Is the sky really falling? (Healthcare bill)

As a homeschooler of many years, I am very aware that things happen out in the world that before long will greatly affect our ability to homeschool, but the email I got this morning, really bothered me. 

I am paraphrasing here, but it suggested that because the government is issuing student loans that they would next want to affect college curriculum. 

I can't see them affecting college curriculum any more than they do now.... plus there are far too many layers of bureaucracy in colleges already for them to be able cut through...

Just my opinion anyway. 

This is just a sampling of the things I see daily that says because Obama is president, the sky will fall.

But then again, I don't thing the healthcare bill is unconsititutional.  I don't see the President of the United States as the Antichrist either.
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Got a little ticked off today

 I'm tired of HSLDA telling homeschoolers how to think.  I am even more tired of people thinking the way they say we should.

I don't care if you hate Obama or not... I don't care if you want healthcare or not.  But I do want you to read the bill and make the decision to call your Rep yourself.

Read more about my rant here:

Homeschoolers against the health care bill?
 The HSLDA made no qualms that the organization was anti-Obama during the election.  They are continuing the trend with opposition to the healthcare bill.  The message, mailed out to homeschoolers all over the country today, encourages  homeschoolers to call their US representative and say the following (while not identifying yourself as a homeschooler):... continued
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Do Politics and Homeschooling mix?

I have been hesitant to mention who I plan to vote for because for me politics is not something I like to discuss with homeschoolers. Let's face it... Homeschoolers are passionate people. When we believe in something we champion it. We fight for it. We will argue you to the death. Politics was not something I wanted to get into. Still as a homeschool blogger,it is difficult to segment my life and to keep my political affiliations separate from who I am as a person, and who we are as a family.

Politics and homeschoolers have to mix if homeschooling is going to be a cohesive life endeavor. After all, politics is a part of life.

Who am I going to vote for?

Obama.

Why?

My reasons are emotional, intellectual, inspirational, reasonable, and necessary.
Sure, as a conservative Christian who also homeschools, there are things I don't like about Obama... his stance of Abortion for one. It is a hard pill for me to swallow. Still, when compared against McCain, I have to look at the whole picture. I made the mistake of voting for bush on just one or two Christian related issues. I can't be that ignorant again.

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My Final thoughts on the California Ruling

Read my related article on Families.com

Ps... I have nothing against conservative Christians... I am one. I just don't like exclusivity.

update: After getting a You-Tube comment from someone who claimed to be involved with the case in question, I decided to research the case to make sure I was being fair to the family. While I have not heard from the family specifically (who I don't intend to call on the phone based on court records or personality)

If you want to know more about the specific case, which is worse than I imagined... go here:


Thanks.

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Was my last post in error?

According to a comment, my last post was the result of believing Christian Hysteria.

Here are some excerpts from the actual law that was signed.

SB777

sec 1: It is the policy of the State of California to afford all persons in public schools, regardless of their disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or any other characteristics that is contained in the definition of hate crimes set forth in section 422.55 of the penall code, equal rights and opportunities in the educational institutions of the state. The purpose of this chapter is to prohibit acts which are contrary to that policy and to provide remedies therfore.

sec 4: Section 210.7 is added to the Education code to read: 210.7 "Gender" means sex, and includes a person's gender identity and gender related appearance and behavior whether or not stereopyically associated with the person's assigned sex at birth.

sec 15: Section 51500 of the education code is amended to read:60044 No instructional materials shall be adopted by any governing board for use in the schools that in its determination contains: any matter reflecting adversely upon persons because of a characteristic listed in 220.


sec 220: No person shall be subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability, gender, nationality, race, or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes set forth in section 422.55 of the Penal Code in any program or activity conducted by an educational institution that receives or benefits from, state financial assistance or enrolls pupils who receive state student financal aid.
(religious institutions are excluded)

So was I wrong? ... technically, but this law says alot of things that are not written. Read it and decide for yourself.

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Elizabeth Edwards on Homeschooling

Elizabeth Edwards talks about homeschooling.



unfortunately she perpetuates the myth that you must have money to homeschool and that you need a certified teacher.


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We need to choose between homeschool and public school

I just read a story about homeschoolers in the Baldwin Union Free School District in New York who want to participate in public school programs. I understand how parents are seeing tons of free resources for their kids that the kids can't participate it. But I feel like if you are going to separate your kids from public schools, then you need to separate your kids from public schools.

In life, you seldom get to have your cake and eat it too.... to homeschool while demanding use of public schools activities is in my opinion damaging to homeschoolers who are fighting for true separation and also unfair to the public school children.

If we, as homeschoolers want sports groups, and bands, and ensembles, then we need to create our own. It can be done. In the Atlanta area where I live we have a major homeschool sports organization that provides football, baseball, cheerleading, and more. There are homeschool choirs and bands. There are traveling soccer teams and more. Instead of fighting for the free public school resources, parents can spend the time and effort organizing groups that will trump what the public schools have to offer.

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Why I won't be HSLDA's pansy

I just got a note from the HSLDA.ORG urging homeschoolers to barrage legislators with calls to stop the Federal Employment Non Discrimination Act. "ENDA would prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of "actual or perceived sexual orientation." They do not want the non discrimination act passed because it means that businesses would have to hire people who were gay or lesbian or were perceived as gay or lesbian. Of course religious organizations are exempt from this law, but HSLDA says that a business would have to prove it was a religious organization. While a church or Christian school might be able to freely discriminate, a business based on religious foundations like Chik Filet, Hobby Lobby, or Wells Real-Estate Funds would have to hire people of all sexual orientations.

Now I am a Christian, and a homeschooler, yet I am offended by this email. First of all, I think it is presumptios of HSLDA or use this "legal service" to homeschoolers as an avenue to control legislation. Yes many homeschoolers are Conservative Christians, but homeschool has become very mainstream in the last decade which includes many gay and lesbian families homeschooling as well. Furthermore, as an African American, I have problems with emails that say "stop and anti discrimination law". They need to open their eyes and take a close look at demographics before sending out such an email.

As a Christian, I have to ask, WHO AM I, to decide that an infeminate man (gay or not) cannot have a job in an organization with Christian roots. WHO AM I to exclude a woman who may be mistaken for a man (lesbian or not) from employment.

Maybe I'm wrong, Maybe I'm crazy, but I won't be calling my legislature to help HSLDA discriminate against people who just want to work. Read it for yourself.

I am kinda glad I let my membership lapse.


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The National Education Association is on the warpath

The National Education Association is on the warpath and homeschooling is the enemy.

The National Educational Association in their 2007-2008 Resolutions has taken a stand against homeschooling.

It reads "The National Education Association believes that home schooling programs based on parental choice cannot provide the student with a comprehensive education experience. When home schooling occurs, students enrolled must meet all state curricular requirements, including the taking and passing of assessments to ensure adequate academic progress. Home schooling should be limited to the children of the immediate family, with all expenses being borne by the parents/guardians. Instruction should be by persons who are licensed by the appropriate state education licensure agency, and a curriculum approved by the state department of education should be used.
The Association also believes that home-schooled students should not participate in any extracurricular activities in the public schools. The Association further believes that local public school systems should have the authority to determine grade placement and/or credits earned toward graduation for students entering or re-entering the public school setting from a home school setting."


Take a moment to tell the NEA that homeschooling is a real option that does produce wonderfully rounded and educated members of society.

there is a petition here by FL Homeschoolers



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Edwards' Homeschooling thier Kids

If you are looking for candidates that believe in homeschooling, this is a good indication that Edwards should be considered:

hmmm, I wonder if they will use a curriculum like Rv Education 101? Rv Expert Mark Polk Is The Producer & Host Of Americas Most Highly Regarded Series Of DVDs, Videos, Books, And E-books. Polk Provides RVers With Qualified Rv Information, Tips And Safety Advice.

Presidential Candidate supports homeschooling

This homeschooling supporter is hardly a forerunner, or at least he is off my radar, but he certainly has the support of homeschoolers.



Learn More abut Mike Huckabee