December 16 , 2004

In April of this year, the Collegiate Network presented their 7th annual Campus Outrage Awards. Two schools tied for first place, Yale and University of California, Santa Barbara. Both schools had used school funds, along with the assistance of the faculty and administrators, to ‘enlighten’ students to sexual issues. Yale had a ‘Sex Week at Yale,’ and UC Santa Barbara had a presentation called ‘Gay Men of Color in Porn,’ during their ‘Race Matters Series.’

The list of notable runner-ups included UC Berkeley, where student organizations illegally spent $31,000 of mandatory student fees on a campus campaign to defeat a racial privacy initiative to ban the state from collecting race data on school admissions forms; Northwestern University, where a student filed a false police report claiming he was a victim of racial slurs and a racist attack (the university has taken no action against the student, even thought the police have charged him with filing a fake report); Duke University, where the chair of the Philosophy Department justified the 17-1 Democrat to Republican ratio among the university’s professors by claiming conservatives are not smart enough to teach at Duke; and Georgetown University, where the commencement speaker, Nigerian Cardinal Francis Arinze, reiterated the church’s teaching on sexual ethics. This incident resulted in students and faculty walking off the stage, and an e-mail apology from the Dean of Georgetown, along with an offer of counseling to students who suffered psychological trauma from the Cardinal’s statements (if they can’t handle free speech at school, they aren’t ready to function in the real world. Liberal universities may not recognize free speech as a constitutional right, but so far the law still does.).

Tuition costs for attending public universities are becoming astronomical. What are we, and our children, getting for these high-dollar ‘educations?’ It appears that most universities, and especially those universities that still carry the no longer deserved reputations as cream of the crop schools, are more indoctrination mills than institutes of higher learning. No longer are colleges helping to shape an educated, morally sound elite to help guide society, business and government, but they are attempting to produce brainwashed socialists that embrace any and every idiotic PC fad that comes along, especially those that run counter to the social, religious and political ideals of the founders of the American union.

I’m a believer in the idea of offering various options for higher education, and in that sense I believe in diversity. But it is more of a natural diversity, not the government-enforced ‘diversity’ that actually creates a cookie-cutter educational system. One thing lost in the culture war is the unique opportunity for the traditional all-male military education. Originally, when land grant universities were established, these universities were all-male and tended to follow the military format of schools like West Point, the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), and The Citadel. Over time they became coed, and dropped much or all of the military aspect. Nothing wrong with this, as long as we maintained a few institutions that continued to offer the option of an all-male education.

Over time, the U.S. military academies started allowing women to attend. Again, nothing wrong with this as long as options still remained. VMI and the Citadel remained all-male, thus continuing to offer an option to those interested in the educational option that produced the great military leaders of our history. And it was fitting these two colleges were in the South, where the military tradition is strongest, and the need could best be filled.

However, the politically correct forces couldn’t accept this. VMI and the Citadel came under attack and were eventually forced to admit women, thus eliminating the option for men to choose to participate in the all-male military educational tradition. So much for diversity. But there were some who realized the need for maintaining the all-male military educational option, and these people pulled together to establish an organization to create the Southern Military Institute (SMI).

Some question the need for such an institution, and some even question the motivations of the people working to build this institution. I can say with all candor that there is nothing evil, underhanded, or wrong with the goals of the people establishing this college. If anyone were to take the time and review the goals of the Southern Military Institute, thoroughly explained on their web site, they would see exactly what this college is to be about. Basically, the goals of SMI are to provide some things that are decidedly missing, and sorely needed, in our current mainstream institutions of higher learning.

First and foremost, SMI will provide what is so hard to get at public universities today: an honest, thorough education, where a person is taught to think, not fall in line with leftist lemmings. In addition, SMI has set as a goal the development of good character in the young men that would attend the institute. This includes a respect for the ideals of the founders, including honoring God, from whom all our rights are derived. Education, honor, character and respect for the Creator are all things that helped form the foundation of our society. It was these things that led to the development of America being an example for the world, and helped create what some call today, ‘the Greatest Generation’ (remember, the leaders of that generation were educated in universities devoted to honest education, not political correctness, and our military institutions were all-male at the time).

While leadership comes in many forms, and is not limited to men, still to help bring to the table a unique view that is often ignored at the folly of those who ignore it, leadership development in keeping with the ideals of our forefathers concerning liberty and limited government is imperative. Especially when cultivated in the all-male military environment. It is a voice that is desperately needed, and is foolishly ignored today, as the remaining few raised in this tradition fade away with time.

SMI also has as a goal the preservation of the positive traditions of our heritage. This is something that is needed today, now more than ever. The ignorance foisted on our youth blinds them to the mistakes they are making by ignoring the lessons of the past. SMI seeks to remind young men of the folly of arrogance, and the foolishness of putting blinders on concerning the wisdom of our forefathers.

There are many worthy causes out there, most no less deserving than the Southern Military Institute. However, SMI is not just a dream, it is a necessity. This institute will provide future leaders with the kind of character, integrity and leadership that has been lacking from the American scene for the last 30 years. SMI plans to create the same environment that produced the great leaders that came about during the War Between the States, W.W.I and W.W.II. Current military academies have lost their ability to match the quality of their earlier days due to their submission to the politically correct forces inside and outside the federal government. They are forced to compromise their standards do to the fact they accept government funds, and therefore submit to government standards. SMI will be an independent institution that will not be controlled by any government.

It is imperative that those who love liberty, God, and all the rights and traditions that are worthy of praise, support the efforts of the Southern Military Institute. I know everyone asks for money, but SMI, like any new organization, is in need of funds to get established. The men heading this effort have labored for several years to make the Southern Military Institute a reality. We should all do what we can to contribute to this cause, as it seeks to build a true foundation for our future, not merely out of brick, mortar and steel, but out of the minds, bodies and spirits of those who attend SMI.

Look at the universities around where you live. Yes, students can get an education, but it is a jaded one. Young heads are being filled with socialist mush. Wouldn’t you like to know that a cadre of young men who will stand up for all that is good, decent and right in our land are being trained in the truths that created our society? Can’t you help? We need the Southern Military Institute, and the institute needs your help.

Jeff Adams

Editor's Note: Is there such a thing as "limited government"? The history of the world seems to indicate that it is not possible. Even with the concerted efforts of some of the best minds in the world, the Constitution became a tool of government to enslave the people almost before the ink was dry on it. Explore the Von Mises site for more information.

For information on the necessity for private education, see the Alliance for the Separation of School and State.

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