The views and opinions of the authors contributing to this newsletter are those of the respective author and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of STARRS or its allies. Many thanks to all the concerned Americans cited for providing the public with insightful information.
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If you ever find yourself wondering if you’re the only one who sees the craziness going on in America today, this song by Aaron Lewis is for you. |
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A Call To Action
Thank you for expressing interest in STARRS. We encourage you to take an active role in our mission, to include educating your elected representatives at the local, state and national levels, and expressing your concerns. We also encourage you to educate your fellow citizens by speaking at gatherings, writing editorials for local papers, talking to school boards and encouraging others to join you and STARRS.
STARRS is an all-volunteer organization, but we have financial obligations to maintain webpages, subscribe to software, pay travel costs associated with presentations, as well as other, related financial obligations. Your donations make all this possible and are greatly appreciated!
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Donors: If you need a 2021 donations statement
for your records, please email:
Thank you for your support
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If you have experienced the impact of corrosive, racist, neo-Marxist ideology and/or government tyranny, please share your story and observations. |
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STARRS Sends Letter to General Milley |
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On February 11, 2022, Lt Gen Rod Bishop, USAF (Ret), STARRS President and BOD Chairman, sent a letter to Gen Mark Milley, USA, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The purpose of the letter was to draw Gen Milley’s attention to what STARRS believes is a grave national security issue: the infiltration and acceptance of racist and radical ideologies in our armed forces. In it, he reminds Gen Milley that at one time we all served in an apolitical military. This is no longer the case, as a “woke” political agenda has found its way into the military. Most concerning is the current trend of indoctrination in the principles of Critical Race Theory (CRT). Gen Bishop lays out the reasons that STARRS believes the tenets of CRT are unsound, they run counter to the Constitution and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and more alarmingly, they are leading to a reduction in trust, unity, and cohesion in the military. General Bishop concludes by formally asking Gen Milley to enact strong measures to permanently rid the force of “these corrosive narratives and influences.” This letter is co-signed by Thomas Burbage, Capt USN (Ret), President of the Calvert Group, and Thomas Patrick Hueman, Col USA (Ret), Leader of Army/West Point Officers & Air Force Officers. Also adding their names individually are seven retired General Officers and nearly 40 other retired West Point alumni. This letter is posted on the STARRS website. Please click the link below to read the full letter. |
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By Scott Sturman, MD, USAFA ‘72
Rod Bishop, Lt Gen, USAF (Ret), STARRS President & BOD Chairman
Sen (Ret) Mike Rose, Maj, USAFR (Ret), STARRS VP of Legal
The use of vaccines to combat diseases is not radical. In fact, the widespread
introduction of vaccines has reduced the mortality and morbidity of millions and
serves as a model for preventative medicine and public health. However, when a
particular vaccine’s risks clearly outweigh its benefits, and the primacy of
protective natural immunity is disregarded, the legality of vaccine mandates
and the accuracy of the data supporting those mandates are credibly disputed, and
when basic human rights are ignored—then compulsory administration of vaccines
are, in our opinion, radical. Military leaders must obey the law, and therefore should not require vaccinations when the legality of mandates and safety of their people are so definitively questioned and unsupported by facts. Please click the link below to read the full STARRS position statement on mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations in the military.
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Book display outside reading room at West Point |
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Yet Another Scandal at West Point?
You Be the Judge (Part 3)
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By William F. Prince, Col, USA (Ret.), USMA ‘70
STARRS newsletters 11 and 13 each contained articles, written by COL (Ret.) Bill Prince, USMA class of ’70 and titled “Yet Another Scandal at West Point, You Be the Judge” Parts 1 and 2. The two articles traced the teaching of Critical Race Theory (CRT) at the military academy. As noted in those articles, COL Prince had repeatedly reached out to West Point for help in his investigation but faced a stonewall from the academy. The West Point Association of Graduates (AOG) was more helpful and indicated that they might provide additional comments or even corrections which COL Prince intended to include in Part 3. Regrettably, AOG did not provide any additional information. Thus Part 3 focuses primarily on West Point’s Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunity (ODIEO) established during the Obama administration in May 2014. In summary, COL Prince believes that some in positions of leadership at West Point have promoted racial stereotyping by deliberately exposing cadets and faculty to CRT. He is using multiple venues to call upon West Point Superintendent LTG Darryl Williams and AOG President Todd Browne to publicly and specifically condemn all forms of racial stereotyping to include Critical Race Theory, and to encourage other members of “The Long Grey Line” to pause in providing any financial support to the AOG, unless or until Mr. Browne condemns racial stereotyping. Click the link below to read the full article, posted on the STARRS website.
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Critical Military Theory
The excellent article linked below appeared on the Task & Purpose website (taskandpurpose.com) on February 10, 2022. It is written by Marine Lt Gen Greg Newbold (Ret) and provides nine tenets of what he calls Critical Military Theory. It’s an antidote to what he calls “warfare dementia” that has developed within our senior politicians and military leaders, who are either confused or in denial about the purpose and makeup of our fighting forces. Each tenet is accompanied by a brief explanation, along with a supporting quote from a historical figure, which he calls “relevant wisdom.” The purpose of this essay is, “to explain the fundamental tenets of a military that will either deter potential enemies or decisively win the nation’s wars, thereby preserving our way of life.”
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Preserving The Warrior Ethos
What is the “warrior ethos?” The word “ethos” comes from the Greek and means “character.” It is used today to mean a set of beliefs or ideals that characterize a group of people. As historically exemplified in the US Military, the warrior ethos is taught by written and unwritten guiding principles and values that have been passed down from the time of Homer’s Iliad. The warrior ethos is what compels our fighting men and women to sacrifice for their comrades, our country, and our way of life.
In his October 28, 2021, article “Preserving the Warrior Ethos” on the National Review website, H.R. McMaster reviews the origins of the warrior ethos, what it is, and why it is so vitally important to maintain. He goes on to show how it has contributed to the historical successes of the US Military and how it began to break down in Vietnam. The bulk of the article deals with our recent failed efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq and makes a strong case for the preservation of the warrior ethos. The author is a retired US Army lieutenant general as well as the former National Security Advisor to President Trump.
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The Unleashing of the Red Roar
On January 30, 2022, a website called Doc Emet Productions published an article titled, “The Unleashing of the Red Roar: Awakening Racial Consciousness to Stir a Revolution” written by a Ukrainian woman named Naya Lekht, who came to the United States in 1989. The article does not discuss the effects of Critical Race Theory and the Black Lives Matter movement on the military, but as the military is a microcosm of the country, it is worth the few minutes it will take to read. Where our country goes, the military will follow. The article is focused on a short story by the contemporary Russian writer named Vladimir Sorokin titled, “The Red Pyramid” which appeared in the September 2021 issue of The New Yorker. The “Red Roar” refers to “a different kind of sound wave” that will “infect the world to destroy mankind’s intrinsic structure.” Ms. Lekht goes on to trace the history of how Lenin morphed Marxist ideology to fit Imperial Russia and “called the [Bolshevik] revolution into being.” She briefly writes about the failed Soviet Union and makes the connection between the lead-up to the Bolshevik revolution and what is currently happening in the United States.
This newsletter has featured, and linked to, many articles explaining how Critical Race Theory is a contemporary take on Marxism, repackaged to substitute racial strife for class struggle. By virtue of having been raised in the former Soviet Union, Ms. Lekht brings a different perspective, which provides the gravitas behind her dire warning about where we are headed if we don’t find a way to forestall the impending revolution. This article is very well written, with many examples of how CRT has already affected our society.
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Will New Commandant of Cadets Steer
USAFA in the Right Direction?
The Air Force Academy has a new Commandant of Cadets. He is Brigadier General Paul Moga, Class of ’95. He recently sat down with Roger Smith, VP of Stewardship for the Air Force Academy Foundation and recorded a video in which he spoke about his areas of focus and addressed questions that were sent in by graduates, parents, and “friends of the academy.” The video is linked below. Gen Moga says his three focus areas are (1) Get cadets back to where they were prior to COVID-19 (but he doesn’t elaborate on what that means); (2) Instill the importance of the “warfighter mentality” in every class, as well as permanent party personnel; (3) Focus on discipline, standards, conduct, dress & appearance, decorum, accountability, and institutional pride (areas he says were lacking when he arrived last summer). He also addressed what he called an “Honor reset” in the wake of a 2020 cheating scandal. This initiative from the Superintendent involves a recommitment to the Honor Code by the upper classmen, a focus on Honor by faculty, and increased Honor training and development among fourth classmen. Gen Moga seems to be committed to returning USAFA to being a true military academy, rather than a taxpayer funded university whose students wear uniforms. Time will tell. Unfortunately, he did not address any topics related to the teaching Critical Race Theory, or the Academy’s support for the Black Lives Matter movement so STARRS still has work to do there.
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The Intellectuals: Episode 6 – Charles Love
In Episode 6 of The Intellectuals on Creative Destruction Media website, Dr. Ron Scott, STARRS VP and Board of Directors Vice-Chairman, interviews Charles Love. Mr. Love is the Executive Director of Seeking Educational Excellence (SEE). SEE is a non-profit whose mission is to empower disadvantaged students to reach their full potential. Mr. Love is also the author of the book Race Crazy: BLM, 1619 and the Progressive Racism Movement. Dr. Scott and Mr. Love cover numerous topics under the umbrella of how the far left is pushing Marxist ideology on America under the guise of social justice and fighting racism. Charles Love’s special talent is explaining the issues of the day in everyday language that anyone can understand. The video linked below is worth watching because of its unique perspective on the subjects of racism and radicalism.
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The Intellectuals: Episode 7 – Jason Hill
In Episode 7 of The Intellectuals, Dr. Ron Scott interviews Jason Hill, PhD. Dr. Hill is a Professor of Philosophy and Distinguished Faculty at DePaul University. He is the author of five books, including We Have Overcome and What Do White Americans Owe Black People? He is also a member of 1776 Unites and The Freedom Center. Dr. Hill is a Jamaican immigrant who confesses a love for America and says one of his goals is to inoculate individuals against “America-phobia” that the far left is inflicting via dangerous pathogens such as Critical Race Theory, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion, and “woke supremacists.” In the interview, Dr. Scott and Dr. Hill discuss a range of topics including the difference between the racial angst of the Civil Rights Movement and what we currently see – the painting of white Americans as intrinsically racist and black Americans as needing of a managerial class of liberals to take care of them. Dr. Hill also talks about equality of opportunity versus equality of outcomes, and why the distinction is so important.
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The Indoctrination of America’s Youth
The indoctrination of America’s youth is starting earlier and earlier. Click the link below to watch a short 11 second video of “pre-primary” age children in Washington DC, marching with signs and chanting “Black lives matter!”
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Gen Bishop Interviewed on Ark Midnight
Lt Gen Bishop (STARRS Pres) was recently interviewed on John Well's Ark Midnight, The Fortnight Intelligence Brief. Early in the interview, Gen Bishop discusses examples of the negative impact of “wokeism,” CRT and vaccine mandates on military readiness. Additionally, he discusses the Ukraine situation and the current drug trade problems across our southern border from his perspective as a former commander in Europe and Southern Command. To listen, click the link, select hour 2 and start at 22:30.
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