Luz Shosie and Ned Vare

on 8/10/02 1:30 AM, [email protected] at
[email protected] wrote:

Nancy, considering the possible threat to her rights, wrote:
> If, suddenly homeschooling became illegal, I would do it anyway.

Ned, in response, expresses himself:
I would too. However, I hope you think it would be much better if it didn't
become illegal. You seem to send the message that it would be no big deal
either way. When you say "anyway," you're saying you are willing to break
the law. I'll ride in the sheriff's car with you, gladly.

Some of my recent posts have had the purpose of telling homeschoolers that
if we are not vigilant, and willing to guard/keep our rights, then they will
be taken away. That would be a terrible thing, and not just for
homeschoolers.

About 25 years ago, homeschooling was illegal in several states. There were
sheriffs at many homeschoolers' doors demanding that children be sent to the
local public schools, and many children were actually forcibly taken away
from their homes and put in foster homes for various terms, and parents were
"detained" too. Many homeschoolers lived in fear of the pedagogical police.

Things have changed on the surface, but we're far from safe. A legislator in
CT has told her constituents (including homeschoolers to their faces) that
she intends to do everything she can to eliminate parents rights to educate
their kids. I'm sure that there are many like her in the land.

Kids are hard to hide.

Best wishes,

Ned

[email protected]

In a message dated 8/11/02 2:51:42 PM Central Daylight Time,
nedvare@... writes:


> Nancy, considering the possible threat to her rights, wrote:
> > If, suddenly homeschooling became illegal, I would do it anyway.
>
> Ned, in response, expresses himself:
> I would too. However, I hope you think it would be much better if it didn't
> become illegal. You seem to send the message that it would be no big deal
> either way. When you say "anyway," you're saying you are willing to break
> the law. I'll ride in the sheriff's car with you, gladly.

No, when I say "If, suddenly homeschooling became illegal, I would do it
anyway." I mean if homeschooling were illegal, I would do it anyway. Not that
it would be no big deal, just that I believe in what I do and would do it
anyway, or inspite of, not I'll ride in the sheriff's car, gladly. Not
gladly, anyway. Don't put words in my mouth.

>Some of my recent posts have had the purpose of telling homeschoolers that
>if we are not vigilant, and willing to guard/keep our rights, then they will
>be taken away. That would be a terrible thing, and not just for
>homeschoolers.

I have an uncle who has this mentality. He has guns, lots of guns. He enjoys
hunting, which I think is fine. The problem with his guns isn't his guns, the
problem is he is always spouting off about how if he isn't vigilant, *they*
are going to take away his rights. He has a real problem with these people he
refers to as *they* and *them* He has to watch out for them, they are going
to take his rights away. His favorite saying is "*They* can have my gun when
*they* pry it from my cold, dead hand!" If my uncle wasn't so gung ho about
his rights, and always shouting about the ever-present *they* and *them*
taking away his rights, then the *they* and *them* probably wouldn't care so
much about him. What he doesn't realize is that *they-them* aren't after his
hunting rifle locked in his safe. For every action there is a reaction. My
uncle is part of that equation, he doesn't have to be.
I think that keeping an eye on the law is a good thing. What I don't think is
a good thing is getting on my horse and riding around proclaiming that my
homeschooling rights are about to be violated. There is an old saying. Don't
rock the boat. I have it good here, I am thankful. I wish it were the same
for all, but I know it isn't. (I am sure some in states that don't have it as
easy as I do might think that I am being selfish. And maybe I am.) I am not
willing to run around screaming about something that *might* happen, calling
attention to what I do legally, just asking for some hot head to hear me and
say that they DON'T like what I do, and make it harder or even illegal for me
to do what I do. I am thankful for those who have gone before me on this
road. I am grateful for the battles they fought and won. They made it
possible for me to enjoy the freedom I have to raise my kids the way I feel
is best. I am not going to stand up and shout about a system they helped
create, risking loosing what I do have. Is that wrong? Maybe. Is it an
ungrateful attitude toward those who went before me? No. So when I say if
homeschooling were to become illegal, I would do it anyway. I guess I mean
that, like those who did this before me, I would do it anyway, but thanks to
them, I don't need to draw attention to myself, and in deference to them, I
won't.
~Nancy


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