What happens when Larry O’Connor goes on a cruise? For one thing, he e-mails me to gloat, but I also get a chance to go Off the Beaten Path with another partner — Beege Welborn! Today we talk about some of the issues that may not get the hot headlines but may matter more than those stories in the long run. Today, we talk about the sharp fall of confidence in American higher education, and discuss how long the military’s strong standing can be maintained. Are we developing young Americans for service — both physically and civically? We talk about the damage done by the Left’s long march through the institutions and what that means for national security as well as American culture. We have plenty of fun along the way, and you’ll have fun getting to know Beege, too!
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Welcome back to our VIP video series “Off the Beaten Path,” featuring my friend Larry O’Connor! The Townhall columnist and Salem News Channel host starts off our week by discussing stories and ideas that may fly under our radar, in culture, politics, sports, and more. Plus, Larry previews tonight’s SNC show!
Highlights from today’s show:
- “I do hold a beer bottle with a lot more authority than Liz Warren,” Beege tells me. “You do a lot of things with a lot more authority than Liz Warren does,” I reply, “so yeah.”
- Will the military fall victim to the same erosion as Gallup finds in Academia? “The problem is,” Beege says, “kids that are in the officer corps now are coming out of those institutions. Steeped in those liberal values, you know, having all of that beaten into them as they go through.”
- It’s already impacting military culture, especially on unity, Beege explains as a Marine and as a participant in admissions processes. “Everybody just used to be like green or blue . It didn’t matter what color you were,” Beege says, “or whether you’re a male or female or everybody, just kind of sucked it up and rolled. And now it’s all of a sudden there’s set asides for everyone that will break things down faster than anything.”
- We reminisce about corporate culture back in the 1980s and my problematic choice of wall art and calendars back in the day. “Oh, you caved,” Beege teases me at the end of one anecdote. Well … yeah, but for good reason, as I explain.
- The military has even more challenges when it comes to physical health, Beege adds. “You’ve got the army setting aside a special, pardon my French, but they called them the fatbodies. They have a special fatbody camp.” That brings up some memories for me, both of Full Metal Jacket and of my own adolescence.
- “Nobody is forcing these kids outside,” Beege points out. “I don’t know if it’s too dangerous to be outside. Gym programs are a joke in schools,” she adds. “When we were growing up, you got shoved out the door, don’t come home unless you’re coming home for lunch and then don’t come home’ till dinner.”
- Was I a teenage Bobby Bouché?
- How much will negative acculturation and civics illiteracy impact military recruitment? Stick around for that discussion too.
Watch it all and join the conversation in the comments!
