Getting Involved Means Republicans Can Win

 Patriots don’t have to open their wallets to contribute to a candidate’s campaign, although money is always welcome. You can contact your local county Republican Party or directly reach out to the candidate and/or organization promoting a proposition. Everyone can do something to save our nation from a growing communist takeover.

Local candidates (school boards, city councils, aldermen, boards of supervisors, commissioners, etc.) often run on shoestring budgets. Anything you can do is appreciated.

For instance, Maureen “Quinn” Flaherty ran for the Long Beach, California, school board in the June primary. A special ed teacher at a charter school, Flaherty was making strong inroads in her school board district during the campaign, which explains why teachers’ union members started showing up to protest at her events. She shared her story with me:

I ran for Long Beach Unified School District Board Member in the June 2, 2026, primary. I have been a community leader in Long Beach, CA, hosting events to teach the public about their constitutional rights since 2020. My goal in running was to do more for my community since these days there are many agendas that are unhealthy for children attending public schools. For more background visit Protect Our Kids website.

Throughout my campaign, I endured much harassment and abuse such as disparaging signs about me throughout Long Beach and in my own neighborhood, attack ads on YouTube, teacher union members and Antifa showing up at my events trying to shut down my voice, and more. Despite all the negatives, I came in second place with 33 percent of the vote, out of three candidates. The incumbent had 55 percent. She won outright in the primary election because of the 50 + 1% rule in primaries for local elections.

My efforts threatened the teachers’ union. According to the Long Beach Post the Teachers Association of Long Beach (TALB) spent more than $200,000 to defeat me who they called the “Conservative Challenger.” They also claimed that I was “too MAGA for Long Beach” when those words just mean make America great again. In my opinion, a great slogan for a city in desperate need of conservative leadership.

As a local candidate lacking the same financial cushion that TALB had, I received amazing support from those that opposed their leftist agendas. This included local Long Beach churches such as Calvary Chapel Long Beach. People volunteered in so many ways such as making phone calls, knocking on doors, putting out lawn signs, creating flyers and attending my campaign events. During the campaign, I made new friends who ‘get it’ and I will consider running again when the opportunity arises because it’s just that important!

 

My background as a special education teacher and counselor for the past 23 years lent itself to doing the right thing, standing up for a just and noble cause. I am proud to have performed so well in the primary against a union with big bucks and a slander campaign against me. If you can, consider running for local office. You will learn so much and be making a difference in your community or state. If you don’t want to run, support your candidates in any way you.

What is your something? Here are suggestions that won’t empty your wallet:

Plant yard signs—Your neighbors know you follow politics and trust your judgment. The signs are seen throughout the day, reinforcing your support for candidates and/or propositions. If you know like-minded neighbors, ask them to display signs, too.

• Make phone calls or send text messages—You can go to headquarters or make calls from the convenience of your home. When so much is automated today, a human call or text can increase voter turnout. The candidate or county GOP would provide the list of people to call or text.


• Address postcards—Gather friends and have a writing party to address postcards provided by the campaign.


• Knock on doors—Think about how much it helps a candidate when you knock on a door and say, “Hi, I’m Mary Smith, who lives two blocks over on Green Street. I want to talk to you about _____.”


• Distribute literature—Ask your pastor, priest, or rabbi if you can set up a table with material in the parking lot. Anyone who is interested can talk to you. If not, they just keep walking. If your religious clergy doesn’t want to get politically involved in this indirect manner, just remind him or her that if communists take control of Congress, they are the first group that would be verbally and/or physically attacked.


• Register voters—Should your house of worship be against your offering information about candidates and/or propositions, offer to set up a voter registration table. Let them know that you would be registering voters of all parties—be they Republican, Democrat, or third-party.


• Letters to the editor—Those letters are very important because they tell an editor there is a lot of interest in a candidate or ballot proposition. Even if your letter isn’t published, it helps get other letters with the same position into the newspaper.


• Write news releases—Even if you aren’t a professional writer, there are templates online for releases about candidates and upcoming events.


• Create flyers—If you are creative, offer to make flyers for upcoming events.


• Social media comments—On a regular basis, include a comment about why you support certain candidates and/or propositions. People who follow you want to hear what you have to say.


• Social media photos—If you go to an event for a proposition or attend an event for a candidate, take photos and post them on your social media accounts. Include a link to their websites so people can obtain more information.


• Distribute material at a supermarket or coffee shop—Set up a table near, but not blocking, the entrance to distribute material. (Check with the city about the rules, as the store manager might tell you to disperse when legally you have the right to be there.)


• Register voters at a rally by a busy intersection—Even a handful of people waving American flags and holding signs will get drivers’ attention. Bring materials for those who walk by. If your city has a popular location, that is the perfect place. Otherwise, find a busy intersection near a shopping center. Register voters—be they Republican, Democrat, or third-party.


• Host a meet-and-greet in your backyard—Set up some chairs, put out water and cookies, and have the candidate(s) speak to your neighbors about their campaigns. You can increase attendance by also addressing propositions on the ballot.


• Community calendar—Find out about community events that will be held in September and October where you could have a booth to answer questions, distribute material, and register voters. If organizers don’t want a political booth at the event, you can:
  
  
  • Place material on nearby parked cars.
  
  
  • Walk around the event handing out material.
  
  
  • Walk around wearing a hat and T-shirt promoting your candidate and/or proposition.


• Be a poll watcher—Volunteering at the polls and at the registrar of voters’ office is extremely important, especially if you have concerns about election integrity.

Whether you work with your county GOP or go directly to the candidate’s campaign or the organization behind a proposition, everyone can do something. What is your something?

Robin M. Itzler is a regular contributor to American Thinker. She is the founder and editor of Patriot Neighbors, a free weekly national newsletter. Robin can be reached at RobinItzler@yahoo.com.

 https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2026/08/getting-involved-means-republicans-can-win/

Iran’s mullahs: Time to take the gloves off

 by James Zumwalt

In its early days of the sport, boxers fought with their bare fists. It was not until 1867 that the Queensbury rules required the wearing of gloves and abiding by certain rules to ensure a sportsman-like contest. Also in the 19th century, civilized nations recognized a need for providing guidelines on how combat should be fought on the world’s battlefields, issuing the laws of warfare. Interestingly, during our war with Iran, President Donald Trump took the unusual step of ensuring, initially at least, that the U.S. and Israel followed the Queensbury rules of warfare—but not anymore.

A quick recap: Coordinating combat efforts with the U.S. against Iran as the conflict started on February 28 was Israel. As the war progressed, Trump became aware of a course of action upon which Israel was embarking that caused him some concerns. They involved Israel’s intention to eliminate Iran’s top negotiators, Abbas Araghchi—Tehran’s foreign minister—and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf—its speaker of the Parliament.

Going after Iran’s top leaders was part of Israel’s gameplan from the outset, evidenced by its first air strike eliminating Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. By April, with ceasefire talks being conducted through third parties, Trump reportedly asked countries in West Asia to notify Iranian officials about Israel’s intentions.

Of course, that was then and now is now. Subsequent outrageous acts by Iran’s leadership have caused a reset of Trump’s mindset.

Recently, Iranian television aired a propaganda video titled, “Where to kill Barron Trump?” The mullahs, obviously lacking any interest in observing the laws of warfare, sought to terrorize Trump by declaring his son Barron a target. And, with their airforce, navy, and economy decimated, they offered a $10 million reward to anyone who killed him.

The video should come as no surprise as Iran released a disturbing video last month informing extremists on how to target First Lady Melania Trump, exposing her “weaknesses” and warning, “Barron, wait for us.”

Arguably, the two Iranian officials Israel intended to target could have been considered legitimate as its objective was to topple the country’s hard-line government. However, when ceasefire negotiations started, the U.S. feared eliminating the two men would bring an end to the talks and re-trigger the fighting.

At Trump’s request, Israel took its bullseye off Araghchi and Ghalibaf. The two Iranian men had good reason to fear Israel’s long, and proven, reach. One of the two, Ghalibaf, had come close to getting killed on two occasions in 2025. Both times he had to be rescued from under the rubble of the destruction caused during Israeli air attacks. One of those even occurred during what he undoubtedly considered a safe time—a “secret” meeting Iranian officials were holding in an underground bunker. The strike was a clear indication of the capability of Israeli intelligence to track down targets if it chose to do so.

But, in light of Iran’s second video to target a Trump family member, the president has now officially taken off the gloves. He has publicly declared Iran’s leadership is fair game.e have finally come to accept a principle of warfare Israel recognized long ago: a fair fight against the mullahs involves tossing all rules out the window.

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/08/iran-s-mullahs-time-to-take-the-gloves-off/

US Army Secretary Driscoll said to have resigned: WSJ

 United States Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll submitted his resignation to US President Donald Trump, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Driscoll is expected to leave the Pentagon in the coming days.

The move follows months of tension, as he previously reported to be considering stepping down amid disagreements with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/US-Army-Secretary-Driscoll-said-to-have-resigned/67016905

US signs deals to surge Patriot, THAAD production during Iran war

 

The US Department of War said Monday that seven-year procurement agreements with General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems and Lockheed Martin are designed to triple production capacity for Patriot PAC-3 MSE interceptors and quadruple capacity for THAAD interceptors.

The agreements are also intended to accelerate delivery schedules for the two missile-defense programs and increase production of key components including motor cases, seeker housings, midsections and shroud deployment systems.

“General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin have answered the call,” Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael P. Duffey said. “We are cutting red tape, shortening timelines, and rapidly scaling our domestic manufacturing capacity.”

The department said funding remains subject to annual appropriations, while the agreements guarantee minimum annual procurement quantities intended to support workforce expansion, bulk material purchases and facility upgrades.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202608319912

Universities Could Lose Foreign-Student Certification Over Internship Rule Violations, Trump Admin Says

 by Kimberly Hayek via The Epoch Times,

President Donald Trump's administration has issued a memo to universities aimed at restricting certain internship work authorizations for international students. Officials cautioned that schools failing to comply could have their certification to enroll foreign students revoked.

A student walks toward Royce Hall on the campus of University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) on March 11, 2020. Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

The memo, which is dated Aug. 24 and issued by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), said the agency "has observed a rise in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorizations that appear to violate regulatory requirements which permit CPT only where the training is an integral part of an established curriculum."

"Failure to comply with SEVP regulations may result in an institution losing certification to enroll foreign students," the memo said.

Some schools have already stopped processing applications. The University of California, Los Angeles ceased issuing certain CPT authorizations while it reviewed the guidance.

"UCLA has paused certain Curricular Practical Training authorizations while it reviews recent federal guidance and determines next steps," a UCLA spokesperson said.

At the University of California, Berkeley, the international office described the Aug. 24 memo as "more narrow in focus, more direct, and includes content that is more restrictive in nature."

An earlier memo had been issued in mid-August. Berkeley said it is unlikely to process certain work authorization applications "in the near future" and told international students to plan accordingly.

The university will keep handling "degree-requirement" CPT as usual and plans to resume "Doctoral Dissertation and Master's Thesis Research CPT."

University officials said they would consult legal experts to align processes with the new federal requirements.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ICE's parent agency, said the underlying regulations have not changed.

"However, schools and employers should consider themselves on notice: under President Trump, abuse of this generous system will no longer be tolerated."

CPT allows eligible international students to participate in internships or training when the work forms an integral part of their academic curriculum. The memo stresses that the training must connect to an established academic program.

This step fits into an overarching set of changes for foreign students. In July, DHS completed a rule ending the long-standing "duration of status" policy. That system had permitted many F, J, and I visa holders to remain in the country without a fixed departure date.

The new rule, published in the Federal Register on July 17 and effective Sept. 15, limits most stays to four years unless students apply for extensions through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Extensions will require screening, background checks, and fraud reviews. The grace period after the conclusion of studies is reduced from 60 days to 30 days.

"For nearly half a century, the outdated 'duration of status' system has compromised national security and created an environment ripe for immigration fraud," DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said at the time.

"By implementing clear, finite limits on these visas, the United States is reclaiming its ability to properly screen, vet, and monitor individuals within our borders."

The rule is being challenged in court by a coalition of unions and advocacy groups that say the new rule makes the United States less competitive as a destination for international talent.

Earlier this year, ICE published the findings of an investigation into Optional Practical Training, a separate post-graduation work program.

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said investigators "have identified over 10,000 foreign students who claim to be working for highly suspect employers."

Visits turned up empty buildings, locked doors, and addresses associated with hundreds of students who were not involved in the activity they claimed, he said. Officials also found "phantom employees" who never reported to the listed sites, as well as complex international financial transactions, according to Lyons.

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/universities-could-lose-foreign-student-certification-over-internship-rule-violations-trump

If boys hate school it might be because schools have been designed to tear down young men

 Ms. Jefferson, the kindergarten teacher, held up wooden skewers, cotton balls, and craft glue. “Today we’re each going to make a pussywillow,” she told the children. 

“I don’t wanna make a pussywillow,” Jason said. “I wanna make a lightsaber.” Ms. Jefferson ignored him. Jason glued a cotton ball to the end of his wooden skewer. “I find your lack of faith – disturbing!” he said to her, channeling his inner Darth Vader, brandishing the skewer. She sent him to the principal. 

Jason was sent to the principal’s office four times in the first two weeks. At the end of the second week, he came home in tears. He told his mom, “School is stupid. I hate school.” 

Deborah Stipek, former dean of education at Stanford, has found that kids form attitudes toward school early. Those attitudes, once formed, are stable and non-contingent. That’s a fancy way of saying that once a boy decides that he hates school, he’s not likely to change his mind. And he doesn’t think there’s anything he can do that’s going to make a difference. 

Over the past 25 years, I have visited more than 500 schools. I have seen first-hand how schools have become unfriendly to boys. Boys doing things that boys have always done – pointing fingers at each other, saying “bang bang you’re dead.” Drawing pictures of weapons. Throwing snowballs. All that now gets a boy in trouble.  

When I graduated from my public high school in Ohio in 1977, boys outnumbered girls among the highest achievers — not only in my high school, but nationwide. Thirty years ago, Myra and David Sadker published their book “Failing at Fairness: How our Schools Cheat Girls,” documenting that achievement gap and showing how schools were keeping girls down. 

That was then. Times have changed. Girls now outperform boys by wide margins in every content area K-12, including math and science. Girls now outnumber boys by more than 2-to-1 among high-school valedictorians. Young women are now much more likely than their brothers to attend college. 

We all applaud girls’ achievement. But why didn’t we level off around 50-50? Why are boys now doing so much worse in school than their sisters? 

It doesn’t have to be this way. You can make a school friendly to boys without making it unfriendly to girls.

“Boys Adrift” by Leonard Sax (Basic Books, available Sept. 1)

I lead workshops for schools, sharing zero-cost strategies that boost achievement for both boys and girls by deploying gender-aware instructional strategies. The best way to get boys excited about Emily Dickinson is different from the best way to get girls excited about Emily Dickinson. The best way to get girls excited about computer coding is different from the best way to get boys excited about computer coding. Many teachers don’t know this, because at Harvard and Columbia and many other “leading” schools of education, the professors endorse Judith Butler’s claim that gender is just a social construct. 

How can you tell if your son’s school is friendly to boys? Here are some tips:

First, check the honor rolls. They should be roughly 50-50. If girls vastly outnumbers boys, then something is going wrong.

Second, ask whether teachers are allowed to use the phrase “boys and girls.” At many schools today, teachers are officially prohibited from using these words. They’re supposed to say “purple penguins” instead, or some similar nonsense. Such silliness indicates an allegiance to a dogma that is unfriendly to boys — and to girls, I might add.

Third, ask about the top athletes at the school. At boy-friendly schools, the top male athletes are also scholars, as a rule. At the schools unfriendly to boys, young men have to choose: They can be scholars or they can be athletes, but they cannot be both.

I just published a new edition of my book “Boys Adrift,” documenting a growing gender gap in achievement. As I show in the book: the achievement gap is getting bigger not because girls are doing better — they’re not — but because boys are doing worse. You don’t want your son to be one of those boys adrift. The first step is to make sure that he’s attending a boy-friendly school.

Leonard Sax MD PhD is a physician, psychologist, and educational consultant.

https://nypost.com/2026/08/30/opinion/do-your-boys-hate-school-maybe-its-because-schools-hate-them/