OK, I confess that the time has come, as I thought it might, when I would get bored with this blog topic. I have no less conviction of it's relevancy, but I have discovered too many blog sites that are more effective on this topic to justify the time away from my family.

I'm still blogging regularly at http://chucklesgigglesandsilliness.blogspot.com/

but I am having a ton more fun writing about the antics of the Chanoli Gang.

I will keep this blog alive. The makings of a new concept are on the edges of my mind, but more lucrative or at least income conducive ideas are at the forefront of my mind for now.

If you really want something to read, or more importantly, pray about, take a look at the blog link at the bottom of this post. That's a lot more relevant than my ranting. And if you really want to find relevant links to new homeschooling info, look at the Google Alerts feature of the Google website and put in some creative queries.

Short of a public outcry, (which just won't happen,) I'll be taking a break from this blog. Check out http://chucklesgigglesandsilliness.blogspot.com/ to keep up with myself and my family.

God Bless you.

PC

I'm on the sceptical side regarding this article, but the uncomfortable part is that I'm not entirely ready to just dismiss it as alarmist either. There have been times when I would have.

The points here are definitely worth thinking about. I am most interested by the fact that what spawned the sentiment behind this article was the issue of homeschooling.

We definitely do need to pay attention. I don't claim to have the amswers, but the questions are there.

Read on, judge well, learn with me:

Link: Concealed Affliction May Soon Turn Into Open Persecution

I think we've all heard this argument, "homeschooled kids don't get enough socialization." We've heards it in dozens of variations. The not-so-funny fact is that this argument never comes from homeschooler parents because they know it's not true. It's a criticism based on ignorance in most cases.

I think it's a relevant point and one that every homeschool parent needs to pay attention to, but as soon as you do start to think it through the solutions start popping up and soon you realize that it's a false argument.

All that may be true but the fact still remains that the movement against homeschooling is comprised of people who are ignorant of the realities of homeschooling in most cases. Therfore we do need to be ready with a defense when we hear that argument.

Here is yet another article that covers this topic:

Link: Home-school parents: Kids not sheltered

Here are some articles on the topic of charter schools in California. Watch out for the spin doctors in these. Good information can be gleaned here.

Links:

Rejected charter school appeals LEUSD denial to county level

Santa Cruz schools bar PCS from sports league

Here's an article from Mumbai, India discussing the rise of homeschooling in India and how it works. It's interesting to me how many similarities there are in the thoughts behind homeschooling and the practical difficulties.

Link:

Home work: Comfort of homeschooling

Fox News reports this time, exposing a few details of what I consider to be an up and coming battle at this point. Teachers Unions and state education are visibly threatened by the homeschooling movement. Some claim we are threatening "the system" (as cited in this article.)

I hope we are. I hope the societal system that has allowed the public education system to deteriorate into an indoctrination machine that produces gullible robots is shaking in it's boots. Please don't take me wrong. We all know that there are a good many success stories coming out of public schools. We all know that there are a few decent public schools scattered across the country, but overall I'd say it is easily agreed upon that the system has some huge flaws too. No matter how you choose to educate your little ones, it involves careful sacrifice and attention.

 I don't condemn  those families who choose to make a go of the public school system and I fully recognize that in many of those cases parents THINK they don't have a choice. In most cases we do have a choice, and it usually involves sacrifice, but again, I won't readily condemn those who go for public ed. What I do want is the free right to choose how my children are educated without being threatened by the government. I also want my tax dollars back in my own pocket to spend as I see fit for the education of my children. Socialism failed a long time ago, and I haven't forgotten it. If the EU wants to sink back into the pitfalls of history, I say goodbye, (see former articles on the current issues in Germany.) Let'em go, but not without a fight. Let's all remember the lessons of the last century and the damage socialism has done in that time.

Educate at home if you can, and continue to break the mold of nanny government.

Link:

LOS ANGELES — More parents are choosing the home over the classroom when it comes to educating their children.

The way this blog is designed, most folks who come here click through to other articles and do not comment. I'm fine with that. Although some debate on my opinions would be welcome, I'm more concerned with keeping up to date on relevant issues related to homeschooling in general and/or homeschooling in the media.

That said, I'd like a few of you who do come through regularly to tell me what issues I can focus on that YOU are interested in. I've found it very easy to keep up with any particular issue I am interested in and would like to improve this site by tailoring it to your homeschooling interests as well as my own.

Now of this post goes over as well as that poll I had up did, I'll have to question whether this site has any use at all!

8)

God Bless,

PC

I feel a rant coming on. This article is pure gibberish in my opinion:

Link: The Most Common Reasons Why Some People are Against Home Schooling

I will leave the argument that "homeschooled children don't get enough socialization," alone for the most part. I'm sure in some cases it is true, but we all know that a good parent who attends to this need can easily fill the need through church, play groups, co-ops etc.

How about this though?

"Another reason often mentioned is that home schooling may not provide the necessary structure or balance to prepare children for real-life situations."

And who determines what a "real-life situation" is in this context? Could it potentially be some numb-skull coffee addict?  Oh wait. That's me. Seriously though, some time ago I heard of a school here in California that had a class on how to work in a fast-food joint. Now how's that for real-life? Or how about the class that had a lesbian come in to teach on how a woman-woman household has advantages over a man-woman run household? Granted these are extreme examples, but there are more where those came from and some are more extreme.

Or this falsehood:

"Some argue that the homeschooling disadvantage may prevent children from reaching their full potential."

So why then are colleges snapping up homeschooled children?

Here's another one:

"When it comes to deciding whether or not to homeschool, parents should consult with their children. The children have the right to decide if this is the way they would like to learn."

Just like they have the right to decide what time they should go to bed every night? Maybe we should let them decide just how much candy to eat every day. Of course, my 4 year old would love to drive the family van, does he have that right? Come on now, does anyone really think that children have the discernment to understand the ramifications of where and how they learn?

Read the rest of this article if you'd like to, but please be careful not to buy into this ridiculousness. Read it to see just how dangerous a liberal mind can be when it reaches the logical extremes of a liberal worldview. I realize that the extremes of a conservative worldview can be just as absurd in ways, but is this the way we want our society thinking about the education of our children?

If we don't find ways to bring the truths of homeschooling out in our society, this kind of thinking will win the day. Remember this site calls itself  Your Homeschooling Resource. Maybe there is some good in this site. I haven't taken the time to look through it so I will be careful not to judge the whole site by this article, but I'm sceptical at the least.

As I first started reading, this article came across as alarmist but I think these points have serious validity to our position as homeschooling parents among other issues here in America.

The impact of citing foreign law to interpret our own constitution is something we all need to be aware of and may be the calm before a serious storm.

I will continue to post links to articles on this subject for any who have an interest, and I encourage you to be informed and form your own opinion.

As for me and my house I will be viewing these issues through the lens of Scripture and recommend that each who read anything I post here do the same. There is no more reliable truth than that of the Bible. Let's pray that our nations leaders and particularly the Supreme Court remember that as they exercise activism from the bench.

Link:

International Decisions to Influence US Constitutional Law – Homeschoolers Alarmed

Not surprising really considering that the majority of homeschoolers learn about accountability while the public schools appear to be teaching against accountability.

Link: Colleges and Universities go on Homeschool Recruiting Spree

This guy has a way of spreading his words too thick, but I thoroughly enjoyed the read. He makes some good points in keeping with the theme of this blog.

http://www.etherzone.com/2006/meek100906.shtml

Another interesting resource:

Link:  Citizens For Excellence In Education

Probably nothing new here to most of you experienced homeschoolers, but I thought it worth a post:

Link: Directory of State Homeschooling Organizations

Ok, I'm pretty sceptical of this one, but I did find it interesting. I'm trying to find the first part to better understand where this writer's coming from. Is there anything to this? See what you think:

Link:

Does Historical Evidence Reveal That Public Schools Increase The Need For More Prisons? Part 2.

This might be of interest to some.

Link: Constitutional scholar to cover Supremes for WND

Yeah, now here's proactive. I like it, and you might like to know it if you don't already:

Link: Homeschoolers say 'so long' to eBay

The more I learn about HSLDA, the more I like'em. At least, so far.

This report by World Net Daily does a better job than I ever could in describing the potential consequences of the European Human Rights courts decision on homeschooling in Germany. Please read this article carefully and then form your own opinion.

Below are a couple of quotes to pique your interest:

Breyer's use of the term "comparative analysis" means that the Supreme Court should use international law sources to help interpret American law, including the U.S. Constitution. The late Chief Justice Rehnquist said it even more directly: "Now that constitutional law is solidly grounded in so many countries, it is time that the United States courts begin looking to the decisions of other constitutional courts to aid in their own deliberative process."

and...

Even though the decision was addressing a home education case, no one should miss its bigger meaning. The state has the power to demand attendance at government schools so that children may receive indoctrination in today's theories of pluralism.

Read more here:

Link: Parental rights: Are they in jeopardy?

It'll never happen.    I hope.

World Net Daily reports:

Link: With student molestations skyrocketing, lawmakers demand weapon in drug fight

It's likely you wouldn't want young children reading this article.

Disclaimer:

I will always examine the pages these links go to for obscene material, but I can't be responsible for where the links on each page go. Use discretion like you would anywhere on the internet. I will do my best to screen them as thoroughly as I can and stick to reputable sites. I will never knowingly link to anything that I wouldn't want my little children to see.

OK, I am careful with what I read from the media, even when I agree. We all should be. If all that is here is true, then the European Human Rights Court is a nightmarish socialist organization. Judge the article for yourself, and if you were planning to move to Germany for their enlightened view on humanity... 

Nahhh, that'd never happen. Nobodies that crazy.

Link: HomeSchooling Families Under the Governments Thumb in Deutschland

More info on this subject for those who have an interest:

Link: Governor signs 'lemon' teacher legislation -- 503 more bills to go