By Mr. Pink
You might remember two months ago when it was discovered that the Biden Administration misappropriated funds that were supposed to go to the extraordinarily successful “National Archery in Schools Program,” or NASP, that has taught over 1.3 million kids of all demographic backgrounds the wonderful discipline of archery. Measuring by its sheer numbers, positive impact on kids according to them, and its years in service, NASP is one of the most successful sanctioned extracurricular programs of all time.
Yet when questioned, Department of Education officials readily admitted that funds earmarked for NASP and hunter education would instead be spent on programs to “establish safer and healthier learning environments, and to prevent and respond to acts of bullying, violence, and hate that impact our school communities at individual and systemic levels, among other programs and activities,” as defined by the Safer Communities Act (BSCA) signed into law in 2022 by President Biden.
How could they do this? They did it by sneakily reinterpreting the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to claim—all of the sudden—that it bans “training in the use of a dangerous weapon” in schools.
Of course we know this was just another move by the leftists in power to erode America’s tradition of rugged individualism and other activities that are frowned upon by elitists such as hunting and shooting. In essence, the move was a broadside cannon shot in America’s ongoing cultural war. Luckily, it was a shot too far.
Immediately after learning about it, concerned parents with the support of members of Congress sounded the alarm. On Aug. 1, Tennessee Rep. Mark Green and co-sponsors introduced the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act that would reverse the Department of Education’s actions, reactivating funding for NASP and other important hunter safety programs.
What was surprising, if not encouraging, is that on Sept. 27, 2023, the bill passed the Senate by an amazing bipartisan vote of 424-1, all but mandating the president sign it into law. Biden spokespeople confirmed he will.
Count it as a win for the good guys despite it being a battle that should’ve never required a fight in the first place.
