Posted on 06/16/2003 3:21:35 PM PDT by webber
On that thread, I stated my admiration for homeschoolers for the immense sacrifices they have made (my sister homeschools, so I know that it requires a tremendous amount of effort).
Most current homeschoolers are very devoted to their commitments, and their children excell far beyond our contemptible public education.
But if this family is allowed to thumb their nose to state testing, then I see this as setting a precedent for all the lazy, low-life project mentality parents to "claim" that they are homeschooling their children. And they would no longer have to prove it. Then, as one of you stated, these children will grow up and be turned loose on society.
I just wish I knew how to do a link so that you guys could peruse the other thread and help me out. But alas, I've just now learned how to cut and paste, but the instructions I've been given on doing links still baffle me.)
What if this so-called "herd immunity" described does indeed work by not allowing a disease to get a hold? It could only do so by sacrificing some of the most weak and vulnerable to adverse vaccine reactions, including death --is that acceptable (maybe in today's Amerika)? With our modern medicine and bioterrism sensitivities, it is highly unlikely that a disease would spread far in the manner you described.
I've seen doctors make SO many mistakes...and they totally avoid preventative/nutritional aspects of medicine. What about the parent who "knows" that their child seems to have food sensitivitious (through family history, close observation), but can't perform medical tests to prove it? Must they still submit their child to vaccinations about which the doctors don't even know the contents? Ever try to get a hold of the vaccine insert to read? Good luck; you must be provided one by law when you buy aspirin, but you are treated like a space alien if you ask for one for DPT or MMR. A child I know has wheat sensitivities, and not a single doctor in the entire prestigus could tell the parent whether the shots had wheat/gluten- huh? Who's being irresponsible there -- the ignorant doctor or the parent who seeks further info?
I don't know all the facts in this case, so it's hard for me to say what's going on -- were there simple steps the parents could have taken earlier which would not have infringed on their consciences but meet the letter of the law? That being said, I think it is better to run the risk of a few children being "left behind" by fake/irresponsible homeschooling parents than to regulate the vast majority who are doing it right, in order to leave sacred the right of parents to direct their children's upbringing (it may be too late in terms of precedent, since we've swallowed the hokum of mandatory schooling). There are already laws against child abuse, those should suffice to get the really bad eggs. By the way, many of the most successful small businesspeople I know only have high school educations; and we need more people in the trades (electrical, plumbing, etc), not more brainwashed collegians.
Are you a socialist?
Just what in the hell do I owe society? I have a few boxes of copper clad hollow points if you'd like payment in precious metals.
Oh yeah, that works real well. No one with a state issued drivers lisence ever drives drunk or gets into a high speed chase to avoid a DUI etc. If one is a competent driver and thus never causes an accident or breaks the traffic laws why should they prove their ability to the state? Haven't they already demonstrated it?
Lisence and create a data base on people who screw up. Driving should be a right until you mess up just like owning a firearm. The right is limited or completely curtailed in proportion to how much you abuse it. Abuse either one too much and you lose your right to walk free. As it is lisenced drivers are working on their fourth, fifth, sixth DUI's.
I don't get the logic at play here. You're afraid that homeschooled kids will end up 'pig stupid' unless the state tests them. What is the graduation rate of public schooled kids? What are the consequences to the state for kids who fail? Oh yeah, higher budgets. What is it the state is teaching that's producing this abundance of societal paragons?
When the state demands testing of homeschoolers they should enroll in public school and then drop out. What does the state ever do about drop outs?
I think it would really bug her if a lot of people called (781) 641-8500, so please, please don't rattle her cage, OK? That number not to call again to reach Susan Etscovitz is (781) 641-8500. That's (781) 641-8500. (You could also fax her at 781-648-6909.)I've been saying for awhile that the best way to deal with overofficious government agents (and the CPS types are among the worst) is to post their names, pictures, addresses, home phone numbers...stuff like that.
-Eric
Don't all colleges and universities give their own entrance exams? Don't all government schooled kids have to take them? Why should homeschooled kids take a state test then?
"We have the legal custody of the children and we will do with them as we see fit," DSS trooper Susan Etscovitz told the Bryants Thursday morning. "They are minors and they do what we tell them to do."
Ah yes, the gentle yet tough love of a government bureacrat. The village has called, and they want their child.
Public school to the rescue!!!
Bwahahaha! The school counselor will give the kid a donut and a prozac-ritalin cocktail and all will be well.
I want the State to make sure. Someday these kids are going to be released on all of us. Hopefully well educated and well adjusted, but we need a clue they are going in that direction.
Someday all public schooled kids will be released on us. I want them all locked up, sterilized or shot judging from current results. Seig heil (Hail welfare), comrade!
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