Friday’s post was going to be my last post about California until the State Board of Education finished reviewing it and made some sort of public statement, but then I came across this little video:
Pay attention to it. This website provides case summaries to lawyers so they can fulfill the State of California’s Mandatory Continuing Legal Education requirement. This is the information being disseminated to lawyers in California who might try homeschool-related cases.
And please, don’t throw anything at your monitor.
Just out of curiosity…I’m starting to read a lot of comments asking everyone to “stop panicking.” Do you sense a general sense of panic? I’d describe it as a natural process of shock/surprise to questioning what it means to an uneasy waiting. Is that panic? Or just evidence of the speed with which we can communicate? The fact is, a lot of people are discussing this and taking a closer look at the ruling as well as the what the law states. That is not a bad thing. Nor is it necessarily panic.
While being in the limelight can be uncomfortable, especially when you are a California homeschooler worried about what a mass of unsolicited letters may do to your relationships within the legislature, “panicking” about this also is of little use. Once the cat has been let out of the bag, so to speak, it is not so easy to put it back in.
But I wonder, what potential benefit can come of this? A lot of homeschoolers are being called for interviews and a lot of stories are being written. Most Americans may support stricter regulations, but they also generally do not support the abolition of homeschools. I think we are safe from that at the moment, and we may actually be able to benefit from the discussion.
I suppose only time will tell.
Also interesting in the discussion:
- Things to know before citing case law. This is going to come up again when I have time.
- Did you know? The sky is not falling in California! A look at the court case and Attorney Deborah Stevenson’s analysis.
And I find this most encouraging:
- Reader’s Platform, Homeschooling pro and con 1200 comments on a Friday afternoon, the vast majority of which in support of homeschooling
And did you know there is stuff going on in other states, too? I’ll get back to that Monday…
[tags]homeschool, homeschooling, re Rachel L, Croskey[/tags]
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Oh, the attitude of that man!! It’s a good thing you warned readers ahead of time not to throw anything at our monitors!!!
Dana, I’m personally getting sick of hearing “stop panicking.” Do you want to know why? Because this statement assumes that one is making a big deal out of nothing, and it’s a pompous statement and a demeaning statement. Individuals have every right to be highly upset and frantically inquiring for information on the California case. Surely the mulitude of blog posts on the subject attest to this. “Stop panicking” says, in a self-righteous voice, that I am more intelluctual than you, you little reactionary uneducated person.
The video - unbelievable that an attorney would receive CLE credit for viewing this. It’s misinformation. The phrase “Parents do not have a constitutional right to home school their children” flashed acroos the screen for what seemed an eternity.
Ahh! I should have read your warning before watching the video. According to this man, homeschool is not a “real school,” not the mention its unconstitutional. I will now chant the mantra of the 90s, “I am offended. I am offended.” That didn’t help much, but I thought I’d give it a try.
Last night I was discussing this case with a friend. We questioned what we would do if homeschooling became illegal. The fear of that happening can lead to panic, but from my conversations I sense genuine concern and a desire to protect liberty. The spotlight does get hot, and I think that is a good thing in this case. May public opinion sway in our favor, as we draw the line of state control. They cannot have my children.
Lawyers instructing lawyers…you can find that in the dictionary as a definition. Look for the word *DRIVEL*.
I have to admit I’m one of those saying “Don’t Panic.” But hopefully in a friendly, Doug Adamsish way, and not snotty. The reason I say this is because I’ve gotten 9 million emails about it, 3/4s of which are to sign the stupid HSLDA petition.
(I don’t sign petitions because they are most likely data mining tools to get my info. for donor lists. If I want to take action, I call or write directly.)
Yes, we should be alert and aware and ready to act as needed. But as the CA people who are directly affected don’t seemed to be freaking out (or at least those I read), then I think I ought not freak out either.
So be informed, be active, yes. Just don’t freak out. Ironically, most of the people sending me freaked-out emails don’t homeschool their kids. Hmm.
Hey, April, I wasn’t referring to you. I was just musing…because I haven’t really seen much of what I personally would call “panic.” To me, that would be packing your bags and leaving your property behind…or descending on Sacramento. But posting to blogs and emailing? Not so much.
I have seen more “It figures coming out of California.”
But then, that could just be because I am highly selective in my blog reading and y’all are just too level-headed for genuine panic. : )
Hi Dana
You did alot of research, thanks for all the links.
I like my 20″ screen so I won’t throw anything, but the propaganda is angering
I agree with Jennifer in OR above about hearing “stop panicking”. In fact a moderator of one group I am a lurker on wrote “until *we* tell you the sky is falling, there is no need to get excited”. I’m not the type to get too excited but I do have to *think* about what is best for my kids, thank you, however I think they are trying to calm those who live through emotions above thinking
Hopefully there will be a sane state left to move to in a year when we hope to move out
btw thanks for commenting on my blog awhile ago
I think there is a huge difference between panic and an understanding that we need to take action. As far as lawyers talking about this issue, I like this video better.
Thanks, Denise. I only asked because I’m wondering if these people are reading different sites that really are panicking or if I just view the expressed concern differently.
To me, panic is an extreme emotional reaction to a small or insignificant threat. I’ve really only seen concern and anxiety, which is a very different thing.
At least to me.
Julie, thanks for the link! I actually just watched that last night. Maybe I should have included it, but I guess now it is.
I just found this one interesting since this is how it is being presented to California lawyers…I presume those who practice family law.
Home schooling is illegal in California. Most home schoolers are Christians and all they know to do is fearmonger. Just look at this as an example!
http://www.cftie.org/2007/12/sb-777-will-per.html
Your example proves nothing.
I would like to see your statistical analysis of how many homeschoolers are Christian. You might be surprised how many are secular.
And all we know how to do is fearmonger? Interesting.
I think I classify that and your anecdotal evidence (in which I detect no actual fear, nor mongering thereof) as a non-argument.
In future, please stick to the arguments in the post. I’m happy to discuss them, but don’t accuse me of things I’m not guilty of, and do not judge entire groups of people based on your stereotypes.
That is, after all, what you are accusing us of doing in relation to homosexuals.
Heh, Dana, I got the same from Larry. Our responses were very similar except I forgot to tell him to stay on topic. I’m kinda thinking that Larry might be a bit of a fearmonger…
There is some sense of panic from some in the California HSing groups I subscribe too. The message is don’t panic, but a few newer HSers are very concerned, a little scared, and very confused.
I can imagine concerned, confused and maybe even scared. And I certainly don’t know what is going on in CA…but I haven’t seen anything I’d classify as “hysteria” or “panic” in blog postings I’ve read. But I’m pretty removed here in NE observing from my internet connection. Even the forwards I’m beginning to get aren’t really panicky…just wanting to know what to do.
“Just wait” is the hardest thing to ask anyone to do.
I’m in CA, and am seeing a range of reactions from people who are indeed freaking out to those who are convinced that there is no threat whatsoever & the whole thing is some sort of vast right-wing conspiracy.
The people whose opinions I trust the most are deeply concerned but think that everyone should remain calm & let the lawyers handle things.
I do think that there is a backlash within a certain vocal subset of the homeschooling community who don’t like the Longs’ beliefs about religion, corporal punishment, homosexuality, etc. and who don’t want to believe that this court ruling applies to anyone other than what they see as a totally whacko family. Even when these “usual suspects” have been told that it is indeed binding legal precedent, they refuse to accept that as truth and will resort to petty insults about the alleged stupidity of Christians
Who only listen to WND. I think it was the “don’t panic and don’t listen to everything WND says” that set me thinking, now that you mention that. I don’t read WND. I read your entry, the court document, posted and then finally got around to seeing what they were saying.
Not to mention the mess of lawyers who have now commented officially or unofficially by now. And the fact that all 3 of your state organizations (and HSLDA for that matter) are saying the same thing: don’t change what you are doing,the situation raises concern, but all the right people are working on it.
The opening line of the court document seems to imply it extends beyond the family. But I also don’t think it will stand as it is. Unfortunately, the resulting legislation may be tricky to navigate and maintain the same level of independence. Maybe it would be possible to have some sort of language goes no further than clarifying that private homes qualify as a private school, and that the ISPs are satisfactory as well?
Thought I’d share this link: “Stop telling home-schoolers to chill out”.
http://www.bakersfield.com/102/story/389907.html
Thank you, Denise! I’d say that would characterize more of what I saw…fury rather than “panic.” To me, panic is “we’re packing and leaving the state,” not “the judge should be impeached.”
But even that I didn’t see that much of.