On July 14, KSL reported “Utah State Board of Education member Natalie Cline under board investigation.”
We learn from the article, Utah State Board of Education spokesperson Kelsey James, described the investigation due to “recent social media posts” along with “one other unknown situation.”
We are told the hotline has received over 1,000 complaints and 87 concerned Natalie Cline, since September 2021. To break the 87 down, there were 22 on different topics.
The current complaint was based on “recent comments over a staff member’s gender orientation, recent social posts, and one other unknown situation,” that Cline had allegedly violated the State Board of Education board bylaws.
“USBE leadership strongly disapproves of recent social media statements by one board member that schools are ‘complicit in the grooming of children for sex trafficking’ and ‘brainwashing them into queer, gender-bending ideologies.” (1)
In the Utah State Board of Education statement, we learn how the “USBE leadership strongly disapproves” of Cline’s social media posts from her observation, experience and her investigative work into the educational material that is being taught to Utah students.
“Such an allegation against schools generally is inflammatory, divisive and unfair to Utah’s teachers, who put Utah’s students first every day and interfere with efforts to provide thoughtful solutions to difficult issues. We also condemn any harassment or discrimination against teachers or students on the basis of sexual orientation as provided by Utah law.” (1)
Let’s investigate and look into Cline’s allegations on how the schools “are complicit in the grooming of children for sex trafficking” and “brainwashing them into queer, gender-bending ideologies,” were “inflammatory, divisive and unfair to Utah’s teachers.”
“The art of” investigation “consists in looking not merely at the immediate but at the longer effects of any act or policy; it consists in tracing the consequences of that policy not merely for one group but for all groups.” (2)
When one really investigates, evaluates and compares the “immediate” and long term effects of “any act or policy,” one should trace “the consequences of that policy” for everyone involved in order to conceive of the bigger picture; “the entire perspective on a situation or issue —used with the the whole story of something; a complete view of something.”
Every elected official from local school boards, city council, county commissioners, to state legislatures to our Federal representatives has a duty to investigate every policy, statue and law this way.
When we elect these representatives, it is their job, responsibility and duty to look over the content with a fine-tooth comb; in essence to “examine each small part of it very carefully” and to understand each and every effect of the policy being reviewed and implemented from short term to long term consequences and direction our country is heading.
After reviewing the material, the elected official will usually vote on the information collectively with the body of men and women. If the elected official believes the material to be an issue, they still have several choices. They can either remain quiet and accept the vote as is, or they can take it to the media, or to the people themselves by various means, including social media.
An elected official should not be censored, edited, restricted or blacklisted for sharing their investigation and asking for further assistance into the matter by asking the public to take a more detailed approach, by a deep dive into the material at hand; as Natalie understands an elected official; they are “deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” (5).
I view what Natalie is doing, is returning to the “governed,” and asking us to do our duty and due diligence by calling an audible and doing a course correction on the representatives if they are taking the wrong direction.
She is doing exactly what she is suppose to do as an elected official; by awakening the public from their apathy, indifference and disconnect to be engaged and keep an eye on what the representatives are doing by not giving carte Blanche on those in service to their fellow Utahns.
Natalie is placing principle and the ball in the proper jurisdiction of We the People. She feels something is not right and it is only legitimate to ask Utahns to do a final walk thru before we sale ourselves down the river by making bad policy for generations to come.
By taking it out of the USBE hands, she is now allowing a public discourse and discussion to take place; where ideas are thrown around and debated. Let the best ideas win.
“The best ideas have to win. Otherwise good people don’t stay.” (3)
The “best ideas,” sometimes are sought outside the echo chambers, which might be contrary to the the direction being taken by the group, such as the state board in regards to voting on an issue.
The information should be taken to the public especially if there are concerns of unhealthy or dangerous direction for the public, taken by a body of men and women.
When those concerns are expressed, it is then left to the public to investigate the matter further; to either prove what the elected official, in this case what Cline is saying, or disprove any dangers being conveyed.
Sometimes our elected officials get it wrong. It’s, We the People that should have the final say as checks and balances over our public servants.
If Natalie has some concerns, it’s our job to validate or dismiss them. We need to look at the substance of what is being said, and not attack the messenger due to their message or chosen delivery style.
I, for one, value and appreciate people who are willing to stand-up against the tide. I would categorize it as being a whistleblower.
I see it as brave and courageous to go against 14 other elected representatives and make a public statement for Utahns to at least listen and evaluate what is being said; and to compare it against the backdrop of our national and state value system.
What is Natalie Cline trying to express from her investigation and her stint as a USBE member?
“According to its website, Higher Ground believes “the public school system is out of control,” and using tactics of control and fear to prop up an LGBTQ agenda. It also claims school systems, like Social Emotional Learning, are used to “behaviorally condition children toward value systems and mindsets” that promote social agendas over traditional, family-based norms.” (1)
Cline is claiming that Social Emotional Learning is being used “to condition children” to “social agendas” that are contradictory to the “traditional, family-based norms.”
In our own investigation, we have evaluated and determined:
“All across this country, the school curriculum has been invaded by psychological-conditioning programs which not only take up time sorely needed for intellectual development, but also promote an emotionalized and anti-intellectual way of responding to the challenges facing every individual and every society.” (4)
We have concluded the tool and weapons in which this “psychological-conditioning” is taking place are based off emotions (Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3).
It is our suggestion, along with our determination at Iron County News to investigate what Natalie Cline is alleging into the subject matter of Social Emotional Learning; and “the consequences of that policy not merely for one group but for all groups.” And to determine if Social Emotional Learning is being used “to condition children” to “social agendas” that are contradictory to the “traditional, family-based norms.”
We strongly suggest all Utahns do the same. Do your own research into Social Emotional Learning and determine for yourself if what Natalie Cline is saying is true.
If it’s not then we appreciate, value and honor her first amendment protection from being censored by the very organization, the government she was elected to serve her fellow Utahns.
If what she is saying is true, then Utahns better demand answers and fast. We need demand transparency, and fire some of our elected officers; as they are “deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.” (5)
Finally, we don’t want to end with just complaints against Cline, she has also received positive feedback and praise from constituents and Utahns as well.
“We have received a number of concerns by the hotline about member Cline,” James said. “We’ve also received a number of positive constituent feedback about Cline.” (1)
(1) Utah State Board of Education member Natalie Cline under board investigation
(2) Henry Hazlitt
(3) Steve Jobs
(4) Inside American Education: The Decline, The Deception, The Dogmas
(5) Declaration of Independence
