Disqus - Friends of MissGarbo

Re: Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids?

Raymond Michael — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 03:58:19 -0000

You know what is interesting about your comment is that you mention only about the fact that children need to be smarter....as if the IQ is the only quantitative factor to being "smart." There are many extremely "smart" children in China that have EXTREMELY low self esteem, interpersonal relationship skills, personal problem solving abilities and do not feel as though they are worthy unless constant success and "perfection" is achieved. Would someone like to tell me why we now place more importance on someone being able to take a test and wow others than being able to offer their spouse, future children and the society in which they live a loving, stable and self secure person. Furthermore, the Chinese are very quick to point out the educational flaws of those who do not achieve their "level of greatness" but fail to point out that their entire childhood was spent achieving success instead of actually being able to enjoy being a child. You can die wealthy, successful and educated.....but the people that have been best remembered in history had the best hearts. Educated or not.

Re: Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids?

Raymond Michael — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 04:05:06 -0000

ChurchLeader, just as the Bible can and is interpreted and taught in many different ways, so are many aspects of many different subjects. I have heard your statement before, but have also heard the statement of the author of the article. To throw the baby out with the bath water so to speak isn't ideal. There are many scholars who believe that many parts of the Bible are not correctly translated, and have good reason. Does this mean the whole Bible is false? No. There are always more sides to a story.

Re: Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids?

Raymond Michael — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 04:14:39 -0000

MF, this is a true example of the possibilities self directed and home based learning can accomplish. It is comical to me that people cannot see the true benefits to this type of educating lifestyle. Even when facts, studies and children (such as yours) are presented right in front of their faces. It is people like Guest that keep in motion a system that is ruining more children than it is helping. Less than 75% of our public school children are graduating. Of those who do graduate, only 46% of them have a B- average or higher. Someone explain why this is a good thing?

Re: Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids?

Raymond Michael — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 17:55:28 -0000

I can only laugh when I read a blanket statement like "but most students will choose not to do much." How in the world do you have a clue? I have been around hundreds of homeschooled and unschooled children. You have absolutely no idea what "most" kids will or will not do. You don't give children enough credit to make good choices. Or maybe the children you have been around have been restricted so tightly that the minute they have freedom, they don't know how to handle it. Public school = no freedom to be a child.

Re: Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids?

Raymond Michael — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 18:00:58 -0000

The only part of my statement responded to was the one that did not coincide with your ideals. Why waste my time citing my literary sources for mistranslation? It's not as if you would take it with an open mind. It would be a waste of my time and energy trying to educate someone who "knows" what their answer already is.

Re: Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids?

Raymond Michael — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 18:03:47 -0000

I have met far more public school children that cannot read, than I have homeschooled. Furthermore, reading isn't about an age.....why is everything about an age? Each child progresses at a different pace. Can't we let them be who they are and not who we think they should be when the system says they must?

Re: Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids?

Raymond Michael — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 18:04:59 -0000

Public school = so parents don't need to show self control.

Re: Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids?

Raymond Michael — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 18:07:23 -0000

Children are born curious. Nothing needs to be instilled. The problem is the curiosity gets squelched early on with placing adult expectations (sitting quiet for 5 hours per day.)

Re: Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids?

Raymond Michael — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 18:29:26 -0000

No one is saying that public school is a horrible place. No one is saying that all teachers are lazy self centered people only wanting a paycheck. But extremely dedicated teachers are not the majority. From my own personal experience, experience of friends and family as well as working with parents who's children have been tortured, mistreated and abused by teachers and other students....I have plenty of reason to state my claim.

Just so we are clear, if my child didn't walk when they were 4 I wouldn't freak out. I am a well educated man who hated reading and the more I was forced to learn to read the less I would listen. I was a late bloomer and in public school. Two degrees later and a life in public school, I wish I were homeschooled.

Children are not little adults. But yet that is the expectation in a public school setting.

Re: Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids?

Raymond Michael — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 18:32:08 -0000

PS. My oldest was in public school until she was 8. She is now 11. I was a room parent, a reader friend, volunteered for after school things etc. I may homeschool but I don't live in a bubble.

Re: Politics: PETA furious about Joe Namath's fur coat

Raymond Michael — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 21:30:30 -0000

Dear Pepper34,

I would appreciate you not including me, someone who does not personally find it revolting and morally wrong to eat animals, in the same category as "lifeless and uncaring." Furthermore, classifying me as someone who "does not have morals or a conscious" is not appreciated either. It appears to me by the language, lack of compassion for your fellow man and the hatred coming out in your words, that maybe you might fit the bill for uncaring and lacking morals. The personal choice I make as an intelligent man (yes some of us actually do have high IQ's) is none of your concern. I respect your passion and diligence to fight for something that is important to you. However, using such harsh words, character assassinations and bullying does not make you look intelligent nor does it encourage anyone to want to "join your cause."

Sincerely,

Steak on my plate and a brain in my head

Re: Barberton Labor Day Celebration

Raymond Michael — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 15:31:25 -0000

Just wanted to vent a second....I've gone to Bay Days in Bay Village for many many years. Great carnival rides, above average fireworks and nice atmosphere. This year they removed the unlimited wristband option. It will now cost $10 for my two children and myself to ride ONE SINGLE RIDE! On top of that, the lady in the booth called me a liar when I called her company out for getting rid of them. She said it has always been this way. I will NEVER return to Bay Days. I advise any other Clevelanders to do the same!