Nuclear hubris
by Robert C. Koehler
1009 words
One thing that becomes clear to me when I wander into the world, and the minds, of geopolitical professionals — government people — is how limited and linear their thinking seems to be.
When I do so, an internal distress signal starts beeping and won’t stop, especially when the issue under discussion is war and mass destruction, i.e., suicide by nukes, which has a freshly intense relevance these days as Team Trump plays war with Iran.
The question for me goes well beyond democracy — the right of the public to have a say in what “we” do as a nation — and penetrates the decision-making process itself and the prevailing definition of what matters . . . and what doesn’t. What doesn’t matter, apparently, is any awareness that we live in one world, connected at the core: that the problems confronting this planet transcend the fragmentary “interests” of single, sovereign entities, even if the primary interest is survival itself.
I fear that this country’s geopolitical thinking and decision-making are incapable of stepping beyond the concept of violent (including thermonuclear) self-defense, or even, indeed, acknowledging that consequences emerge from such actions that go well beyond the strategic considerations that summon them.
Recently, for instance, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, keeper of the annually updated Doomsday Clock, which serves as an international warning signal on the state of global danger from nuclear war and climate change, published an essay by James N. Miller, former undersecretary of Defense for Policy in the Obama administration, defending the fact that the U.S. government maintains a policy that allows “first use” of nuclear weapons under certain circumstances.
The issue of the Bulletin itself, which contained an array of viewpoints, focused on the idea that nuclear decision-making should be a focus of the 2020 presidential race, which certainly makes sense, considering that we live in a country with a national media whose raison d’etre is to simplify presidential elections down to the level of a horse race: complex matters not allowed!
But Miller’s essay, titled “No to No First Use — for Now,” set off, as I say, an internal distress signal that wouldn’t shut up, beginning with the fact that the essay addressed simply this country’s self-granted permission to use nuclear weapons first, before the other guy did, under “extreme circumstances,” if it so chose. What was missing from this essay was any suggestion that nuclear disarmament — no use ever — deserved consideration. This was not up for discussion.
This is thinking contained within artificial borders!
It’s not that Miller isn’t looking at real threats. The U.S. allows itself to consider nuclear first-use if its enemy uses biological or cyber weaponry to ravage America. He writes:
“A biological weapons attack by a nuclear-capable country (such as North Korea) that kills hundreds of thousands or even millions of Americans, while seemingly unlikely, is unfortunately a plausible threat in the coming years or decades. In this scenario, a responsible president could reasonably determine that a conventional attack was inadequate, and that it was appropriate to employ nuclear weapons in response.”
Anyone else feel the thought-squeeze? My amazement and despair begin thus: If an attack or any sort kills “hundreds of thousands or even millions” of . . . uh, people . . . their deaths are instantly belittled if the concern here is that they are Americans. If such an attack is in the realm of possibility — against human beings of any and every nationality — there’s a wider hole in the universe than this author is addressing. The first question put out there must be: Why?
Earlier in the essay, Miller discusses the fact that an attack on the country with chemical weapons probably would not merit a nuclear response, pointing out: “The US military has more than sufficient firepower to inflict proportionate damage (and if desired, more than proportionate damage) in response to any plausible chemical weapons use.”
Inflict proportionate damage? This is national security talk? I mean, this is a discussion at the highest level of government, and it’s reducing national security to a matter of killing them back if they try to kill us, and if we kill a sufficient number of them (but not too many), we’re cool. Here’s where I felt my soul freeze.
So let me make an introduction. James Miller, meet Beatrice Fihn, executive director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, the organization that won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017.
“At dozens of locations around the world — in missile silos buried in our earth, on submarines navigating through our oceans, and aboard planes flying high in our sky — lie 15,000 objects of humankind’s destruction,” Fihn said during her acceptance speech. “Perhaps it is the enormity of this fact, perhaps it is the unimaginable scale of the consequences, that leads many to simply accept this grim reality. To go about our daily lives with no thought to the instruments of insanity all around us. . . .
“As fellow Nobel Peace Laureate, Martin Luther King Jr, called them from this very stage in 1964, these weapons are ‘both genocidal and suicidal.’ They are the madman’s gun held permanently to our temple. These weapons were supposed to keep us free, but they deny us our freedoms.
“It’s an affront to democracy to be ruled by these weapons. But they are just weapons. They are just tools. And just as they were created by geopolitical context, they can just as easily be destroyed by placing them in a humanitarian context.”
And I return to that question I posed earlier: Why?
Why is this level of thinking not present at the highest levels of our government? Power is an enormous paradox. We’re the greatest military superpower on the planet, and this fact is consuming our ability to think and act in a rational and humane manner. Power creates hubris; and the United States of America is one of nine nations inflicted with nuclear hubris. We can tell other nations (e.g., Iran) what to do, but we’re not about to do it ourselves.
Feel safe yet?
–end–
Robert Koehler, syndicated by PeaceVoice, is an award-winning Chicago journalist and editor.
==================
Be wary before bushfire or earthquake donations
(1/16/2020) Salt Lake City, UT. — The fires in Australia have been devastating, with some reports saying over 20.76 million acres of land has been destroyed. Additionally, over 2,000 homes have been destroyed, with at least 28 people reported dead and thousands displaced. An estimated half a billion animal lives have been lost. Many people want to know how they can help provide assistance for displaced families and wildlife, or how to help the brave volunteer firefighters working to put out the flames.
Then, a 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit Puerto Rico last week, which is still struggling to rebuild after the devastation caused by the 2017 Hurricane Maria. This has resulted in structural damage to buildings and massive power outages. There were also reports that some did not have water service. A number of charitable organizations are working to help those impacted by this quake.
BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance has specific advice for those wishing to assist those affected by the Australian bushfires or Puerto Rican earthquakes:
Australian-based charities
If you are considering donating to a charity based in Australia, check the registry of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. While the registration with this government agency does not mean the government is recommending or endorsing the charity, it does signify that the group has filed the appropriate paperwork.
The following Australian charities are raising funds to provide various types of assistance to people or wildlife. While they were not evaluated by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, the American affiliates of these charities are BBB accredited charities:
Some donors may have an interest in contributing to help the firefighters themselves. Local Australian fire service entities known as “brigades” accept donations to carry out their various services. If you wish to support such entities, visit an official Australian government link such as the NSW Rural Fire Service. Be cautious about appeals from those claiming to raise funds for Australian firefighters without any official connection to them. Additionally, your contribution to an Australian organization may not be deductible as a charitable gift.
United States-based charities
There are a number of U.S. charitable organizations that are accepting funding to address the Australian fires as well as the Puerto Rican earthquakes. The following list is made up of BBB Accredited Charities:
—
Our strongest recommendation is to contribute to experienced organizations that meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, particularly in the wake of disasters. Visit Give.org to access reports on these and other charities. Experienced relief organizations are more likely to provide quick and effective assistance. Newly established entities may be well intentioned but may not have the skills and infrastructure to provide immediate help.
—
=============
Hi Sentinel News,
Iowa’s rate of natural disasters has increased by 100% over the last 4 decades, ranking it the 32nd highest rate increase in the nation. From 1980-1999, Iowa had a total of 16 natural disasters. From 2000-2017, it had 32 natural disasters.
QuoteWizard analyzed FEMA natural disaster data to find states that have experienced the highest rate increase of natural disasters from the year 1980 to 1999 compared with 2000 to 2017.
Other key findings:
You can find the full report live here: https://quotewizard.com/news/posts/largest-increase-of-natural-disasters
====================
Drinking Responsibly: 24 Breweries, Distilleries, and Wineries Committed to Sustainability
Dear Friend,
Hello from Washington, DC!
It may be Dry January for some, but there’s no shortage of unique ideas in the alcohol world to become more sustainable. Breweries, wineries, and distilleries around the globe are finding ways to make sure their beverages can help protect the environment.
A winery in Portugal is sending their pressed grapes to be turned into organic fertilizer. A family-owned rum distillery in Colorado is 100 percent wind-powered. A distillery founded by members of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa is producing vodka from lactose sugar in whey, a byproduct of cheese-making. Creative and inspirational stories like these are popping up all over the world of beer, wine, and spirits.
Food Tank is highlighting 24 breweries, wineries, and distilleries making it easier to prioritize the planet during your next night out: Alaskan Brewing Co., Alaska, U.S.; Bakers Best, Leeuwarden, Netherlands; Brewery Vivant, Michigan, U.S.; Copper Crow Distillery, Wisconsin, U.S.; Dry Farm Wines, California, U.S.; Dulce Vida Tequila, Texas, U.S.; Ernest Cider Co., Ontario, Canada; Fetzer Vineyards, California, U.S.; Five & 20 Spirits and Brewing, New York, U.S.; Full Sail Brewing Co., Oregon, U.S.; Frey Ranch Distillery, Nevada, U.S.; Haint Blue Brewing Co., Alabama, U.S.; Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, Virginia, U.S.; Jack Rabbit Hill Farm, Colorado, U.S.; Lubanzi Wines, Cape Town, South Africa; Marble Distilling Co, Colorado, U.S..; Montanya Distillers LLC, Colorado, U.S.; New Belgium Brewing Company, Colorado, U.S.; Novo Fogo, Morretes, Brazil; Perlage Winery, Veneto, Italy; Sawmill Brewery, Matakana, New Zealand; Swilled Dog Hard Cider, West Virginia, U.S.; Symington Family Estates, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal; and Toast Ale, London, U.K. and New York, U.S.
Read more about the ways these producers are encouraging their communities and customers to think sustainably by CLICKING HERE.
What food and beverage producers in your cStandards of Trust.
USDA Announces Plenary Speakers for the 2020 Agricultural Outlook Forum
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces plenary speakers for the 2020 Agricultural Outlook Forum (AOF), to be held Feb. 20–21, 2020, in Arlington, Va., under the theme “The Innovation Imperative: Shaping the Future of Agriculture.”
The opening plenary session will feature a fireside chat between Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and John Hartnett, Founder and CEO of SVG Ventures, a platform of corporations, universities, and investors focused on the food and agriculture industries. Secretary Perdue and Mr. Hartnett will discuss the future of agriculture, challenges facing the sector, and emerging solutions that could address them.
The fireside discussion will be followed by a panel titled “Innovation as a solution for farmers,” which will bring together industry leaders to speak about various aspects of innovation and implications for farmers. Speakers at the plenary panel include:
The session will be moderated by John Newton, Chief Economist at the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Also during the Thursday morning session, USDA Chief Economist Robert Johansson will unveil the Department’s outlook for U.S. commodity markets and trade in 2020 and discuss the U.S. farm income situation.
Along with the plenary presentations, Forum attendees can choose from 30 sessions with more than 90 speakers. Among the concurrent track sessions and topics supporting this year’s theme are: innovations in agriculture, global trade trends, food loss and waste, frontiers in conservation, and the science of food safety. Participants can also take part in a pre-forum field trip on February 19, which will feature a local urban farm enterprise and a visit with scientists who conduct research on microgreens, locally adapted fruit varieties and other urban farming topics at USDA’s Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. A nominal fee covers transportation and a boxed lunch.
Now in its 96th year, the Agricultural Outlook Forum is USDA’s largest annual meeting and the sector’s premier event, attracting around 1,600 attendees each year from the U.S. and abroad. The forum highlights key issues and timely topics affecting the agriculture sector, offering a platform for exchanging information and ideas among producers, processors, policymakers, government officials, and non-governmental organizations, both foreign and domestic.
Visit the Agricultural Outlook Forum website to register, reserve discounted room rates, join the pre-forum field trip, or apply for the USDA Future Leaders in Agriculture Program. Follow the conversation at #AgOutlook on USDA’s Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
#=============
Neste Corporation, News, 16 January 2020
Neste’s new campaign has basketball player Lauri Markkanen dunking for a good cause. This season, Chicago Bulls player Lauri Markkanen will be taking more than just his game to cities around the US. A series of basketball dunks designed by Markkanen will help raise awareness for extreme weather brought on by rising temperatures.
“The world hits new record average temperatures year on year, and catastrophic weather has been on the increase. More and more people as well as companies have already realized the seriousness of this issue. We hope that this collaboration with Lauri will help spread the message to new audiences. As a company focusing on renewable and circular solutions, fighting climate change is at the core of our business,” says Neste’s Marketing Director Sirpa Tuomi.
“As a young dad, the future of our planet is especially important to me. We should stop and think about the planet we are leaving for future generations. To me, this is an important message and I am happy I can bring it across America,” says Markkanen.
Markkanen has created namesake dunks for different types of weather, such as blizzards, hurricanes and flash floods. The five dunks will be premiered ahead of selected away games during the spring.
“The dunks will help spread awareness of the direct link between global warming and the increase in extreme weather. The clock is ticking, and we must act now if we are to tackle climate change. We need to develop innovative and renewable solutions but also help those in need. For every point scored by Markkanen in these five games, Neste will donate USD 1,000 to a disaster relief fund in the US to aid victims of natural disasters,” Tuomi adds.
The first dunk will be premiered on Markkanen’s social media channels on 16 January 2020. The Blizzard dunk calls attention to the increased occurrence of blizzards in the Philadelphia area, attributed to climate change: five of the top ten largest snowstorms ever recorded in the city have occurred since 1996.
Throughout the NBA season, the climate dunks will be launched online at neste.com/climatedunks.
Further information: Sirpa Tuomi, Marketing Director, Neste. Please contact Neste’s media service, tel. +358 50 458 5076 / media@neste.com (weekdays from 8.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. EET).
Read more:
Watch film
Watch the first dunk
Climate dunks project website
Press release on Neste collaboration with Lauri Markkanen (27 Nov 2018)
Neste in brief
Neste (NESTE, Nasdaq Helsinki) creates sustainable solutions for transport, business, and consumer needs. Our wide range of renewable products enable our customers to reduce climate emissions. We are the world's largest producer of renewable diesel refined from waste and residues, introducing renewable solutions also to the aviation and plastics industries. We are also a technologically advanced refiner of high-quality oil products. We want to be a reliable partner with widely valued expertise, research, and sustainable operations. In 2018, Neste's revenue stood at EUR 14.9 billion. In 2019, Neste placed 3rd on the Global 100 list of the most sustainable companies in the world. Read more: neste.com
Lauri Markkanen
Lauri Markkanen is a Finnish professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association. With roots in the untouched nature of central Finland, Lauri has risen from a unique environment to celebrity status, and discovered a platform to make a difference. Known for his achievements on the court, he is also set to become a forerunner in raising awareness for environmental issues.
www.facebook.com/MarkkanenLauri/
www.instagram.com/laurimarkkanen/
===============
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
561-383-3000, Ext. 2527
Big O Tires Location in Salt Lake City Celebrates Sales Milestone
Palm Beach Gardens, FL – January 16, 2020 – Big O Tires, LLC, one of North America's largest retail tire franchisors with nearly 460 locations, is proud to recognize its franchisees Kent and Kory Coleman and their team in Salt Lake City, Utah, for their recent accomplishment of $8 million in annual sales at their location at 924 S 300 W. The shop, the first of the Colemans’s six franchises with the Big O Tires® brand, has 18 bays, is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art service equipment, and was designed with customers in mind.
With six locations in Utah, the Colemans believe the recipe for success lies in investing in their business, their people, their facilities and their community to create a long-term impact. They have successfully created a workplace their team members are proud of and continually strive to exceed customer expectations. The proof can be found in their recent success, the positive feedback from their team and in the form of the recognition they have received. The International Franchise Association named them as Franchisee of the Year in 2014 and Big O Tires announced them as Franchisee of the Year at its 2018 convention.
“This milestone is very important to us, however, what’s even more rewarding is the pride that our teammates exude as a result,” recognized Kent. “We’re fortunate to work with a team of more than 100 right here in Utah and an extended team of supportive fellow franchisees and a corporate support group throughout the country. Our goal has been and will continue to be to exceed the expectations of our customers and to continue developing our people, processes and facilities to be the best Big O Tires we can be for our community.”
Kent and Kory attribute their success to the hard work of all team members, to best-in-class customer service and to making sure that everyone knows that they are an integral member of the team and they are appreciated.
“Kent and Kory are exemplary franchisees - they exemplify the team you trust,” said John Kairys, Vice President & General Manager for Big O Tires. “We’ve been fortunate to work alongside the team since 2006 and have witnessed the strength of the team and their willingness to go above and beyond for one another and for their customers; their commitment to excellence is second to none.”
# # #
ABOUT BIG O TIRES
Big O Tires, LLC has 458 franchisee-owned stores primarily located in the Western and Midwestern United States. It is a subsidiary of TBC Corporation. For more information, visit BigOTires.com.
===========
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact:
Marketing Services
Tel: 888-519-5121
Fax: 812-961-3133
Email: pressreleases@authorhouse.com
(When requesting a review copy, please provide a street address.)
New book hopes to spark interest in aviation amidst pilot shortage worldwide
Captain James F “Jim” Vaughan publishes ’Thanks for the Great Flight’
HOOPER, Utah –Captain James F “Jim” Vaughan releases his autobiography “Thanks for the Great Flight” (published by AuthorHouse) hoping to spark interest in the commercial aviation industry as well as to enlighten the public of the worldwide pilot shortage.
The flight instructor gives a sneak peek on the training and preparations that go into obtaining a pilot license. He takes the readers on an actual Airline Transport Pilot check-flight and describes the sensations and maneuvers that all pilots are required to master. Here is an excerpt taken from the book:
I walked over to John, wanting to pass him my small gift I had packed for this occasion. I shook his hand, and congratulated him for a successful first Type Rating up-grade. I offered him a little baggie, containing a pair of four gray- stripe Captain Pilot Epaulets our former Chief Pilot at Zantop, Bob Weir awarded me the day I passed my first Type Rating August 1984.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there are 633,317 pilots in the United States alone as of 2018. The shortage is due to number of pilots reaching the retirement age of 65, expensive training and difficult FAA requirements. Boeing predicts that airlines will need 790,000 new pilots in the next 20 years. Vaughan hopes that readers are able to gain better understanding of the ins and outs of the aviation industry so that it will ease anxiety for aspiring pilots.
“Thanks for the Great Flight”
By Captain James F " Jim " Vaughan
Hardcover | 6x9 in | 346 pages | ISBN 9781728327037
Softcover | 6x9 in | 346 pages | ISBN 9781728327051
E-Book | 346 pages | ISBN 9781728327044
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
About the Author
Captain James F " Jim " Vaughan enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after high school and served in Vietnam in 1967. He is married for 50 years and two children. He enjoys antique cars and vintage airplanes. He logged nearly 25,000 flying hours. Currently maintains a flight instructor certificate since 1974. Vaughan currently resides in Utah.
AuthorHouse, an Author Solutions, Inc. self-publishing imprint, is a leading provider of book publishing, marketing, and bookselling services for authors around the globe and offers the industry’s only suite of Hollywood book-to-film services. Committed to providing the highest level of customer service, AuthorHouse assigns each author personal publishing and marketing consultants who provide guidance throughout the process. Headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, AuthorHouse celebrates over 23 years of service to authors. For more information or to publish a book visit authorhouse.com or call 1-888-519-5121.
===================
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact:
Marketing Services
Tel: 888-795-4274
Fax: 812-355-4079
Email: MarketingServices@xlibris.com
(When requesting a review copy, please provide a street address.)
‘Where Did Nicky Go?’ is set to be available on the market
AUBURN, N.H. – Lucy Geddes releases her new children’s book “Where Did Nicky Go?” (published by Xlibris) to pay tribute to her family’s late dog.
Years ago, Lucy Geddes’ family had a golden retriever named Nicky. When he was 13, their veterinarian discovered a tumor. Being told that he was too old for an operation and had limited time left, they gave him lots of love and enjoyed him until he died. Knowing the difficulty of losing a pet, this urged her to write a children’s book to help comfort children through the grieving process.
“Where Did Nicky Go?” is a heartwarming story about a little boy who has just lost his dog and is having difficulty going through the grieving process. With the help of his parents and a friend, he is finally able to move on.
“I hope that my young readers will know that it's okay to be sad, angry, confused and have lots of questions when they lose a pet or someone close to them. I hope this story will help them to seek out help from close relatives and/or friends in order to get some answers and closure,” Geddes counsels.
“Where Did Nicky Go?”
By Lucy Geddes
Softcover | 8.5x8.5 in | 48 pages | ISBN 9781796059175
E-Book | 48 pages | ISBN 9781796059182
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
About the Author
Lucy Geddes has always made books and storytelling a major part of her life, whether through teaching in the classroom, reading to her children or creating stories with her grandchildren. She lives with her husband in New Hampshire where she enjoys swimming, kayaking, biking, cross-country skiing, traveling, sewing, crocheting and cross-stitching. “Where Did Nicky Go?” is her first book.
Xlibris Publishing, an Author Solutions, LLC imprint, is a self-publishing services provider created in 1997 by authors, for authors. By focusing on the needs of creative writers and artists and adopting the latest print-on-demand publishing technology and strategies, we provide expert publishing services with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, custom leather-bound and full-color formats. To date, Xlibris has helped to publish more than 60,000 titles. For more information, visit xlibris.com or call 1-888-795-4274 to receive a free publishing guide.
=========================
Good Afternoon,
ASSE International Student Exchange Programs is excited to work with families in your community who are interested in hosting High School Foreign Exchange Students this upcoming school year. Thanks in advance for sharing the following PSA in your publication(s) over the coming days.
Warm regards,
Courtney
Courtney Wade
ASSE Western Regional Director
19751 E. Mainstreet, Suite 210
Parker, CO 80138
Toll Free: +1 (800) 733-2773
Tel: +1 (720) 452-1522
Fax: +1 (720) 889-9488
Web: www.asse.com
Public Service Announcement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Non-Profit/Tax Exempt ID# 95-3034133
January 2020
ASSE Student Exchange Program, a highly respected, non-profit, public-benefit organization, is seeking local host families for high school boys and girls from Scandinavia, France, Germany, Italy, Thailand, China, South Korea, and the former Soviet Republics. Students are already awaiting word on who their host families will be for the 2020-2021 academic school year. If your goal was to try something new for the new-year, this will fulfill that! Host families provide room, board, and guidance for a teenager(s) living thousands of miles from home. Couples, single parents, and families with or without children in the home are all encouraged to apply.
The exchange students arrive from their home country shortly before the 2020-2021 school year begins and each ASSE student is fully insured, brings his/her own personal spending money and expects to bear his/her share of household responsibilities, as well as being included in normal family activities and lifestyles.
If you are interested in opening your home and sharing your family life with a young person from abroad, please contact us today for more information, call (800) 733-2773, go online at www.ASSEhosts.com or email asseusawest@asse.com
=============
Did someone forward this email to you? Sign up for your own updates.
In late 2019, we defined Blaine Amendments and explained how states differ in their interpretations of these amendments, which prevent government money from flowing to faith-based institutions. Next week the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) will hear oral arguments in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, which questions the constitutionality of so-called “Blaine Amendments” that are found in 37 state constitutions.
Blaine Amendments were crafted in the late 19th century amidst rising anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic sentiment in the United States. The original Blaine Amendment proposed that “… No money raised by taxation in any state for the support of public schools, or derived from any public fund … shall ever be under the control of any religious sect.”
Although each state’s Blaine Amendment is different, all prohibit the transfer of government funds to faith-based institutions. The named plaintiff, Kendra Espinoza, along with two other Montana families, claims that this prohibition is unconstitutional. If SCOTUS decides in their favor, a large hurdle will be removed for families that want to utilize government funding to attend faith-based private schools.
A decision against Espinoza could create a formidable policy environment for school choice advocates who have seen private school choice grow to include 26 states. An unfavorable decision could halt the possibility of states enacting new choice programs that include the options for families to send their children to religious private schools. While it is difficult to speculate about the precise nature of the school choice reform landscape in an environment following a decision against Espinoza, choice advocates know that a narrow interpretation or a decision against Espinoza could halt their progress.
If SCOTUS decides that students do have a right to access private schools with government funds, what could happen? In the immediate aftermath of a Supreme Court decision in favor of Espinoza, states will lose the ability to evoke Blaine Amendments as constitutional defense against the flow of state money to faith-based institutions. But, a decision for Espinoza does not mean that states will be inclined to create and implement new legislation. Even if some states do pass legislation, others might find reasons to avoid doing so.
Perhaps a decision in favor of Espinoza could result in the creation or expansion of voucher, tax-credit scholarship, education savings accounts and other legislation throughout the country. This would be a victory for advocates of private school choice, who aim for families who want alternatives to locally assigned districts to have them.
The importance of the upcoming Espinoza case cannot be overstated. Over 500,000 students nationwide currently benefit education choice, with scores more on waiting lists. Clearly, when school choice works well, parents demand more of it. Irrespective of the ultimate decision by the Supreme Court, 2020 looks to be an eventful year for school choice.
