Why the war museum is taking fire from the Left

June 9, 2023 40 Comments

Another day, another Philadelphia museum controversy.

This time, it is fewer than half of the employees of the Museum of the American Revolution complaining that the museum has agreed to rent space to the Moms for Liberty for an event.

The Museum of the American Revolution

A few days earlier, the Inquirer carried a story that the new leadership of the (admittedly) bizarre Mutter Museum was dedicated to cleaning it up and reframing its mission as extolling “health and wellbeing.”

Moms for Liberty, the Inquirer reported, is described as an  “antigovernment extremist organization” by the Southern Poverty Law Center. I am not impressed by the SPLC’s opinion.

I used to be a member of the SPLC. I ceased supporting it when it switched from fighting for civil rights, and bankrupting the Klan, which it did, to a far-left group opposing most conservative ideas and organizations.

I became aware of the shift about two decades ago when it started referring to illegal immigrants in its publication as  just “immigrants,” as if there were no distinction between legal and illegal.

I called SPLC to complain, and I was told it was an innocent error.

Then it happened again, I called to complain, and cut my annual donation in half, and said I would halve it every time the “error” was repeated. My donation is now down to zero and SPLC has ceased returning my calls. 

That was a harbinger of other changes, as SPLC drifted further and further left. 

And then, ugly stories about  SPLC’s operations and focus started appearing, including the dismissal of founder Morris Dees. That sealed my low opinion of SPLC and I am frankly surprised that anyone takes what it has to say seriously.

Even the progressive Washington Post questions its ability to be a fair umpire.

From the Inquirer: “We do not feel that any dollar amount is worth endangering the safety of the museum staff members in the building on the day of the event, serving as a host to a group that does not stand with our values, and damaging the museum’s reputation that we have all worked so hard to build,” a petition signed by 39 staffers reads.

Renting space does not confer endorsement of ideas, but — “endangering the safety” of the museum staff? Where does that trigger come from? Have the Moms threatened someone?

“Does not stand with our values?”

The values the museum stands for is freedom and liberty. The complaining staffers seem to think they set policy. Can you imagine vegetarian servers telling restaurant owners they must remove meat from menus? Some people imagine a palpable sense of entitlement.

Moms of Liberty describes itself this way (on its website): “Moms for Liberty is an American conservative 501 nonprofit organization that advocates against school curriculums that mention LGBT rights, race, critical race theory, and discrimination, while multiple chapters have also campaigned to ban from school libraries books that address gender and sexuality issues.”

So there it is — Moms oppose in-school discussions of LGBT rights and critical race theory.

Whether they are right or wrong in their beliefs, this is why some on the museum staff (including gays) want to cancel Moms — they hold opinions that are in opposition to the Woke. (I sometimes get pushback when I use “Woke” or “Politically Correct.” My response is, if the shoe fits, wear it. Cancel culture is a joint production of Twitter and far-left progressives.)

Moms for Liberty is holding its annual summit in  Philadelphia at the end of this month. Speakers include GOP presidential candidates Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. “The site of the summit — the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown — has already been protested by queer and trans-led groups,” reports the Inquirer. (I note it uses the term “queer” rather than the traditional “gay,” assuming the more radical term.)

Peaceful protests are fine, but so are opposing points of view.

Because you don’t like them does not give you authority to cancel, or ban, them. 

One of the foundational principles of America is the right to express unpopular ideas, even wrong ideas.

In the blender of ideas, the theory goes, the good will triumph over the bad.

Moms for Liberty cofounders Tiffany Justice and Tina Descovich said in a statement: “Name calling parents who want to be a part of their child’s education as ‘hate groups’ or ‘bigoted’ just further exposes what this battle is all about: Who fundamentally gets to decide what is taught to our kids in school — parents or government employees? We believe that parental rights do not stop at the classroom door and no amount of hate from groups like this is going to stop that.”

The museum seems to get this, as reflected in an official statement.

“The museum’s mission is to share diverse and inclusive stories about our nation’s history with the broadest audience possible. We welcome any opportunity to introduce visitors to these stories. In these polarizing times, our best hope to strengthen democracy is through dialogue. We understand that this can be difficult.”

Too bad the minority of its staff doesn’t understand what the American Recolution was fought for. 

40 thoughts on “Why the war museum is taking fire from the Left”

  1. Yes, by all means let them meet there and display their ignorant, hateful positions. Best that we see them for what they are in the light of day.

    2. I am going to assume you dont have schoolage children and therefore have no skin in the game.I do and I assure you that pernicious agendas are being pushed.How do you feel for instance about gay instructional material with illustrations for third graders?Thats an example of the hateful and ignorant things these moms are protesting.Theres a time and a place and elementary school aint it.

    3. Freeze, by seeing them for what they are we can better challenge them in public.

  2. Do they have a copy of the Constitution there? Or do they just make up their own?

  3. You champion the right of all groups to present their point of view and blame the “Woke” for squashing the freedom of the “Mom’s” to present their point of view at the Museum of the American Revolution. Once again, you never miss an opportunity to blame the “Woke” when the real threat to Freedom of speech (and Freedom of ideas) comes from the Right, and intolerant groups like the Moms….”Moms of Liberty describes itself this way (on its website): “Moms for Liberty is an ….. nonprofit organization that advocates against school curriculums that mention LGBT rights, race, critical race theory, and discrimination, while multiple chapters have also campaigned to ban from school libraries books that address gender and sexuality issues.”…..WOW. …. so you are defending the rights of the very group that strive to eliminate, (and have done so with some success) the rights from school teachers? I think you are obsessed with Wokeness. Are you a DeSatan supporter?

    1. More horse hockey from you, Ms. Brownstein. The Moms have a right to try to protect their entrapped public ed children from being indoctrinated with the woke-crazy ideas paid for with the Moms’ tax dollars.

      1. “The mom’s” can protect their own children, the problem is they are trying to interfere with parents rights who disagree with them.

      2. More bullshit from you Vince. The Moms do not have the right to force their beliefs on others who do not agree with them.

        Once again you show your Neanderthal thinking.

        1. But YOU support THEM forcing their sick/perverted beliefs on our children. YOU are the poster child for hypocrisy.

      3. It’s she not allowed to criticize the Moms? Are they not open to criticism? The Moms have first amendment rights but should they decide the curriculum for children whose parents who may have differing viewpoints?

    2. Yes, I am defending their right to be wrong. Too bad you, like the Woke protestors, do not understand the meaning of freedom of expression.
      By the way, I am generally opposed to book banning, too.

      2. Stu, while you are defending their right to be wrong wnat happens to the rights of the parents who these idiots run roughshod over? Or does that matter to you?

        2. What parental rights do you mean? Everything Moms has done has been through legislation, or being elected to school boards, as far as I know.
          Parental rights? How about schools who change the gender of students without notifying parents, or that introduce gender discussions to 6-year-olds?
          This is a tricky subject and I don’t have to agree with EITHER side, As I do here, on my blog. EVERY legitimate person gets his or her say. I only delete trolls.

        1. What does culeless mean.

          The neocons are very pro war. I am totally against this war.

          How many countries did Putin invade during the Trump years?

          How many Ukraines got killed during the Trump years ?

          Ukraine had peace during the Trump years.

          Don’t ever call me a neocon.They are warmongers.Learn what the term means before you use it.But I guess that would be expecting too much from a dumb liberal like you !!!!!!!!!!!

          Do you as a Biden voter take credit for the death and destruction that has occurred in Ukraine since Biden took office? You should. But then again I have yet to meet a Biden voter who accepts a tiny share of the blame for this Ukraine travesty. The Ukraines who have had their lives destroyed can thank the American Biden voter.

          It didn’t happen under Trump.

          Stu

          Maybe you can teach this idiot who the neocons are !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    4. I agree with you Naomi. Stu seems to be hammering more and more on this so-called wokeness. It is as if he has a personal axe to grind.

      What makes it even odder is he is constantly harping on woke and ignoring much more horrible things.

  4. In 1925 60,000 or so KKK members, in their sheets and hoods, marched in Washington D.C. to protest something or other. There were no WOKE loonies at that time, so nothing happened. The nation survived, and the KKK eventually went the way of the dodo bird. As Stu wrote, ‘In the blender of ideas…the good will triumph over the bad.’ But the WOKE crazies cannot stand the idea of anyone or any organization pushing back against their lunacy. It’s just going to get worse because there is no cure for stupidity.

    1. In 1925 the KKK had the support of politician, law enforcement throughout the country, Jim Crow laws were in full effect, and Blacks were actively prevented from voting. It took 40 years before all of this was overthrown, along the way lives were lost and people of color were viewed as second class citizens. Causing a destructive wake in their path and the KKK has not gone away. They have been supplemented by the Oath Keepers, Patriot Front, III%, the Proud Boys and others.
      How much damage is Mom’s for Liberty going to cause? We shouldn’t wait to find out.

      1. Judah, neither Vince nor people who have his mindset will understand what you are saying. They are much too narrow minded to grasp it.

        If you notice Vince called Woke people loonies but said nothing at all negative about the kkk. I wonder why?

  5. I think no one is listening anymore, just one point of view depending on the individual.

  6. The irony of it all. The museum celebrating the war that gives the right to free speak now wants to stifle it.

    1. You should reread the 1st Amendment. It prevents the government from restricting free speech. Businesses, like the museum, do not have to allow free speech.

        1. It’s amazing how a DOPE like you IGNORES the fact that Moms for Liberty opposes this sexual crap being presented to CHILDREN. Not adults.

      2. So I assume you are outraged that the police in Seattle several days ago arrested a man for peacefully reading from the Bible while the trans/LGBTQ weirdos/sickos paraded around naked in front of children? “Woe unto them who call evil good and good evil.”

        1. Vince, if all he was doing was peacefully reading a Bible and not interfering with anything nor breaking any laws then yes I am outraged. But I have a funny feeling there is much more to that then what you are saying.

          1. Ha Ha Ha

            Your posts are getting dumber and dumber. Maybe the guide reading the Bible was a

            warmonger neocon.

  7. Beautifully done, Stu.

    On your little side note about using “queer” instead of “gay,” I’ve read multiple pieces from gay writers and intellectuals who are more than a little furious that they are now lumped in with the TQ after spending so many years fighting to be accepted as regular members of society. They aren’t even supposed to use the word, “gay” any more to describe themselves and they’re pissed. Andrew Sullivan is one.

    1. I have a lot of respect for Sullivan. While I am gay friendly, I am NOT going to use LGBTQIA+, or whatever they are up to. LGBT says it all. So does “gay.” Or should. And if they add one MORE color to the rainbow flag, I will puke.

  8. I am awaiting the next affront to our society. Gender reveal parties are a relatively new phenomenon- becoming popular in the past ten years or so. Currently, we all wait in anticipation as to whether a hint of blue or pink will fill the air in revelation. This is not cool using present day standards.

    When someone becomes offended by this relatively new tradition we will adapt. Maybe it will be better. Every explosion of colors can be a rainbow. The soon-to-be parents (notice how I avoided using mom & dad) and guests will have to wait until the birthday to discover the gender (just like the old days), but non-specific gifts can still be bestowed in advance. A win-win solution for all.

    Sorry, sarcasm is my defense mechanism. It helps me avoid becoming offended.

    1. Don’t apologize, you have a talent for sarcasm.
      Gender reveal parties.
      Next up — impregnation parties. Imagine the gift list. 😄

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