Why Ideology Is the Ancient Enemy of Civilization

Plus: California Schools Can Change Students‘ Gender Categories Without Parental Consent February 12 2022 Good morning from Washington, where woke politicians and special interests try to tell the rest of us how to behave. This sort of tyranny corrodes civilizations, Victor Davis Hanson writes. Schools in California shouldn’t be allowed to encourage students to switch genders while leaving parents in the dark, Dov Fischer writes. Plus: how armed citizens defended themselves and others last month; the disintegration of Venezuela under socialism; and the left blows valentine kisses at China’s communist dictator. On this date in 1999, the five-week impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton ends with Senate votes to acquit him on both charges: perjury and obstruction of justice. Go, Bengals. COMMENTARY [Why Ideology Is the Ancient Enemy of Civilization]() [Why Ideology Is the Ancient Enemy of Civilization]() By Victor Davis Hanson What ultimately destroyed the evil empires of Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia were bankrupt dogmas. [More]() COMMENTARY [California Schools Can Change Students‘ Gender Categories Without Parental Consent]() [California Schools Can Change Students‘ Gender Categories Without Parental Consent]() By Dov Fischer Soon after two parents voiced their anger with school officials for letting their daughter use male pronouns without their knowledge, Child Protective Services showed up at their doorstep. [More]() COMMENTARY [11 Examples of Defensive Gun Use Highlight Importance of Second Amendment in New Year]() [11 Examples of Defensive Gun Use Highlight Importance of Second Amendment in New Year]() By Amy Swearer In Philadelphia, an armed Lyft driver with a concealed carry permit defended himself and his female passenger from two would-be carjackers who threatened them with a shotgun. [More]() COMMENTARY [Maduro Carries on Chavez's Legacy As Venezuela Circles Drain in Downward Spiral]() [Maduro Carries on Chavez's Legacy As Venezuela Circles Drain in Downward Spiral]() By J. William Middendorf How could a country sitting atop 20% of the world's known oil reserves become the impoverished, suffering mess that is Venezuela today? [More]() COMMENTARY [The Left’s Valentine’s Gift for Xi Jinping? Propaganda.]() [The Left’s Valentine’s Gift for Xi Jinping? Propaganda.]() By Douglas Blair When you’re praising the Chinese Communist Party instead of America, something has gone terribly wrong. And yet that’s what many on the radical left are doing. [More]() COMMENTARY [ICYMI: The Truth About Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill]() [ICYMI: The Truth About Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill]() By Jay Richards The proposed legislation would prohibit elementary school teachers from pushing classroom discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity. [More]() [LOGO-CHARCOAL_75percent.jpg] [Donate to The Daily Signal]() [Find us on Facebook]() [Find us on Facebook]() [Follow us on Twitter]() [Follow us on Twitter]() How are we doing?We welcome your comments, suggestions, and story tips. Please reply to this email or send us a note at [letters@dailysignal.com](). The Daily Signal 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 [(800) 546-2843]() Add [morningbell@heritage.org]() to your address book to ensure that you receive emails from us. You are subscribed to this newsletter as {EMAIL}. If you want to receive other Heritage Foundation newsletters, or opt out of this newsletter, [please click here to update your subscription.]()