Posted on 12/04/2004 8:49:30 AM PST by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON — Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.), promoting his lifelong passion for the U.S. Constitution, has inserted into a massive federal spending bill a requirement that schools devote at least part of a day each year to teaching about the document.
The provision would apply to all schools, elementary through college, that receive federal aid. Education groups worry that the provision could be the opening wedge in a campaign by Washington to influence what schools teach.
Byrd carries a copy of the Constitution in his breast pocket — over his heart — and often waves it on the Senate floor. He lamented in a recent speech that even some of his colleagues in Congress didn't know fully what it said. "An informed public is our best defense against tyranny," he said.
The provision he inserted in the spending bill, which is expected to clear Congress next week, would require schools that receive federal funding to teach about the Constitution on Sept. 17 — a day that Byrd has sought, in separate legislation, to declare a national holiday to mark the anniversary of the document's signing in 1787.
--snip--
The legislation took education officials in the capital by surprise. While they did not contest the importance of teaching the Constitution, many expressed concern that Congress was overstepping its authority.
"It's the kind of intervention from the federal level that really has no place in our system of education," said Vincent Ferrandino, executive director of the National Assn. of Elementary School Principals. "If there is concern on the part of members of Congress that the Constitution is not being taught in our schools, I think that's an issue that ought to be raised in other venues."
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Too bad none of these people that read the constitution notice the stark lack of provisions for a national education administration.
I don't have any problem with old Sheets on this one, but I wish he'd do some reading too, since his memory of what the Constitution says seems to have failed him badly.
byrd's only real interest in the Constitution is to what means it can be manipulated to his benefit - personally, then politically.
PLease refrain from posting your thread link on my threads.
Why don't you use your tagline or some other way to sell your concept, be it relevant or not. Thanks!
You have a profile page too, why not use it instead?
Excellent idea Sen Byrd. -Tom
Yeah! Makes me wonder what's the catch!
"It's the kind of intervention from the federal level that really has no place in our system of education,"
Let's see.
The Federal government established the 'federal school system', and yet, they have 'no place' in the education system?
Riiiigggghhhht!
There is much wisdom in what you say. Now all you need to do is meditate on this until you find that wisdom, grasshopper.
It's a step in the right direction, IMO.
I agree that the federal government should get out of the 'business' off educating our kids by letting people get into private schools.
But for the 'teachers union' to complain about federal control over a (current) federal system is laughable.
You asked:
Is it a Mission [of government] to Mandate Teaching of the Constitution?
I don't think Congress has that mandate. - Thus, "the proper role of government" is a valid comment on your question.
"If it were up to me as an individual to punish my neighbor for violating a given law, would it offend my conscience to do so?
Since my conscience will never permit me to physically punish my fellow man unless he has done something evil, or unless he has failed to do something which I have a moral right to require of him to do, I will never knowingly authorize my agent, the government to do this on my behalf."
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Great words, written by a truly wise but largely unknown American conservative.
Sample study questions for Constitution Day (not you):
1. What secret society during its heyday in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries lobbied actively in the American South to deny blacks, Jews, Catholics and others their constitutional rights, often employing such gentle means as vandalism, arson and lynching?
2. What United States Senator now living (as of December 2004) was a member of that organization as a young man?
Answers below.
Sorry, Byrd, but I think the Constitution deserves just a little more than "part of a day each year".
If I had my way, the following course would be mandatory:
John Locke - Several weeks of in-depth study of his writings, philosophy, and the impact of same on the fine gentlemen who founded this Republic.
Tom Paine - Common Sense read and dissected by the class over several weeks.
The Declaration of Independence. Line - by - Line.
In-depth study of pre-constitutional America. Study of Articles of Confederation. Differences between the Articles, and the Constitution.
Study of the arguments in The Federalists Papers and the Letters From a Federal Farmer. These could be read in either/or chronological or topical order. It is important to have both the Federalist and Anti-Federalist arguments studied.
The course would be topped off with the Constiution itself. A thorough analysis of each of the checks and balances (including those normally overlooked by your typical statists). How and why it was organized the way it is, with comparison and contrast against other forms of government, such as parlamentary systems.
Someday I'd like to have the time to write the textbook. Lots of other stuff could be added to the historical section of the course, as well as discussion of deToqeville's commentaries as well, even though they were written long after the founding of hte Republic.
"a requirement that schools devote at least part of a day each year to teaching about the document."
norm
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If I had my way, the following course would be mandatory:
zeguma
Go man go! The Constitution is the most influential document since the Bible!
I'm sure the NEA will fit this in the curriculum between the course on the proper use of condoms and Johnny has two dads.
BTTT
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