The MCPP team talks about the good we have seen from individuals and many private companies during the coronavirus pandemic and the hope we see from the return of sports. Some good news for your day.
America finds itself facing an unprecedented adversary at the moment. This invisible enemy of coronavirus has challenged us deeply, but has also brought out the best in people as we come together in community.
Indeed, the best of America has been showcased during this crisis as we continue to fight though this.
For over 220 years now, Mississippi has been a part of this American community, united by the common values we share. On this day, April 7th, in 1798, Mississippi first became an official territory of the United States, setting it on a historic path.
In so doing, we recognized our belief in a fundamental set of principles founded on liberty, freedom, and personal responsibility. We joined a society governed by the Constitution, a document that empowered the people instead of a king and wrote into law an unprecedented form of republican governance.
In 1795, through an agreement with Spain, most commonly referred to as Pinckney’s Treaty, in honor of the American diplomat who negotiated it, the United States settled territorial disputes and Spain released its claims over swaths of land in what is now Mississippi and Alabama, paving the way for American control and formal governance in the region.
Mississippi was the product of a famed migration that occurred among American colonists following the victory in the Revolutionary War. Population dramatically jumped and Mississippi quickly went from a territory to a state by 1820. So quickly was migration to the Mississippi territory growing that some in the old Southern colonial states worried over this population flight, even referring to it as the “Mississippi Fever.”
Poor agricultural practices and expanded farms left the older agricultural states with little land left available. So, hundreds of thousands of Americans pushed west in search of new land and opportunity. In Mississippi, they found a vast untamed wilderness, but also fertile soil. It wasn’t long before the agricultural economy quickly developed, and with it came slavery, a continued stain on the promise of freedom.
With the imperfection of man comes the inability to ever achieve perfection in regards to the ideals towards which we strive: freedom, liberty, personal responsibility. And yet, there is something remarkable about having the ability to trace one’s beliefs through generations to those who laid the foundations for our current governance structure.
On this day, in 1798, Mississippi took a major step forward. In joining the United States, we were partnered to a fundamentally revolutionary idea. Through self-government and republican rule, our nation was making history. As we look back on this story, well over 200 years down the line, it is remarkable to understand the challenges that were faced, the hurdles that were overcome, and the incessant march, to which we are still committed, which centers around constantly seeking to better uphold the freedoms that we committed to in 1798.
Whether you are a leader in politics, a business, nonprofit, church, school, or community, you are probably asking yourself how you are going lead your team into the new unknown of the coronavirus pandemic.
It is true that this crisis is unprecedented in many ways, but that is no reason to lose heart. Leaders throughout history have often met and overcome unprecedented challenges in their own times. What can we learn from their examples?
Steady nerves
The Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius certainly knew a thing or two about leadership through crisis. During his reign, Rome suffered from severe flooding, famine, invasion, and its own viral pandemic that killed up to 2,000 Romans per day and eventually resulted in the deaths of 5 million people. In his influential writings now known as The Meditations, Marcus recorded many of the leadership lessons he learned from these tumultuous times.
Marcus wrote that a leader must remain calm and display confidence to those around them. Leaders cannot appear uncertain of their decisions or panicked. Fear is contagious, but so is calmness. Leaders also don’t complain, blame others, or become rattled. Instead, leaders exhibit strength and courage in the face of daunting challenges.
Meticulous planning – and adaptability
As the military maxim reminds us, no plan lasts beyond initial contact with the enemy. While this may be true, there is a paradoxical need to plan carefully anyway, especially for emergencies.
As President Dwight Eisenhower put it: “Plans are worthless, but planning is everything. There is a very great distinction because when you are planning for an emergency you must start with this one thing: the very definition of ‘emergency’ is that it is unexpected, therefore it is not going to happen the way you are planning.”
If the plans will change, why does planning matter? Because the planning process itself requires thorough exploration of all the relevant variables, contingencies, and opportunities. The knowledge gained during that process can be quickly applied as the facts on the ground unfold.
Relentlessness
George Washington’s will for the continental army – and the revolutionary cause – to survive a disastrous supply crisis during the freezing winter at Valley Forge embodies the inspiring relentlessness that leaders must have during times of crisis.
By definition, a crisis is challenging, unpredictable, and often dangerous. In order to succeed, leaders need others to devote themselves fully to overcoming those challenges. A leader who is not personally committed to the cause will never inspire others to meet the challenge.
Humility
President Abraham Lincoln’s leadership qualities were also forged in turbulent times. When he entered office, the country was on the brink of a civil war that would soon leave over 600,000 Americans dead at the hands of their fellow countrymen.
Lincoln knew that leaders in crisis must be secure enough to realize that they don’t have all the answers, willing to rely on their team for potential insights, and able to learn from their mistakes. He provided the most famous example of this type of humility, recruiting a “team of rivals” who often challenged his views. Spirited debates were a hallmark of Lincoln’s cabinet, and he made better decisions because of these rigorous exchanges.
Selflessness
The entire point of leadership – especially in times of crisis – is to serve those in the leader’s charge.
The importance of selfless leadership has been displayed for generations by Marine Corps drill instructors - the leaders of new recruits who enter boot camp. Recruits never see their drill instructors eat, drink, sleep, sit down, or visit the restroom. This strategy reinforces to the recruits that, despite all the demands the drill instructors place on them, they have their recruits’ best interest at heart. The drill instructors make sure the recruits’ physical needs are met, while never seeming to have the same concern for themselves.
By the end of boot camp, young men and women have been transformed into United States Marines, capable of working together to accomplish dangerous missions under extraordinarily difficult circumstances, while following leaders who they know are looking out for the team.
That’s what selfless leadership can accomplish.
This is the third of a three-part series, Perspectives of a Pandemic.
Terror has washed over the globe as a virus has compromised hundreds of thousands of people. In an age where the world is more connected than ever, this Flu-like illness is stoking fear across the global population and humbling the economy. The year is not 2020, but 1918. As the Spanish Flu ravaged communities, many feared for the worst.
However, the similarities between these pandemics largely end there. In 1918, the world found itself amidst the first truly global war as the preeminent powers raged against each other. Millions of soldiers were dug into trenches in close-quarters with largely unhygienic conditions. Medical knowledge failed to adequately comprehend the virus or its spread. As we organize a global response to a similar Flu-like illness, it’s critically important to recognize that we are a changed society, and that the only common line between 1918 and today is the fear that is inherent to human nature. The question at hand is whether we will allow that fear to paralyze us.
During the Spanish Flu pandemic, individuals were largely forced to forego treatment as little could be done, medically, to better their condition. Nurses, instead had to simply attempt to ease suffering in patients. Today, private and public groups alike are quickly moving forward on all fronts to develop a vaccine for the long term, and countries around the world are developing more effective short term treatments as we speak.
Today, every news outlet, Twitter feed, Facebook post, and article seem to discuss one thing and one thing only: the virus. Voices repetitively echo stories that continue to provoke fear amongst the population. Our society is connected more than ever before, just as we seemed to be in 1918, yet now we have quicker access to news and updates from around the globe in an instant, for better or for worse.
Yet, if fear is our worst enemy, hope is its counter. As we continue to press deeper into this crisis, I have found that it is the moments that highlight our shared humanity which ring the loudest and serve as the brightest points of light in an otherwise dark world, whether it be a video of Italians collectively singing from their balconies or an individual taking time to sew masks from home.
Fortunately, we don’t find ourselves in the depths of a world war, as we did in 1918, but similar lessons stand true. While we fear this sickness, it is impossible to put on pause all the events of the world, and those who serve essential causes during this time prove to be inherent testaments to that fact.
While restaurants were beginning to close, people were panic-buying toilet paper at grocery stores, and employees were adjusting to working from home, my dad sent me an email. From the other side of the world he sent me a picture of a fighter jet landing on his aircraft carrier as a double rainbow shown in the distance. I was shaken by the picture. While so many stoked fear, he and his men were carrying on, going months on end without a port visit, to continue to defend critical shipping lanes and defend the American homeland.
Thousands of Americans continue to serve their communities in vital roles. While many work from home, our police officers, nurses, doctors, soldiers, and fire fighters continue to stand on the front lines, offering a semblance of order in a society that is being overwhelmed with chaos.
While nations currently don’t rage against each other, all are forced to fight against a common enemy. And, while not all of us stand on the front lines of this current crisis, each of us plays an important role in countering this invisible enemy. It is vital that we seek to minimize factors that could spread this virus, like unnecessary travel and group interactions. We can not trivialize our role, for the lives of our community members may well rest in the choices that each of us make, whether we are sick or not.
The question that is worth asking is how we can each be as a double rainbow, a small bit of light brightening somebody else’s day during this crisis. Each of us has capacity in our own ways, whether it be through prayer, the making of donations through money or blood drives, or the giving of our time to local causes.
We have come a long way since 1918. Today we respond to this pandemic with an enhanced capacity to analyze and ultimately counter it. True control over our future lies not just in the political leadership of a nation or on the researchers pursuing a cure, it lies with the everyday American. Our decisions over the coming weeks and perhaps months will decide the ultimate fate of this virus. We must not allow ourselves to become burdened or crippled by fear, for only in seeing hope and recalling each other’s shared humanity can we keep level heads and carry ourselves in a way that minimizes the spread of this virus and uplifts those who are currently suffering.
This is the second of a three-part series, Perspectives of a Pandemic.
We certainly live in unique and challenging times. This pandemic is real. But, it’s helpful to remember that our forefathers lived in really tough times too, and endured even more uncertainty.
With raised concern for our families and loved ones over the Coronavirus and worry over the related economic fallout, we all have a lot to stress about. We pray that you and your family are safe and healthy. If you want to let us know your status through an email, phone call, or social media post, we would love to hear from you and know that you are safe.
As we all do our part to help each other in this strange time, I wanted to let you know that MCPP and MJI are continuing to advance our important mission every day. For the safety of our employees, we have given everyone the option to do their jobs remotely for the time being. Wherever we work, we will continue to make the urgent case for limited government, strong families, free markets, and personal responsibility. Doing so is now more important than ever. We have cases to litigate, opinions to write, and bills to advance. Liberty needs to continue to expand so that Mississippi can be on the high road to freedom.
While there is an important role for government to play in times like these, MCPP and MJI have an absolute obligation to protect your rights and ensure state and local policies are appropriate, sensible and limited. And while we certainly need the flexibility to address difficult challenges like the COVID-19 virus presents, we also need to remember that the reason we are so strong as a civil society is that we always prioritize liberty and constitutional principles, and we get the best results when we attack these challenges with free enterprise, creativity, and private institutions, and not with excessive government. We will continue to remind our policymakers and our fellow Mississippians of that in the days ahead.
Over the coming weeks, we will witness how innovations like telemedicine play an outsized role in minimizing the spread of the Coronavirus, and how lifting regulations may lead to an expedited vaccine. We will witness how flexible remote work policies and technology allow so many of us to keep our jobs and continue providing services to those who need them. We’ll also witness how disruptive innovations, like in-home delivery, allow consumers to receive food right to our doorstep. We’ll highlight for our readers and supporters how so-called “price gouging” is a fundamental misunderstanding of how markets work. If we want to ensure an abundance of something, we should let suppliers respond to market signals. If we want to ensure the scarcity of something, we should let the government institute price fixing and rationing.
During the next few weeks or months of social distancing, I encourage you to stay in touch with us and contribute to the conversation about the importance of maintaining our shared values and principles during these difficult times. We promise to continue serving as an effective voice for liberty in Mississippi, now more than ever. We appreciate and value your standing with us as our work continues.
In Mississippi, it is legal to have an abortion because the preborn child’s race, sex, or disability is not preferred by the baby’s parents.
This has prompted Rep. Carolyn Crawford (R-Pass Christian) and Sen. Jenifer Branning (R-Philadelphia) to bring the Life Equality Act to Mississippi. This proposed law would prohibit abortions from taking place because of the preborn child’s race, sex, or disability.
We should not tolerate the terminal discrimination of preborn children because some extended families do not approve of interracial relationships, or because a parent prefers to have a son to a daughter. Still more common is the termination of those with disabilities, a tragedy that no one would attempt to justify outside of the womb.
A medical review looked at seven population-based studies and found that the average abortion rate after a Down Syndrome diagnosis was 67 percent. A comprehensive survey facilitated by the Charlotte Lozier Institute took opinions of people with Down Syndrome and their families and found the following:
- 99% of people with Down syndrome are happy with their lives
- 97% of people with Down syndrome like who they are
- 97% of brothers/sisters, ages 9-11, said they love their sibling
One only has to spend a brief moment with an individual who has Down Syndrome to witness the joy they bring into a room. Many individuals with Down Syndrome go on to live independently, attend university, marry, and maintain jobs.
However, even if these facts were not the case, individuals with Down Syndrome have an unalienable right to life. Down Syndrome and many other disabilities come as heartbreaking news to expectant mothers. Some disabilities display themselves so prominently in children that they are unable to walk, eat independently, or use the restroom alone. Some diagnoses in the womb are terminal or tragically involve the early death of babies and young children.
None of this should be minimized.
What do we, Mississippi, say of these lives?
It is unfathomable to those of us who have not faced an unforeseen diagnosis of a preborn child to know the emotions and financial strain these parents face. It is up to us, Mississippi, to step up, come alongside these parents, and support them. Over 40 privately funded pregnancy resource centers provide free, confidential resources and information for families facing a diagnosis. Local non-profits, churches, and local support groups offer emotional and financial support to families with children with disabilities. We certainly have room to improve and increase these services in Mississippi, but improving the world for families with disabilities requires respect for their lives, not the promotion of abortion.
For terminal cases when infants only live for a short time after birth or have a chance of passing away in the womb, perinatal hospice and palliative care programs are available to Mississippians. Care for the mother and preborn child is the ethical response to severe anomalies. Abortion does not resolve cases where a lethal fetal anomaly exists; it merely destroys the life of one of the patients. Patients and their families can and should be offered the ethical options of perinatal hospice or palliative care to support them in the same way we do families with an adult member for whom treatment has become futile. Even a brief life has meaning.
There are times diagnoses do not result in a worst case scenario. A woman in Flowood, Tina Oates, was pressured by doctors in Mississippi to abort her son, Coit, after she contracted Cytomegalovirus. In some cases, CMV passed through the placenta during pregnancy leads to disabilities in the child. Tina’s family went against persistent medical objections, sought treatment, and have a perfectly healthy little boy today.
Even in non-fatal cases, evidence suggests that as many as 95% of parents receiving a prenatal diagnosis of cystic fibrosis elect to abort the child. Madison resident Joseph Edge, MBA student at Millsaps and MSU Alum, has battled Cystic Fibrosis since birth. He has endured extended hospital stays and emotional and physical hurdles due to his condition. This brilliant young man is loved by his community, loves his bulldogs, and his life is certainly no less valuable than ours.
Consider this Mississippi child, 13-year old Joseph Smith, born with Muscular Atrophy. He is adored by his community, church, and large family as the youngest of seven children. He is unable to walk, speak in full sentences, or eat orally. He requires very regular medical attention and assistance from his family for most daily functions. Joseph has favorites—cowboys and zoo animals. He has dislikes—thunderstorms and the cold. He’s friendly and loving and communicates mostly with gestures and expressions. His life is of equal value to everyone else’s. It’s time for our laws to catch up to that self-evident truth.
Each life has an inherently equal value, no matter the race, sex, or ability of the individual. Mississippi has the chance to be a national leader on this issue and can affirmatively state that it rejects the throwaway culture so prevalent in our society today. The Life Equality Act does just that and deserves to be made law.
MCPP’s Jon Pritchett and Hunter Estes recorded Unlicensed from the campus of Ole Miss this week as they talked about campus free speech, speech codes, and how we can pay college athletes with revenue from sports gambling.
A bill that would’ve required teams to be designated for one biological sex or the other died without a committee vote on Tuesday, but the idea has found new life attached to another bill.
Sen. Angela Hill (R-Picayune), along with senators Chris McDaniel (R-Ellisville) and Melanie Sojourner (R-Natchez) attached an amendment to Senate Bill 2351 concerning the state’s public high athletics sanctioning body, the Mississippi High School Activities Association.
The bill would require the MHSAA, which is a non-profit corporation chartered by the state, to adhere to the state’s Open Meetings Act.
Her amendment would prevented public school districts from having to join and pay membership dues to the MHSAA or any other sanctioning body that allowed biological males to compete against biological females in sports. While not as expansive as her original legislation, Senate Bill 2240, the amendment accomplishes the goal of keeping biological males from competing against females in sports.
The amendment passed 34-12 and the overall bill passed by a 32-15 margin. It’s being held on a motion to reconsider, meaning the Senate needs to take it up again before sending it to the House.
The problem of biological males competing against females is an issue with vast statewide support that even cuts across partisan lines. According to a recent poll by Mason Dixon, 79 percent of the 625 registered voters in the poll said they would support a law prohibiting biological males from competing in female-only sporting leagues. Seventeen percent opposed such a law.
According to the poll, 65 percent of Democrats, 83 percent of independents and 87 percent of Republicans favored the legislation.
SB 2240 would’ve required any public school, university, or community college team to be either designated for those of one biological sex or the other (in addition to an exception for co-ed teams). It died without a vote in committee on the March 3 deadline.
The legislation also had a clause that would allow any student who reports a violation of the law and is retaliated against by the school or other athletic association to have the right to injunctive relief and damages. Another would’ve allowed a student whose bodily privacy was violated to have the same rights.
A bill in the Mississippi legislature would require sports teams at the state’s public schools, universities and community colleges to be designated only for one biological sex.
Senate Bill 2240 would require any public school, university or community college team to be either designated for those of one biological sex or the other (in addition to an exception for co-ed teams).
The legislation also has a clause that would allow any student who reports a violation of the law and is retaliated against by the school or other athletic association to have the right to injunctive relief and damages.
Another would allow a student whose bodily privacy was violated to have the same rights.
The bill is sponsored by state Sen. Angela Hill (R-Picayune).
While there haven’t been any cases of those born as males competing against girls in Mississippi, the issue has become a nationwide one as 17 states allow transgender high school athletes to compete without restrictions.
Three high school girls who run track in Connecticut filed a lawsuit Wednesday to challenge Connecticut’s policy of allowing male athletes to compete with girls in sports. They are represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom.
The three — Selina Soule, Alanna Smith, and Chelsea Mitchell — have been beaten consistently in track meets by a pair of transgender athletes born as males.
The lawsuit says the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference’s rules allowing transgender athletes to compete with girls poses a threat to Title IX because of physiological differences between men and women after puberty. Boys and men have more muscle mass and thus run faster and jump farther than girls and women.
Since 2017, two males have taken 15 women’s state championship titles in Connecticut. The U.S. Office for Civil Rights launched an investigation in August 2019 into Connecticut’s policy. The complaint was also filed by the Alliance Defending Freedom.
Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination in educational institutions that receive federal funds. The law, which was passed in 1972, has led to a massive growth in the number of number of athletic opportunities for women. According to the NCAA, the number of female athletes in in 1982 was 74,239. By 2019, that number grew to 221,042, an increase of 197 percent.
Mississippi, Montana, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia are the only states that have no policies toward male athletes competing against females.
A similar bill to SB 2240 stalled in committee in the Alabama legislature.