Scared? Had enough?

Some silly girl walks into an airport with what might have been a fake bomb sewn into the front of her hoodie. She should not have done that. She should...well, have a slap on the wrist. It's not funny after 9/11.

But this is what we have come to, and I'm sure most people disagree with me (although I'm positive I'm right, and time will prove it one way or another)... this kid was almost shot on the spot! Make that killed on the spot...luckily she was not. She was however, arrested, and booked on who knows how many charges. The media were calling for mental examinations, and possible institutionalization. Good grief...where do you want to draw the line? What if this had been your kid? Or you? Anyone can be stupid. Nothing happened or would have. A real bomb would have been hidden...she still should not have done it....but we MUST stop being scared of our shadows. Your chance of being blown up in an airport is still less than dieing by being hit by a meteor...or some similar long shot.

Then you had the cops beat the crap out of that kid for acting like a jerk during an open forum with John Kerry. (John Kerry even thought the cops over reacted. To be fair, so did the jerk.) Hey, I know lots of people (even myself) who have acted like a jerk at one time or another. It's the same societal response. I pray we stop. I don't like where it's all going. Police, and lawyers over the top.

QUESTION AUTHORITY!! Before you can't any more.

Correction

Surcease is on 104.5 radio at 11:00 central time, not 9:00. It is a program called "Homegrown" not "Unauthorized Airplay" like I thought before. (Mom calls it Unauthorized Airplane... :-)
Hi Mom.

104.5 The Edge

Google that this Sunday night at 9:00, and listen in, to hear Amber interview Surcease Angels.

I didn't realize I was addicted...

I finished HP "Order of the Phoenix", and ran out to buy HP and "The Half Blood Prince", only to find there were no copies at my favorite bookstores! No problem, I thought, I'll just order it. That was three days ago. Today (Friday) I realized my ordered copy will not be in till next week sometime. This caused me great anguish! There was complaining, and griping. I tried to start another book. It is a good one, but it is not HP. Those books just take you to another place. At my wits end, I got on the net and located a paperback copy at another store...yes!
I feel better already. I'm off at this moment to pick it up. The only question now is, what will I do when I finish the series?

Wu Shu

I had never heard of this. It is Chinese Tia Kwan Do. Here's Max.

Education post on Interact

My friend Sean posted about education recently on his blog "Interact". I don't know the individual he quoted, but he is an education professional, I assume in the public arena.

I am not a professional; however, I have three kids in school. I've noticed through the years that educators root "for their team", or whatever they have become involved in, and usually categorically think it is best. The subtle message in the post on Interact from a public educator is "save your money, go to public school". I know home educators who say the same thing about home school. I've met with Headmasters of private schools with the same message about the private arena. Some of these think vouchers are the answer because they see that they would end public school, which they consider a dinosaur educational system.

As a parent, not a professional, we have found it is best to know our options, and try to determine what is best for our kids. Where will the child flourish, is the primary question. The next question is, what is best for the family. That question has to do with what they (the family) value (mission), and the resources they have available to them. In that context they might be able to "save a lot of money" using public education, or they may not. In this context they might find alternatives that do have strong advantages, "measured with identical yardsticks" to the public model.

We have used all three models. We have home schooled our kids, (including high school, and junior high). This is not for everyone contrary to what dogmatic homeschooler parents claim. However, we have one kid who has done extremely well in this context. This child has also been in public, and private schools; and did not do even remotely as well, the yardstick being standardized testing we do each year.

I have another child who positively did not like home school. They are currently in a small, private Christian school. This is by their choice. I'll come back to that.

Finally I have a kid with special needs. We talked with the public school. They will do what they are required to do, and not much more. The problem is that kids with special needs are expensive to educate, and if they do it too well they fear becoming a magnet for that kind of student. They don't want that. We have the special needs child at a special needs school. They are doing excellent work there.

Here is the rub. How does a parent answer the two questions I pose for determining a kids education? (What is best for the kid? And, what is best for the family?) Here is what we have done, and this is an ongoing conversation. Our kids are the primary source for what is best for them. We ask them what they want, and watch how they handle various learning situations. Second, we know what we value, and it is a little different for each one of us, but we finally come to terms. We have to consider our time, and resources, including scholarships, extra work, working at the schools our kids attend, or retiring late in order to pay. As parents we make the final decision.

Going into my kids school years I was clearly on the side of the post on Interact. I thought public schools were as good as anything, and I didn't want to retire late. But finding the best fit for each kid has been very rewarding not only measured by identical yardsticks, but in other ways not so easily categorized. These include self image, creativity, worldview, ability to give and receive love, and the "safety and discipline" referred to in the Interact post.

Luke showing off...

Sercrase Angels performing...

Happy Happy!!

Well it's my brother's and Laura's anniversary! Hope it is...Happy. I know I said I'd have a video on here for you guys...but...well...it didn't work out. I was going to wish you happy anniversary in Chinese. However, I gave up on the pronunciation after a few minutes. It's even harder to learn Chinese form a Chinese person...so, that's my story and I'm sticking with it.