I didn’t know which are worth appreciating. One was Oprah Winfrey’s interview with Michelle Obama.  One was the Fox News program Donald Trump: Objectified.  One was Breit Baier’s interview with Charles Krauthammer.  Each program highlighted these individuals for an hour.

Both Obama and Trump have raised accomplished children, who grew up with the tremendous pressure of living in the spotlight in a way 99.9 % of other individuals will never have to navigate. The poise and resilience their children demonstrate is indeed impressive and says a tremendous amount about their parents, which is positive.

Krauthammer is a man whose fierce determination as a very young man enabled him to complete Harvard Medical School while lying on his back in a hospital bed following a freak diving accident resulting in a broken neck.  A feat never accomplished by anyone before.  Krauthammer is a man who has worked for individuals at the highest level of political office on both sides of the ideological spectrum.

As a very young man Trump spent five years leading in many, many categories at the New York Military Academy, graduating in 1964 at the top of his class. Interesting.  Perhaps that is where he garnered so much respect for the military.

Obama has a legitimate concern of our food supply and its connection to healthcare, and attempted to speak out about it in a way not previously done.  Personally, I find it interesting her effort didn’t convey into the healthcare debate more than it did, and I hope it does in the future.

I could list more about these individuals; however, the main thing solidified for me this weekend is that our systems – media, political and educational systems specifically – foster environments where we don’t listen to others very well.  These systems spend more time demeaning and deconstructing people than trying to legitimately listen and understand them.

Also this weekend I thought quite a bit about Christmas 1986, 30 years ago.  That vacation at our family farm 30 years ago was spent reflecting on a year where I had eaten breakfast, lunch and dinner for close to 180 days with students from around the globe.  Literally all my meals at school were eaten at a table of 12 where I was the only American.  For example, the morning of the bombing of Libya on April 15, 1986, following the terrorist attack in Berlin, I was eating breakfast between my two Libyan schoolmates, both of whom had parents in Tripoli, who were unreachable.  I could invest over 500 words on that one breakfast alone! I elaborated on it in April. (linked).

The bottom line for me is we have some serious ideological worldview issues which are struggling for the dominance of our American culture. This struggle ultimately streams into education, media and politics; however we need citizens who can engage in the process thoughtfully, articulately and truthfully without degrading to name calling, which is so prevalent in today’s reality based culture.

As we think this week about “Peace on Earth,” I pray each of us, on both sides of the political aisle, will contemplate how we might get outside of our own echo-chambers and try to understand the human that is on the other side of our ideological divide.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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As a result of my four-week series on Fatherhood, I was interviewed by Bill Pickle, on American Patriot Radio.  I’d like to share that interview with you, which actually covered a wide range of issues in addition to fatherhood – to include my involvement with High Frontier, and securing our state and nation’s electric grid.

Bill is a fellow South Carolinian, who also served the state of South Carolina in Cleveland last month at the Republican National Convention.  I will be on his show again in the future, discussing other issues, to include our time together in Cleveland, the process involved in serving as a delegate, and how the Republican Party works.  There has been a resurgence of activity within the party – and 2017 is going to be an exciting time, as we think about Precinct Reorganization and supporting our Party Platform and Principles.

The articles on fatherhood, which precipitated the interview can be found by clicking on the links below:

Fatherhood Part One

Fatherhood Part Two

Fatherhood Part Three – Fatherlessness Creates Dependency

Fatherhood Part Four – Fatherhood and Independence

If you have comments about the editorials, please leave them at The Edgefield Advertiser website.  If you appreciate them, please share!

I hope you have a productive week!

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