Palin Promotions

Introducing former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin at Terri’s Day was an honor Deborah Flora said in the opening minutes of her interview on the Palin Update with Kevin Scholla. “The Schindlers turned tragedy into purpose.” She said Gov. Palin read everyone’s bio and was extremely gracious toward her in a pre-speech meeting. Gov. Palin’s questions to Flora keyed into items she had read on the bio sheet. “It’s really indicative of who she is, and living a life of what she values, which is passion.” Flora said Gov. Palin went above and beyond in preparing for the Schiavo event.

Flora said pageants like Miss America promote intelligence as well as beauty. She said they foster competition, which is “important to see what you are good at.” Flora does not approve of pageants for children.

Prior to Miss America, Flora a self-admitted tomboy was giving speeches to young women about their self-worth. Her Miss Colorado crown gave her a larger platform from which to deliver that message.

American Women Media, which Flora co-founded with Tamra Colbert exist to re-connect women’s values, entrepreneurship, and child-raising with the current political scene. She said all women across the political spectrum have a sense that something is broken in our system.

Flora is against left-wing feminism that holds women as being exactly equal to men. She said there are differences but both genders should be equally valued. She said the archetype of the bumbling man rescued by a woman has been culturally damaging.

“Leadership is being for an idea greater than oneself not for oneself.” Gov. Palin exemplifies leadership she said.

Flora and her husband – an 82nd Airborne veteran – directed Lt. Dan Band: For the Common Good”. The movie chronicles the journey of Academy Award nominated Gary Sinise honoring military and first responders. The film features Jon Voight, Robert Duvall, and Raquel Welch. A portion of the proceeds go to military charities.

On leaving conservative comfort zones and infiltrating pop culture as Gov. Palin said we should, Flora quoted Plato, “let me write the songs of a nation, and I care not who writes its laws.” She said “politics truly are downstream of culture.” Flora said Lt. Dan Band is a Hero’s journey, reflecting conservative values such as forging one’s own way and destiny.

Flora was an Air Force brat, her father being a retired Lieutenant Colonel.

Steel Resolve: Big Government Gone Wild

Sarah Steelman spoke about the latest revelations that the federal government is tracking every phone call and email everyone sends. “But not to worry – they’re not listening in.” She said Republicans are just as culpable as Democrats in allowing the government to grow far beyond its Constitutional limits, invading our privacy, stripping our civil liberties and freedoms in the name of safety. Terrorists win, she said.

Teaser and Downloadable Transcript

Deborah Flora stops by The Palin Radio Update with Kevin Scholla! Flora, a talented producer, broadcaster, host and actress has an incredible list of accomplishments. A former Miss Colorado, Flora and her husband recently directed an award winning documentary featuring Gary Sinise. Flora is also co-founder of American Women Media with Tamara Colbert. She talks to Kevin about introducing Sarah Palin at the Terri Schiavo gala earlier this year and much more. Palin-endorsed Jason Smith wins in Missouri. Meantime, Governor Palin offers prayers for Jaime Herrera Beutler and slams big government for turning its back on a sick child. Also, a Palin shout out to Clint Eastwood and an analysis of Obama’s choices for National Security Adviser and U.N. ambassador. Plus, remembering D-Day with the help of words from Ronald Reagan. Also, Steel Resolve, our weekly commentary with Sarah Steelman is featured.

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He may be a US Marine and NY Police Department veteran, but J.W. Cortes agreed with Todd Palin that the toughest and most rewarding job in the world is being a dad. During his interview on the Palin Update with Kevin Scholla, Cortes said when he first met Todd, he did not know what to expect. Todd is not a “muscular looking pretty boy,” like some of the other celebrities on Stars Earn Stripes were. Cortes said he knew Todd was “my kind of guy” when Todd related how he pressed on in 2,000-mile Iron Dog race with a broken arm. Had Todd sought treatment on the spot, both he and his partner would have been out of the race.

Scholla said Todd has been generous with his time on the show and with other projects. Cortes said his friendship with Todd built over a year. He noticed Todd’s son Track – who had been deployed to Afghanistan – driving him to and from the set and related that his own son is autistic.

Cortes said his number one objective in the Combat Fishing Tournament was to meet and spend time with veterans. His second objective was to catch “a friggin’ halibut.” He achieved both objectives and caught an octopus along with several rock fish.

Cortes said he would like to see Combat Fishing catch on in coastal cities along the Eastern Seaboard. Inshore and from the surf, the New York area is known for striped bass, bluefish, fluke, flounder, and weakfish. Party and charter boats go off-shore for cod, mackerel, blackfish, sea bass, and tuna. He said the Combat Fishing Tournmament captains donated their boat space, fuel, and crew time “all with a smile.”

Cortes said in 1993, he had reached a crossroads and “was involved in the wrong thing”s back in his native New York. He joined the Marines, which he said saved his life. His proudest moment was putting his training to use in Iraq and it carried him through to his police career.

About Chris Kyle, Cortes described him as a humble, gentle, compassionate man who loved his fellow veterans and his children. Kyle did not know Cortes at all like everyone else on Stars Earn Stripes, but the men quickly became close friends. Kyle never questioned or belittled anyone’s service and was always re-assuring.

Overwhelming Joy in Serving Others

Cortes said he finds such joy in service to others that it is overwhelming. He does not see it as a job. In addition to his work with Autism Speaks, Cortes offers self-defense classes for women. He was raised in a low income family in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. He said, “I want to do more [service to others], bigger, and more frequently.”

He plans to pursue his acting career with the same intensity as he did his Marine Corps and NYPD work. Cortes regards entertainment as public service – helping people escape by riding along with a character.

Steel Resolve: “Slow Play” D.C.’s Biggest Problem?

Sarah Steelman said she was listening to golfers on her morning drive explain how “slow play” is the “world’s biggest problem” for them because it causes them to lose money. Steelman said the Obama administration has enthusiastically embraced “slow play” as a tool to make people forget about its many scandals. Thus, “slow play” could be one of Washington, D.C.’s biggest problems.

Teaser and Downloadable Audio Transcript

J.W. Cortes is the guest on The Palin Radio Update with Kevin Scholla! Cortes, an actor and activist is a former U.S. Marine & NYPD Officer. He was Todd Palin’s operative on NBC’s “Stars Earn Stripes” and he has continued his friendship with the First Dude. Cortes talks to Kevin about Todd, fatherhood, Combat Fishing, Chris Kyle, and much more. The Palins have an Indy 500 adventure, Governor Palin honors those who have served, and a campaign to help Oklahoma tornado victims. Plus, Sarah Palin delivers the commencement address at a tiny high school in Republic, Washington (See video below). Also, Steel Resolve, our weekly commentary with Sarah Steelman is featured. Steelman tells us why President Obama is all about ‘slow play’ on and off the golf course.

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The Waco Tea Party emphasizes civic involvement and voting. It filed for 501 (c) 4 social welfare organization status nearly three years ago. The IRS brushed off a call to check on the status of the application then asked questions that went far beyond the agency’s authority according to Walker. This led to a year-long fight, in which Walker wrote her Congressman, swapped horror stories with other Tea Party, 912 and conservative groups and was represented by the ACLJ. The IRS only recently granted the organization the (c) 4 status and apologized.

The IRS demanded printed copies of all social media pages, transcripts from radio shows featuring a candidate or elected official, and details of relationships board members have with others. It would have been 20 cartons of paper and thousands of dollars to produce, she said. The Waco Tea Party is conferring with their lawyers about a possible lawsuit against the IRS, which has been targeting Tea Party and other conservative groups as former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin pointed out multiple times. The targeting has extended even to conservatives adopting children, which Nancy French, co-author of Bristol Palin’s Not Afraid of Life wrote about recently.

It is an infringement on the First Amendment and has a chilling effect on political involvement, Walker said. She urged listeners to speak outside their comfort zone and cautioned that even those who disagree with Tea Party vales could be targeted. “We all file taxes,” she said. Scholla harkened back to Gov. Palin’s call to leave comfort zones and infiltrate pop culture, sports and the arts.

Arrogant Obama Administration’s Reflects Leader

The scandal-plagued Obama administration has displayed nothing more than haughty pride and arrogance, Sarah Steelman said in her weekly Steel Resolve segment. Obama takes no responsibility, assigns blame, parses words, and deflects issues. The administration’s arrogance and actions reflect its leader.

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Toby Marie Walker is on The Palin Radio Update with Kevin Scholla! The President of the Waco Tea Party is here to discuss the outrageous IRS scandal and how her law abiding, patriotic group has been affected. Tea Party does not invoke the Fifth Amendment, instead electing to hammer away at the IRS for its shameful actions. Governor Palin asks when Eric Holder will finally go away, offers prayers to Oklahoma tornado victims, and points to Jay Tapper as a journalist of integrity. Also a huge fishing tournament in Alaska to benefit our Armed Forces and wintry weather puts yet another dent in the global warming fairy tale. Steel Resolve, our weekly commentary with Sarah Steelman is featured as well. Steelman focuses on the arrogance of Obama.

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Getting former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to speak at the Republic High School graduation was an idea born in an English class discussion Tyler Weyer, senior class president said on the Palin Update with Kevin Scholla. Initially, the students considered other teachers or a prominent member of the community. When Gov. Palin was suggested, both English teacher Mike Lust and debate coach Liz Bremner advised Weyer to “start now.” He said Bremner was “an amazing influence” through his high school career and helped him tremendously “through the entire Palin process.” He knew the odds, but pursued the dream with steady determination and made it reality.

Weyer wrote a letter on school stationery, signed by the principal Shawn Anderson and sent it off to Gov. Palin’s parents – Chuck and Sally Heath. He got a response from a Palin aide thanking him for the invite and saying, “we’ll see what we can do.”

Some months passed then Weyer and the senior class posed in school sweatshirts with a banner that read, “We want you, Governor Palin.” The school librarian Kelly Scriver posted the picture on Facebook and Twitter, Gov. Palin saw it, and agreed to speak. Weyer then exchanged emails, followed by a conference call with Gov. Palin’s scheduler.

Weyer said, “Sarah Palin is pretty popular in our class….when she ran for Vice President in 2008, I was personally blown away….she came from a small town like Republic, was able to rise up and become governor of a state and was able to run for Vice President. That’s not an everyday job.”

He shared her resume with his class, and they joined him in support. He did a Sarah Palin skit each year in debate class. “It really says something about her character that a national prominent figure would come to speak to a graduating class of 27.”

He said Gov. Palin would appreciate a town like Republic, since she has spent her life in small towns.

Weyer said his family, friends, the school, and community have expressed surprise, shock, excitement and pride over Gov. Palin speaking. Some have offered lodging for her. Gov. Palin turned down offers to speak at major colleges and universities. She is also covering her personal expenses for the Republic speech.

Weyer plans to study political science and said his school has has had serious discussions about history and current events. Gov. Palin’s commencement address will be the most significant event ever held in Republic’s gym, though the school has a state-recognized basketball and volleyball team and a solid athletic program.

The principal reason Weyer supports Gov. Palin is because he “truly believes she feels in her heart what every ordinary American feels,” and she speaks to issues that affect everyone.

Gov. Palin recognized Scholla’s Exclusive: Palin’s Mother Discusses Cherished Mother’s Day Moments with Sarah in a Facebook Status and Tweet. “Thank you so much, Governor. It is an honor to be recognized by you, and it was a true pleasure to interview your mom. What a great lady,” Scholla said.

Steel Resolve: Abuse of Power, No Accountability Underpin Obama’s Scandals

The two themes that underpin the Obama administration’s scandals are governmental abuse of power and lack of accountability, Sarah Steelman said. She said Obama has taken no responsibility for these breaches of trust. She quoted Jefferson and said Obama’s regime is tyrannical.

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We need to stop with conservative and liberal labels and promote traditional values, former NJ State Senator Dick LaRossa said on this week’s Palin Update with Kevin Scholla. “Honesty is gone from the entire political system,” and only traditional values can restore it, he said. Scholla said former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has endorsed who she believed was right for the job, whether the candidate is an incumbent or outsider. “She’s absolutely dead on the money when she” speaks about traditional values such as freedom and Constitution. “I’m glad she is blazing a new path,” LaRossa said.

He continued, “I’d love to see her in the Garden State. I think she is a magnet. We have…80 to 100 Tea Party groups. If I put the word out there that we were going to bring Gov. Palin in, I think you would see an outpouring of tremendous support for her across the board….the Republican intelligentsia might not be right there, but I guarantee you, the people would come out in droves.”

Scholla and LaRossa spoke about New Jersey’s uniqueness from its rural northwest to its beaches. You can cross the entire state in 90 minutes, ski in the winter and swim in the summer. LaRossa said, many New Jersey residents “would love to see Gov. Palin,” and the state will be hosting the forthcoming Super Bowl. “Gov. Palin would be the cherry on the sundae.”

LaRossa said Republicans can win in a Blue state with the right candidate and message, by speaking to values not labels. In New Jersey, Republicans need Democrats to win. Scholla pointed out that Gov. Palin worked with Democrats in Alaska on her core accomplishments.

LaRossa heads Solutions for New Jersey, which is a 501 (c) 3 organization dealing with charity care, government debt, crime, property taxes, and school funding. He announced lottery drawings from 1980 to 1992 and sang for 30 years with a Swing band.

Scholla met LaRossa at Gov. Palin’s Schiavo speech. “Many who went were not fans but walked out convinced,” LaRossa said. He said people should hear her first-hand rather than pay attention to the caricatures painted of her. Scholla said, “if you do actually look at her great accomplishments and her unique style, it’s pretty hard to walk away with a straight face and say, ‘she’s not on the ball.’” LaRossa amplified the point. “I think she is tremendously on the ball. She is incredibly bright. She makes a great visual presentation. … She did almost an hour speech at the Life and Hope event and did not miss a beat. She was so incredibly engaging. It’s impossible for someone doing an objective evaluation not to come away incredibly impressed by that lady.”

Steel Resolve: On Benghazi

“Contrary to what Hillary thinks, it does make a difference to understand why things went down the way they did that night. Understanding why and what went wrong will help prevent it from happening again,” Sarah Steelman said. “Not one Democrat is willing to stand up to the Clinton-Obama machine to find the truth.”

SarahNET Teaser and Downloadable Audio

Dick LaRossa is the guest on The Palin Update with Kevin Scholla! The former New Jersey State Senator tells us why Republicans need an extreme make over. LaRossa contends it’s time to drop the labels and talk about American values. He’s also making a pitch to bring Sarah Palin to the Garden State. Governor Palin speaks at a moving tribute to Vietnam vets in Arizona. SarahNET Radio was there too, and we have a full recap. Also Governor Palin addresses a wishy-washy GOP, praises Mark Levin, and commends those in the media that are demanding answers on Benghazi. Steel Resolve, our weekly commentary with Sarah Steelman is featured as well.

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Howard Johnson is the guest on The Palin Radio Update with Kevin Scholla! The former New York Mets slugger discusses how players feel about Sarah Palin and why he believes most athletes are conservatives. HoJo also offers his thoughts on Christianity in sports, Tim Tebow, the 1986 Mets, and much more. Also, SarahNET Radio’s full recap of Governor Palin’s riveting NRA speech. Plus, the Palins attend the Kentucky Derby, have a brush with Duck Dynasty, and Governor Palin weighs in on a report that the Pentagon may court martial soldiers who share the Christian faith. Steel Resolve, our weekly commentary with Sarah Steelman is featured as well. https://mobile.twitter.com/20HOJO

Sports Are Built on Conservative Values

Former Mets Third Baseman Howard Johnson is a two-time World Series Champion, a three-time member of the 30-30 Club and one of the most loved players in NY Mets history. He drove in over 100 runs in one season. He has two rings, one from the 1984 Tigers and one from 1986 with those Amazing Mets. He is affectionately known as “HoJo.”

Scholla said former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin called on us to infiltrate pop culture in sports, Hollywood and the arts. He observed that athletes particularly in baseball tend to be conservative and asked Johnson if he agreed with this assessment or if players are political.

Johnson said many players are afraid to come out with it especially on social media, but said sports are built on “the principles of conservatism – hard work, earning your way, the results-oriented type thing.” He continued, “sports is the ultimate. You have to play your way into a roster; you have to play your way into a lineup. You have to compete. You have to be the best you can be or you get passed….Those are the good lessons we get from sports for me.” He said, “conservatism is about the desire to be the best you can be, earn your way and not have things handed to you.”

Reagan, Bush Years Shaped HoJo

Scholla noted that Johnson’s heyday was during the Reagan-Bush and Bush-Quayle years when capitalism reigned supreme. He asked Johnson if that era shaped him politically.

“Before that, I didn’t know what conservative or liberal was. There was no talk radio, no Rush Limbaugh. You did your own thing and you survived on your own merits. I knew we were in a lot of trouble with Jimmy Carter as president. Things were not good then,” Johnson said. “When Ronald Reagan took over I remember when the tax went down from 70% to 24% or 25%. This country really took off. I didn’t really understand it. I was out there just trying to play, be the best thing I can be and survive. The time was right when President Reagan cut taxes and gave people their own money. Who can argue with that?”

USA the Only Place You Can Create Your Own Job

Scholla asked if players and coaches “get into it” over politics or do players put that aside.

Johnson said players do put it aside. “I don’t think anybody goes to that extent where ‘this guy’s a liberal,’ ‘this guy’s a conservative.’ There are many different views out there….there was no Fox News; you didn’t have the vehicles where you could express yourself or give an opinion.” He continued, “people just understood the value if hard work and the value of surviving….I never thought about ‘what happens if I don’t make it? How am I going to live?’ You just figure it out. A lot of people don’t understand: you can’t have it handed to you.” Johnson said, “even if things don’t work out for you, you can make your way any way you can. Somebody said once, ‘the United States is the only place you can create your own job.’ That right there to me says it all. You can make your own way in this world and the United States is the best country on earth to be able to do that. It’s still the best country in the world.”

HoJo: We Loved Gov. Palin’s Message

Scholla asked Johnson, “what’s your take on how how ballplayers see Sarah Palin since she sprung on the scene?” Johnson was a Mets coach during the 2008 campaign and Scholla asked him what the team thought of her when she burst on the national scene.

“Well, we thought she was good looking. That’s for sure. But we loved her message and we were all kind of hoping that McCain would be able to pull it out. There was some concern on people’s minds – just being honest – that she wasn’t ready to be President, if something were to happen to John McCain. I never really thought about the Vice President being essential on a ticket, but if they can make an argument someone is going to believe it,” he said. “I know some guys questioned it, but they didn’t mean they didn’t want her to be the Vice President; they just didn’t know if she was going to be the best one to be the President if something were to happen to McCain.”

HoJo: Gov. Palin’s Leadership Has Value, Merit

Scholla asked if the “ready to be President” issue and her qualifications were some things Johnson discussed with players.

“Her qualifications? I mean she ran a state for goodness sake. She has leadership ability. I don’t think you have to be the smartest person or the most wealthy. I don’t think you have to be any of those things to be a leader. You have to be a leader. I think it’s hard to define leadership. It’s one of those things where you just recognize it,” Johnson said. “For her to come from where she basically came from – nowhere – to running that state and having a chance to be on that ticket, those are big accomplishments regardless of how you feel about her. You can’t look at that and say, ‘that doesn’t have value, or that shouldn’t be merited,’ because it should be. That’s not something that happens every day.”

HoJo: Happiness Should be You Determining Your Fate

Scholla said, “you don’t get more American than baseball; it’s part of the fabric of our country, and he asked Johnson, “as a baseball man do you see a lot of the values of our country being messed with by bureaucrats in Washington?”

“I do. I think there is too much involvement in the daily life of everybody. The government is everywhere. I just don’t like the fact that there’s just more and more – cameras everywhere, drones, all of it – there’s no privacy,” Johnson said. He expressed his concerns about socialism and the nanny state.

“There’s such a push now, such a hunger now since the last election that half the country wants the other half to take care of them. That’s a thing that I will never understand: how someone can fall into that trap. It’s not a way to survive. Happiness in this country should be you determining your fate, where it is you want to go, the limitations you put on yourself. You shouldn’t have a centralized authority telling you what you can and cannot do, what you can buy and can’t buy, and if you are successful you have to fork over a good portion of what you make to support somebody who doesn’t.”

HoJo on Expressing Christianity: Stand Up

Scholla asked Johnson how his Christianity is received in the sports world, noting the criticism of Tim Tebow for his expressions of faith.

“It’s been going on throughout time: Christians being persecuted for their faith.” He said he knows a lot of players who don’t like Tebow, and he can’t understand it. He said Tebow is not doing it for attention but its just “him being him.”

“No one is saying Christians are better than anyone else. We all make mistakes. You have to stand up for what you believe is right. If you’re a Christian, you need to stand up and do that,” Johnson said.

“That’s one thing I enjoy about Twitter,” he said. People can choose to read or not read the verses he posts; Johnson only asks that people respect his beliefs. Twitter allows him to say things that he may not want in the paper but does want to share with his followers.

Despite Wild Behavior On, Off Field, Mets Well-Read

Scholla said that despite the Mets of the ’80s having wild times on and off the field, Keith Hernandez had a relationship with Nixon. The team was well-read and knew what was going on in the world.

“We had a very smart team and everybody took their job very, very seriously….and they wanted to be the best. New York can do that. There is a certain edge it takes to play there; you have to be able to survive; you have to get something out of you that you’re not used to getting, and only you can get it. There’s an edge you gain from playing there,” Johnson said. “I don’t know if it’s from so much media, the fans there who are very knowledgeable….One thing I learned very early and that’s probably one reason why people appreciated me there: if you played hard, you got dirty, you got bloody, you did what you did and you were 0 for 4, they’re not going to kill you, because you’re out there giving yourself, playing as hard as you can.” Johnson said, “it doesn’t matter how much money you make…if you play hard, give it your best shot every night, most people will go home and say that about you even if you might not have done well.”

HoJo: Gov. Palin a Figher, Not Giving Up

Scholla compared Johnson to Gov. Palin and Tebow both of whom have their detractors no matter how hard they work or what they do.

“People are digging on Gov. Palin because she’s outspoken; she’s a fighter. She’s not giving up. She’s not going back into the shadows. She is who she is. That’s what we enjoy about her: she’s not afraid to say what she thinks,” Johnson said.

“People seem to listen to what people say and see how they behave and what they do. If it backs it up; it matches, then what else is there? I can say something, but if I don’t walk it or live it, then that’s not going to work. I have to be honest with myself and if I say something I’ve got to do it. It’s not saying something for publicity’s sake because to me it’s not really that big of a deal. I don’t think she looks at it that way. I don’t think she says stuff to come across a certain way. I think she just says what she believes.”

HoJo’s Children Successful

Johnson’s son, Glenn is going to be 25 this year. “He will be playing independent baseball. He’s a successful kid, very smart. He’s a math major. My wife and I raised him to be the best he can. I don’t worry about my kids. I know they’re going to fight, they’re going to be successful, because that’s what they want. They don’t expect us to take care of them. They’re going to survive,” he said.

“My oldest daughter just had a baby less than a year ago. I have a grandson now. She was a figure skater. They lived in Nashville for a number of years. My youngest daughter is trying to get into the sports world. She graduates from the University of Florida with a Communications degree, so she’s a great kid, Kayla,” Johnson said.

“We’re just blessed; my wife and I are just blessed with our children. They turned out well and my wife has been the backbone of that. She’s been there when I haven’t been because of my job and she deserves the credit for that,” he said.

Three Generations of Golden Retrievers Going on Four

Johnson’s dog, Tebow is a third generation Golden Retriever puppy in the household. The first dog, Malone had 11 puppies, and died five years ago. The second generation of the litter was Sapp which had four puppies, Tebow being one of them. Sapp is 13. The Johnsons are trying to mate Tebow, so they’ll have a fourth generation.

Hard-Working People Are What Keep this Country Going

Johnson closed by saying he “hopes the country gets back on track and gets going in the right direction. We’re hoping and praying things turn out well for this country. Things have been a struggle. You’ve got to keep the faith, keep praying, keep working. Hard-working people are what keeps this country going.”

Steel Resolve: Make Baccalaureate Services New Again

“There’s a country song I love by Joe Nichols called “Old Things New.” In it he talks about how he’s taken some old things and made them new,” Sarah Steelman said as she opened her weekly Steel Resolve segment. “The one thing I think we need to make new is restoring the Baccalaureate service to the high school graduation ceremony. It used to be sponsored by the school. It was included in the graduation announcements that the graduates sent out. It used to be that all the students participated as a school-sponsored event. Even those who were not graduating provided music and readings.”

“Now, the public schools do not allow it on their premises and they do not sponsor it in any way, shape or form. Why is it important for the school to sponsor it? Well for one thing, when it was incorporated into the graduation ceremonies kids were required to go to it. Secondly, it is important for students to have a sense of higher purpose,” she said.

“It is important to remind them of what is truly important and to give them a sense of perspective. It reminded students that they were spiritual beings and that their lives have eternal value no matter what they did as a profession,” Steelman said about these ceremonies.

“Call me old-fashioned but it has bothered me for a long time. My oldest son graduated in 2005 and our public school still sponsored one. Two years later in 2007, it was gone. Perhaps, we should consider as Joe Nichols puts it, making some old things new,” she concluded.

Complete Audio Transcript of Interview with Howard Johnson

Complete Downloadable Transcript of Interview with Howard Johnson

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