The Weekly Sam: Teaching Reading-a Lecture by Sam Blumenfeld
Author and homeschool pioneer, Sam Blumenfeld conducts a workshop on teaching reading at a homeschool conference in Illinois 1998: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/shurtleffhal/episodes/2022-01-15T15_31_35-08_00
Please visit the Sam Blumenfeld Archives to access the works of Sam Blumenfeld: https://campconstitution.net/sam-blumenfeld-archive/
Listen Live to Mat Staver Present Camp Constitution’s Christian Flag Lawsuit Oral Arguments in the Supreme Court Tuesday 1/18
This is from Liberty, our incredible legal team that have been representing us with our Christian flag lawsuit since September 2017:
LISTEN LIVE to Mat Staver Present Oral Arguments in the Supreme Court 1/18/2022 @ 10am ET
U.S. SUPREME COURT TAKES CHRISTIAN FLAG CASE
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Supreme Court granted Liberty Counsel’s cert petition and will hear the case regarding the censorship of the Christian flag in Boston. Liberty Counsel will present oral argument to the High Court on January 18 with a decision expected by June 2022.
Although the city of Boston created a public forum for private speakers to temporarily raise a flag on one of its poles and never censored any of the prior 284 applications, it censored the Camp Constitution’s flag during its Constitution Day event because the application referred to it as a “Christian flag.” Camp Constitution wanted to highlight the Christian Founders during the Constitution Day event. Without seeing the flag, Boston censored it solely because of the word “Christian” on the application. Boston took the position that it was permitted to censor the flag because it controlled the flag poles and it was government, not private speech. The lower court and the court of appeals ruled twice in favor of Boston. This case will resolve the issue of government versus private speech.
Liberty Counsel filed a lawsuit on behalf of Boston resident Hal Shurtleff and his Christian civic organization, Camp Constitution, arguing that the city of Boston violated the First Amendment by censoring a private flag in a public forum merely because the application form referred to the flag as a “Christian flag.”
Boston censored the religious viewpoint of Camp Constitution’s flag, which was to be raised for about an hour on September 17 in observance of Constitution Day, while supporters gathered around the flagpole. The flag was part of the ceremony to honor the Constitution and recognize the Christian Founders.
Never has Boston censored any flag until the Camp Constitution’s flag, which is white with a blue square in the upper corner and a red cross. The flag contains no writing. Under oath, the city official testified the flag would have been approved if the application did not refer to it as a “Christian flag.” The word “Christian” on the application alone triggered the censorship. The official said he had never heard of a “Christian flag” until Camp Constitution’s application. Therefore, his testimony revealed that if Camp Constitution had not referred to the flag on the application with the word “Christian,” it would not have been censored.
The city refers to its flagpole as a “public forum” and allows private organizations to temporarily raise their own flags on the flagpoles. The city of Boston’s website even states the goals for flag raising events include, “We commemorate flags from many countries and communities at Boston City Hall Plaza. We want to create an environment in the city where everyone feels included.”
The city has even attempted to argue its flagpoles are used for private flag raisings only “15% of the time.” However, since the city has designated it as a “public forum,” this argument is useless since the city’s documented “public forums for all applicants” policy has resulted in a 100 percent approval rate, or 284 flag raisings by private organizations over the course of twelve years, except for the Christian flag.
Other flags raised on the city’s flagpole include the Turkish flag (which depicts the Islamic star and crescent) and the Portuguese flag (which uses religious imagery). City officials have also never denied the “messages” communicated by the “Chinese Progressive Association,” the rainbow flag of Boston Pride, and a “transgender” pink and blue flag. The flags of private community groups include Albania, Brazil, Ethiopia, Italy, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, and Mexico, as well as of Communist China and Cuba. No flag was ever denied until the city denied the flag of Camp Constitution.
Shurtleff and Camp Constitution first asked the city in 2017 for a permit to raise the Christian flag on Boston City Hall flagpoles to commemorate Constitution Day (September 17) and the civic and cultural contributions of the Christian community to the city of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, religious tolerance, the Rule of Law and the U.S. Constitution.
The First Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the city of Boston finding that the flags were government speech. The Court wrongly accepted the city’s argument that the Establishment Clause justified its censorship. However, (1) the application form designates the flag pole as a “public forum” open for private speech; (2) the city never censored a flag in the 12 years prior to Camp Constitution’s application; (3) the city approved 39 flags (averaging over three per month) in the year prior to Camp Constitution’s application; and (4) the flags of the foreign countries could not be government speech because under state law it is a crime to raise the flag of a foreign country on city property.
Liberty Counsel’s Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, “We look forward to the U.S. Supreme Court hearing Boston’s unconstitutional discrimination against Camp Constitution’s Christian viewpoint. The city cannot deny the Christian flag because it is ‘Christian’ and allow every other flag to fly on its flagpoles. There is a crucial difference between government endorsement of religion and private speech, which government is bound to respect. Censoring religious viewpoints in a public forum where secular viewpoints are permitted is unconstitutional and this case will set national precedent.”
Liberty Counsel provides broadcast quality TV interviews via Hi-Def Skype and LTN at no cost.
- SEPT 2017 Liberty Counsel sends Boston demand letter following flag application denial.
- JULY 2018 Original suit filed in district court.
- AUG 2018 Court denies preliminary injunction.
- JUNE 2019 First Circuit affirms the denial.
- JULY 2019 LC files motion for summary judgment in district court.
- FEB 2020 District court denies LC summary judgment and grants city’s summary judgment.
- JAN 2021 First Circuit affirms summary judgment for city.
- JUNE 2021 LC files writ of certiorari at SCOTUS.
- SEPT 2021 SCOTUS takes the case.
- JAN 18, 2022 Oral argument set at SCOTUS.
BRIEFS OF LIBERTY COUNSEL AND CITY OF BOSTON
Reply Brief For The Petitioners
Petition for Certiorari
Opposition to Petition for Certiorari
Reply Brief in Support of Petition for Certiorari
Brief for Petitioners Camp Constitution
Brief for Respondent City of Boston
Reply Brief of Petitioners Camp Constitution
AMICUS BRIEFS:
In Support of Liberty Counsel
Brief-Amicus-(ACLU and ACLU of Massachusetts).pdf
Brief-Amicus-(Advancing-American-Freedom-et al).pdf
Brief-Amicus-(American-Cornerstone-Institute).pdf
Brief-Amicus-(American-Legion).pdf
Brief-Amicus-(Becket Fund for Religious Liberty).pdf
Brief-Amicus-(Bronx-Household-of-Faith).pdf
Brief-Amicus-(Catholicvote-org).pdf
Brief-Amicus-(CPCF, et al.).pdf
Brief-Amicus-(Foundation-for-Moral-Law).pdf
Brief-Amicus-(Multi-States).pdf
Brief-Amicus-(National Legal Foundation, et al.).pdf
Brief-Amicus-(Notre Dame L. Sch. Rel. Lib. Initiative).pdf
Brief-Amicus-(Pacific Legal Foundation).pdf
Brief-Amicus-(Protect-the-First-Foundation).pdf
Brief-Amicus-(Rutherford-Institute).pdf
Brief-Amicus-(Thomas-More).pdf
Brief-Amicus-(United States).pdf
In Support of City of Boston
Brief-Amicus-(Anti-Defamation League).pdf
Brief-Amicus-(FFRF).pdf
Brief-Amicus-(Jewish Alliance for Law, et al).pdf
Brief-Amicus-(Local Governments).pdf
Brief-Amicus-(Multi States).pdf
Brief-Amicus-(National Council of Churches, et al.).pdf
READ MORE:
Events Surrounding Shurtleff v. City of Boston SCOTUS Oral Argument
Religious Viewpoint Case Will Affect Everyone
LC Files Reply Brief at SCOTUS in Religious Viewpoint Case
Religious Viewpoint Case at SCOTUS Will Set National Precedent
USA and 12 States Support LC in Free Speech Case
Boston’s Christian Flag Debate Heading to US Supreme Court
Liberty Counsel Files Opening Brief at SCOTUS in Religious Viewpoint Case
U.S. Supreme Court Takes Christian Flag Case
Next Step for Christian Flag: U.S. Supreme Court
Christian Flag in Boston Before Court of Appeals
Christian Flag Goes Back to Court
Boston Should Fly Christian Flag
Boston Discriminates Against Christian Flag
Stop Censorship of Christian Flag
Boston Sued for Censoring Christian Flag
Group sues Boston for banning Christian flag, approving 284 others
Boston Sued For Booting Christian Flag, While Allowing Islamic Symbols
Boston Sued for Banning Christian Flag, Allowing 284 Others
284 flags including China’s OK in Boston, but not Christian banner
Boston Sued for Banning Christian Flag, Allowing 284 Others
Banned in Boston — the Christian Flag
Stop Censorship of Christian Flag
Fly the ‘Christian’ flag? Sorry, no can do
The Point: Boston Bars the Christian Flag
Standing Up for Judeo-Christian Values – Hal Shurtleff – Episode 29
As Liberty Counsel prepares to defend a religious viewpoint censorship case before the U.S. Supreme Court, it all started with the Christian flag. Hal Shurtleff of Camp Constitution joins Mat Staver to explain more on this episode of Freedom Alive.™ – Originally premiered Dec 12, 2021 on GoodLife45 – visit https://www.tv45.org
Public Schools They’re Destroying Our Children-Gary Allen a Generation Ahead of His Time
In February 1972, the late Gary Allen, author of None Dare Call it Conspiracy, wrote an article for the “American Opinion” magazine entitled “Public Schools They’re Destroying Our Children.” Mr. Allen was a generation ahead of his time. While there were many people and organizations that have been sounding the alarm over the years about the destructive nature of America’s government schools, most parents did not want to hear it. Some did, of course, and it led to the modern homeschool movement. Today, due to the Covid lockdowns and the promotion of the Marxist Critical Race Theory and the 1619 Project, many parents are finally waking up, and pulling their children out of government schools. Here is a link to a PDF version of this aticle: https://s3.amazonaws.com/camppictures/CampArchive/Domestic/Public%20Schools.pdf
Gary Allen (August 2, 1936 – November 29, 1986) was an American conservative journalist, book author, and sociopolitical researcher. He authored Communist Revolution in the Streets, Nixon’s Palace Guard, Richard Nixon: The Man Behind the Mask, None Dare Call It Conspiracy; The Rockefeller File; Kissinger: Secret Side Of The Secretary Of State; Jimmy Carter/Jimmy Carter; Tax Target: Washington, Ted Kennedy: In Over His Head, and Say “No!” to the New World Order. He was an AMERICAN OPINION Contributing Editor.
The Weekly Sam: Reading and Teaching
Sam Blumenfeld gave this lecture at a Texas homeschool convention in the 1980s where he explains how the “progressive educators” conspired to dumb down the children of America: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/shurtleffhal/episodes/2022-01-10T17_32_34-08_00
This presentation as well as most of the work of Sam Blumenfeld can be found on the Blumenfeld Archives: https://campconstitution.net/sam-blumenfeld-archive/
The Covid Cult and Medical Tyranny: An Interview with Nurse Terese Grinell
Camp Constitution attended a Freedom Rally at the State Capitol Concord, NH on January 1. We were invited by Nurse Terese Grinell who has taken a courageous stance against vaccine mandates. She even got arrested while at a meeting of the NH’s Executive Council for saying “amen.”
We interviewed her on Camp Constitution Radio. A link to the interview on our Rumble page:
We did not bother to post in on our YouTube channel since any video that is critical of the Covid Cult and the Panic Porn, and its members unconstitutional and failed policies will be taken down.
And a link to an audio of the interview from our Podomatic page:
https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/shurtleffhal/episodes/2022-01-03T13_24_13-08_00
Pictures from the January 1, Rally Concord, NH (Nurse Terese Grinnell)
Camp Constitution’s Annual Report 2021
We continue to have success promoting Camp Constitution in the Greater Alton, NH area where we have relocated. We had a float in Alton’s Old Home Day Parade where we distributed over 400 pocket copies of the U.S. Constitution, and in neighboring Gilford, NH, Jade Wood, a first-time Camp Constitution attendee, arranged to have our Camp Constitution Banner on a float while the children on the float were dressed in our Colonial-era outfits. We also became sponsors of two miles of highway on Rt 28 in Alton, held two video showing at the Community Church of Alton, had information tables at three local events, and two well-attended barbecues at our home.
YouTube and Rumble Channels:
Thanks to Alex Newman and Professor Willie Soon, a number of Climate Realist news outlets did articles of the interview of Professor Soon by Mr. Newman. The articles linked both the interview and one of his classes leading to over 100,000 views within a week. A link to the interview: https://rumble.com/vkd3jp-top-climate-scientist-dr.-willie-soon-predicts-global-cooling-for-next-20-3.html
We have seen a modest increase in monthly views from 5,000 to 5,400 on our YouTube channel. Our most popular video is remains “The Battle of Lexington Reenactment.”
The Sam Blumenfeld Archive:
990,000 views., 19,000 downloads of Alpha-Phonics, over 10,000 copies of the Alpha-Phonics instructions and over 1,000 downloads of Sam’s other books. This testimonial is from a school principal in Harare, Zimbabwe whom we send copies of Sam’s “Alpha-Phonics”:
I have written this on behalf of Nottingham Junior School to thank you for the donation of books. The parents of our students are grateful to you. May you and every one of your organization be blessed by the Almighty God in abundance. The books arrived at a time when we direly needed them. Our learners will be a role model to other children and other communities. Thank you once again for the love of Christ you have demonstrated to us through the donation.” “I have written
Godknows Matizirofa
Camp Constitution Radio on Podomatic:
We have been in the top ten for the conservative category for most of the year with 6,854 downloads of shows and 1,992 plays. Our radio show, which airs on WBCQ The Planet, has become available on i-Tunes, Apple and Amazon to name a few. https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/shurtleffhal
Facebook Page:
We average 50 likes per month. We also admin about eight groups including Friend of the Constitution in ME, NH, MA, CT, RI. PA, VT, and Stop the Constitutional Convention.
Speaker’s Bureau:
We had forty engagements that we either hosted or were invited by other groups which includes events in Pittsburg, PA, Southington, CT, Berlin, NH, and Presque Isle, ME. We debated the Article V issue at a meeting hosted by the Plymouth, NH Area Republicans, and we spoke at an assembly at Northpoint Bible College in Haverhill MA.
Camp Constitution’s Website:
We had 63,387 + views , and posted 156 blogs: https://www.campconstitution.net
Camp Constitution Press:
In addition to reprinting Alpha-Phonics and And Not a Shot if Fired as we reported earlier, we recently reprinted the 1928 U.S. Army Training Manual, Major General John Stark Hero of Bunker Hill and Bennington both of which we believe have been out-of-print for years, and Sam Blumeneld’s June 1987 newsletter “Eugenics in American and Making of a Black Underclass.”
Camp Constitution Book Sales:
We have raised close to $5,000 from donated books from our Amazon, Facebook page, and on-line bookstore. https://campconstitution.net/shop/
Camp Constitution Media:
We videotaped the annual celebration of Evacuation Day at Boston’s Dorchester Heights, presentations at the annual Second Amendment/Flag Day Rally in Auburn, MA, our 1st Annual Memorial Day Barbecue, Independence Day Barbecue, the 911 Memorial Rally in Alton, NH, Freedom Works seminar in Laconia, NH, the “If My People Rally” in Plymouth, MA, and our “Camp Constitution in the County” in Houlton, Maine
Alton, NH 911 Memorial Rally “Camp Constitution in the County”
Article V Convention:
We debated a Convention of States member at the Plymouth (NH) Area Republicans, took a role in the resounding defeat of two pro-Article V resolutions in New Hampshire, and hosted a radio debate with Robert Brown (against an Article V Convention) and New Hampshire State Rep MaxAbramson: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/shurtleffhal/episodes/2021-02-20T17_19_51-08_00
Camp Constitution in the News:
On Thursday September 30, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it would hear our Christian flag lawsuit which will take place on January 18, 2022. We expect a decision by July of 2022. The story generated and continues to generate dozens of articles in the media including NewsMax, The Boston Herald, The Boston Globe, The Epoch Times, and World Net Daily. A number of foreign news outlets carried the story as well. As mentioned above, dozens of ‘Climate Realists” news outlets and bloggers ran a story about Professor Will Soon’s interview with Alex Newman. We started writing a monthly column in a Maine newspaper in January, and since, May, have a monthly column in a New Hampshire paper- “The Weirs Times” and “The Boston Broadside.”
Radio and Cable TV:
We were guests on numerous radio shows including Good Morning New Hampshire, the Dr. Dan’s Freedom Forum, and the Ed Martin Movement Show. We were interviewed on the Good Life 45 TV, and an appearance on the Inform New Hampshire Show in Manchester, NH
The Lane House and Learning Center:
We continue to hold monthly luncheons, evening meeting, and special events.
Camp Constitution Ladies Group:
The Ladies held their successful “Spring Fling” event in mid- April at Singing Hills Camp and a weekend Fall event.
Camp Constitution’s 2021 Family Camp:
We had our largest turnout in our history with over 150 participants, and many new families. One of the new parents told me that the camp “far exceeded her expectations.” We were honored to have two new instructors Dr. Mary Grabar, author of “Debunking Howard Zinn, and Debunking the 1619 Project, and Pastor David Whitney of the Institute on the Constitution.
2022:
Our 2022 family camp will run from July 17-22. Our Ladies Retreat will be held in April, and we will also hold a weekend family retreat September 30-October 2.
We held a “Create a Camp Constitution Flag Contest” offering a full tuition to the winners which were David Krutov and Lielle Chu.
Our Official Flag The Official Junior Camp Flag
How you can help Camp Constitution grow:
* Keep Camp Constitution and our nation in your prayers.
* Become a donor. Monthly and/or one-time donations can be made via our PayPal account accessed from our website https://www.campconstitution.net
* Host one of our speakers.
* Introduce Camp Constitution to family and friends.
*Write an article for our camp blog.
Happy New Year.
Hal Shurtleff, Director
Camp Constitution
Camp Constitution’s 14th Annual Family Camp Sunday July 17th to Friday July 22 Plainfield, NH
Camp Constitution’s 14th annual family camp will be held at the Singing Hills Christian Conference Center in Plainfield, NH https://www.singinghills.net/ from Sunday July 17 to Friday July 22.
This year’s instructors include Catherine White of The Constitution Decoded; Professor Willie Soon, one of the world’s top atmospheric scientists; Rev. Steve Craft of Christian Citizenship Ministry; Attorney Jonathan Alexandre of Liberty Counsel, Pastor David Whitney of the Institute on the Constitution, Attorney Jonathan Alexandre of Liberty Counsel, and Kalasia Richer of Turning Point Faith. Mrs. Edith Craft will run our Junior Camp for children 5-11. In addition to the classes, we have field trips to local historic sites, swimming, hiking, basketball, volleyball, chess tournaments, marksmanship, and martial arts.
The cost is $300. For attendees 12 and older, $200, for attendees 11 and under, and children 4 and under accompanied by parents are free. We offer a $50. “Early Bird” discount for those who register before May 1. Applications are available on our web site https://campconstitution.net/camp-registration/
For more information contact Hal Shurtleff (857) 498-1309 or E-mail campconstitution1@gmail.com
Christian Flag Lawsuit Prayer Vigil and Rally at the U.S. Supreme Court January 17 and 18,
Liberty Counsel http://lc.org is hosting a prayer vigil, rally and reception before and after the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments from our Christian flag lawsuit- Shurtleff v. The City of Boston lawsuit https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/shurtleff-v-boston/.
Here is the schedule: Monday January 17, 2022
Prayer Vigil @ Supreme Court- West front
Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Program: Prayer, speakers, music, candlelight walk around court (Peggy)
Speaker (TBD)
Tuesday January 18, 2022
Event: Rally @ Supreme Court – West front
Time: 8:00am – 12:00pm
Program: 9:00am
Speakers: (TBD) Jonathan Alexandre, Members of Congress, Coalitions,
Camp Constitution
Flag Presentation/ Color guard (Jonathan & Peggy)
Patriotic – George Washington to give prayer…
Event: Reception @ Ministry Center
Time: 12:30pm – 2:30pm
Speakers: Mat Staver/others TBD
The Weekly Sam: The State of Education Today
Author and homeschool pioneer Sam Blumenfeld speaks at an event in Wisconsin hosted by the U.S. Taxpayers Party. While this presentation was conducted over 25 years ago, it is as current today at it was then:
https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/shurtleffhal/episodes/2021-12-31T05_47_55-08_00
Please visit our Sam Blumenfeld Archives where you can access most of Sam’s work: https://campconstitution.net/sam-blumenfeld-archive/ May you have a Happy and Blessed New Year.
2021 ends in a few days and while it certainly was not a banner year for liberty and freedom to say the least, God has blessed Camp Constitution’s ministry. From having the largest turnout at our annual family camp to national and international media attention due to the U.S. Supreme Court hearing our Christian flag lawsuit flag lawsuit to the dozens of speaking engagements to the ladies retreats and much more, 2021 was a banner year for us. And we expect 2022 to be an even better year for Camp Constitution and for our beloved United States.
Our work at Camp Constitution is made possible by the efforts of our volunteers and donors. Please consider making an end of the year donation that will help further the mission and efforts of Camp Constitution. Donations can be made via our PayPal account accessed from our web site’s homepage Camp Constitution or a check payable to Camp Constitution and sent to our address: 146 Powder Mill Rd. Alton, NH 03809.
May God grant you a Blessed and Happy New Year.