Welcome to SWIVL

SWIVL 2015 GOALS

1. Rescue and rehabilitate dogs abandoned in the desert.
2. Expand land and build facilities for abused goats, hogs, and other farmed animals.
3. Increase cat and dog spade and neuter work and education programs.
4. Work with animal rescue organizations on the Arizona – Mexican border.
5. Organize school – community educational programs to reduce animal cruelty.
6. Advocate for an animal abuse registry to inform and educate the public about animal abuse.
7. Promote legislation with severe penalties for animal abusers.
8. Educate youth and community groups and organizations about the cycle of violence.
9. Register as a safe haven shelter for animals that come from abused homes.
10. Work with community and elected officials to protect animal victims of family violence.

Please click here if you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to help SWIVL achieve its 2011 Goals.

July Book of the Month – “Hope for the Flowers” by Trina Paulus

Don’t let the cover fool you.  There is more philosophy, common sense, and optimism in this tiny book than you'll find in a year’s worth of CNN, MSNBC, and the New York Times combined.  Hope for the Flowers describes a world of potential and possibilities where responsibility, self-reliance, and independence fuels life and life experiences. There are no entitlements, handouts or victims in this book.  Click here for a link to Trina's personal web site to find out more about Hope for the Flowers, other work that Trina and her team are doing, and most important   .   .   .   hope.   Hope for the Flowers should be read by every child – no every adult.

 

June Book of the Month - "The World Turned Upside Down" by Melanie Phillips

 

Is there a world-wide cultural collapse?  Is the United States no longer a culture of success?   Has England become a satellite for Moslem extremists?  Is multiculturalism a Trojan horse for cultural relativism and anything goes?  Have we lost our ideals that promote a strong work ethic, an independent spirit, and the primacy of the family? 

 

If these questions intrigue you or arouse your curiosity, you will want to read the SWIVL recommendation for June 2010, The World Turned Upside Down by Melanie Phillips.

According to Phillips, the West is losing both its rationality and its freedoms. The West is succumbing to a "soft totalitarianism," which not only is creating an ugly mood of intolerance but is undermining its ability to defend itself against Islamic aggression. While the Islamists are intent on returning the free world to the seventh century, the West no longer seems willing or able to defend the modernity and rationalism that it brought into being.

The basic cause of all this unreason is the erosion of the building blocks of western civilization. We tell ourselves that religion and reason are incompatible, but in fact the opposite is the case. It was Christianity and the Hebrew Bible that gave us our concepts of reason, progress and an orderly world-the foundations of science and modernity.

The loss of religious belief has meant the West has replaced reason and truth with ideology and prejudice, which it enforces in the manner of a secular inquisition. The result has been a kind of mass derangement, as truth and lies, right and wrong, victim and aggressor are all turned upside down. In medieval-style witch- hunts, scientists who are skeptical of global warming are hounded from their posts; Israel is ferociously demonized; and the United States is vilified over the war on terror-all on the basis of falsehoods and propaganda that are believed as truth.

Thus the West is losing both its rationality and its freedoms. It is succumbing to a "soft totalitarianism," which not only is creating an ugly mood of intolerance but is undermining its ability to defend itself against Islamic aggression. While the Islamists are intent on returning the free world to the seventh century, the West no longer seems willing or able to defend the modernity and rationalism that it brought into being.

With cold, perceptive, exhaustive and persistent passion, Melanie Phillips dissects the phenomenon among disparate movements, to reach disturbing but compelling conclusions about the erosion of modern progressive society – a society based on personal responsibility, independence, and self-reliance - by ideologies whose surprising interconnections are meticulously identified. One can only hope that her book will penetrate the information cocoon into which many of our intelligentsia have have sealed themselves."  Continue reading.

What Daniel Pearl's decapitation means to Barack Obama

Even given Obama’s ever more terrifying and lethal performance in office, his comments about the jihadi murder of Daniel Pearl, and in front of Daniel’s bereaved family, are simply astounding. This is what Obama said:  ‘Obviously, the loss of Daniel Pearl was one of those moments that captured the world’s imagination because it reminded us of how valuable a free press is.’

Daniel Pearl was not murdered because he was a journalist. He was decapitated because he was an American Jew. Khalid Sheikh Mohamed cut off his head in an act of unimaginable barbarism, which was videoed in order to incite other Muslims to similar acts of barbarism and to destroy the will of the west to defend itself.  Continue reading.

The Dependency State and the Growth of Violence

Is global interdependence really global dependence?  Recent events suggests that if a country goes bankrupt, due to excessive spending and entitlements, other countries – tax payers – will bail you out.  However, most experts will tell you that the trillion dollar give away to Greece will not solve the problem.  Because there are no guarantees that Greece will dramatically restructure its dependency policies, we are likely to see more handouts, entitlements and most of all violence.

The spread of violence through Greece should be a strong warning to other nations that a dependency state will ultimately lead to chaos, destruction, and terror.  Fortunately, many European leaders are beginning to recognize that a culture of dependency will lead to disaster.  We can only hope that President Obama and the Congress will get the message.  The handwriting is on the wall. 

Below are some important indicators of why we need to move from a state of dependency to independence, self-reliance and personal responsibility.

1) When the public believe the deck of cards is stacked against them – It’s time to end government regulated programs that favor one group of people over another.  With the election of the first African American President, there is no need or logical reason to maintain rules and regulations that are not based on competence, expertise, and personal responsibility.  Given the amount of money that is being allocated to our urban schools, government entitlements, and the government’s control over college grants, all legal United States citizens have an equal opportunity to be successful.  

2) When the government assumes the responsibility of the family – The government has no constitutional authority to assume the role and responsibility of the family.  Yet, each day, more and more elected officials at all levels of government believe that they have an ethical responsibility to take care of our children.  From food to recreation, government bureaucrats believe they know best.   Families are primary to our democracy and represent the foundation for the core values that have made the United States an exceptional country.  A government bureaucrat can never take the place of a parent and it’s time for elected officials to put an end to this dangerous trend.

3) When people are viewed as a means to an end – We are a nation of producers where a strong work ethic is fundamental to the culture of success created since the founding of the United States.  Throughout our history, Americans have rejected the notion that must depend on the government for our success.  Rather, Americans want government to stay out of their way.  While grounded in law, our country is also driven by a social contract where each citizen is responsible for their own destiny.  Most important, people are independent and free to act based on the simple, powerful philosophy of the Golden Rule.

4) When a dependency state is created by government – The more individuals, groups, and organizations believe that others – in this case the government – will take care of them, the more likely they will be dependent on the government and less self-reliant and resilient to act on their own behalf.  Personal responsibility and independence does not happen in a vacuum.

The above four factors create a state of dependency and encourage a culture of victimization.  Within this culture personal responsibility and the capacity to act is greatly inhibited.  People and their institutions are frozen, unable to act, waiting for someone else to provide support, assistance, or help.  When people are victims, patronage, pandering, and manipulation dictate the relationship between the people and their government.  As long as the government continues to provide support, the people are content.  However, if a reduction in services occurs and the dependency state is interrupted, individuals do not know how to respond as they are ill equipped and have little capacity to rely on their own talents and strengths.  As we have seen in Greece, a dependency state must continue to seek out external support and resources for its continued existence.  In this case the people of Greece have been treated as victims by their government and ironically Greece now is victim to the world community.

The Obama Administration is Creating a Perfect Storm

The Obama Administration may not only be destroying the United States economy,  the current Administration may also be creating a perfect storm for the destruction of the social fabric that holds the American culture together.  Three key forces are at work: (1) Excessive debt, (2) Political division, and (3) Gratuitous entitlements.  Together, these forces are transforming the core values of the United States from a culture of success to a culture of dependency.  The exceptionality of the United States does not lie with the federal government – far from it.  Rather, our strength as a nation rests with its people.  From manifest destiny to our footprints on the moon, American ingenuity, creativity and independence have forged a national consciousness which is now being challenged.

Regardless of your economic theory or philosophy, no one could seriously have imagined the United States debt as 11 trillion dollars.  Eleven trillion dollars, divided by the U.S. population is over $36,000 in debt for every man, woman and child in the United States.  Such a debt loses all meaning and leads to a national state of confusion and chaos.  As a result, only the naïve would question why citizens are losing confidence in their government and its leaders.  Worse, a sobering assessment issued by Moody’s Investors Service, provided a reminder that even AAA-rated United States Treasury bonds, supposedly the safest of safe investments, could be downgraded if the Obama Administration continues to mismanage the federal debt.  “Growth alone will not resolve an increasingly complicated debt equation,” Moody’s said. “Preserving debt affordability” — the ratio of interest payments to government revenue — “at levels consistent with AAA ratings will invariably require fiscal adjustments of a magnitude that, in some cases, will test social cohesion.”   By cohesion, we can only conclude a breakdown in the social fabric that holds the United States together: in other words, violence.  Is the Obama Administration listening?

The second force behind this perfect storm is the growing division in the United States that has developed in one year since President Obama has taken office.  While division is certainly not unique in a free society, it was candidate Obama who promoted the view and campaigned on the position that he would unify and bring the country together.  Intentional or not, the Obama Administration has politicized the country in such a way as to make extremism the new normal.  Refusing to listen or even respect the majority viewpoint of Americans, the President has been combative, conflicting, and defensive in advocating for his legislative agenda.  The American people, benefiting from the individualist, entrepreneurial pathway carved out by the founding fathers, do not respond well when their elected leaders ignore their political will.  Nor, do Americans believe that European thinking should be imposed on their free spirited political culture.  More division – not less – is likely, if the President continues to argue for a political philosophy that is fundamentally at odds with the values and beliefs of most Americans.

Bridging the growing national debt and increasing political division is the expanding number of entitlements being legislated from Washington D.C.  While portrayed in a cloak of morality, elected officials have rejected the notion of personal responsibility and freedom and replaced them with a culture of dependency.   Simple common sense and good old fashion American logic are no longer part of the discussion.  Hard work, ingenuity, and accountability have been marginalized to the point where now a growing number of Americans are looking to their government for entitlements in the form of handouts, subsidies or employment – all to be paid for by someone else.  Policy makers seem to be more concerned with creating a constituency that is less informed and more beholden to them for what they can get or receive from their government.  This approach can only lead to greater alienation and anger on the part of most citizens.

Thus, a perfect storm for transforming American society is underway.  With little regard or concern for the values and beliefs held by Americans, too many elected officials have turned their back on the capacity and resilience of Americans to act on their own behalf.  What has made the United States exceptional is our political and economic culture where all individuals have the potential for greatness. The United States is exceptional because every citizen can use their personal strengths and experiences to be successful.  While there are no guarantees, America is a country where hard work and personal responsibility can propel you to success beyond your hopes and dreams.  This is not rhetorical commentary or simply a slogan to be placed on a bumper or pasted on a billboard.  It is part of our fabric that must be treated with respect and dignity.  If our elected officials – regardless of political party – forget or ignore this important part of our culture, there will be a breakdown of our basic institutions and we will surely see more violence and less civility within our communities and society.

Ashtabula County: Precursor for the Nation

As Washington spends billions on wasteful projects that serve the interests of a few, everyday Americans are seeing their community services erode, a culture of despair, and a breakdown in civility.  Transportation systems, water systems, and energy problems are ignored as elected officials spend billions on programs that have no relevance to tax payers.  And now, our right to a safe, civil society is at risk.  As the social and economic infrastructure of our country deteriorates, violence increases.  Examples are everywhere and Ashtabula County may be a precursor for the rest of the nation.

In the ongoing financial crisis in Ashtabula County, the Sheriff's Department has been cut from 112 to 49 deputies.  With deputies assigned to transport prisoners, serve warrants and other duties, only one patrol car is assigned to patrol the entire county of 720 square miles. Ashtabula County is the largest county in Ohio by land area. 

Ashtabula County Judge Alfred Mackey was asked what residents should do to protect themselves and their families with the severe cutback in law enforcement.  Arm themselves, the judge said.  Be very careful, be vigilant, and get in touch with your neighbors, because we're going to have to look after each other.  Click here for the video.

Ashtabula County gun dealers and firearms instructors tell WKYC their business has really picked up since the Sheriff's Department cutbacks began some months ago.  That's exactly why they are coming, so that they can protect themselves, says Tracy Williams, a certified firearms instructor in Jefferson. They don't feel that they are protected. They want to be able to protect themselves.

SWIVL Brisenia Flores Memorial Award

On March 11th, the Southwest Institute for ViolenceFree Learning (SWIVL) presented the Brisenia Flores Memorial Award to four sixth graders from Sopori Elementary School.  Each student described their relationship with a companion animal and how they became more responsible and a better person.  Students received a certificate of success and a $25.00 gift card.

Sopori Elementary Principal Desi Raulston & 6th Grade Teacher Mrs. Gettinger with the four SWIVL Brisenia Flores Memorial Award Winners

The SWIVL Award acknowledges the beauty and creative spirit of children – a spirit that was exemplified by Brisenia Flores.  Brisenia’s young life was tragically taken through a brutal and senseless killing.  According to SWIVL co-founder, Dr. Kathleen Wishnick, the Award pays tribute to Brisenia and promotes the view that our schools should encourage compassion, creativity, and responsible behavior. From this Award, SWIVL hopes the dreams of a little girl will be realized through the lives of other children.  According to Wishnick, we celebrate the young life of Brisenia and we hope that good people everywhere will keep her memory alive.

 

SWIVL endorses the view that ViolenceFree can be created through personal self-reliance and accountability in a culture that encourages a strong work ethic, independence, and innovation. Through a learning environment, based on the Golden Rule, our schools can create relationships that are ViolenceFree.

The second American Revolution

How can we believe the news when it is paid for?  ABC news paid for a high profile story.  A CNN reporter admits paying to stage a story.   CBS pays for how the news is presented.  How can we trust the news on what is actually taking place around the world?  How can we trust the media when the New York Times fabricates its news articles?  NBC has a history of misleading reports. 

For example, for years the media has been complicit with Palestinians.  Do you really think reporters could get a story if they did not agree in advance to the content?  Do we really know what is taking place in Mexico?  What about Iran?  On Monday a certain country is our friend and on Wednesday it is our enemy.  Why have Arab countries been given a pass by the media regarding the treatment of women, Jews, and Jewish and Christian religious sites?  How is it that the media can find and interview terrorists while our government is helpless?  Civil society breaks down when the social contract begins to deteriorate. 

The media plays a critical cultural role in the United States and it is becoming more and more evident that media outlets and many reporters have turned their back on the truth.  Perhaps, that’s why the federal government would like to regulate the Internet. Around the world the Internet has been shown to be a tool for freedom in the face of violence.   Stand firm for a free, unregulated Internet: The second American Revolution. 

Working for Beauty, Compassion, and Innovation in our Schools

There is no time in our schools for beauty, compassion, and innovation.  What makes us human – our desire for freedom, creativity, and love – is being pushed out of the way by teaching practices that are being strangled by excessive rules and regulations.  Educators are finding less time to teach the arts, music, and creativity in the classroom.  Instead of teaching our children to be intuitive, critical thinkers we are developing students that are only able to regurgitate facts.  SWIVL works with parents, teachers, and school officials to develop classrooms that integrate state standards with a compassionate, humane educational environment.   One SWIVL initiative is the Brisenia Flores Memorial Award.   This initiative encourages a civil, compassionate teaching and learning environment where children increase their capacity to be responsible, resilient students.