Where do we go from here?

It’s hard not to be concerned about what’s going on these days. War is breaking out on the other side of the world; students are protesting in the streets and on college campuses, and our political system is broken.

But rest assured. Vice President Kamala Harris told “60 Minutes” last week that President Joe Biden “is very much alive and running for re-election.” At least our president is “alive.” We have that going for us.

How did we get to this point? Where did we go wrong? And more importantly, can it be fixed?

I’ve come to the realization that the 24-hour news cycle is depressing. But ignoring the incessant obliviousness, disruption and lies won’t fix anything. You can’t wish away violent unrest by watching re-runs of “Friends.”

The problem is, how do you confront a group that isn’t interested in facts? How do you reason with people who have committed to tearing down a system – or, in this case, a religious society?

Footage of protesters against Israel and in support of a group of Palestinian terrorists prove most have lived a privileged life. If they can be so easily swayed by propaganda – taught primarily in classrooms on campus – I fear for our future. These are not the best and the brightest.

Most argue the reason they are anti-Jewish and anti-Israel is because there’s no proof the atrocities of Oct. 7 occurred. The student newspaper at Yale “corrected” a submitted column by removing “unsubstantiated claims that Hamas raped women and beheaded men.” All those arrogant editors and professors have to do is watch some of the videos – all recorded by Hamas – from the night 1,400 people were slaughtered in Israel.
Protesters are so deranged they ignore the horror stories from many of the left-leaning news outlets like ABC, The New York Times, Washington Post and NBC. Fox, I can understand. But is there any hope if they can’t see the truth even when CNN reports it?

The militants moved their headquarters beneath a hospital. They hide weapons and soldiers in residential areas. They blocked residents from leaving the Gaza Strip to ensure there would be civilian casualties. And Israel and its allies are the bad guys.

Ask a student burning an Israeli flag about those facts, and they’ll ask for the proof. Show them the proof, and they won’t acknowledge it.

Those people are our future. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

These are many of the same rudderless generation that believe they’ve earned to have their college debt erased. They believe men should play against women in sports. They believe anyone has the right to use whichever restroom they want. They don’t care about everyone else’s rights. They want open borders and free paychecks from the government.

This kind of revolutionary thinking started when parents stopped being parents. Too many focus on being a friend more than guiding young minds into productive directions. They’ve relied on institutions to form our children’s morals and goals. By letting our children have their way of tearing everything down, we forgot to teach them how to build a better, stronger society.

Many of the greatest lessons I learned from my parents started with the word “no.” These were hard-learned lessons that angered me at the time, but I moved on. Looking back now, my parents were right. I now feel I’m a better person for it.

I have to believe that most of today’s college-aged adults don’t disrespect truth and civility. At least, that’s my hope.
Israel has the right – no, make that the responsibility – to defend itself. And as parents, if we see one of our children rioting in support of a terrorist organization, it’s time to say “no” to them. Cut off their Ivy League tuition. Confiscate the keys to their Bimmer. Let them work the midnight shift at Waffle House to pay for junior college. Someday, they’ll be better people for it.