California schools going downhill

I’m a parent of a child who goes a public school in California and I’m very concerned about the new law that allows alternative sex orientations such us homosexuality to be taught at the public schools. Rescue Your Child organization is fighting this issue. Here (also see below) is a good article that touches the whole educational law issue in California. This article talks about homeschooling which I have nothing against. I just know that personally it wouldn’t work for our family and it wouldn’t be an option for us but I still think that it’s a better option than having the public school system teach your child values that you don’t want them to be exposed to. I want our children to make their own decisions about different sexual orientations and how to handle/deal with them once they are old enough to understand and for sure I don’t want the public school system teaching them these “values” that they think are so important. Where are the rights of people who want to preserve the conservative values and decide what is appropriate to be taught in school and what should be left for the parents to do in their own private homes? 

Judge orders homeschoolers into government educationCourt: Family’s religious beliefs ‘no evidence’ of 1st Amendment violation

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Posted: February 29, 20083:24 pm Eastern

By Bob Unruh© 2008 WorldNetDaily

 

 

A California court has ruled that several children in one homeschool family must be enrolled in a public school or “legally qualified” private school, and must attend, sending ripples of shock into the nation’s homeschooling advocates as the family reviews its options for appeal.

The ruling came in a case brought against Phillip and Mary Long over theeducation being provided to two of their eight children. They are considering an appeal to the state Supreme Court, because they have homeschooled all of their children, the oldest now 29, because of various anti-Christian influences in California’s public schools.

The decision from the 2nd Appellate Court in Los Angeles granted a special petition brought by lawyers appointed to represent the two youngest children after the family’s homeschooling was brought to the attention of child advocates.

“We find no reason to strike down the Legislature’s evaluation of what constitutes an adequate education scheme sufficient to promote the ‘general diffusion of knowledge and intelligence,’” the court said in the case. “We agree … ‘the educational program of the State of California was designed to promote the general welfare of all the people and was not designed to accommodate the personal ideas of any individual in the field of education.’”

The words echo the ideas of officials from Germany, where homeschooling has been outlawed since 1938 under a law adopted when Adolf Hitler decided he wanted the state, and no one else, to control the minds of the nation’s youth.

Wolfgang Drautz, consul general for the Federal Republic of Germany, has said “school teaches not only knowledge but also social conduct, encourages dialogue among people of different beliefs and cultures, and helps studentsto become responsible citizens.”

Specifically, the appeals court said, the trial court had found that “keeping the children at home deprived them of situations where (1) they could interact with people outside the family, (2) there are people who could provide help if something is amiss in the children’s lives, and (3) they could develop emotionally in a broader world than the parents’ ‘cloistered’ setting.”

The appeals ruling said California law requires “persons between the ages of six and 18″ to be in school, “the public full-time day school,” with exemptions being allowed for those in a “private full-time day school” or those “instructed by a tutor who holds a valid state teaching credential for the grade being taught.”

The judges ruled in the case involving the Longs the family failed to demonstrate “that mother has a teaching credential such that the children can be said to be receiving an education from a credentialed tutor,” and that their involvement and supervision by Sunland Christian School’s independent study programs was of no value.

Nor did the family’s religious beliefs matter to the court.

Their “sincerely held religious beliefs” are “not the quality of evidence that permits us to say that application of California’s compulsory public school education law to them violates their First Amendment rights.”

“Such sparse representations are too easily asserted by any parent who wishes to homeschool his or her child,” the court concluded.

The father, Phillip Long, said the family is working on ways to appeal to the state Supreme Court, because he won’t allow the pro-homosexual, pro-bisexual, pro-transgender agenda of California’s public schools, on which WND previously has reported, to indoctrinate his children.

“We just don’t want them teaching our children,” he told WND. “They teach things that are totally contrary to what we believe. They put questions in our children’s minds we don’t feel they’re ready for.

“When they are much more mature, they can deal with these issues, alternative lifestyles, and such, or whether they came from primordial slop. At the present time it’s my job to teach them the correct way of thinking,” he said.

“We’re going to appeal. We have to. I don’t want to put my children in a public school system that teaches ideologies I don’t believe in,” he said.

A spokesman for the Home School Legal Defense Association, one of the world’s premiere homeschooling advocacy organizations, said the group’s experts were analyzing the impact of the decision.

“It’s a very unfortunate decision,” he said.

Randy Thomasson, of Campaign for Children and Families, said under California law parents have the legal right to create a private school in their home and enroll their own children.

“Children belong to the parents, not to the state,” he said. But he acknowledged that there’s a great deal of misinformation about the status of homeschooling in California.

“For years the government school establishment has been lying to parents about the law. Just this week, a Los Angeles Unified school district employee lied to a mother who wanted to homeschool, telling her you must have a license, you must be credentialed and you must follow all the state curriculum. That’s three lies in one sentence.”

“Now we have judges going crazy and actively separating children from their parents.”

A legal outline for parents’ homeschool rights in California, published byFamily Protection Ministries, confirmed Thomasson’s description.

The state’s legal options for home educators include establishing a private school in their home by filing a private school affidavit with state regulators or enrolling in private school satellite instruction programs or independent study programs, it said.

The Long family had been involved in such a program with Sunland Christian School, but the appeals court took the extraordinary step of banning the family from being involved in that organization any longer, since it was “willing to participate in the deprivation of the children’s right to a legal education.”

A number of groups already have assembled in California under the Rescue Your Child slogan to encourage parents to withdraw their children from the state’s public school system.

It’s because the California Legislature and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger worked together to establish Senate Bill 777 and Assembly Bill 394 as law, plans that institutionalize the promotion of homosexuality, bisexuality, transgenderism and other alternative lifestyle choices.

“First, [California] law allowed public schools to voluntarily promote homosexuality, bisexuality and transsexuality. Then, the law required public schools to accept homosexual, bisexual and transsexual teachers as role models for impressionable children. Now, the law has been changed to effectively require the positive portrayal of homosexuality, bisexuality and transsexuality to 6 million children in California government-controlled schools,” said Thomasson.

Even insiders joined in the call for an abandonment of California’s public districts. Veteran public school teacher Nadine Williams of Torrance said the sexual indoctrination laws have motivated her to keep her grandchildren out of the very public schools she used to support.

The Discover Christian Schools website reports getting thousands of hits daily from parents and others seeking information about alternatives to California’s public schools.

WND reported leaders of the campaign called California Exodus say they hope to encourage parents of 600,000 children to withdraw them from the public districts this year.

The new law itself technically bans in any school texts, events, class or activities any discriminatory bias against those who have chosen alternative sexual lifestyles, said Meredith Turney, legislative liaison for Capitol Resource Institute.

There are no similar protections for students with traditional or conservative lifestyles and beliefs, however. Offenders will face the wrath of the state Department of Education, up to and including lawsuits.

“SB 777 will result in reverse discrimination against students with religious and traditional family values. These students have lost their voice as the direct result of Gov. Schwarzenegger’s unbelievable decision. The terms ‘mom and dad’ or ‘husband and wife’ could promote discrimination against homosexuals if a same-sex couple is not also featured,” she said.

Karen England, chief of CRI, told WND that the law is not a list of banned words, including “mom” and “dad.” But she said the requirement is that the law bans discriminatory bias and the effect will be to ban such terminology.

“Having ‘mom’ and ‘dad’ promotes a discriminatory bias. You have to either get rid of ‘mom’ and ‘dad’ or include everything when talking about [parental issues],” she said. “They [promoters of sexual alternative lifestyles] do consider that discriminatory.”

The California plan still is facing a court challenge on its constitutionality and a possible vote of the people of California if an initiative effort succeeds. 

 

The controversy of the movie Business of Being Born

There is an interesting discussion going on here about this film. The author of the Xblog is questioning the motives of the film maker and the facts being presented in the film. This is what I wrote as a response to the discussion: This is a very interesting discussion. I’m a European living in America and I’ve delivered 2 kids here so I can speak from my point of view having 2 very different hospital births. In Europe it’s very common for women to give birth without pain medication for example. Here in America, the first option given to you is pain medication with very little regard to how it can and does affect the outcome of the birth. It’s been proven that epidurals and c-sections go hand in hand and one doesn’t have to be a doctor to see the correlation there. Women’s bodies are build to give birth to babies not lay in the bed under pain medication not being able to feel your body working during labor. The baby has trouble coming through the birth canal because the hormonal/pain censors in the brain has been blocked by pain medication. All of sudden the baby is in distress and off we go in the surgery room. How many times have you heard a woman giving birth naturally meaning without any pain medication, needing a c-section? I gave birth naturally without any pain medication and the hospital staff on both occasion were horrified and actually amused because they thought they knew I couldn’t do it and also because they didn’t see the point why anyone would want to. After those reactions coming from 2 different hospitals and hospital staffs I got a good idea of the current medical mentality here in American and I’ve since learn how much the insurance companies and hospitals control the birthing process and are in it together. If you get the automatic epidural being offered, your hospital bill goes way up because now you’ve got the anestesiologist to involved and you have to pay that person as well. I wanted to get out of the hospital the next day after having my delivery but my request was denied by the hospital and was bullied in staying by the hospital staff claiming that if I leave, the insurance company might not pay for my delivery. Now please tell me why a hospital would want me to stay for 2 days instead of 1 when me and my baby were perfectly fine. The only answer I can come up with is money. They were going to get more money from me and my insurance company. I can’t believed that I was so stupid and caved into staying. I’ve since learned that this is common practice by the hospitals. If I had known that, I would have walked out with our baby in our hands. After my own experienced with child birth here and American and knowing how different things work in Europe and the country I’m from, I’m so glad to see this film being put out to make people think. I haven’t seen this film myself so I shouldn’t fully comment but I hope to see it soon. One more point, I’d like to make is that from the many years that I’ve lived here and can see how many americans are brainwashed by the drug companies to need a medication for everything. The drug companies have such a powerful hold on the American society due to the money spend on advertising and lobbying on Capitol Hill. In Europe people are encouraged not to use medications unless completely necessary including over the counter medications. A good latest example of the over usage of medications is the cold medications being banned for young kids and babies because parent’s couldn’t be trusted to properly use them and because there wasn’t enough testing done on the side effects of the kids, yet these medications have been on the market for years without any regard to the responsibility of the drug companies and the FDA to make sure these medicines are safe to the age group they are intended to.
 

If you have to deliver a baby at Kaiser, be very careful as to who your doctor might be

This article just highlights the problems of child deliveries here in America. It appears that some doctors just can continue to hurt innocent people and even be responsible for their death, yet nothing happens to them. Dr. Safari, a perinatologist at Kaiser has been under federal investigation for causing 2 babies deaths. Every time you deliver a baby it’s a risk especially if it happens at a hospital. It seems like more things go wrong when doctors get involved. In so many other countries, majority of deliveries are handled by midwifes with great success. I wonder when America will realize that the current child birthing practices are major hospitals just aren’t working and are at great risk of newborn deaths. The US has the highest newborn death rate compared to other developing countries and it’s really sad.Read more here regards to this Kaiser doctor in question and be very aware of the risks when delivering at a hospital.  

Dr. Robert Sears and the Vaccine Book

Dr. Robert Sears has finally published his book about vaccines. The book is very much needed by parents who wish to take part in deciding what is the best health care for their children. This book doesn’t take sides, it just represents the facts about vaccines. Dr. Robert Sears is part of Sears Family Pediatrics in San Clemente which is also where our children go to. The father of Dr. Robert Sears is Dr. Williams Sears who has written several books regarding babies, parenting and family nutrition. Both practice together at Sears Family Pediatrics along with Dr. Williams Sears’ other sons, Dr. James and Dr. Peter. The Vaccine book was being feature in the OC Register today (01/24/08) and I’m very glad to see that because it’s about time that the public is being more aware of the complicated issue of vaccines and the possible side effects and complications. For more information check out Dr. Robert’s Vaccine information site here.

My Review of Jumbo Pack – Sizes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Toxic toys

In the awake of the recalls happening with toys made in China, I’m glad to have replaced a lot of our children’s toys with non-toxic wooden toys. It can sometimes be a challenge to find good quality wooden and non-toxic toys that hold the child’s attention like the plastic junk counter parts. I’ve found some websites that really help with shopping for a good quality heirloom toys that hold the child’s attention and grow with the child.  Websites like oompa, moolka and Nova sell brands from all around the world and the toys are really neat. Also FAO has a good search tool to search for toys based on their country of origin. I’ve studied about the different standards in toy manufacturing and have found that the European Union is a lot more strict with their standards than the US standards are. Since I’m originally from Europe I tend to search there for answers. Toy brands that I can highly recommend are HABA, Bajo, Kettler, Brio, Kathe Kruse and my new favorite Plan Toys.

Newborns and jaundice

This is a topic that comes up frequently with newborns. Almost every newborn has a case of jaundice and the decree can very a lot from baby to baby. Our firstborn had a mild jaundice but out second baby have a severe jaundice due to she would not breastfeed enough to help with the elimination process of the extra red blood cells. We had to do the billirubin blankets which worked out great actually. They are a great treatment option for high bilirubin levels to assure the baby can come home from the hospital and the treatment can continue. The unfortunate fact about jaundice is that some pediatricians aren’t aware of the fact that unrestricted breastfeedings really help with the condition. Some doctors are quick to tell the mom to stop breastfeeding and switch to formula which is completely wrong advise. The reason for the formula push is many times the fact that the most “education” new pediatricians get regards to newborn feedings is from the formula manufactures and they are brain washed to think that formula is better for a baby than the mother’s breastmilk.  Besides restricted feedings, indirect sunlight is a great treatment. Put the baby by a window to get some sunlight but be sure to keep an eye on the time. I also put our babies to direct sunlight just with their diaper on for 5 minutes both sides (front and back), no longer than that due to sunburn risk which is way worse than the jaundice. Now they have actually studied jaundice and come to find out that it can be a powerful antioxidant and prevent childhood cancers like leukemia. So it’s not as bad as originally thought. If your newborn gets jaundice be sure to continue breastfeeding as often as possible and if the baby is sleepy, which is typical with jaundice, be sure to wake the baby up to feed every 1 1/2 to 2 hours. 

Be aware of the book named “Babywise”

PLEASE STEER CLEAR OF THIS BOOK!

This book has been associated with failure to thrive in infants. Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Center is concerned that this book might lead to child abuse. There shouldn’t be a book published these days that promotes feeding on schedule since this method has been proven wrong by all studies years ago. The AAP says babies need to be fed on demand NOT ON SCHEDULE. This book has finally being taken off the market. The publisher stopped publishing the book after getting letters from doctors and even the AAP has announced that they are strongly against this book. If you are trying to get more sleep as I’m sure allot of parents are, there are other ways to do it than sleep training (cry-it-out method). All babies will eventually sleep through the night (5 hours is considered through the night for a baby not 8-10). If you are trying to change your child’s sleeping habits and need help please read the following books Dr. Sears Nightime Parenting and The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night by Elizabeth Pantley, William Sears (Foreword) or check out http://www.askdrsears.com. Both books are against the cry-it-out method and talk about finding alternative sleep associations for your child to help them fall asleep and stay asleep better.

Gentle and natural bath and body care for babies and older kids

I’m always on the hunt for natural skin care for our children as well as for myself. There are 2 brands that I absolutely love and they have become stables at our household. These brands are California Baby and Earth Mama Angel Baby. I love them both because they are gentle and natural and don’t irritate sensitive skins. Also since we have a daughter, it was important for me to find a bubble bath that wouldn’t contribute to UTIs like the commercial brands can. California Baby makes the best natural bubble baths as well as hair/body washes and body oils. Their sunscreens are the best because they are non-toxic. We have been using this line for 4 years now. Another favorite of my is Earth Mama Angel Baby which I discovered when I was pregnant with our daughter. I used pretty much all of their pregnancy products and loved especially the stretch oil. It’s scent is so nice and uplifting and I looked forward to using it every day after a shower. The Happy Feet foot soak was the best thing for relaxing feet especially at the end of the pregnancy. I liked it so much that I use it still today to unwind after a long day on my feet. The natural nipple butter is the best for breastfeeding and irritated nipples because it’s all organic and not toxic for the baby. No new mom should go without the Earth Mama Bottom Balm. It was the best thing after having my natural delivery. I swear by this product for helping and speeding up the healing process. Major thumbs up for both companies for developing such awesome products that are natural and non-toxic! 

Child Birth in America is not as safe as you would think – Business of Being Born sheds light on this issue

Finally someone is exposing the fact that Americans have a lot to learn from other countries when it comes to child birth. The USA has the 2nd highest infant mortality rate amongst the developing nations and yet we are suppose to be so medically advanced. I think the over medical advancement place a major part in what is wrong today in so many hospitals when child birth is concerned. Since I’m European (born and raised in Finland), I come from a different culture where child birth is looked at as natural as can be. Midwifes play a huge part and natural births are encouraged. Women bodies were made to deliver babies the natural way as long as you let nature do it’s work. Once you start disrupting the natural process with medication etc, things start to go wrong. I delivered both of my children here in the US without pain medication because I wanted to have a natural birth, and I was looked at like I was from Mars. I delivered both times at the hospital and the staff was amazed that I didn’t want any pain medication and kept offering it. They did the typical pitocin type of birthing to speed up the process to keep the assembly line going but I was still able to deliver without pain medication. I’m so glad I did! The only mistake I made was not to have a midwife present at the birth and letting them give me pitocin. If I would ever do it again, I would definitely have a midwife and I might also consider home birth so that I wouldn’t have to deal with the hospital bullying.
Ricki Lake has made this amazing documentary, exposing the whole problem of current birthing process in the US. I can’t wait to see the whole movie. All women should see this so that they can be more educated about what really goes on when you go to deliver a baby. Here is the website address to his document.

www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com

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