Italian American Heritage Month: Kaylub Giamanco

🚨 HERO - Kaylub Giamanco, the Concealed Carrying Father in Bend, Oregon who grabbed his Handgun and took out the Silver Rail Elementary School Shooter last week, just told his story for the first time. 👏 While driving past the school around 1:00 PM on his way home for lunch, Mr. Giamanco saw a 16-year-old Gunman dressed in black fire a Shotgun outside the school and climb over the fence toward the building. Giamanco pulled his legally owned .40-Caliber Handgun from his truck console, called 911 as he pulled into the parking lot, and told the dispatcher: "I'm sorry, I have to go in. People are going to die." "I started hearing children pleading for their lives, and then I started hearing gunfire. And I just started army crawling faster and faster. And I told myself, this is probably the last thing that I'm ever going to do." "I crawled through the bottom window that was shot out and continued onto the rug inside where there's a little breezeway with stairs. And then the special needs classroom was to my left. At that point, I was on the ground on my hands and knees. I re-racked my weapon to make sure that a live round came out so that I knew that I was ready to go." Police say the Maniac Shooter still had roughly 44 Shotgun Shells left when a brave Teacher tackled him and Giamanco ended the threat for good. Both that fearless Teacher and Kaylub Giamanco are TRUE American Heroes who saved countless children's lives—Giamanco (and the teacher) should receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom IMMEDIATELY! 🇺🇸 Every time anti-gun Democrats lecture law-abiding Citizens that nobody "needs" to carry a firearm, remember what happened in Bend while they have armed security. CONCEALED CARRY SAVES LIVES! 👏🏽 https://t.co/VN4bm4kDlI

— Jay Costa (@JayCostaUSA) October 23, 2026

Amidst Bloodhsed, A True Hero Steps Forward!

AMAZING!

It's being reported that President Trump gave a BIG shoutout to armed hero Kaylub Giamanco who ran into an Oregon school and NEUTRALIZED a shooter. Well, let's say it bluntly: he shot him dead, preventing the loss of additional lives amidst a massacre.

Apparently Giamanco was nearby, had a concealed carry permit, ran into the school and did what he knew he had to do.

President Trump rightly called this local carpenter, the father of two girls who are students at the school, a hero!

"Thank GOODNESS for a man that had a gun and knew how to use it." "There was a great hero, and as bad as it was, we had a GREAT HERO that went in and did the business . . . He took care of business."

Bottom line: Kaylub Giamanco may look like the guy next door, but FAFO!

PS: Does this qualify as toxic masculinity? What say you, liberals?

VOTE: For Cherry Hill Board Of Education!

 

The Fight To Make Our Schools Accountable!

Dan chats with Rick Short, a citizen activist who puts local officials on the spot -- an old-fashioned gadfly who uses new tools to make democracy work. He's fighting the fight to rid the schools of a pervasive woke culture and its attendant demons, including oppressive indoctrination and cockamamie notions like restorative justice.

From the NJ Dep't Of Education: OUTRAGEOUS!

 

BLOCS Succeeds In PA, Could Do More, IF . . .

We've reported here before how the BLOCS program in Pennsylvania has had remarkable success.

BLOCS is Pennsylvania’s leading scholarship organization dedicated to the PA Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) and has just announced a year of historic achievement in fundraising for private schools throughout the state. As BLOCS closes the end of their fiscal year, the non-profit organization reports they are on track to raise $250 million in need-based scholarships.

And BLOCS can do a lot more IF Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro opts into the new federal Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC) program. So far, the governor has not done so and that could cost schools and childen Big Bucks. In fact, Pennsylvania students could miss out on hundreds of millions -- up to nearly a billion dollars in private-donor-funded K–12 scholarships as funds flow to participating states.

Created under federal action, the new initiative offers dollar-for-dollar federal tax credits (up to $1,700) for individuals and businesses donating to non-profit organizations that issue K–12 scholarships for private and public school-related expenses. But, to let in-state residents and students participate and benefit, the state’s governor must formally opt in. As Pennsylvania's largest Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO), BLOCS currently relies heavily on state-level programs. The federal program opens the door to matching funds and an expanded donor base through smaller contributors, among other benefits. 

Currently, BLOCS estimates they will be able to serve more than 43,000 students in the coming school year. This is the largest population that BLOCS has ever served in a single school year in its 40+ year history. Think how much wore they could accomplish if Pennsylvania were to opt into the federal initiative!

BLOCS CEO Rob Delany celebrates these achievements with the community of donors, schools, students, and supporters of the EITC program. “BLOCS is proud to reach this milestone of serving over 43,000 students in the coming year,” Delany said. “We are incredibly grateful to our more than 150 corporate donors, thousands of individual donors, and hundreds of school partners who work with us in each facet of the EITC program to create opportunities for deserving students.”

BLOCS  ensures that children receive the greatest scholarship support possible. Thanks to the efficiencies of responsible management, more than 98 cents of every dollar contributed to BLOCS is directed to a student as a need-based scholarship.

As an independent charitable organization BLOCS provides access to high-quality, value-based education for children ages Pre-K through 12th grade across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Through the generosity of its donors, BLOCS partners with over 500 schools to provide over 40,000 need-based scholarships. More can be found at www.blocs.org.

Trump's Education Reforms: Supporting Every Child!

Today, President Donald J. Trump welcomes students, parents, and education advocates to the White House to celebrate the start of a new school year. Under President Trump’s and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon’s leadership, this Administration has delivered an unparalleled record of expanding educational freedom, restoring parental rights, returning power to the states, and putting American students first.

Expanding School Choice President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts created the first-ever nationwide school choice program, delivering a federal Education Freedom Tax Credit of up to $1,700 for scholarships covering tuition, books, and other costs at private and public schools. Nearly 52 million students nationwide are eligible, with 30+ states already opting in or signaling their intent to participate.   The Trump Administration delivered the largest investment in charter schools in history — $500 million through the Charter Schools Program — to expand high-quality options nationwide.   President Trump directed federal agencies to maximize school choice, enabling states to use Title I funds and other flexibilities to support parental decision-making.

Returning Education to the States President Trump directed the Secretary of Education to dismantle the bloated federal bureaucracy and return authority to states and local communities, empowering them to expand freedom and opportunity after decades of failed central control.   The Trump Administration approved the nation’s first Returning Education to the States waivers, freeing tens of millions of dollars from red tape and directing them straight to classrooms and students.   The Trump Administration awarded a record number of grants to advance literacy, expand access to credentialed school psychologists, emphasize science-of-reading approaches, integrate AI in education, and demand real academic results over ideology.

Ending Radical Ideology and Restoring Parental Rights President Trump signed an Executive Order barring biological boys from girls’ sports and private spaces, prompting school systems and athletic associations nationwide to end the practice.   The Trump Administration launched dozens of Title IX investigations into schools that allowed males in female sports and intimate facilities, enforcing biological reality and holding institutions accountable.   The Trump Administration cracked down on schools that “transition” students behind parents’ backs, rescinded unlawful Title IX guidance that punished districts for failing to use preferred pronouns, and reinforced parental rights under federal law — restoring fairness for female athletes, privacy for young women, and parents’ fundamental authority.

Eliminating Waste, Fraud, and Divisive Indoctrination The Trump Administration terminated more than $2 billion in wasteful “diversity, equity, and inclusion” spending, shifting focus from dividing students by race and identity to uniting them around merit and excellence.   The Trump Administration ended $67 million in grants that funded sexually explicit material for minors, rejecting inappropriate and inaccurate ideological curricula with no place in classrooms.   By enforcing immigration laws, the Trump Administration reduced the strain of non-English-speaking students on American public schools, allowing resources to prioritize American citizens.

Supporting Every Child First Lady Melania Trump’s Fostering the Future initiative expands support and educational opportunities for children leaving foster care through scholarships, university partnerships, savings accounts, and a global coalition — delivering pathways to independence, skills, and the American Dream.   The Trump Administration launched a Title IX investigation into the Los Angeles Unified School District for allegedly protecting predator teachers accused of sexual misconduct.   The Trump Administration strengthened protections for prayer in public schools, reinforcing every student’s constitutional rights.

President Trump’s agenda is clear and proven: educational freedom belongs to parents, excellence belongs in the classroom, and America’s children deserve schools free from ideology, waste, and federal overreach. As students return to class this fall, they do so under an Administration that has delivered historic results in record time.

Another INSANE School Policy From NJ!

 

This Is Absolutely Outrageous And Unconscionable!

 

Remembering Gayle Michael: Formidable And Tireless!

It happened while I was in New York this past weekend watching an old Noel Coward inspired musical. One character in the show said to the other "You're not gonna die. You're not the dying type."

That's when I thought of my lifelong friend and mentor, Gayle Granatir Michael. Gayle was simply "not the dying type" -- which is why it was a jolt to everyone who knew her when she passed away last week. 

Gayle was part of a special generation of women who were strong, determined and indefatigable. They were trailblazers who predated the modern women's movement.

My first contact with her occurred when I was a student and she was my English teacher at Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden, NJ. Gayle told me I had "that certain something" and encouraged me to enter the school's prestigious speech contest, even though I was hesitant to do so. Eventually she ordered me to participate in the contest where I would present a dramatic reading -- just me, the stage and a single spotlight; no costume, no scenery, no props! Gayle coached me every step of the way and then pushed me out onto the stage. I won the contest!

Before I knew it, Gayle was more than my teacher -- she was a treasured family friend who often showed up at my house for dinner. My parents adored her! 

When I graduated high school, Gayle gave me a bottle of Monsieur de Givenchy, a classic French cologne. Gayle explained that she had intended to give the cologne to her father who passed away before she was able to do that. Today, on special occasions, I still wear Monsieur de Givinchy which  continues to be produced by the LVMH luxury group.

Gayle savored the better things in life — the better food, literature, clothing, hotels, sights, cities, places and, most of all  PEOPLE — and she went after all that. She selected friends carefully and connected them to one another. She was a networker long before the invention of the word and was very loyal to her friends. For example, even at the time of her death Gayle was still campaigning for her friend Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Paula Patrick. 

For Gayle, no goals was too high or unachievable. No want was necessarily out of bounds. Her philosophy was “reach for the stars.”

She was decidedly OLD SCHOOL but she always kept current. She was up on the news and the events of the day and even when social media came into play, she jumped into it. 

She was passionate about everything that she believed in and she wasn’t shy about what she believed in. She had opinions — lots of them .  First, at a time when people were not afraid to express their opinions and, later, when they were (and ARE!) she still expressed hers without hesitation. 

She was a patriot. She loved her country and was worried about what was happening, here and beyond. She was troubled about the current state of affairs and where we were headed. She really cared and was always determined to make a difference where and when  she could. 

I never heard her complain or explain; which is to say she was not a “woe is me” kind of person. She didn’t lament, and if you were looking for some deep psychological explanation from her about most things, you weren’t likely to get it because she was a person of ACTION. She didn’t spend time ruminating. She moved — and moved ON, when necessary.

Though she endured the loss of her handsome and accomplished husband, Vincent Michael, early in their marriage and was left with two young boys to raise, Gayle didn't flinch. Today, her sons are successful attorneys, outstanding citizens, husbands, fathers and distinguished professionals. 

Gayle understood that life is a performance. So, you get up each day — no matter what — and you dust yourself off, dress yourself up and get out there. And she did that — often against near insurmountable odds. And she always looked her best, just as you would if you were stepping out into the spotlight, on stage. 

She loved politics (and don’t we all?) but she also understood that everything is connected to everything else. So she was also into art, literature, music, sports, theater, the movies, the popular culture — whatever sparked curiosity and conversation — she was there.

She was a VIVID personality.— and formidable. But, my goodness -- what an incredible life she led! She remains one of my unforgettable characters and a defining influence in my life. She will be dearly missed!

Click here for Gayle's complete obituary.

One Of The Biggest Factors In The NJ Election

 

The Way It Was -- And Should WAYS Be!

 

First Lady Launches AI Educational Challenge

First Lady Melania Trump announced the Presidential Artificial Intelligence (AI) Challenge, inviting K-12 students and educators across America to participate.

“The Presidential AI Challenge will be the first step in preparing our next generation with a base understanding of this important new technology,” said First Lady Melania Trump.

In a recent video on AI.gov, she reflected on her own experience with AI while creating her audiobook, emphasizing the transformative potential and inherent risks of this technology. Mrs. Trump stated, "In just a few short years, artificial intelligence will be the engine driving every business sector across our economy. It is important America leads the rest of the world.”

Through initiatives like the Presidential AI Challenge, Mrs. Trump aims to empower the next generation to explore and innovate within this rapidly evolving field.

To watch the video, learn more, and sign up for the Presidential AI Challenge, please visit AI.gov/initiatives/presidential-challenge.

Pay Attention, America! This Is Critical . . . .

🚨 NOW: Laura Ingraham NAILS it with the chyron on her show - "TRANS K*LLER M*RDERS 2 CHILDREN, INJURES 17"

Telling it like it is.

Transgender violence is a problem. Everyone needs to be willing to call it out. pic.twitter.com/3uFbqNiQsk

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 27, 2025

This tragedy was NOT ABOUT GUNS.
This tragedy was ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH.

For years, the left has promoted radical gender ideology, ignored glaring mental health issues & spewed hateful rhetoric.

This is the insanity that's come from their movement. They must reexamine everything. pic.twitter.com/ZfQSgiCGog

— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) August 28, 2025

'Their Suffering Is Our Suffering . . . '

A special message from Catholic Vote: The first week of classes should be among the most joyful moments of the school year.  On Wednesday morning, it was instead a moment of unspeakable trauma for the Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis and a moment of heartbreak for the rest of America.  Gunfire pierced the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Two children were killed. Seventeen more were wounded. Fourteen of them children. The entire Catholic family across America and the world is shaken. We weep. We grieve. And we turn to Christ, who alone can bring peace where evil has left devastation.   CatholicVote stands in deep solidarity with Archbishop Bernard Hebda, the priests, the families of this community, and the faithful of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Their suffering is our suffering. Their wounds are the wounds of the Body of Christ.   From Rome, Pope Leo XIV sent a message of profound sorrow and fatherly closeness:   “His Holiness Pope Leo XIV was profoundly saddened to learn of the loss of life and injuries following the shooting that took place at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis, and he sends his heartfelt condolences and the assurance of spiritual closeness to all those affected by this terrible tragedy, especially the families now grieving the loss of a child.”   We join the Holy Father in commending the souls of these little ones to the embrace of Almighty God. We pray fervently for the wounded, for their parents, for first responders, and for the medical teams fighting to heal bodies and hearts. But we cannot stop at grief. This tragedy must stir us. Violence has no place in churches.  At this time of anguish, we invite every person of faith to rally in prayer, storming heaven for the children, their families, and the Catholic community of Minneapolis.  May the Apostolic Blessing of the Holy Father bring “peace, fortitude, and consolation in the Lord Jesus” to Minneapolis and to all who mourn.   And may the light of Christ overcome the darkness that struck at innocence this week. Go forward bravely,

Kelsey Reinhardt President, CatholicVote

Did You Ever Think THIS Would Happen?

 

We Can Do Better Without This Federal Behemoth!

Since 1979, the U.S. Department of Education has spent over $3 trillion with virtually nothing to show for it. Despite per-pupil spending having increased by more than 245% over that period, there has been virtually no measurable improvement in student achievement:

• Math and reading scores for 13-year-olds are at the lowest level in decades.
• Six-in-ten fourth graders and nearly three-quarters of eighth graders are not proficient in math.
• Seven-in-ten fourth and eighth graders are not proficient in reading, while 40% of fourth grade students don’t even meet basic reading levels.
• Standardized test scores have remained flat for decades.
• U.S. students rank 28 out of 37 OECD member countries in math.

President Donald J. Trump and his administration believe we can, and must, be better.
Instead of maintaining the status quo that is failing American students, the Trump Administration’s bold plan will return education where it belongs — with individual states, which are best positioned to administer effective programs and services that benefit their own unique populations and needs.

Instead of a bloated federal system that burdens schools with regulations and paperwork, the Trump Administration believes states should be empowered to expand educational freedom and opportunity for all families.

Why would we keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect a different result?

For What We Spend, These Figures Are Disgraceful!

 

Well, This Would Probably Be A Good Start . . .

 

This Graph Should Tell You A Whole Lot . . .