Alan & Brenda Leonard

> Germany was once considered the epitome of an educated people.
>
> To this day, no one dreams of jay walking in Germany, even on an empty
> street. As I see it, Germans will need many more generations to overcome
> their unspeakable shame at being such obedient, horrific sheep.
>
> Growing up, I knew a man from Austria who told of the "old (Prussian) army."
> There, the motto was, "Let the horse think !" In other words, "Do what
> you're told -- don't think for yourself !"

I don't know when you might have most recently visited Germany, Ned.
However, I live in Germany right now, so I'd like to address a couple of
these statements.

First, I see people jaywalking regularly. German culture is much more
proper and formal than American, but they're really not *that* uptight! I
have also observed that the horrors of the Third Reich are not unspeakable
to Germans today. They speak of them, they have created art to represent
and memoralize them, and they live with the problems of being blamed (still)
by the world for something they personally had no part in.

Germany has changed since you were growing up, Ned. That's a number of
years ago, now. I spent several days in the former East Germany and also
East Berlin this summer. Can you tell the difference between the West and
East? Yes. By the buildings. But not by the people. It's only been a
decade. But the people have changed.

Finally, the German school system is still the envy of many a country, if
not America. German children attend school only in the mornings, and their
education includes many things eliminated in American schools: art,
swimming, music, etc. The schools here are not perfect, by any means, but
it's still a good education.

>My purpose was not to create unnecessary fear
>among our troops, but to point out that the reason school employees treat
>homeschoolers with disrespect, distrust, disdain and often contempt is that
>they see us as their enemy...

Just for the record, I have encountered very polite, respectful people in
the schools here. Furthermore, I don't think that your above statement
describes my parents, who have now each dedicated 50 years of their lives to
public education. We may disagree on my son's education, but I know that
they have made a positive mark on many children's educations.

You are fully entitled to your opinion, Ned. However, I personally have
been offended by some of your sweeping generalities. I hope that you can be
open to the idea that very few concepts are as black and white as you are
painting them.

brenda