[Vision2020] Politcal questions and answers between Mr. Bouma and Ms. Huskey

Fri Apr 20 19:11:02 PDT 2012

Of course the flaw in that thinking is pretty simple, not all opinions have equal validity.  While he hasn’t confirmed it, I believe his understanding of the age of the earth is grounded in religious dogma not science.  Of course he has every right to believe whatever he wishes, nonetheless his faith based opinions don’t trump geological facts.

Rose

From: Tom Hansen [mailto:thansen at moscow.com] 
Sent: Friday, April 20, 2012 7:00 PM
To: Rosemary Huskey
Cc: <vision2020 at moscow.com>; Gresham Bouma
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Politcal questions and answers between Mr. Bouma and Ms. Huskey

Rose -

Is my understanding of Mr. Bouma correct, that he is suggesting that there should not be ANY restrictions or limitations as to what may be taught in our public schools?

If so, are ALL curricula to be taught as simple fact, such as courses depicting . . .

- the holocaust as a myth,

- that the antebellum south was a utopian culture for slaves,

- that homosexuality is a disease, . . .

No standards.  No course material analysis. 

Thoughts?

Tom Hansen

Moscow, Idaho

"If not us, who?

If not now, when?"

- Unknown

On Apr 20, 2012, at 18:09, "Rosemary Huskey" <donaldrose at cpcinternet.com> wrote:

Visionaries:

Over the last week I’ve exchanged the following emails with Gresham Bouma.  In truth, I was surprised to receive a response since it is clear I will not be supporting him in the upcoming election.  Therefore, I would like to publicly acknowledge his willingness to engage in the conversation with me.  He has given his permission for me to share these emails with Vision 2020.  At the end of the emails I responded from my perspective to his position(s) on the questions I asked him.  

On Tue, Apr 10, 2012 at 12:59 PM, Rosemary Huskey < <mailto:donaldrose at cpcinternet.com> donaldrose at cpcinternet.com> wrote:

Good Morning Mr. Bouma,

I am sure that we share the belief that a competent legislator needs to think clearly and rationally in order to adequately serve his/her constituents. To that end, could you please respond to the following questions.

1. Do you believe that the earth is less than ten thousand years old?

2. Do you believe that the creationism should be presented as an alternative theory to evolution in public schools?

3. Do you believe that homeschooling parents should be required to pass competency tests equivalent to Idaho certification standards in elementary or secondary education? If not, why not? 

I will post a copy of this email on Moscow\'s community forum Vision 2020 as well as your response. It is my hope that you are eager to deliver your message to a wide audience of (potential) constituents and will not ignore or avoid this opportunity.

Sincerely,

Rosemary Huskey

******

From: Gresham Bouma [mailto: <mailto:greshambouma at gmail.com> greshambouma at gmail.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 10:19 PM
To:  <mailto:donaldrose at cpcinternet.com> donaldrose at cpcinternet.com
Subject: Re: GreshamBouma.com CONTACT

 Thanks so much, Rosemary, for your desire to help the community get a clear understanding of my views. Regarding the issue of what is taught in schools, as an Idaho Senator my concern is not writing our science or philosophy curricula, but preserving the rights of the people to do that freely without government bullying or bureaucratic waste. I desire a truly free market of ideas – debated on their intrinsic merits rather than their political correctness or effect on “next years funding”.

I know I may not be popular with those few citizens who want to use the government’s strong arm to tell their neighbors what theories and ideas they may or may not let their children be exposed to and discuss. I believe it is not the federal or state government’s job to police or sensor what ideas the people are allowed to examine. I think local communities of parents have had quite enough of that and they just need someone to stand with them for their constitutional liberties.
Sincerely,

Gresham Bouma

********
Thank you for your response Mr. Bouma.  With your permission I will post our correspondence on V2020.  If you would rather I wouldn’t I won’t.

Sincerely,

Rosemary Huskey

******

Sure Rosemary, you can go ahead and post it.

Thanks,

Gresham

********

Dear Mr. Bouma,

I believe that while we both care about the education of children and (in my case) grandchildren we approach the issue from very different perspectives.  It is my sense that as a parent and Libertarian-style conservative you strongly support the curious educational justifications offered by homeschooling parents who self-segregate for religious and political reasons.  Is that what you meant when you wrote that you were interested in “preserving the rights of the people [i.e. to write science or philosophical curricula] freely without government bullying or bureaucratic waste”? While your commitment to those goals may soothe the emotional needs of that group of parents, I wonder what effect it has on the intellectual growth of their children.

My concerns about home schooled children are the same concerns that I have for children whose parents think they are competent to treat strep throat with homeopathic concoctions brewed on the kitchen stove. The child may survive the (arguably) well intentioned efforts of their parents but their recovery will be prolonged, unnecessary painful, and may include serious post-infection complications.

Homeschooling is often used to celebrate and accommodate personal philosophies.  That rationale, in my opinion, represents a substantial risk to the intellectual and social development of a child.  Perhaps we can agree that the task of educating a child is complex and demanding.  Effective pedagogy and accurate  instruction requires a particular background and specialized knowledge.  Sensible, mature adults readily admit to great gaps in specialized knowledge. They know what they don’t know.  For example, I would not be competent to teach Gallic despite a comprehensive set of Gallic language tapes, many CDs of Gallic music, a granddaughter who is an award winning Irish dancer, and a relatively strong academic background in the history and culture of Great Britain and Ireland.  Despite the Gallic “props” I own and my personal interest in all things Irish, I realize that a  “can do” attitude alone is insufficient to explain my demonstrable failure to speak, let alone teach, Gallic.  

If I can grasp the concept that I am not a know-it-all Renaissance woman would you help me to understand why the constant display of swaggering hubris is so evident (and frankly, misplaced) in the minds and behaviors of local Tea Party Republicans.  Why is it so difficult for these men (and women) to acknowledge that they don’t have a special and unique knowledge of biological sciences, U.S. history, and certainly not constitution law.  Do you understand how silly your Brush Fire Alliance <http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brushfire-Alliance-Inc/121660691205500>  supporters  look and sound when they yank out their pocket constitutions and proffer legal opinions on complex issues  which appear to be based on the ignorant and half assed notions of Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, and that tin star yahoo, constitutional jackass Sheriff Richard Mack <http://sheriffmack.com/> .  Why in the world is sheriff Mack such an inspiration  to local Tea Party/Latah County candidates <http://www.facebook.com/rickh340> ?   

And, that Mr. Bouma, leads me to the plank in your platform that claims government needs to be removed from our lives.  There are many examples that government can and does serve the public interest.  For example, I appreciate the standards (developed by specialists) that are enacted by state and federal legislators and enforced by public agencies (you know, that whole by the people and for the people thing) which offers protection and oversight from impure or unsafe medications and food.  I am grateful that teachers in Idaho public schools are subject to a process of certification in the subject area they teach.  I am delighted that the folks who design our highways and bridges can provide documents demonstrating that they have successfully completed academic and professional requirements to be civil engineers.  What is objectionable about those activites?

What do you mean by the statement that “the government’s strong arm attempts to tell people what theories or ideas they may or may not let their children be exposed to or discuss.”  Please provide me with examples of that behavior.  When has the federal or state government presumed to ”sensored [sic] what people think”?  Are you referring to  The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes <http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/scopes/statcase.htm>  or Brown v Topeka Board of Education <http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0347_0483_ZO.html>  as  examples of unwarranted governmental intrusion?  If you decide to answer only one question of the many I have asked, your answer to this one is probably the most significant to your potential constituents.

And finally, are you willing to introduce or support legislation calling for proof of teaching competency and verification of professional credentials by the Idaho Board of Education from home schooling parents?  If not, why not?   The issue is clear: does the state have an interest in the education of all children who live in Idaho?  The State Board of Education reviews and sets academic standards and credential requirements for public schools and teachers.  Don’t the children of homeschooling parents have a right to equal or equivalent qualifications from their teachers?  If not, how do you defend the apparent double standard?  I can’t help pointing out that good intentions, religious orthodoxy, devotion to children, and enthusiasm aren’t legitimate substitutes for independently recognized and accepted teaching credentials.

Thank you for offering me the opportunity for this conversation.

Rose Huskey

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