Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Can you guess what 21 education related things will disappear by 2020?

Shelley Blake-Plock at The Daily Riff gives us her prediction for the 21 things that will become obsolete in education by the year 2020. Funny thing is, many of us unschoolers have already made many of these obsolete and did so over 20 years ago.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Homeschool Moms Hiring Bullies to Teach Kids Valuable Lessons...SATIRE!

“There are a lot of real assholes walking this cruel planet, and you need to learn how to deal with it,” observed Brandon’s father Gary, “Which is why I think it’s good conditioning to have some creep come over to the house from time to time to give my boy the business and kick the crap out of him a bit."

The author of this satirical article has a great sense of humor. Too funny!

Remember...this is SATIRE and homeschooling moms are not really hiring bullies to beat up their homeschoolers! Wish I could say the same for the public schools.

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Bulletproof backpacks...what is this world coming to?



False sense of security or truly a life saver? Why don't the public schools all just issue a bullet proof vest to each student? If my child needed bullet proof clothing to attend school he or she wouldn't be going, it's as simple as that.

Boy, 13, Busted For Illegal Marker Possession | The Smoking Gun

Boy, 13, Busted For Illegal Marker Possession | The Smoking Gun

Yup, I'm sure all the adults involved with this are real proud of themselves.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Dos and Don'ts for a successful homeschool experience #10

The following DOs and DON'Ts for a successful homeschool experience are being presented in a series to allow for digestion and discussion. After homeschooling/unschooling my own children for over 22 years I've discovered what worked and what didn't work for us was universal. Feel free to add your comments and concerns or ask questions.


#10 DO include your children in your life...warts and all. Just remember to make those life lessons age appropriate and use your common sense. Strive to live a better life for the quality of it and to set a good example for your children. Of course you want to leave the gory details out for some things but letting your children experience life with you will expose them to the realities of it. That life may include showing them how you pay the bills, letting them watch the news with you, explaining how politics work, going to social functions like weddings and funerals, and including them in serious family discussions. Children need to learn life isn't all toys, games, electronic gadgets and trips to theme parks. You can raise children who are aware of the world and what it's like without putting the fear of the boogie man in them. Knowing the truth about life will better prepare them to successfully live it.   

#10 DON'T feel you need to join every support group or unschool forum. The biggest problem with support groups is they become organized and that's when they start to stifle spontaneity and creativity. It's better to get together with a few good homeschooling families when the mood or ability to do so strikes. NEVER join a state run program that collects data on you, especially a preschool or daycare! Online forums can be informative providing you have the time to chat or post but don't take time away from family that could otherwise be used to simply enjoy your own self-discovery. Infants, toddlers and very young children only need the company of their parents and siblings for their development. By the time they're 8 to 12 years old they're ready for some socialization outside the family. If you insist on joining or forming a group one good one is all you need. Members will come and go so make sure it is flexible, spontaneous, and laid back enough to keep out the pressure of becoming yet another appointment on your already busy calendar.

Dos and Don'ts for a successful homeschool experience #9
Dos and Don't s for a successful homeschool experience #8
Dos and Don't s for a successful homeschool experience #7
Dos and Don't s for a successful homeschool experience #6
Dos and Don't s for a successful homeschool experience #5
Dos and Don't s for a successful homeschool experience #4
Dos and Don't s for a successful homeschool experience #3
Dos and Don't s for a successful homeschool experience #2
Dos and Don't s for a successful homeschool experience #1 

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Sunday, December 19, 2010

Dos and Don'ts for a successful homeschool experience #9

The following DOs and DON'Ts for a successful homeschool experience are being presented in a series to allow for digestion and discussion. After homeschooling/unschooling my own children for over 22 years I've discovered what worked and what didn't work for us was universal. Feel free to add your comments and concerns or ask questions.


#9 DO look for ways to finance your homeschooling journey. It cannot be stressed enough that homeschooling need only be as expensive as you want it to be. When we first started homeschooling we thought we needed all the trappings of a classroom in our home in order to teach our children. That was one of our biggest mistakes but one of the easiest to overcome. Our classroom eventually evolved into a playroom loaded with toys, games, puzzles, projects, books, comfy furniture and a myriad of other fun stuff. Once we learned that education was not the same as schooling, our creativity and determination not to mimic the public school soared. With our new found educational freedom and creativity we quickly learned ways to support our homeschooling financially. We learned to seek out freebies, barter, sell our cast-offs at flea markets or online, start businesses, and we became expert recyclers. To learn more about financing your homeschooling read 10 Ways to Pay For Your Homeschooling.

#9 DON'T let others bully you into thinking you can't raise your own child. There is no such thing as an expert! Doctors, lawyers, politicians, teachers, state officials, scientists, media, in-laws and others all seem to think they know what is best for you and your child. Do they? You are the parent and no one knows your child better than you. Remember that. Don't let these meddlesome creatures bully you into doing things their way. Politely thank them for their advice and walk away or politely thank them to mind their own business. Either way, go about your business of raising and educating your child as you see fit. Research and learn what you want to know about homeschooling your child then adapt that information to your needs. Learn from your mistakes so you can keep going and growing. You'll be amazed at how much more enjoyable life is for you and your child when the so-called experts aren't controlling it.

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Monday, December 13, 2010

Buckle up America because we're in for a bumpy ride!



"If the people let government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny." Thomas Jefferson

Lecture over...now get out of the car!

Much to their annoyance one of my favorite places to dispense pearls of wisdom to my two unschooled children was in our car while going to and from appointments or activities. They were a captive audience in the front and back seat while riding along with me to the store, piano lessons, the ice rink or wherever else we were traveling to. I always found those jaunts in the car to be the best time to bring up a serious subject because I knew I had their full attention. There was no way for them to scurry off to their rooms like they did at home when mom was about to give a full blown lecture about something.

To this day I'm not sure if everything I talked about was actually absorbed but for the most part our children seem to be responsible adults who are very much aware of what their priorities should be in this life. When I look back on our unschooling days I am amazed at how quickly the years passed. Don't put off those important conversations you plan to have with your children at certain stages in their lives even if it means discussing touchy subjects while riding in the car on the way to do the fun things. Once you arrive at your destination your children, the resilient creatures that they are, will bound from the car unscathed and acting as though they didn't hear a word of what you said. Be assured though they heard every syllable and will contemplate your words later on when they've had time to digest mom's latest rant. 

Lecture over...now get out of the car!

Friday, December 3, 2010

Homeschooling Proving “Good for America”

Homeschooling Proving “Good for America”

"Many homeschooling families are training their children to make a difference by serving this nation with integrity, not for the sake of personal ambition or monetary gain but rather because they have learned how to be responsible citizens. Determined, astute homeschooling families are making their voices heard—from leadership camps to grassroots organizations to Congress."

I realized 20 years ago that homeschoolers were going to be the saving grace of this country. I'm being proved right on a daily basis. Love it!

7 Valuable Homeschooling Tips from Homeschooling Q & A

Homeschooling Questions and Answers provides 7 Valuable Homeschooling Tips in this article. I must say I agree with much of what is written here because homeschooling is much more than reading, writing and arithmetic. The writer gives some good insight not only into homeschooling but also parenting.

"3. Having a good working relationship will help both of you to successfully pursue the educational goals that are set for your child. Poor communication skill, or a poor relationship with your child, apart from being unhealthy in itself, will also make the class environment difficult for both you and your child."

If you choose to homeschool you're in for the greatest adventure of a lifetime. You'll learn alongside your child while maintaining better control over your lives and liberties. Kudos to Homeschooling Q & A!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Alex Jones says it's the bankers or us



Alex Jones is a radio talk show host at Infowars. If you want a real lesson in history or money tune in to his show or watch his many videos. He seems to have finally put his finger on why our economy is taking such a hit under the present administration with his It's The Bankers Or Us article at his website. He's struck a nerve with his listeners, readers, viewers and his detractors.

"Alex Jones explains why it is the bankers or us will be free at the end of this crisis. The total cost of the derivatives is over $1.5 Quadrillion, a sum that will completely consume the world in perpetual debt, a sum that can never be repaid. It is an economic shearing, a shearing of the sheep. The economic crisis has always really been a complete transfer of power to the banking class."

Unschoolers, are you paying attention here? Is this the 'shearing of the sheep?' Is this the 'greatest swindle?' Is this treason??? Makes you wonder. Maybe it's time to go out and buy up some silver while we're waiting to see if it's going to be 'the bankers or us' who end up on the side of freedom and liberty!

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Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Is Argentina's past a glimpse of America's future?



Am I the only one seeing similarities between what happened in Argentina during the 1980's, 1990's and 2000's to what is happening now here in America? This is a fascinating documentary (be prepared to read subtitles unless you're fluent in Spanish) that should be viewed by every homeschooling family if they want to understand what present day politicians are really planning for our future. Has our own Constitution become obsolete if it is that easily circumvented by greedy tyrants?

Argentina's Economic Collapse Part 2
Argentina's Economic Collapse Part 3
Argentina's Economic Collapse Part 4
Argentina's Economic Collapse Part 5
Argentina's Economic Collapse Part 6
Argentina's Economic Collapse Part 7
Argentina's Economic Collapse Part 8
Argentina's Economic Collapse Part 9
Argentina's Economic Collapse Part 10
Argentina's Economic Collapse Part 11
Argentina's Economic Collapse Part 12

Once you've watched all 12 parts to this documentary be sure to watch the following video as well...



Somehow humans have always found a way to survive and thrive. However, watch the government bureaucrats in this video trying to  hatch a scheme to get their share of the money pie. Problem is there is no 'money' being exchanged.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Combining work and homeschooling is easier than you think

Do you work and want to homeschool your children but don't know how to do both? Here is a great article at Business44.com with some helpful tips on how to work AND homeschool your children at the same time.

Over the years we managed to work out that problem for ourselves by first deciding I would stay home with the children while my sweet hubby worked outside the home. From there I managed to establish several home-based businesses to make more income and to teach our children how to create home-based businesses of their own. We did everything from flea markets to publishing but our main source for the most reliable home-based income turned out to be eBay! These days my hubby still  commutes 100 miles a day round trip to his job but my commute consists of a walk down the hall to the eBay room and out to the mail box to ship what we sell.

The benefits to working from home while homeschooling your children are endless. Now that our children are older I treasure the time spent with them while they were growing up. I fondly remember the teamwork effort we all put in to survive and thrive. Our children are now both happily employed and have never been on unemployment assistance. Neither have my husband or I even during all these years of working. We taught our children there is a difference between having an income and having a job. There has always been a way to make an income for our family and our homeschooling no matter how large or small. You just need to get creative and be willing to work at it.

Learn to manage your priorities NOT your time. You cannot manage time but you do have control over your goals and priorities. Become financially literate as well. Talk to other homeschooling families to get some ideas for home-based businesses and find out how they solved the problem of combining work and homeschooling. I know a single mom who worked three jobs and still homeschooled her son. By the time he turned 18 he had nearly 30 college credits and was accepted into the U.S. Army without a high school diploma, high school transcripts or SAT scores. If she can do it so can you!

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Sunday, November 28, 2010

Friday, November 19, 2010

An economic collapse can be a good thing

When I was growing up my family lived on a farm. We had cows, horses, chickens, pigs, goats, sheep, geese, rabbits, cats, dogs and other critters we'd raised or dragged home from who knows where. Mom planted a garden each year that took up nearly an acre. There was always plenty of fresh milk for drinking and making butter with. I remember helping pluck lots of chickens and scrape a few hogs at the time too. We didn't have much money but there was always plenty to eat, piles of hand-me-down clothes to wear and we made our own fun.

Each day now we are constantly bombarded with bad economic news and I've learned not to trust anything the media or the president tells me about recovery, recession, depression, booms and busts. I choose not to participate. I choose to take charge of my life and that of my family's health, safety and well being. Sure it may take some know how and cash to accomplish this but I'm not about to sit around waiting for FEMA to arrive if life goes haywire.

You need to start with a plan. Make a cup of tea, sit down with pen and paper, take a deep breath and begin to plan. The basics you need to survive are water, food, shelter and security. Make lists and set goals. One of my goals is to regain some of the skills I learned while living on the family farm. I remember helping my mom make butter 40 years ago so the other day I decided to relearn how it's done. I could recall the ingredients but wasn't sure about the process so I ventured to where I usually go for assistance...Youtube! I'm a big fan of Youtube and love the rawness of those homemade videos with squealing babies in the background, unpredictable animals and the amateurish quality of those performing for the camera. The 10 minute windows into the lives of those wanting to share their knowledge (or stupidity) are a hoot!

Several videos later I decided the best appliance in our kitchen for making butter was my hubby's Kitchen Aid mixer. Mind you my hubby bought this appliance when our first born was very young (she's now 24) and up until now I had never used it myself. I've made two batches of creamy butter in the past week and know that should the grid collapse I can make this staple using many other methods that don't require electricity. Now all I need to do is make nice with a local farmer so I'll have a ready supply of cream.

My second attempt at making homemade butter...not bad!

Another skill I wanted to relearn was the fine art of bread making. Again, the Kitchen Aid proved its value in the kitchen. You need to understand something here. Years ago I gave up cooking. My hubby found cooking to be an enjoyable past time so gradually he took over the kitchen. It was a welcome relief to me and my children thoroughly enjoyed helping dad in the kitchen. I didn't mind shopping for the food or growing it and I was happy enough to clean up after but the cooking part was not a pleasant experience for me. In college my survival tools consisted of a can opener and a lunch card.

Maybe growing up on the farm turned me off to cooking because when we cooked then it was for 20 people, including 10 children, parents, hired hands and stragglers. It was like cooking for an army. When my son was 4 years old he caught me one evening preparing to boil a pan of water to make pasta. As he climbed onto the kitchen stool to watch he innocently chimed, "Mom, you know how to cook?" Yesterday while standing there making the butter my astonished now 19 year old son inquired, "What are you doing in the kitchen?" Still not sure if it was a serious question or he was revealing his rather dry wit.

I not only wanted to make the bread but I wanted to be able to grind the flour for it as well so the hunt was on for a grain mill. Reviewing grain mills online was a little disheartening because most of the better ones sold in the range of $200.00 to $400.00! I knew there had to be a less expensive and simpler way so I went back to my roots once again. I remembered my mom having an old hand crank meat grinder. It was similar to some of the newfangled grain mills online so I decided to do some more research on these old grinders. It was time to visit the antique shops because if you're looking for gadgets that were made to last a life time these are the places to go.

Lo and behold, I found a grinder at an antique mall that had a round blade I didn't recognize. No holes for the meat to pass through so it must be for milling. I was right. After lots of experimenting I was able to mill oats, wheat berries, dry beans and even popcorn! This sweet little mill will also grind up cacao nibs, something none of our electric appliances can do thoroughly. The best part of this discovery is that the antique meat grinder/mill only cost me $20.00!

Antique Keen Kutter meat grinder-food chopper-grain mill.

Some left over rolled oats in the hopper after milling for bread.

There is nothing like making your own butter or bread and feeling the satisfaction it brings knowing you can do these things. It is also gratifying knowing the fruits of your labor and love are much healthier for you and the finished products are thoroughly enjoyed by family members. It's been about 20 years since I last made a loaf of bread but the knack is still there and I was quick to remember many of the basic steps that make the difference between a good loaf of bread and a great loaf of bread. These were great ones!

Homemade wheat and oat bread hot from the oven.

Another of the staples you'll need on your food list is beans. Lots and lots and lots of beans in all shapes, sizes and flavors. Dry beans are best because they'll store longer. You can grow your own and dry them too for eating or next year's planting providing they're heirloom seeds and not hybrid. I wanted to see if I could make a decent pot of bean soup without it tasting like mushy cardboard. This time I cheated a little and used some packaged seasoning but I managed to concoct what I call a depression-hobo soup with 15 different kinds of beans, some limp carrots and wilted celery I found lurking around in the back of the fridge, chicken stock, dried basil, a dollop of my homemade butter, along with some canned turkey and Spam Lite I sent through the antique meat grinder. Actually, it was all very edible. Even my son's friend complimented the soup but a strapping 6 foot tall 19 year old guy may not be a fussy eater to begin with. However, I'll take the compliments where I can get them especially when it is directed at my cooking.

My version of depression-hobo soup...good eatin' if I say so myself.

So you see an economic collapse can be a good thing. It forces you to reach deep into your roots and brings long forgotten skills back to the surface where they just might save your life. I'm relearning and polishing those old skills and plan to learn some new ones as well. A great way to prepare for an economic setback is to research how great-grandma and great-grandpa lived and survived. Where did they get their food? What tools did they use? What skills did they have? Can you learn them too? Of course you can. Being prepared takes away much of the apprehension and fear of uncertainty. It will bring you some much needed peace of mind knowing you can do these things and you have the right tools to do them with. Without that apprehension and fear you'll be better able to help your family, friends and neighbors get through a rough spell too.

These tough economic times are a great opportunity to teach your homeschooled children about what they need to do to be self-reliant, self-motivated and skillful at surviving. Go and learn to bake bread, or learn to fish, or start a wood stove, or stitch a cut, or gather rain water, or raise some chickens, or grow a garden, or do whatever you think you may need to so you won't be waiting for the likes of FEMA or someone else to rescue you. Your life may depend on it.

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Sugar Hill sunrise November 19, 2010


Red sky in the morning...

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Skip Your Parent-Teacher Conference, Go to Jail?

Skip Your Parent-Teacher Conference, Go to Jail?

"I love parent-teacher conferences; I get to talk about one of my favorite subjects in the world — my kids — with someone who gets to spend more time with them during the day than I do."

This is a very sad commentary on American families. I'm not surprised this mom would even admit to such a thing.

Even worse...CONVICTED??? For what? Being a parent???

"Moms and pops convicted of parent-teacher truancy would get one last chance to make things right before swapping business suits for prisoner garb. If, after being convicted, they schedule and attend a conference, the sentence would disappear — kind of like this proposal is likely to do."

PATHETIC. REALLY PATHETIC!

Homeschooling – The Costs

Homeschooling – The Costs

Again, homeschooling only need cost as much or as little as you're willing to spend. The reality for many families is that homeschooling is simply an extension of day to day living. Most families already have a house full of books, learning materials and comfortable furniture. There is no need to purchase 'school' materials or furniture.

It is mentioned that some homeschooling families have a mom with a college degree but she has given up the opportunity to make money outside the home. When a family actually calculates what the cost of working outside the home is most will find the added income, after taxes and expenses, is minimal or at a break even point. You can't put a price on the value of a mom staying home with her children for the first 18 years of their lives. Being a mom (and a stay-at-home mom) is already a full time job that needs our complete attention.

The key approach to homeschooling is to RELAX. Sometimes the best learning tools are the simplest objects around the house and not the latest plastic gizmo or electronic gadget. Some of your child's best teachers will be grandma, grandpa, mom, dad, sister and brother. Save your money for more important things like that special family trip to Disney or a good used van for free field trips around your neighborhood with family and friends. Life is actually simple. Try to keep it that way.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Astra Taylor on the Unschooled Life

Homeschool Power...this is just plain cute



Some of the best years of my life were spent just hanging out with my children when they were very young. I still enjoy spending time with them and love watching them make new discoveries as young adults. Watching this video brings back memories of our own homeschool days. Thank you Bahiyyih for sharing your homeschool with us.

What About BOB?

What About BOB?

This is so cute. I love drawings by children. My children were drawing pictures constantly when they were young. We used many of those drawings in the booklets and newsletters we published. They were so proud of their sketches and it was a great experience for them to see their work in print.

Scholarship essay writing workshop and National Novel Writing Month NaNoWriMo - St. Louis Homeschooling | Examiner.com

Scholarship essay writing workshop and National Novel Writing Month NaNoWriMo - St. Louis Homeschooling | Examiner.com

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Leave it to a Marine to set the record straight...how many of you know this?



Amazing. Simply amazing. Brought tears to my eyes. God bless you sir!

Notice it takes a few seconds for the crowd to finally realize what they are listening to...the national anthem...so they begin to stand up and place their hands over their hearts.

Monday, November 1, 2010

What is happening in Delaware sounds much like Vermont...and every other state in the Union!


We the People of the First State from Friends of Christine O'Donnell on Vimeo.

If Peter Shumlin gets elected as governor here in Vermont I'm turning in my tax number to the next Secretary of State. I absolutely refuse to collect any more money for the state of Vermont. I'll do my business out of state. If my nephew, Jason Gibbs, is elected the next Secretary of State here in Vermont he will have his hands full just keeping 2 steps ahead of a corrupt administration until Vermont finally goes belly up, even then the Democrats will blame that on the Republicans. The Republicans will reciprocate. No one will be happy here until there is no more money in retirement accounts, the treasury, or the economy and we're all living in the next depression. My husband now has to work 3 months out of each year just to pay property taxes on our 1 acre homestead, our 1 acre rental where we subsidize our 83 year old mom's living (and that of her 91 year old husband), and on a small commercial building that doesn't even have septic or water. We simply cannot continue this way. My wonderful husband has to work 1 week out of every month EVERY year just to pay the other remaining taxes we must pay. Why should we bother to continue doing this? It's killing him (literally) and we've had enough of politics for this lifetime! 

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Expensive art lessons are all well and dandy but....

The Homeschool Buyers Co-op is offering art lessons for a fee. This is all well and dandy but over the years I've discovered the best way to submerge a young child in the world of art is to give them the tools and turn them loose. As an art major in college I recall countless hours of frustration with instructors who would control our every stroke of the brush or line of the pen. Mind you one of those professors has made millions of dollars selling his schlock paintings but he couldn't instruct an art class if his life depended on it. Only one gentleman among them had the good sense to give us the tools, tell us how to use them and then step back to allow us the freedom to create with those tools.

When our children were young we simply made sure their shelves were filled with pens, pencils, paints, scissors, canvas, brushes, glue, sketch pads, crafts, clay, crayons, charcoal, ink, paper, rulers and whatever else caught their fancy. We stepped back and let their creative mood take them wherever they chose to go. If they had questions we answered them. If they needed help learning how to use a tool we demonstrated. What they did with it after that was up to them. We supplied the materials. We provided the transportation and funds to attend galleries, museums and the like to spark the imagination. Art is personal. Creativity needs to come from within and by allowing our children the freedom to experiment, test and explore they produced copious amounts of prints, poetry, paintings, drawings, sketches, pottery, scripts, cartoons and more. By the time our daughter was 16 she had her own business. Our son is becoming a graphic artist and web designer.

Don't feel compelled to spend money for 'lessons'. Stock up on supplies instead and then get out of the way so your child can learn in freedom.

Should homeschoolers be concerned about grades?

This is a good article by Michael Mclaren concerning grading in your homeschool. For us grades were never really an issue. We weren't concerned about them and grading work or activities seemed irrelevant. Once in a while our children would be curious about a grade system because non-homeschoolers would make such a fuss over them, so we'd total up a few pages of book work just to show them what happens in a public school setting. Besides, we were always too busy learning and having fun to worry about grades. Grades weren't an issue for getting into college either. Both of our children entered community college without a high school diploma, SAT scores, transcripts or a GED. If you think about it every homeschooler is a valedictorian so why bother to keep score?

James O'Keefe takes on the New Jersey teacher's union...gotta love it!



You have to wonder what sort of parent entrusts their child to these buffoons. Teachers like this are not limited to New Jersey. We have hundreds like this here in Vermont and have had them for years. The parents who finally do catch on to what is really going on in public schools tend to opt out and homeschool because they know there is no way to battle this sort of arrogance and pathetic behavior. I did some student teaching and substitute teaching in the public schools years ago and you'd be amazed at what goes on in the teacher's lounge and behind the scenes. Not much has changed and our property taxes that support these losers continue to rise with no end in sight. Kudos to O'Keefe for yet another terrific expose!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Robert Kiyosaki interviews with Alex Jones...a financial education...Part 3



Kiyosaki gives a run down of what is in his books during this interview but it's always nice to hear his voice giving expression and passion to his writings. He knows we're headed for a major financial crisis in this country and tells us we need to learn to take care of ourselves because the government isn't going to. Kiyosaki explains in this final part of the interview how financial education was taken out of the schools in order to train children how to work for the rich. We used Kiyosaki's books in our homeschool to teach financial literacy. Kiyosaki has two great books for youngsters too titled 'Rich Kid, Smart Kid' and 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad for Teens'. Wouldn't hurt to get copies for your unschooler.

Robert Kiyosaki interviews with Alex Jones...a financial education...Part 2

Robert Kiyosaki interviews with Alex Jones...a financial education



Kiyosaki isn't just trying to sell his books. I've read most of his books beginning with his 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad', his first book that will improve your financial education. Kiyosaki predicted the coming stock market crash and he makes understanding economics easy. Kiyosaki is not a big fan of public school and explains why.

A lesson in white slavery...things they never taught us in school...Part 4

A lesson in white slavery...things they never taught us in school...Part 3

A lesson in white slavery...things they never taught us in school...Part 2

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A lesson in white slavery...things they never taught us in school

Lawsuit: CPS pushing Democrats

Lawsuit: CPS pushing Democrats

"The suit alleges three van loads of Hughes High students arrived at the Downtown Board of Elections offices at 1 p.m. Wednesday, supervised by a school employee. School lets out at 3:15 p.m.

When they got out of the vans, the students, the suit alleges, also were accompanied by adults who appeared to be campaign workers or supporters for U.S. Rep. Steve Driehaus, D-West Price Hill, the congressman being challenged this fall by Steve Chabot. When the students got out of the vans, the suit alleges they were given sample ballots containing only Democratic candidates."

It's not the school's responsibility to see to it these 18 year olds get to the polls. Maybe the schools figure these 18 year old students are too incompetent to find their way to the polls on election day! That wouldn't surprise me since the schools main goal is to keep these kids ignorant and dependent for as long as possible. Union workers have no shame and will try anything to sway the vote. After all, it's their jobs that are at stake.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Unschooling is like riding a 50 speed bicycle

Unschooling is like riding a 50 speed bicycle. We have more choices than the average 10 speed public school counterparts and we're free to switch gears faster and choose the pace at which to learn. Unschoolers are also like the Marines because we can overcome, adapt and improvise whereas public school teachers are locked into dictatorial state mandates and stiff curricula. Without much funding we've learned to be like our Depression Era grandparents because we recycle, use it up, wear it out or go without and our unschooled children still excel beyond their public school peers who have millions of dollars diverted into their programs. Freedom is a beautiful thing!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

The 15 best things about 'pubic' schools.....huh?



This ad was proofed by 4 people? Who were they? Public school graduates? Geeeeeeeeeeesh! Anyway, I can't think of even one good thing about public schools nowadays.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Better Bail Faster, Billy




This is an ad for Len Britton who is running for Untied States Senate here in Vermont against Patrick 'Leaky' Leahy. I had the pleasure of talking with Len at the Vermont State Fair recently for over an hour while we both visited the GOP booth. We talked as parents and as Vermont citizens, not as candidate and constituent. This guy has it together and understands what is at stake with the coming election and the continuation of the Obama administration. He's aware of what OBE is and how it is damaging the education process here in Vermont and across this country. Not many candidates I've spoken with know what OBE is and that is very scary. We agreed we are headed for hyperinflation very soon. His campaign manager didn't impress me as just another spin doctor and I thoroughly enjoyed talking with him too. It isn't often I get honest unrehearsed answers from candidates but that is exactly what I got from Len during our conversation. He was not at all pretentious and was very likable in manner and ideas. He has my vote! 


Here's another great ad from Len's campaign:


Howard Dean unleashed on unsuspecting countries who believe his crap!



This unimportant little man was governor of our state here in Vermont for 11 years. Dean did everything he could to hamper the homeschooling movement and, with the blessing of the teacher's union, allowed the Vermont Department of Education to harass homeschooling families. He also managed to destroy much of our self-sufficient way of life and is the person responsible for opening the door (behind closed doors when he refused to let the press record his signing of the civil union bill) for same sex marriage around the world. He's famous for his crazed Dean Scream and for raising a rather unruly public schooled child of his own. Just thought I'd share what he's up to these days. Appears he's branching out to other countries since no one takes him seriously here in the States anymore. Major Dork Award to little Howie Dean!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

NWO Bankers - A Message to Young People & All

This young fellow calls himself AwarePatriot on youtube. He was brought to my attention recently and it was suggested I listen to and watch his videos. He's a 34 year old Texan who seems to have the wisdom of a 100 year old world traveler. In this video he gives some of the best advice for young people I've ever heard. What he talks about here took me 56 years to learn and I'm still trying to piece together information on how our wonderful country became so unrecognizable from its founding. If what he is telling us is true then we need to see this as a wake up call. First we need to get all the children in this country out of the public schools. We need to bring them home and then start preparing for our future as American citizens. A future that looks very uncertain from where AwarePatriot and I are standing.


Reasons to Homeschool Your Children 3/3

Reasons to Homeschool Your Children 2/3

Reasons to Homeschool Your Children 1/3



This fellow is very knowledgeable on many topics including homeschooling, homesteading, frugality and the US Constitution. Take a peek at his youtube videos.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Hey moms...just between you and me...MUFAs

This is a tidbit of information I'd like to share with you moms out there in cyberland. For those of us who are struggling with those few extra pounds that seem to follow us around from one New Year's resolution to the next I'm focusing on improving my PH balance and eating more of the MUFAs (pronounced moo-fahs). MUFAs are the good fats that are suppose to assist us with fighting  off chronic diseases. Learn more about the five major MUFAs by clicking here.

Being able to understand how our bodies work and protecting them against disease is becoming more and more important these days since no one is sure where our American health care system is headed. We need to learn to take better care of our own health and teach our children how to do the same. There is far too much misinformation out there concerning weight loss and nutrition. With our busy schedules we don't always have time to eat properly so it's important we learn the basics and help our children do the same.

Just thought I'd share with my readers.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Gerald Celente gets fired up over double dip depression and Snooki stupid Americans Part 2

Gerald Celente gets fired up over double dip depression and Snooki stupid Americans



Are homeschoolers paying attention here? Celente explains why Americans have become Snooki stupid. Is America disintegrating before our very eyes? Should we be packing our bug-out bags? Is the game really over? If I know Americans they won't go down without a fight. After listening to this I think worrying about our decision to unschool is the least of our worries.

Do the Bilderberg Group Rule the World?

Do the Bilderberg Group Rule the World?

Ever wonder why up seems down and down seems up in today's irrational world? Introducing the Bilderberg Group. I wonder what their plans are for us uncooperative homeschoolers?

Learn more about the Bilderberg Group here.

New Jersey Governor Christie shines the light on NJEA



The sad part is that what the NJEA does is not limited to New Jersey schools. This goes on all over this country. Every state has a teacher's union that puts the screws to the taxpayers. Governor Christie though seems to be one of the few people who can articulate what is going on behind the scenes at union headquarters. You gotta love this guy for shining a light on these shenanigans.

When I first became aware of what the teacher's union in our state of Vermont was doing I tried to get people to pay attention. It was a losing battle so I simply went home and taught my children. I wasn't going to waste precious time trying to fix a broken system that I knew would take years to repair. This is why parents are foolish to think they can fix the system from within by putting their children in public school and then try to change the monopoly. They'll waste their time, their child's potential and the best years of their child's life.

Kudos to Governor Christie once again. A Triple-Dork Award to the NJEA, the VTEA and the NEA.

New Jersey Governor Christie sets the record straight on teacher's union



Christie tells us that New Jersey teachers get full family medical, dental and vision coverage without paying a dime into the system. As college graduates you'd think these teachers could figure out for themselves this is not sustainable. Appears the teacher's union is allowing the teachers to take the fall by not willing to compromise either. Why would anyone remain in a profession with a union that constantly puts the screws to them? As teachers they don't seem to be the brightest bulbs in the closet.

Kudos to Governor Christie and a major Dork Award to the New Jersey Teacher's Union.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Napoleon Hill on developing a pleasing personality



This segment reminds me of being lectured by my drill instructor during basic training but Hill makes some rather constructive points on how to develop a pleasing personality. It's that 'catching more flies with honey than with vinegar' adage. I still have some trouble adjusting my attitude even after all these years but life has a way of being so annoying, sometimes to the point you don't give a rat's rump what people think about you. Sorry, but it is what it is although I am still working on not being so brutally honest with my opinions. Still love this ol' guy though.

Napoleon Hill explains applied faith and a burning desire




"Applied faith is the mental attitude wherein you may clear your mind of all fears and doubts and direct it to the attainment of whatever you desire in life."   Napoleon Hill

His ideas are so simple but yet powerful.


"You should begin by recognizing that you were born with the privilege of complete control over your own mind."     Napoleon Hill.

My momma always did say I had a mind of my own and fortunately I learned how to use it.

Napoleon Hill's QQMA formula....going the extra mile



This fellow's formula has been around a very long time. Why weren't we ever taught his lessons in school? Oh, I know, because the school didn't want us to succeed but wanted us dependent on the government, that's why.

Napoleon Hill's 'The Law of Success in 16 Lessons' is still relevant today



I love this ol' codger. Thank goodness for the invention of television or we wouldn't have these marvelous clips today. Listen to what he tells us about success and share this with your homeschooled children. His ideas make for some lively discussion. I plan to bring you more clips because I think what he has to say is so important to our lives as Americans. Feel free to do some research about him and his book 'The Law of Success in 16 Lessons' on your own. The 'Think and Grow Rich' book is a watered down version of his initial book.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

State by state homeschool regulations

Alicia at Bright Hub has put together a rather interesting assessment of state by state rules and regulations for homeschooling. She lists what she considers the most liberal states in which to homeschool to the strictest states. You'll never guess (or maybe you will) where Vermont landed on her list. Yup! In the very strict category along with Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and North Dakota. She doesn't explain how she came to this conclusion but I suspect it may have something to do with Vermont's reputation of being unfriendly to homeschoolers. I, myself, would put Vermont on the list of easiest states to homeschool in if you are willing to stand up for your parental and constitutional rights.

When and how did Vermont get such a reputation? Maybe this had something to do with it.

Uh, boss . . . I think I'm going to unwork today

Uh, boss . . . I think I'm going to unwork today

Just in time for 'un-back-to-school' this sarcastic and rambling article by an obviously disgruntled writer makes you wonder if she's none too pleased with her own education. She belittles unschooling and feigns concern for children who partake in this form of education for not being exposed to the likes of Shakespeare or F. Scott Fitzgerald in twelfth grade. She needn't worry because many life-long unschoolers whiz through Shakespeare and many other famous authors before they even hit their teen years.

I remember well my own 8 year old daughter shopping for books to read. She wouldn't settle for the water downed kiddie book versions of many of the best known classics and instead reached for the full text. I still have her 562 page paperback copy of Little Women she read at that age to remind me of what young minds are capable of if adults would just get out of their way so they can learn freely in an unfettered environment.

Our son on the other hand didn't bother to read until he was ten years old. He kept telling us he couldn't read but one day I saw him with a thick copy of Harry Potter. Within two weeks he finished the novel and was ready for the next one. Learning to play the piano and using the computer helped him learn to read without any help from his parents, although we did try to teach him phonics early on. Like most boys he simply wasn't developmentally ready to retain what he needed for reading skills so it was useless to continue to grill him with phonics. Meanwhile, he kept busy with hands-on activities where he excelled at robotics, jazz piano and agrarian self-sufficiency. He eventually started college at age 16.

Reading Shakespeare or Fitzgerald is no gauge for learning. Many times even a college degree is subject to interpretation. Just look around at all the pompous Ivy League graduates with no common sense. Heck, I've been out of high school for over 38 years, plus I have a college degree and I STILL haven't read 'The Great Gatsby'!

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Big incentive for school attendance: Cash

Big incentive for school attendance: Cash

Here's a bigger incentive for homeschooling attendance.... a real EDUCATION!

This raises so many questions. What budget is the $900.00 being taken from? If the school can afford to give away $900.00 to each family then why can't they lower the tax burden for local property owners? Will the school keep moving the goal post once each family gets closer to meeting the requirements?

Can't wait to see how this shakes out.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Dos and Don'ts for a successful homeschool experience #8

The following DOs and DON'Ts for a successful homeschool experience are being presented in a series to allow for digestion and discussion. After homeschooling/unschooling my own children for over 22 years I've discovered what worked and what didn't work for us was universal. Feel free to add your comments and concerns or ask questions.

#8 DO become an advocate for homeschooling and unschooling. As a parent you will always be your child's best advocate. This includes advocating for your child whether they participate in group sports, family activities, clubs, summer camp, relationships and even at the doctor's office. In order to become a strong homeschooling parent who is able to provide the environment and opportunities where your child can learn in freedom, you need to know as much about homeschooling as you can. Read books on the subject. Talk with veteran homeschoolers. Learn the homeschooling laws in ALL the states because our borders are not invisible when dealing with school officials and the laws vary from one extreme to the other in each state. This way you can inform friends and family members, including those out of state, about your rights and possibly their rights too. It may dawn on them that they too have unalienable rights as parents and they too need to become stronger advocates for their own children. The more people you empower around you the easier it will be for you to homeschool in peace. The more you know about homeschooling, its history, its benefits and its outcome the stronger an advocate you'll become, not only for your child but for your constitutional rights as well.


#8 DON'T hang out with other people who are not like-minded about child rearing and homeschooling. It is never a good thing to waste time arguing, pleading or trying to convince the naysayers that your decision to homeschool was made with the best intentions and you are determined to see it through. Find others who support that decision and actively help you accomplish your homeschooling goals. Even if close family members, at the very least, are not willing to encourage you then it may be time to put some distance between you and them. Family members cannot be expected to praise your efforts when many times even the parent will not see the fruits of their homeschooling labor until their child is older and shows noticeable progress. We discovered a great way to gauge whether our homeschooling journey was succeeding or not was to visit grandma's house when all the cousins came to visit. Our children stood out with better manners, the ability to talk in depth with the various generations about more meaningful subjects, and their presence was by far more calm than their schooled cousins. You don't need an organized support group but what you do need is just a few friends and family members who actively engage in your homeschooling endeavors with encouragement or hands-on participation. Remember, it works both ways so if grandma wants to be a part of your homeschool success story then let her bring her expertise and experience to the mix. She'll be happy to pass on her information and your child will bridge the generation gap with a new found interest and respect for a beloved grandmother.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Elwood P. Cubberley was wrong then and is STILL wrong today!

"Our schools are, in a sense, factories, in which the raw products (children) are to be shaped and fashioned into products to meet the various demands of life. The specifications for manufacturing come from the demands of twentieth-century civilization, and it is the business of the school to build its pupils according to the specifications laid down."     Elwood P. Cubberley

Cubberley lived from 1868 to 1941 and was Dean of Standford University School of Education. Well, that explains it.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Baby, it's cold outside!


These three boys show off their reading skills on the playground outside their schoolhouse in the dead of winter. Brrrrrrrrr!

Monday, August 16, 2010

As schools tighten budgets, lists of supplies get longer: Rutland Herald Online

As schools tighten budgets, lists of supplies get longer: Rutland Herald Online

"Pre-kindergartners in the Joshua school district in Texas have to track down Dixie cups and paper plates, while students at New Central Elementary in Havana, Ill., and Mesa Middle School in Castle Rock, Colo., must come to class with a pack of printer paper. Wet Swiffer refills and plastic cutlery are among the requests from St. Joseph School in Seattle. And at Pauoa Elementary School in Honolulu, every student must show up with a four-pack of toilet paper."

Yet another good reason to homeschool. Think for a minute. You go out and purchase all these supplies for your child's school and you STILL pay exorbitant property taxes which go toward salaries and the physical plant. Where does it end?

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Happy homeschoolers exploring their world....first fish ever caught!

Not bad for the first ever fish this little homeschooler caught from grandma and grandpa's back yard pond twenty years ago. That was a very exciting day for the whole family. The beauty of homeschooling for us was doing so many fun things at the spur of the moment. As a result we had many wonderful and memorable times as a family. Our homeschooling journey began the day our first child was born and hasn't stopped since. It is not something that begins with back to school sales and ends with summer recess. Homeschooling is a life long journey and an educational family adventure.

Question of the week

Are older homeschoolers more immature and/or more spoiled compared to public school children the same age?

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Valedictorian speaks out against schooling...praises John Taylor Gatto



This is a great speech by a young lady who truly is the smartest person in her graduating class. She figured out, after 18 years of indoctrination in public school, she now needs to move on and get a real education.

Watch the school administrators behind her squirm as she talks about the failures of public schooling and gives them advice on how to improve. Kudos to this enlightened valedictorian!

This young speaker is Erica Goldson at Coxsackie-Athens High School graduation on June 25, 2010. Her school is located in John Taylor Gatto's home state of New York.

See Miss Goldson's written speech titled 'Here I Stand' here.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

You can run but you can't hide

This is a little off the beaten path but I think this is relevant to the prevailing attitude of those who support the modern day public school. Some folks, in their twisted little liberal minds, seem to think they know what is best for rest of us and our children. Their warped values are pushed onto unsuspecting children whose parents leave them to languish in union controlled public schools.


In the wee hours of facebook one night the following post appeared (names have been deleted):

"
In trying to understand just what is meant when a conservative or republican uses the term liberal agenda or liberal bandwagan, here is what my research has led to. If this is what is believed about liberals, then the world and critical thinking has really gone the way of the dodo."


Then this followed to show the source of concern:



" Some thoughts about modern liberals:

At the most basic level, the Liberal is anti-God. The Liberal attempts to use government to eliminate all moral consequences for immoral behavior. The Liberal imagines that freedom from moral consequence... can be secured by a collectivist, totalitarian state.

Liberals use moralistic platitudes and catchy phrases like "social justice" and "The Brotherhood of Man" to appeal to the naive masses who are duped into believing that the ultimate goals of Liberals are genuinely good..

The fundamental power struggle of Liberals may be classified as the individual versus the collective. The Liberal supports the collective in every contest against the individual. Liberals hate Individualism because it demands moral responsibility. Liberals support collectivism because they hope to eliminate the need for moral responsibility.

The U.S. Constitution and specifically the support for rugged individualism which is evident in the Bill of Rights, is the enemy of the Liberal. The Liberal despises the United States because it is the premier protector and promoter of individualism in the world.

In the mind of a Liberal, all institutions and concerns schools, environment, courts, etc. - serve no relevant purpose other than the promotion of collectivism.

To a Liberal, abortion becomes necessary to guarantee sexual freedom and eliminate moral consequence.

Any religion or religious person who believes or teaches that there are moral consequences for sin, is the enemy of Liberalism and must be oppressed. Thus for the collectivist Liberal bent on imposing socialism upon a nation, Christianity is the number one enemy above all other enemies. Christianity must be eliminated..

Strong families are one of the greatest threats to the final goals of Liberalism. The total disintegration of the American family in recent decades among some ethnic communities has occurred as a direct result of the design and intention of Liberals.

Private ownership of guns is the single greatest symbol of individual power, and therefore is despised by Liberals.

The Liberal despises national sovereignty. Why? Because the best protection of individual freedoms is found in small decentralized governments.

The Liberal promotes the growth of multi-national and international governments such as the European Union and the United Nations because these organizations advance the cause of socialism and seek to destroy the very individualism that is best protected by sovereign states.

The Liberal fears any hint of individualism in any part of the world, and is obsessed with the centralized control of all human activity and thought. Thus the Liberal constantly seeks total control over all forms of media.

"Multi-culturalism" is the liberal code word for a single, oppressive, collectivist culture.

Liberals speak often of tolerance, but they only tolerate Liberals and Liberal ideas.

The Liberal seeks to criminalize any speech that promotes morality or individualism as "hate speech." Thus we see Liberal Judges and Liberal Courts outlawing the Bible and gutting the free speech provisions of the first amendment of the constitution. Liberal Judges are now declaring that the Bible's proscriptions against homosexuality are illegal "hate speech" and scripture is now in the process of being outlawed from any appearance in public discourse or the public square.

The Liberal's only method of debate is to appeal to the emotions of uneducated and illogical persons. Liberals seek to insult and discredit anyone who dares to disagree with them, especially in the college classroom. Why? Because the facts of logic and history do not support the agenda they are seeking to advance.

When possible, Liberals oppress anyone who questions their beliefs.

Liberals despise all innocence - especially the innocence of a child. Thus Hollywood Liberals seek to steal the innocence of our children as early as possible and the public schools assist them in this goal.

Liberals seek to sexualize our children, eliminate age of consent laws and promote the normalization of pedophilia, all in the pursuit of sexual freedom.

The Liberal typically chooses a career in a field that produces nothing of value. A Liberal will look for employment in field such as public education, an employee of local, county, state or federal government, an "activist," a lawyer, or a bureaucrat in a tax free foundation or an NGO devoted to advancing Liberal goals, etc.

Liberal do-good programs enrich Liberals and do little to actually help the poor.

Liberals are not obsessed with sex, but with promiscuity. Promoting promiscuity among the masses is the primary mission of the Liberals who control the Hollywood, Television and print media monopoly. Why? Because Liberals know that the twin pillars that support conservatism are family values and faith in God. By promoting promiscuity Liberals know that they are simultaneously attacking both of the main support pillars of rugged individualism.

Liberals say that they despise marriage and family because they are "patriarchal institutions" that oppress women and children. But the real reason they despise marriage and family values is because these institutions oppose, disapprove and limit promiscuity thus undermining one of the principal supports for Liberalism.

Liberals seek to control public schools, and force all children into them, in order to foster promiscuity and instill collectivist ideology into the minds and hearts of our children.

Liberals are obsessed with demonstrating their putative "moral superiority." Thus even though they live their lives without really helping anyone, the political activism they engage in is dedicated to convincing themselves that they are truly good people. Liberals are driven by the need to validate the unspoken assertion that "I care more than you do," which is ironic in the extreme since none of the government programs liberals have designed can be shown to have an overall positive influence in our society.

Whenever a Liberal expresses concern "for the children," invariably they are using and targeting children to expand their own power, promote promiscuity, advance collectivism and enlarge their personal income at the expense of the taxpayer.

Liberals are elitists who exempt themselves from the oppressive rules they impose on the general population.

Liberals howl if a homosexual transvestite or convicted felon is even slightly offended, but they openly bash Christians.

Liberals claim to be against violence, but make excuses for Liberals like Lenin, Stalin, Mao and Castro who murder and torture political dissidents. Liberals claim to be against violence, but they seek to disarm individuals and render them powerless before the thugs, thieves and murderer's who rule the inner cities.

Liberals have enormous compassion for criminal predators, but little for the victims.

In the Liberal world, all problems stem from individualism, and all solutions are collective."



Then the poster added this:


" BTW, this is not open to a rant from anyone about who is EFFED up the most....This is about pure and absolute trash. This is about mis-understanding and misguided approaches at representing the facts."


Okay, I'll take the bait. What exactly are the facts? This was the source of the poster's frustration. Or was it? The title of the blog which provided the editorial was a clue that this was simply one person's opinion. Really no need to get riled up or cause for the wringing of hands I dare say. I can't help wondering when a person reads this editorial and takes offense that he or she may have declared it's meaning to be pointed directly at them. Didn't their mum ever teach them to not take personally what others have to say? I guess not. Someone talking about twits would be overlooked but someone looking me directly in the eye and calling me a twit might be cause for concern.


Then the responses begin to flow in:


" Wow. Sounds a little like over the top conservative. Ya know, I often wonder what Jesus would think of his conservative christians. Sure, he might agree on some end points, like I susupect, though I'm liberal, Jesus wouldn't really agree... with my prochoice. (Well, he was never assaulted.) But I KNOW disagreeing with me wouldn't cause him to reject me or label me in harsh terms, he'd just sit with me and talk. And he wouldn't let others bash me either. As for the individualism bit... that's totally wonked. Actually, it seems to me most conservatives are choking out individuality."


Huh? 


It wasn't long before others chimed in:


" SOME people refer to liberals in politics as those who are liberal with other's money..... ie. characterized by generosity and willingness to give in large amounts: a liberal donor. or, . given freely or abundantly; generous: a liberal donation.

Meaning that liberals typically seem to be OK with giving Government funds to those who THEY believe deserve it. If you go to http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/liberal and read the rest of the definition, it makes one wonder why liberals get so offended when they are called "liberals"."



I, too, wonder why liberals get so offended at being called liberals.


The original poster responds:


" Thank you for the link and comments (poster). I do not think that any Liberal (and I certainly do not speak for all of them, only those I have spoken to and have who have expressed these ideas) gets upset for being called a Liberal. It is my take... that they get upset at the automaitc labeling (often mis-labeling) that goes with that. They get upset over the category of mis-deeds they are associated with when being called a Liberal-at least when being called a liberal by someone who obviously thinks Liberals are "bad"."


Words have meaning. Words also get hijacked by certain individuals and groups. I've noticed with the success of homeschooling the public schools are now using the term to describe certain programs they wish the students to complete at home. This must truly be confusing to some children. 


This is the point where I decided it was time to tweak the discussion so I wrote:


" I never understood why murdering an unborn child was thought to be okay providing some crime was committed during conception, as some conservatives believe and why murdering an unborn child was okay no matter what, as some liberals believe. If either believe in the 10 Commandments isn't the killing of anyone (including someone on death row) a no no?"


The original poster's response: 


" Cindy-I think that those who live according to those specific religious laws, then what you say regarding an unborn child or a death row inmate would be accurate-that it would not be OK."


Then the fun began. In predictable fashion the 'liberals' began to rear their ugly heads:


" Liberal. Proud of it. Two quick comments - @ Cindy - the idea that 'life' begins at conception is a religious one, since science has not weighed in on it, so it's 'murder' only if your religious beliefs say so.
The one, really outstanding thing that Conservatives have done is to repeat everything that (the original poster) listed above SO often and SO strenuously that they actually have a decent number of people believing it."
 


Illogical comment but I'll take the bait. Then a comment from this female who later proved to be a nasty and unhappy sort of individual:


" hmm, i think i wont partake in this converstation today. :)"


After she was told it was her 'right' to not participate in this conversation by the original poster this same person who vowed not to partake had a comeback:


" yesh. i mean why beat a dead horse, right? (bwahahaha i'm inadvertedly stirring the pot)
i bet the wiki page was written by the pun-idiots at fox news.

(okay, no more (poster), walk away and dont turn back!)"



Then the original poster gushed:


" I do not like to categorize myself as any group-no matter what is it, but this I know: I believe in being fair, in being just, in being honest, in not buying ino to anyone else's insecurities or BS, in representing the facts after they have... been researched and evaluated with a ciritcal eye and mind, in upholding this country's laws, in the freedom of religion, the freedom of choice, in the power of the many even though much of this country's power rests in the hands of the few (and no, I am not talking about the President) and in the power of the few, in changing laws if they no longer apply (hell this is why we even have a country), in helping others as I would want to be helped, in creating a personally responcible individual and therefore society (who still helps others), etc., etc. I have been called a Liberal, a Democrat, a treehugger, a Republican who simply is tolerant......I am human and at best I am a good human who wants my home (that is the Earth) to provide me and my children and their future children with a good and healthy home. In any and all systems, diversity is key to health."


I've met this poster and know her to be a sweetheart of a lady (and I do mean lady) who homeschools her children. She is kind, generous and a devoted mom. I strongly suspect she is as uncomfortable with labels as I am. Unable to let certain comments go unnoticed I responded to an earlier one:


" Evidently (poster) has never carried a child beneath his heart, otherwise he'd know 'life' begins before conception and it is not a 'religious' thing as he calls it. Some of us don't believe in religion and that includes atheism. When we stop living we're simply compost!"


After that the 'nonpartaker' chimed in with this gem:


" i'm atheist and i believe in being pro choice AND i believe in freedom of religion, which many religious zealouts cannot say about us atheist. and no i am not a god hater. i come from a long and huge line of fundamentally devout roman catholics and evangelical penecostals who go to church every single day. and life does not begin before conception or all of us would be guilty of, as you say, murder when we have our menstrual cycle.

just because (poster) is a man doesnt make him less of an authority than you. and dont come and attack me for my beliefs for i dont play nice and will totally crush you. ask (original poster). i am in way too good of a mood for that sort of nonsense today."



Of course her brilliance was quickly followed by this oddball view of the world:


" Sorry Cindy - but that IS a religious viewpoint. You can call it something else if you want to, but that doesn't make it so. I suppose you want to carry a cancer "growing' inside you to 'term' also?"



Huh??



Little miss non-partaker quickly added this mature quip:


" bwahaha (poster)!"


Which, of course, brought on my annoyance with their inability to debate logically and as adults so I further tweaked the conversation with this:


" Nothing is logical about your arguments. Pro choice is code for pro murder. I have no religion. Life DOES begin before conception because you cannot fertilize a live egg with a dead sperm or fertilize a dead egg with a live sperm. That is scientific. Having a menstrual cycle is a natural process...we do not murder our eggs. They die when they leave the body, any logical person knows this. Saying we are committing murder when we cycle is not only ludicrous but ignorant. No male can possibly know what it is like to carry a child nor can a woman who has never birthed. Debate me when you both are not self-medicating. ;-)"


Lo and behold, little miss non-partaker was unable to contain her glorious self and unabashedly proved nearly every point of Arm Chair's views about liberals with these mannerly pearls:


" oh cindy go back to your delusional world. better yet, go kill yourself and do the world a favor. oh wait you must be against suicide too. regardless, piss off."


The original poster was either annoyed, upset or embarassed by her friends because by the following evening the entire post was deleted from facebook. The final words of little miss non-partaker simply show the level to which a liberal will sink when they are unable to debate or discuss an issue. Rather harsh words I thought but not surprising coming from a product of public schooling and today's liberal society.