Who Said This?
Nov. 18, 2005 at 7:53 AM
"We have trouble in the classrooms, we are putting in new text books. Nothing wrong with new books but we are spending more time on them than the Bible; it is drifting to the back of the classroom. We cannot tolerate this in American education. The Bible's morals are pure, its examples are captivating and noble."
If you guessed Pat Robertson you'd be wrong.
If you guessed Billy Graham you' be wrong.
If you guessed George W. Bush you'd be wrong.
If you guessed Spunky at SpunkyHomeschool you'd be wrong.
It was Fisher Aimes.
Who is Fisher Aimes you ask?
None other than the author of the First Ammendment to the Consitution of the United States of America. He wrote that in an article called "School Books" for Palladium Magazine in January of 1801. I wonder what he would write about the public schools today?
So for those of you who think that the public schools can be reformed just remember to some they already have.
8 Comments and Trackbacks
posted by parkwaymom on Nov. 18, 2005 at 11:00 AM
Amazing!
ParkwayMom
posted by jayfromcleveland on Nov. 18, 2005 at 2:33 PM
Spunky, it's also notable (to me at least) that Fisher Ames was the son of the philomath Nathaniel Ames, author of the Ames Almanack, the most successful astronomical almanack of Colonial America. The Ames Almanack was emulated by "Richard Saunders" (aka Benjamin Franklin) who modeled his better-known "Poor Richard's Almanack" on that of Ames.
The Ames family (and their contributions to American science, politics and literature) was very famous prior to the 20th century. That they are largely forgotten today is a still further indication of our dumbed-down generation, and the hard work we homeschoolers must do to restore our lost heritage. -jay (for whom everything leads back to astronomy!)
posted by spunkyhomeschool on Nov. 18, 2005 at 3:26 PM
Thanks for enlightening us Jay. You definitely are a rising star in the blogosphere. I do worry sometimes though that you are a tad bit lost in space.
posted by spunkyhomeschool on Nov. 18, 2005 at 3:30 PM
Jay I did notice that the spelling of your Ames Almanak is different than my reference. Are they still the same family?
posted by PatriciaWHunter on Nov. 18, 2005 at 3:35 PM
Excellent post...and a science lesson, too! Thanks, Jay!
posted by jayfromcleveland on Nov. 18, 2005 at 4:34 PM
Thanks Spunky, but after 15 years of various obstacles, false starts, bunny trails and failures, I'd be perfectly content to be a rising star in the homeschool curriculum world! I will have fulfilled my mission when folks like yourself learn the difference between "astronomy" (a 6000 year old science practiced from ground level) and "space" (a fabrication of 20th century science fiction writers)!!!!! for example....
Sorry to have been such a windbag, I've done quite a bit of obscure reading. Can't account for the diverse spelling of "Aimes," never seen it spelled that way. Here's a primary source. In any event, it would be great if homeschoolers could learn more about the long-dead American almanack tradition, including it's role in early American literature and science, and the contributions of almanack-makers such as Ames, Cotton Mather, Ben Franklin, David Rittenhouse, Andrew Ellicott and Benjamin Banneker. I'll be happy to write that book as soon as God puts 30 hours in the day!
posted by jayfromcleveland on Nov. 18, 2005 at 5:25 PM
Oops, sorry Spunky, as I beat this horse to death, I see I didn't answer your question re establishing paternity! Here's some great links that really paint the picture:
Nathaniel Ames (the father)
Fisher Ames (1st Congress)
Ames brothers -- Fisher and Nathaniel (the son)
posted by spunkyhomeschool on Nov. 18, 2005 at 5:46 PM
cyber space Jay cyber space. You were gone for a while and now you're back. That's what I was referring to.