Posted on 06/17/2003 6:29:40 AM PDT by agenda_express
Action Alert
Tell Bureaucrats to Stop Harassing Parents! Help Save Parental Choice in MA!
ISSUE: Our friend Chuck Muth (ChuckMuth.com) has just alerted us of an INSANE situation up in Waltham, Massachusetts. This one's so ridiculous, it makes our blood boil just to think of it. Take a look at his message:
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: "Oon now, all vee need ees 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.
Yeah, we can't have THAT!
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.)
-- Chuck Muth
We normally set up a website with a pre-written letter to Congress, etc. However, we thought it would be much more effective for our members to make contact as described above, in their own words. If you get a response you'd like to share, be sure to drop us a note. :-)
NOTE: The situation in Waltham has gotten WAY out of hand. 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 Alert to everyone you know who wants to help preserve the integrity of this bastion of real American values. Thank you!
Is there evidence to believe that these children are not being given access to an education and the parents are ignoring that ? The problem being that the details of a case where minors are involved cannot be disclosed.
Do we trust the judge involved to be making reasonable descisons ? Is this really a parental rights issue or are the children at risk ?
Personally, I have seen too many times that we get suckered into something that isn't what is advertised. And if it is, the anger is being directed to the wrong place. It should be directed to the law makers and not those charged with carrying it out. Otherwise your just wasting your time and at the same time putting the kids thru crap just for an ego trip.
Part of an annual employee evaluation form I was supposed to fill out asked how much I 'valued diversity'. I don't exactly remember the answer selections, but they went something like; extremely important, very important, and important. Try as I might, I couln't find the 'total BS' selection. Your point about a loaded test is well taken.
Moron
It depends on my mood. There are times when my wife and I would call to have them picked up.
And I'm the moron? Right...
I like this guy's style.
That would be correct and I agree with you, you are a moron.
And willing to give up liberty for a feel good world.
How trite, how amusing, how about you quite huffing methane from the source and try thinking for a change
They dont' give GED's or entrance to colleges to people who don't pass tests, so it is inevitable that testing is going to come up.
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