Monday, December 19, 2005
It's not just us
In addition to Ms. McCarthy's opinions (see also the post below this one), it seems that she's not alone in it, and she's not the first to have that thought:
-- Bill Moyers Fights Back
"An unconscious people, an indoctrinated people, a people fed only partisan information and opinion that confirm their own bias, a people made morbidly obese in mind and spirit by the junk food of propaganda, is less inclined to put up a fight, ask questions and be skeptical," Moyers said. "And just as a democracy can die of too many lies, that kind of orthodoxy can kill us, too."
-- Bill Moyers Fights Back
"An unconscious people, an indoctrinated people, a people fed only partisan information and opinion that confirm their own bias, a people made morbidly obese in mind and spirit by the junk food of propaganda, is less inclined to put up a fight, ask questions and be skeptical," Moyers said. "And just as a democracy can die of too many lies, that kind of orthodoxy can kill us, too."
Sunday, December 18, 2005
An open letter to HSLDA's membership:
I have always felt that HSLDA has a right to exist, and if that's what you want to spend your money on, I'm happy you have the financial means to do so. However, recent events have caused me to re-think my position. I was wrong to think that because I was not a member HSLDA did not affect me.
When HSLDA re-introduced their HoNDA legislation in the US House and Senate, they added a section related to the recruitment and enlistment of homeschool graduates to it. When it appeared HoNDA was stalled in committee they requested Senator Rick Santorum of PA to add a section that would give the Secretary of Defense the authority to identify for the purposes of recruitment and enlistment homeschool graduates to The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006.
Scott Somerville of HSLDA recently wrote, IF we fail in our effort to get section 522 signed into law, we'll try something else, but we won't give up. It's been seven years already; it may be seven more years before we feel like homeschool grads have a level path to military service.
There is a lot to think about in those two arrogant sentences. HSLDA will not give up trying to push federal legislation into law that affects MY child. That's personal. That has nothing to do with a Christian's right to homeschool their children, something I would be first in line to protect. It's an attempt to target my child for recruitment and enlistment in the United States Armed Forces by a group of self-appointed, fundamentalist Christians pursuing an agenda they have determined to be part of their personal religion. Of course, they have a right, as individual Americans and as a lobbying organization, to do so. But I also have a right - as well as a responsibility - to protect my child from overly zealous political actions. That is the reason we have ELECTED representation, so the people can decide whether they want their children targeted by military recruiters or not. In a representative government, it's not the purview of a handful of zealots to make any decision for my family.
Section 522 does not delineate between 'homeschool students' and 'homeschool students whose parents are members of HSLDA.' This is personal and oversteps the bounds of representing a paid membership by an advocacy organization. It will affect every homeschool student/family in America, HSLDA member or not.
HSLDA could not operate without the dues of its membership. It is what pays the salaries, builds the buildings, and -- yes -- funds the lobbying. Membership dues are funding the effort to identify for purposes of recruitment and enlistment MY child. Membership dues are funding the proposal which will give the United States Secretary of Defense the authorization to define what a homeschool graduate is. The members of HSLDA are ultimately responsible for the actions HSLDA and its paid agents take.
I cannot influence HSLDA decisions because I am not a member, so I have to plead my case to the members. Therefore, I do not think it unreasonable to respectfully request HSLDA's members accept responsibility for the actions of their paid representatives and use their checkbooks to take back the power they have ceded to HSLDA. YOU have the power. I know many of you, and I know you are good, responsible parents who will do the right thing. Thank you.
Mary McCarthy
When HSLDA re-introduced their HoNDA legislation in the US House and Senate, they added a section related to the recruitment and enlistment of homeschool graduates to it. When it appeared HoNDA was stalled in committee they requested Senator Rick Santorum of PA to add a section that would give the Secretary of Defense the authority to identify for the purposes of recruitment and enlistment homeschool graduates to The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006.
Scott Somerville of HSLDA recently wrote, IF we fail in our effort to get section 522 signed into law, we'll try something else, but we won't give up. It's been seven years already; it may be seven more years before we feel like homeschool grads have a level path to military service.
There is a lot to think about in those two arrogant sentences. HSLDA will not give up trying to push federal legislation into law that affects MY child. That's personal. That has nothing to do with a Christian's right to homeschool their children, something I would be first in line to protect. It's an attempt to target my child for recruitment and enlistment in the United States Armed Forces by a group of self-appointed, fundamentalist Christians pursuing an agenda they have determined to be part of their personal religion. Of course, they have a right, as individual Americans and as a lobbying organization, to do so. But I also have a right - as well as a responsibility - to protect my child from overly zealous political actions. That is the reason we have ELECTED representation, so the people can decide whether they want their children targeted by military recruiters or not. In a representative government, it's not the purview of a handful of zealots to make any decision for my family.
Section 522 does not delineate between 'homeschool students' and 'homeschool students whose parents are members of HSLDA.' This is personal and oversteps the bounds of representing a paid membership by an advocacy organization. It will affect every homeschool student/family in America, HSLDA member or not.
HSLDA could not operate without the dues of its membership. It is what pays the salaries, builds the buildings, and -- yes -- funds the lobbying. Membership dues are funding the effort to identify for purposes of recruitment and enlistment MY child. Membership dues are funding the proposal which will give the United States Secretary of Defense the authorization to define what a homeschool graduate is. The members of HSLDA are ultimately responsible for the actions HSLDA and its paid agents take.
I cannot influence HSLDA decisions because I am not a member, so I have to plead my case to the members. Therefore, I do not think it unreasonable to respectfully request HSLDA's members accept responsibility for the actions of their paid representatives and use their checkbooks to take back the power they have ceded to HSLDA. YOU have the power. I know many of you, and I know you are good, responsible parents who will do the right thing. Thank you.
Mary McCarthy
Monday, December 12, 2005
The Marines, too?
The Home Education Magazine News blog reports that HSLDA made it into a Marine Corps manual as well as in a Navy manual (see below) and an Army URL.
--The Home School Legal Defense Association has provided guidance to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, (OASD) that at a minimum the student should be home schooled for at least one (1) full school year.
What is going on?
--The Home School Legal Defense Association has provided guidance to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, (OASD) that at a minimum the student should be home schooled for at least one (1) full school year.
What is going on?
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
HR 3753/ S 1691-Homeschool NonDiscrimination Act 2005
ATTENTION Homeschool parents!
The United States Navy has ALREADY determined what a homeschool graduate is and refers their recruiters to the HOME SCHOOL LEGAL DEFENSE ASSOCIATION (HSLDA) for guidance.
Please read this section from:
http://usmilitary.about.com/library/pdf/navrecruit.pdf
pages 83 and 84:
g. Home School Diploma. Conference Report (Section 571) of the FY 99 National Defense Authorization Act established a five-year pilot program to permit home school diploma recipients TIER 1 high school diploma graduate status. A home school is a 12-year curriculum based, instruction oriented academic experience, in the home, involving regular parental or guardian instruction and education. Attendance should be for at least an average of 4.5 hours daily and at least 170 days per academic/grade year. For applicable state laws governing home school see http://www.hslda.org/central/states/xx/laws.html. (emphasis added)
The xx is the state abbreviation.
1. Home schooled applicants must provide a diploma and transcript for review by the NRD ESS. The ESS will determine whether the applicant’s home schooling meets State requirements for home school secondary graduation. In States that have no prescribed standards, the applicants' education credentials and supporting documents must meet the State of residence standards. NRD CO's are ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance with requirements for home school secondary education. The ESS must contact the parent or guardian to verify that the applicant was home schooled and for how long, and annotate the findings on NAVCRUIT Form 1133/51.
2. Require that all home school applicants submit a home school secondary diploma and transcript containing the following information:
(a) Student's name
(b) Home address
(c) Date of birth
(d) SSN
(e) Date of enrollment in home school
(f) Date of graduation or projected graduation date if still enrolled
(g) Courses transferred from other educational institutions (if applicable)
(h) Courses attempted/completed with start and completion dates of each course
during each home school grade
(i) Credits earned from Home school courses
(j) Signature of parent or guardian, date, and home phone number
3. A letter from the applicant's parent or guardian describing in detail the education process is acceptable documentation for enlistment if it includes the same information as would be typically found on an official transcript. Code these applicants as "12H" on NAVCRUIT Form 1133/51 and DD Form 1966.
4. Home school applicants have completed the required number of credits, and would be considered in a "Senior" status by the local district guidelines may be NAVY RECRUITING MANUAL-ENLISTED COMNAVCRUITCOMINST 1130.8F Effective Date: 08/15/02
CH-14 2-46 placed into DEP using the code "11M" provided they will graduate within 365
days from DEP-in.
5. Applicants claiming status as home school graduates must have completed a minimum of one home school academic year of education (12th) grade to qualify for home school (education code 12H) status.
6. Home school applicants age 17-19 at the time of home schooling, who meet State standards for graduation may be enlisted by the NRD unless correspondence school, independent study or distance learning was part of the home school education program. If the Home School program included any correspondence school, independent study or distance learning it cannot be classified as Tier I.
7. Those applicants who received home school diplomas at age 20 or older are required to submit education documents (public, private, correspondence, GED, home school, achievements test results, etc.) to CNRC (N35D) for review and approval or disapproval.
8. In some cases, educational credentials issued by a correspondence school, private tutor, distance learning or independent study program may be considered as home schooling when incorporated as a legitimate part of the curriculum used by the parent(s) or guardians(s). To be applicable, the curriculum must be concentrated on the interaction between the student and the parent/guardian. Such applicants' educational credentials will be reviewed by CNRC (N35D) for determination of eligibility. In cases in which the parent(s) or guardian(s) had little or no
involvement in the educational program, applicants will be coded as Tier II (education code - "__7).
The United States Navy has ALREADY determined what a homeschool graduate is and refers their recruiters to the HOME SCHOOL LEGAL DEFENSE ASSOCIATION (HSLDA) for guidance.
Please read this section from:
http://usmilitary.about.com/library/pdf/navrecruit.pdf
pages 83 and 84:
g. Home School Diploma. Conference Report (Section 571) of the FY 99 National Defense Authorization Act established a five-year pilot program to permit home school diploma recipients TIER 1 high school diploma graduate status. A home school is a 12-year curriculum based, instruction oriented academic experience, in the home, involving regular parental or guardian instruction and education. Attendance should be for at least an average of 4.5 hours daily and at least 170 days per academic/grade year. For applicable state laws governing home school see http://www.hslda.org/central/states/xx/laws.html. (emphasis added)
The xx is the state abbreviation.
1. Home schooled applicants must provide a diploma and transcript for review by the NRD ESS. The ESS will determine whether the applicant’s home schooling meets State requirements for home school secondary graduation. In States that have no prescribed standards, the applicants' education credentials and supporting documents must meet the State of residence standards. NRD CO's are ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance with requirements for home school secondary education. The ESS must contact the parent or guardian to verify that the applicant was home schooled and for how long, and annotate the findings on NAVCRUIT Form 1133/51.
2. Require that all home school applicants submit a home school secondary diploma and transcript containing the following information:
(a) Student's name
(b) Home address
(c) Date of birth
(d) SSN
(e) Date of enrollment in home school
(f) Date of graduation or projected graduation date if still enrolled
(g) Courses transferred from other educational institutions (if applicable)
(h) Courses attempted/completed with start and completion dates of each course
during each home school grade
(i) Credits earned from Home school courses
(j) Signature of parent or guardian, date, and home phone number
3. A letter from the applicant's parent or guardian describing in detail the education process is acceptable documentation for enlistment if it includes the same information as would be typically found on an official transcript. Code these applicants as "12H" on NAVCRUIT Form 1133/51 and DD Form 1966.
4. Home school applicants have completed the required number of credits, and would be considered in a "Senior" status by the local district guidelines may be NAVY RECRUITING MANUAL-ENLISTED COMNAVCRUITCOMINST 1130.8F Effective Date: 08/15/02
CH-14 2-46 placed into DEP using the code "11M" provided they will graduate within 365
days from DEP-in.
5. Applicants claiming status as home school graduates must have completed a minimum of one home school academic year of education (12th) grade to qualify for home school (education code 12H) status.
6. Home school applicants age 17-19 at the time of home schooling, who meet State standards for graduation may be enlisted by the NRD unless correspondence school, independent study or distance learning was part of the home school education program. If the Home School program included any correspondence school, independent study or distance learning it cannot be classified as Tier I.
7. Those applicants who received home school diplomas at age 20 or older are required to submit education documents (public, private, correspondence, GED, home school, achievements test results, etc.) to CNRC (N35D) for review and approval or disapproval.
8. In some cases, educational credentials issued by a correspondence school, private tutor, distance learning or independent study program may be considered as home schooling when incorporated as a legitimate part of the curriculum used by the parent(s) or guardians(s). To be applicable, the curriculum must be concentrated on the interaction between the student and the parent/guardian. Such applicants' educational credentials will be reviewed by CNRC (N35D) for determination of eligibility. In cases in which the parent(s) or guardian(s) had little or no
involvement in the educational program, applicants will be coded as Tier II (education code - "__7).
Monday, December 05, 2005
HR 3753/ S 1691-Homeschool NonDiscrimination Act 2005
LET ‘EM KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT
Section 522- Recruitment and Enlistment of Home Schooled Students
DAY!
If you want to let your elected representatives know how you feel about the federal government identifying your child for the purposes of Recruitment and Enlistment in the Armed Forces, today, Monday December 5th is your day!
First, familiarize yourself with Section 522 (below). The amendment number is the same in both the House version – HR. 1815, and the Senate Version - S. 1042 of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2006. A good suggestion is to make up a short paragraph about your position on this legislation before you call. If you need to learn more about this proposed legislation you may visit http://hr3753.blogspot.com/
Senator John Warner (R-VA) introduced the amendment into the Senate version on behalf of Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA). They should both be telephoned:
Senator Warner - 202-224-2023
You can also write Senator Warner at
225 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510;
or email the Senator: http://warner.senate.gov/contact/contactme.cfm
Senator Rick Santorum - 202-224-6324
You can also write Senator Santorum
at 511 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510;
or email the Senator: http://santorum.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInformation.ContactForm&CFID=44135344&CFTOKEN=56632106
It is also advised to call your own Senators and Congressman.
To locate your Senators visit http://www.senate.gov/. Enter your State and it will take you to the names and contact information for your two Senators.
To locate your Congressperson visit http://house.gov and enter your zip code. Click on your Congresspersons name and it will take you directly to their website where the contact information is.
Indiana voters might want to also make a special note to Congressman Mark Souder because it appears from his remarks in the Congressional Record last May he is a staunch supporter of this proposal.
Mark Sounder, Indiana Third
U.S. House of Representatives
2231 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-4436
Fax: (202) 225-3479
Email: souder@mail.house.gov
Of course faxing is acceptable, too!
Section 522:
RECRUITMENT AND ENLISTMENT OF HOME SCHOOLED STUDENTS IN THE ARMED FORCES
(a) Policy on Recruitment and Enlistment-
(1) POLICY REQUIRED- The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe a policy on the recruitment and enlistment of home schooled students in the Armed Forces.
(2) UNIFORMITY ACROSS THE ARMED FORCES- The Secretary shall ensure that the policy prescribed under paragraph (1) applies, to the extent practicable, uniformly across the Armed Forces.
(b) Elements- The policy under subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) An identification of a graduate of home schooling for purposes of recruitment and enlistment in the Armed Forces that is in accordance with the requirements described in subsection (c).
(2) Provision for the treatment of graduates of home schooling with no practical limit with regard to enlistment eligibility.
(3) An exemption of graduates of home schooling from the requirement for a secondary school diploma or an equivalent (GED) as a precondition for enlistment in the Armed Forces.
(c) Home School Graduates- In prescribing the policy, the Secretary of Defense shall prescribe a single set of criteria to be utilized by the Armed Forces in determining whether an individual is a graduate of home schooling. The Secretary concerned shall ensure compliance with education credential coding requirements.
(d) Secretary Concerned Defined- In this section, the term `Secretary concerned' has the meaning given such term in section 101(a)(9) of title 10, United States Code.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Removing Section 522 from the National Defense Authorization Act
In addition to calling or emailing your Congressional legislators (letters are delayed because of searches), you can also express your opinion by signing a petition.
Monday, November 28, 2005
HR 3753/ S 1691-Homeschool NonDiscrimination Act 2005
********************ALERT*****************
THIS BILL HAS ALREADY BEEN AGREED TO IN THE SENATE!
H. R. 1815, THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006 has already been agreed to by the Senate. To read the entire bill for yourself go to:
http://thomas.loc.gov/ (then type into the box "HR 1815" and select the last (fifth and latest version) of HR 1815. The four earlier versions do not contain this important section related to the recruitment and enlistment of homeschooled students.
Hidden deep inside this 739-page bill is section 522:
RECRUITMENT AND ENLISTMENT OF HOME SCHOOLED STUDENTS IN THE ARMED FORCES
(a) Policy on Recruitment and Enlistment-
(1) POLICY REQUIRED- The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe a policy on the recruitment and enlistment of home schooled students in the Armed Forces.
(2) UNIFORMITY ACROSS THE ARMED FORCES- The Secretary shall ensure that the policy prescribed under paragraph (1) applies, to the extent practicable, uniformly across the Armed Forces.
(b) Elements- The policy under subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) An identification of a graduate of home schooling for purposes of recruitment and enlistment in the Armed Forces that is in accordance with the requirements described in subsection (c).
(2) Provision for the treatment of graduates of home schooling with no practical limit with regard to enlistment eligibility.
(3) An exemption of graduates of home schooling from the requirement for a secondary school diploma or an equivalent (GED) as a precondition for enlistment in the Armed Forces.
(c) Home School Graduates- In prescribing the policy, the Secretary of Defense shall prescribe a single set of criteria to be utilized by the Armed Forces in determining whether an individual is a graduate of home schooling. The Secretary concerned shall ensure compliance with education credential coding requirements.
(d) Secretary Concerned Defined- In this section, the term `Secretary concerned' has the meaning given such term in section 101(a)(9) of title 10, United States Code.
---end---
NOTE: There are no guidelines as to what kind of policy the Secretary [of Defense] will create. This leaves the door open to whatever the military creates with assistance from anyone. It will not be voted on by your representatives, but a subjective defining of "homeschooled graduate." You will have no say in what policy the DOD creates with regard to recruiting and enlisting homeschooled students.
NOTE: H.R. 1815 leaves it up to the Secretary of Defense to determine "a single set of criteria to be utilized by the Armed Forces in determining whether an individual is a graduate of home schooling." Do you want the Department of Defense defining what a homeschool GRADUATE is? They could require almost any criteria as a definition.
NOTE: HOW will the DOD "identify" home school graduates [section (b) (1)]? By registration? With who? Is this the law that will require a national registry of homeschooled students? Will homeschoolers be 'identified' by the federal government collecting state lists of registered homeschoolers? There appears to be nothing to prohibit a national registration of homeschooled students in HR 1815, indeed, it seems to call for it. Will it be necessary for homeschooled students to register with the DOD as young people now register with the Selective Service? Or some other appointed agency or organization affiliated with the DOD?
Will this action lead to organizations becoming - by law - the official accrediting agencies of homeschoolers? Will there be a federal registrar of homeschooled students?
If you believe this is just an 'end-run' around the opposition to H.R. 3753 and S. 1619, [the Homeschool Non-Discrimination Act] then contact your U. S. Representatives NOW and let them know you oppose section 522 of H.R. 1815, The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal year 2006. Otherwise Section 522 will slip through hidden in this huge bill when Congress approves the Defense Authorization for fiscal year 2006.
THIS BILL HAS ALREADY BEEN AGREED TO IN THE SENATE!
H. R. 1815, THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006 has already been agreed to by the Senate. To read the entire bill for yourself go to:
http://thomas.loc.gov/ (then type into the box "HR 1815" and select the last (fifth and latest version) of HR 1815. The four earlier versions do not contain this important section related to the recruitment and enlistment of homeschooled students.
Hidden deep inside this 739-page bill is section 522:
RECRUITMENT AND ENLISTMENT OF HOME SCHOOLED STUDENTS IN THE ARMED FORCES
(a) Policy on Recruitment and Enlistment-
(1) POLICY REQUIRED- The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe a policy on the recruitment and enlistment of home schooled students in the Armed Forces.
(2) UNIFORMITY ACROSS THE ARMED FORCES- The Secretary shall ensure that the policy prescribed under paragraph (1) applies, to the extent practicable, uniformly across the Armed Forces.
(b) Elements- The policy under subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) An identification of a graduate of home schooling for purposes of recruitment and enlistment in the Armed Forces that is in accordance with the requirements described in subsection (c).
(2) Provision for the treatment of graduates of home schooling with no practical limit with regard to enlistment eligibility.
(3) An exemption of graduates of home schooling from the requirement for a secondary school diploma or an equivalent (GED) as a precondition for enlistment in the Armed Forces.
(c) Home School Graduates- In prescribing the policy, the Secretary of Defense shall prescribe a single set of criteria to be utilized by the Armed Forces in determining whether an individual is a graduate of home schooling. The Secretary concerned shall ensure compliance with education credential coding requirements.
(d) Secretary Concerned Defined- In this section, the term `Secretary concerned' has the meaning given such term in section 101(a)(9) of title 10, United States Code.
---end---
NOTE: There are no guidelines as to what kind of policy the Secretary [of Defense] will create. This leaves the door open to whatever the military creates with assistance from anyone. It will not be voted on by your representatives, but a subjective defining of "homeschooled graduate." You will have no say in what policy the DOD creates with regard to recruiting and enlisting homeschooled students.
NOTE: H.R. 1815 leaves it up to the Secretary of Defense to determine "a single set of criteria to be utilized by the Armed Forces in determining whether an individual is a graduate of home schooling." Do you want the Department of Defense defining what a homeschool GRADUATE is? They could require almost any criteria as a definition.
NOTE: HOW will the DOD "identify" home school graduates [section (b) (1)]? By registration? With who? Is this the law that will require a national registry of homeschooled students? Will homeschoolers be 'identified' by the federal government collecting state lists of registered homeschoolers? There appears to be nothing to prohibit a national registration of homeschooled students in HR 1815, indeed, it seems to call for it. Will it be necessary for homeschooled students to register with the DOD as young people now register with the Selective Service? Or some other appointed agency or organization affiliated with the DOD?
Will this action lead to organizations becoming - by law - the official accrediting agencies of homeschoolers? Will there be a federal registrar of homeschooled students?
If you believe this is just an 'end-run' around the opposition to H.R. 3753 and S. 1619, [the Homeschool Non-Discrimination Act] then contact your U. S. Representatives NOW and let them know you oppose section 522 of H.R. 1815, The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal year 2006. Otherwise Section 522 will slip through hidden in this huge bill when Congress approves the Defense Authorization for fiscal year 2006.
The H.R.3753/S.1691 blog is an online source of information for people working to kill the bills -- again --, and keep homeschooling from being further defined by federal legislation.
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- Location: Many Towns, Across the Country, United States
