An INSANE situation up in Waltham, Massachusetts

This one's so Outrageous, it makes our blood boil just to think of it. Take a look at his message:

ISSUE: Kim and George Bryant have been home-schooling their two kids, George (15) and Nyssa (13), much to the chagrin of the Waltham Public School (WPS) system. The Bryants thus far have refused to force their children to take a government-mandated standardized test to assess their education level.

The WPS empire struck back last year, obtaining a court order giving custody of the kids to the Department of Social Services (DSS), which ever since has been threatening to take the kids away from their parents.

As the MetroWest Daily News reported on Friday, "Both sides agree that the children are in no way abused mentally, physically, sexually or emotionally, but legal custody of the children was taken from Kim and George Bryant in December 2001." They were ruled to be "unfit" for not filing educational plans with the government.

Unfit. For not filing paperwork. With the government school system. Over the education of their OWN children.

In fact, George Bryant was actually ARRESTED six years ago for failing to comply with the government's dictates over the home-schooled education of HIS children.

Arrested!!...Thrown in jail!!...Like a criminal!!...For taking personal responsibility for the education of HIS kids.

This six-year legal battle exploded on Thursday as bureaucrats from the DSS showed up at the Bryants' home with police escorts at 7:45 a.m. and attempted to remove the children from their home and force them to take the mandated tests.

Once again, the Bryants told the government agents to pound dirt, resulting in a seven-hour standoff.

"This has been a six-year battle between the Waltham Public Schools and our family over who is in control of the education of our children," said Bryant.

How DARE these parents stand up to the government and defend their right to raise their children as they see fit? Who do they think they are?

At least, that's the attitude of one outrageous government bureaucrat involved in this brouhaha. "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."

It is near impossible to describe the rage I feel inside every time I read those chilling words. WE will do with them as WE see fit. They do what WE tell them to do.

The sheer audacity of a bureaucrat to make such a statement about someone else's children who are in no way abused in any shape, form or fashion is beyond comprehension to me.

Comrade Etscovitz maintained on Thursday that, "No one wants these children to be put in foster homes. The best course of action would be for (the Bryants) to instruct the children to take the test."

One can just imagine her words being delivered with a thick East German accent: "undt now, all vee need eez dee kidz!"

This isn't about education. It's about control. It's about an imperial government trying to crush a movement in its infancy which could one day spell the end of the public school monopoly over our kids' educations.

Home-schooling means children might start learning again. REAL learning. Not "whole language" and "self-esteem." Learning about radical notions such as freedom, liberty and personal responsibility. Notions such as limited government and the Constitution and the vision of our Founding Fathers.

ACTION ITEM: As it appears that DSS is getting its marching orders from the Waltham Public Schools, it seems the best place to start is with the School Superintendent there. Her name is Dr. Susan Parrella. She can be reached via email at:

parrellas@k12.waltham.ma.us
or by phone at:
(781) 314-5400
or fax at:
(781) 314-5411.

Emails are great... but nothing quite ruins a bureaucrat's day like dealing with a flood of phone calls. I know. I just called. The woman who answered the phone hung up on me when she found out what I was calling about. They do NOT want to answer any questions about this.

Oh, and by the way. I reached Ms. Etscovitz this morning. She was not a happy camper once she found out what I was calling about. Refused to comment on her "we will do with them as we see fit" statement, saying only, "I'm terminating this conversation now," before slamming the phone down.

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.)

Outraged Americans across the country need to contact these bureaucrats NOW to express their outrage and demand they do the RIGHT thing. Be sure to forward this email to everyone you know who wants to help save parental choice in America, starting in Massachusetts. p> Thank you!

SO, since all of these laws exist in Mass. then there are no drop outs, no uneducated people of K-12 school age in that state. Gov't is not accountable to their own laws, and that's why there is such inadequate (laughable) education in our pubic skoos. They can't reed or rite pruprly, tawk norml, or even axe intelagent cueshons

But they know how to put a condom on a banana and stick their fist in someone else's rectum. That's progress for you....

I found this in regard to your comments:

They were ruled to be "unfit" for not filing educational plans with the government.

I think you're correct. I assumed the issue was over the MCAS test, a point at which the parents could've gotten thousands of angry people in their lawn stopping any action.

On second reading, it sounds as if the parents didn't file the necessary educational plans, in which they're supposed to go before the local school board, discuss what they're doing to provide for their children's education and how they were going to validate the progress their children were making. That plan would include types of testing and what extracurricular options (in the school, if desired) would be pursued. It's really a very flexible process.

I don't see the parents gripe here, if they haven't handed in their plan. As someone wrote, you don't want someone keeping their children out of school and providing some nutty terrorist "education"...or do you? Home study is really pretty common in Massachusetts, and local boards tend to be flexible.

I don't understand why these parents don't talk to the school system, set up a plan, and talk about testing. I wish they'd come online and chat with us; most home-study parents take pride in their children's achievement and could tell us what assessments they're doing to make sure the children are learning.

As someone else wrote, most school systems are actually thrilled when "screamers" decide to keep the kids home or send them to private school.

No, no, no. You are not being PC. Their is no wrong way to anything. You must not make anyone feel inferior. However you want to spell it is CORRECT (Politically Correct).

The day I become politically "correct," my wife has instuctions to shoot me and make it look like an accident. It would be a mercy killing.......

The way vaccination of a population works is that when a vast majority of a given group vaccinates itself the disease no longer thrives there. Now given the fact that nothing is perfect, there are many that were in fact given the shots but are not in actuality innoculated against the disease. The way that these are protected is that the fact that the vast majority IS innoculated does not allow the disease to thrive and therefore those that are not in actuality safe from the disease never get it because they never have contact with the disease itself. So, actually, someone could decide for himself that he will rely on the fact that he will never be exposed to the disease in his life, and avoid the pain/ possible side-effects of the shots and just coast on the situation provided by others eradicating the disease from the population. So this may actually work for one person, but obviously not if everyone decided to opt out.

Did you consider that homeschooling might be the vaccine needed to cure the scourge of inadequate public schooling?

Well we'll see how good your assurances are when they try to get jobs or go to college. "Well, you havent proven that you have a minimum amount of knowledge to attend here, but your parents assure me you're smart enough, so have fun!"

In these days of not so hidden diversity quotas and reverse discrimination, what difference does it really make if you have high/low test scores?

most home schoolers are happy to take standardized test because they consistently show how much better educated they are than the publicly schooled kids.

Homeschoolers like us, but... What happens when the standardized test tests for knowledge of PC doctrine? Then what? Parents will have to teach to the test, thus undermining the central purpose of homeschooling. A thorny problem for which I see no simple solution.

I don't recall a "right to drive" in the Constitution -- unlike the 2nd amendment.

The Constitution doesn't bestow the right to keep and bear arms either even though it is iterated in the Bill of Rights. Take a look at the Ninth Amendment for "rights not enumerated". Also read the Tenth. Then there is Article IV, Section 2: "The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Priveleges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States." Numerous people have sued the government, and won, to drive without lisences or vehicle registrations. The court found in their favor, why are they granted a Privelege or Immunity from the law that the rest of us are not?

Doesn't a Citizen have a right to travel freely within our own country? Is it the States' business how we travel? The current mode of common transportation is by automobile. To be denied the ability to travel freely is to severely hamper the freedom of the individual. It would be economically crippling to most people to be denied the ability to drive. Placing restrictions on that without just cause or due process is invasive upon the individual liberties of the Citizen.

You avoided the most important question; "If a driver has not demonstrated a danger to the community or caused harm to anyone why should he/she be tested, lisenced and registered by the government?"

What happens when the standardized test tests for knowledge of PC doctrine? Then what?

We will deal with that problem when we come to it. As long as the standardized tests provided to home schoolers are the same tests as those provided to the public schoolers, that is the 1st defense. Anyone who takes the time to find sample copies of those tests (the push behind those tests coming from the Bush administration, BTW) can see that they are not PC oriented, but standard math, science, english, etc. If and when PC tests surface, then we can hammer them. But so far all I see is a lot of fearful paranoia. If someone can find a documented "PC test" designed for home schoolers, please copy it, scan it in, and post it. Otherwise it is all like chicken little running around shouting how the "PC tests" are coming with no evidence that this is the case.

Doesn't a Citizen have a right to travel freely within our own country? Is it the States' business how we travel? The current mode of common transportation is by automobile. To be denied the ability to travel freely is to severely hamper the freedom of the individual. It would be economically crippling to most people to be denied the ability to drive. Placing restrictions on that without just cause or due process is invasive upon the individual liberties of the Citizen. You avoided the most important question; "If a driver has not demonstrated a danger to the community or caused harm to anyone why should he/she be tested, lisenced and registered by the government?"

But according to your logic, I can build my own rocket powered wagon and go drive it on the roads. Mad Max vehicles here we come. After all, if I have the right to travel freely, and it is not the business of the State how we travel, then I see no reason I cannot just go build my own rocket fueled vehicle to go tooling about town. And if I want to guy buy a semi-tractor and go driving it around without any commercial license or any license at all, that is my business.

The bottom line of your philosophy is actually anarchism. I imagine you consider yourself a conservative, not an anarchist, is that right?

Ah yes, the typical liberals answer. Don't make sense, just give some off-the-wall answer and look intelligent.....that'll fool them right?

Hmmm...so you:

(a) Post a perfectly ridiculous set of inane conditions and say "This is what you believe", and

(b) When I respond that you are off your meds you reply "the typical liberals answer. Don't make sense, just give some off-the-wall answer and look intelligent".

I don't know how old you are but apparently you have no concept of using debate to argue a point, but rather you appear to simply make wild statements and then ad hominem attacks. Don't go posting a bunch of foolishness and say "this is what you believe". That is the level of argument of 1st graders. If you want to respond to someone, respond to what they actually said, don't go making stuff up, projecting it on them, and then responding to what you made up yourself!

The public schools consistently fail, consistently turn out "graduates" who can barely read and write, and yet nothing is done about the horrible public school system.

That's not quite true. The more public schools fail the more money is shoveled at them.

"Let no child be left behind!"

Given the direction the gooberment is taking kids...I'm begging on my knees...
"Please, leave my kid behind!!!"

So if the school demands that I teach my children the it is "normal" to have two mommies, and I refuse, then I am a nut case? I have been in public school, and there is no way my children will be place in a public school. I will homeschool my children, and the government can stay out of it. You will note in the article that they agree there is no abuse, just a desire by the DSS storm troopers to demonstrate that
"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."
This is about personal freedom from interference by the "nanny state".

I believe people should be left alone unless there is imminent danger to others. Since the gov't has already stipulated that is not the case, then this is about CONTROL!!! I refuse to cede my parental authority to some liberal social workers with an agenda I find reprehensible.

The bottom line of your philosophy is actually anarchism. I imagine you consider yourself a conservative, not an anarchist, is that right?

You failed to read the restricting language of my posts. The restrictive language of the Constitution. "Unless some provable danger or harm is done..." to paraphrase myself. A nation under the rule of law allows for redress of grievances, it does not require apriori proof of fitness to participate. I also delineated specifically what type of transportation and why in order to establish my point. You used your own imagination to stretch it to the absurdity of anarchy, not me.

And if I want to guy buy a semi-tractor and go driving it around without any commercial license or any license at all, that is my business.

Why shouldn't it be? If you are going to concede that the government has a right to regulate your business then I'll agree (for the sake of argument). So if you aren't using the tractor rig for business why should the government intercede?

I disagree with your analogy. Cars are inanimate objects that can kill if they are wielded by lousy drivers.

I'm not crazy about your logic here. Guns are inanimate objects and definitely kill if handled incompetently or maliciously. Should firearms owners be tested, lisenced and registered in order to own and use guns? Like firearms I think there are sufficient sanctions and repercussions for misuse of an automobile. If they are not sufficient they can be strengthened to the point that only a fool would get behind the wheel without educating and training themselves first.

...an attempt to reconcile the desires and needs of the individual with the good of society.

The essence of that thought is pure socialism. This is not a slam against you, if you feel slighted that is your choice, it is merely an observation. The philosophy underlying your statement is antithetical to the philosophy of government embodied in the Constitution. Unfortunately it is very popular today even here in the U.S. It makes France what it is.

You wrote:

"Do these DOs have anything to do with osteopathy? (basically the Dr. that women reaching menopause see who are worried about the detioration of their bones?)"

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You appear to be confusing the condition, "osteoporosis" with the profession of osteopathy. You might go here..www.academyofosteopathy.org and learn about DO's here in the States.......

DO's can be anything from Cardiac Surgeons to GP's....They most certainly could be specialists ( my experience is they have been Radiology or Ortho Drs..) in osteoporosis also.......

FWIW

But, yes, the State can test if the child knows how much is five times five or that the Earth revolves around the Sun.

Why? What compelling interest of the State overrides the individual right that makes it necessary to test math competency or astronomical knowledge? Does knowledge of math impart intelligence? Honor? Morality? Loyalty to family, community or country? Does it insure happiness?

...or that the Earth revolves around the Sun.

Sherlock Holmes addressed this very question (and obviously it was the thought of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who was not unsuccessful or considered a dolt). Holmes said "I am not interested to know that the Earth revolves around the Sun. I don't need to know such things. The knowledge of it has no practical use to me."

An awful lot of people here seem to think that education (which is stretching the limits of logic and common sense when applied to government schooling) is necessary to the acquistion of intelligence, happiness and productivity. That's a load of manure big enough to fertilize eastern Montana! What is truly disturbing though is the recurrent idea that 'society' has some right to standardize the fit and form of the individuals that make it up. What's worse is the idea that the State ought to use its power and force individuals to conform to this societal ideal. Seig heil (Hail welfare), Comrades!

Abraham Lincoln and George Washington Carver can thank their lucky stars they were born way back when.

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