Articles by Brian

A Tribute to Two Teachers and a Case for School Choice

Posted: September 1, 2020 by Brian Johnston

In the last three weeks, I’ve experienced the loss of two teachers that made a difference in countless people’s lives, including mine. Both of these teachers gave everything for their students, working tirelessly to level the playing field. I believe that everyone deserves equality of opportunity, and School Choice helps to make sure that happens. Linda Johnson and Tony Gramling–this Proversation is dedicated to you!

75 Years After Hiroshima

Posted: August 6, 2020 by Brian Johnston

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima. The use of two atomic weapons that marked the end of World War II remains arguably the most controversial decision made in the history of warfare. In this episode, we examine the decision, aftermath, and the ramifications of this world-changing event. Today we make the painful choice to remember to ensure that tomorrow we never forget.

Election Infection

Posted: April 8, 2020 by Brian Johnston

While the rest of the nation follows Federally-mandated social distancing guidelines, Wisconsin's Supreme Court decides 5-4 to move forward with its election, with just five polling places serving the entirety of Milwaukee. This decision is at best ill-advised, and at worst a blatant attempt to suppress voter rights and subvert the voting process. A quick look at this disappointing decision in today's Proversation.

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Hindsight is 2020

Posted: January 9, 2020 by Brian Johnston

It has taken our nation 250 years to weave the fabric of our Republic, and I’m bound and determined to do whatever it takes to not lose those hard-earned gains to some meme, fake news article from a Russian troll farm, or Twitter post from the Commander in Chief. Indeed, we need to be better than this, and it must start from within.

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They Call Me RINO

Posted: November 1, 2019 by Brian Johnston

Just before the election, I was the object of scorn from my Republican friends that knew I was voting third-party, “You know, you might as well just go ahead and vote for Hillary.” Fascinatingly enough, I got a similar chiding in the days following the election from my Democrat friends, “Hope you’re happy. Might as well have just voted for Trump.” The great irony here is the idea that both sides seemed to accuse me of somehow cutting off my nose to spite my face. Whether it was perceived as disloyalty to my own party or disloyalty to America, neither tribe could stand the likes of me.

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Aloof to the Truth: I’m Old and America Scares the Hell Out of Me

Posted: January 14, 2019 by Brian Johnston

While we bend over backward to turn our college campuses into ‘safe spaces’ free from words and ideas that make young people uncomfortable, it seems that the number of words and ideas that offend is growing exponentially, and that our penchant for outrage is boundless. We are awash in narcissism, documenting our every move on social media, yet somehow we suffer from low self-esteem at the same time. It’s almost as if all the candy-coating and bubble wrap in the world can’t actually protect our young people from reality!

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Proversatin’ Ain’t Easy

Posted: November 30, 2018 by Brian Johnston

It’s been some time since I’ve posted anything new here at The Proversation. This hasn’t exactly been intentional, but I am struggling to find places where my words can gain traction internally. Very simply, I’m finding the current climate of divisiveness difficult to navigate while maintaining my proversational mindset.

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