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

[Art Deco]

The V2020 thread about the death of facts posted today by Ron Force is spot
on here.

w.

On Fri, Apr 20, 2012 at 7:11 PM, Rosemary Huskey <donaldrose at cpcinternet.com
> wrote:

> 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 <
> 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:greshambouma at gmail.com]
> *Sent:* Wednesday, April 18, 2012 10:19 PM
> *To:* 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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-- 
Art Deco (Wayne A. Fox)
art.deco.studios at gmail.com
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