<HEAD>
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.3020" name=GENERATOR></HEAD>
<BODY>
<DIV>Alyssa in SanAntonio described it better than I do - she obviously knows the subject more intimately than I do.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I used to date a nurse who homeschooled her two boys because they were infinitely more intelligent and intellectually curious than the vast majority of their age-peers and public schools were too "dumb-down" for them. If homeschooling had been available when I was a child, and my parents had been capable of it, then I might be far ahead of where I am today (in fact, much of my own education is from reading my Dad's college text books). In such cases, homeschooling is a great idea.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>But the majority of people pushing homeschool AND advocating for it in the public arena are religious fanatics who want their children to read ONLY the Bible and a few church-approved texts on such things as "intelligent[sic] design". I DO watch television and pay attention to what the pundits and opinion creators say on TV. In almost every case where I have seen homeshool being discussed on TV it's been the religious fanatics who have been pushing it.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>My Dad was a school teacher almost right up to the day he died. He taught Psychology, Sociology and Texas History; first at Midland High School and then at a magnet school for "at risk" (in trouble with the law) teenagers. His opinion of the problems with public education tied in directly with what Alyssa was saying.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>He explained that the schools had been dumbed down so that the MEDIOCRE children of rich people could get "A"s on their report cards and even the advanced placement classes for the bright kids had been turned into elite country clubs for socialites, again for the purpose of getting them into Ivy League Universities.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Folks like you and that nurse I dated, who homeschool because your kids might have higher IQs than most of their teachers, are a TINY minority.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>In the public forum, the issue of education has been totally co-opted by people who don't want their babies learning about such dangerous things as diversity, democracy and evolution.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Randy</DIV>
<DIV><BR><BR><BR> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid">-----Original Message----- <BR>From: Ccdember@aol.com <BR>Sent: Jan 13, 2007 11:19 AM <BR>To: discuss@paa-tx.org <BR>Subject: Re: [PAA-Discuss] Ron Paul running for president <BR><BR><ZZZHTML><FONT face=arial,helvetica><ZZZHTML><FONT face=Geneva color=#000000 size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF">Randy said in response to Margaret's post: (Ron Paul running for president).<BR><BR></FONT><FONT face=Geneva color=#000000 size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF">Wanna see the entire public school system disappear in a blink to be replaced only by home-schooling where bigots & morons get to teach there children whatever they believe, including nothing?<BR>Then elect a Libertarian.<BR><BR></FONT><FONT face=Geneva color=#000000 size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF"><BR>Carondelet's response:<BR>Wow, Randy I am shocked at the misperceptions and misunderstandings you seem to have around homeschooling! Calling homeschoolers bigots and morons you would be including our family and all of my beloved friends who homeschool. Many, many homeschoolers I know are very progressive in their thinking and providing a good education is their top priority. Some are not progressive but what we have in common (along with all parents) is wanting the best for our kids. We have the right to make that choice. In our large diverse homeschooling groups we practice finding common ground, respecting the differences, celebrating our children's talents and abilities, etc. We are in essence practicing peace Randy, with people who voted for George Bush.<BR><BR>Do you have personal relationships with homeschoolers or have you based your opinion on something you have read? <BR><BR>Does the hate and condemnation I hear from your statement lead to peace? Is the hate and condemnation we have for this administration any different from their own hate?<BR><BR>I feel hurt, angry, and sad by your words, Randy. No response is necessary. If you do respond, I respectfully ask you to post to the PAA list not to me personally.<BR><BR>Carondelet <BR><BR><BR></FONT><FONT face=Geneva color=#000000 size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF"></FONT></ZZZHTML></BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></BODY><PRE>
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Randy Scott
"Taken For A Ride" available for viewing by any Houston group concerned with
public transit, peak oil, corporate lobby groups.
<a href="http://www.newday.com/films/Taken_for_a_Ride.html">http://www.newday.com/films/Taken_for_a_Ride.html</A> Documentary describes how GM, oil
companies, tire makers & highway builders conspired to destroy public transit in American cities.
Contact me to arrange a viewing for your group.</PRE>