"Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition." Truer words were never spoken than those of Cardinal Ximinez in Monty Python's Life of Brian.

More of the quote: "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition. Our chief weapon is surprise. Surprise and fear...fear and surprise...surprise and fear..."

What does this have to do with politics in America? The fear is palpable already. What's next is the surprise when what shouldn't be possible in America, suddenly becomes reality. Listen to this podcast episode to understand that it's much later than you think it is in the battle for the soul of our nation. Surprised? Afraid? Exactly.

Did a ring-tone activate sleepers in the United States? Did Donald Trump win the election? Jewish space lasers? Will the government start brainwashing citizens under the guise of ‘deprogramming’?

Slow down.

Take a breath.

It’s okay.

None of the above, absolutely none of it, are true. These are rumors floated around to see if they work, and they don’t. But these are undeniably claims that people in our country actually believe? Why? Kind of…we asked for it.

The big lie has been an established part of history for generations. We know it, talk about it, but we don’t know what it really means. Hitler used it in a very manipulative way by maligning the news sources of the day and instilling distrust between the population and the news media (sound familiar?). Trump is doing the same thing with the press and with the latest problems he has discussing the election or anything that frankly annoys him. By himself, he’s not dangerous. But throw in reputable sources — or sources deemed reputable by many — Clarence Thomas and Ginni Thomas. How do you fight against the big lie? With education. Guess what’s also happening right now?

77% of Texas teachers in Texas want to quit. It’s not just Texas. The culture wars are real and are having a devastating impact across the nation down into the PTA rooms. As they are lying to your face, America, the Trump party is also systematically dismantling the tools you need to keep common conversation and shared knowledge flowing. Education is power, and we need to understand that as a community and give it the priority it deserves.