Next Time You’re Sparring With A Leftist, Try Asking A Question

Conservatives cornered in spaces of conformist ideology would do well to master the powerful rhetorical weapon of Socrates.

Video: Triggered by a 'F*** Biden' flag, a California teacher reportedly tells conservative students to 'jump off a bridge'



A California schoolteacher is under fire after she shared a highly controversial video in which she allegedly told students who are part of a conservative group in the district to "jump off a bridge."

The teacher, identified as Kristin Usilton of Bauer Speck Elementary School in Paso Robles, was reportedly offended by an anti-Biden flag, according to a report from the Paso Robles Press.

What are the details?

In one of the videos, which Fox News said were posted to her now-defunct Instagram page, Usilton reportedly ranted over conservative students.

The teacher said, "Of the justice of all the neglected Hispanic population on the west side still fighting just for their right to have an equal education. And if you think that I'm going to stop fighting, you got another thing coming," the Press reported.

She added, "The Paso Robles Conservative Club for the high school, you can go jump off a bridge. I'm going to post what they thought was a great show of support for the veterans, who I'm pretty sure would be absolutely offended by what they did on school campus. And had the LGBTQ population done that, that or the black or the Hispanic community members, we would have had our ass chewed out. Look at what they did today."

Usilton then reportedly showed videos from a district high school parking lot, which featured students waving American flags, military flags, and at least one "F*** Biden" flag.

Usilton later in the day shared a second video in which she clarified her first video and said, "When I said 'Go jump off a bridge,' I just meant 'Go away,' and I will not use that term again because of the incredible influx of messages I got about that. But if that's what you focused on in that message, you're kind of part of the problem."

According to Superintendent Curt Dubost, two investigations have begun surrounding the incident — one involving Usilton's remarks and one for the appearance of the anti-Biden flag on campus.

Dubost in a statement on the matter said, “Last Wednesday, a student effort to honor Veterans Day was disrupted by a very poor choice to include a profane flag. This both detracted from the intended purpose of the demonstration and led to considerable disruption, including some postings and exchanges on social media that were completely inappropriate. The objectionable flag was up for a very limited amount of time; however, we in no way condone nor excuse this misguided action. Students will be appropriately disciplined in accordance with District policies."

Dubost's statement continued, "Later that day, a District employee posted comments on social media regarding this event which were inappropriate, and the District is responding accordingly through the Human Resource office. The District will make it clear to all employees that as an employee of PRJUSD, social media is not the appropriate venue for criticism of our students and families and that we must conduct ourselves in a professional manner. The community is entrusting their children to our schools and employees. With this stated, we want to emphasize that the District does not tolerate threats on our employees or students, nor do we condone cyber-bullying."

He concluded, "The District will expand its efforts to hold joint activities which promote tolerance and unity. Veterans Day should be a day for patriotism and honoring service, not yet another politically divisive controversy. We call on the school community to come together as Roblans and Bearcats."

This is a teacher in Paso Robles, CA school district, telling Conservative Club kids to "jump off a bridge." We don't need this trash teaching our children. Retweet and share her ignorance.pic.twitter.com/fgfhoGhp5R
— Mayhem337 CMR \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Mayhem337 CMR \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1637014965

Penn State professor blasts conservative student group for 'racism,' 'sexism', suggests they bear 'responsibility' for Capitol riot



A self-described "distinguished" professor at Penn State University recently rebuffed a conservative student group's request that he serve as an adviser, slamming the group for supporting "racism" and "sexism" and suggesting that they bear "some responsibility" for the riots in the U.S. Capitol last week.

Pete Hatemi, a political science professor at the university, told the Young America's Foundation group that "in order to be an unbiased instructor" he does not take part in an political movement or organization, but that even if he did, he would never align himself with a conservative group.

"But in your case, under no condition, would I support any group that has an implied or explicit support for [President] Trump, racism, sexism, or indifference to democratic values, including peace, liberty, freedom, and justice for all peoples," he wrote in an email obtained by the organization.

He then went on to bizarrely blame the organization for inciting a pro-Trump mob to breach security perimeters and storm the Capitol on Jan. 6, an incident that has resulted in the deaths of at least five people and injuries to many more.

"I question if your national organization has some responsibility for recent actions," he wrote before slamming the timing of the group's request as "offensive."

"I suggest taking a moment, and a serious look at the political situation, and given that many members of the Republican [sic] party supported an act of insurrection and violence ... now might not be the time to solicit for new members or advisors for your organization," he added.

John Stafford, the Penn State student who submitted the request near the start of the spring semester, reportedly told the Federalist in an interview that the professor's response caught him off guard.

"Through his research, I thought he would be a very tolerant person," he said.

Hatemi's research at the school focuses on the intersection of genetics and political ideology.

In a response email, Stafford told the professor that he found his response to be "insulting, not only towards YAF, but the entirety of the conservative movement," noting he fears that "asking conservative students to quiet down will only ensure more intolerance among my peers."

Stafford also defended the conservative organization against Hatemi's "unsubstantiated" claims that YAF had a role in the violence at the Capitol.

"YAF has never advocated for violence, and to assert such a claim with no evidence or research is dishonorable," he wrote.

'Don't Tread on Me' image considered 'racial harassment'? Catholic school allegedly orders conservative students to nix Gadsden flag



Conservative students at a Catholic high school in California said the administration ordered them to remove the image of the Gadsden flag from a promotional video as the flag could be considered "racial harassment," Young America's Foundation reported.

What are the details?

The organization said it obtained an email from Chris Walter — Loyola High School's director of student activities — to a conservative student that said "you will have to remove the Don't Tread on Me image" and cited an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission case.

YAF said Walter claimed the EEOC ruled that displaying the Gadsden flag in the workplace "could be considered racial harassment, depending on the circumstances" — and the organization said such a claim is "blatantly false."

More from Young America's Foundation:

The EEOC case he is citing clearly states that "it would have been premature and inappropriate for EEOC to determine, one way or the other, the merits of the U.S. Postal Service's argument that the Gadsden Flag and its slogan do not have any racial connotations whatsoever," and that "EEOC's decision simply ordered the agency – the U.S. Postal Service – to investigate the allegations. EEOC's decision made no factual or legal determination on whether discrimination actually occurred."

YAF said it reached out to Loyola High School but did not receive a response in time for publication.

History teachers there ought to know that the symbol on the flag was created by Christopher Gadsden — a general in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War — and gained favor among colonists who wanted independence from Great Britain.

What did the student in question have to say?

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the student who reported the alleged incident to YAF's Campus Bias Tip Line told the organization that the "Don't Tread on Me" crackdown is frustrating.

"This is just a small example of the different struggles conservative students go through while in school," the student told YAF. "Students should have the freedom to express their beliefs and values in a school environment without having to fear the repercussion that can arise."

YAF went further and characterized the mandate to the conservative students as "bullying" in an effort to "silence speech" that isn't in line with what the school says is acceptable.