Would this problem exist if education were not government education? --- This is always the 1st question to ask whenever you hear of any problem with public education. The world of ideas is too important to be left in the hands of the state. That is the essence of the 1st Amendment.

Yes & No. GAO isn't definitive. It may prevent implantation of a fertilized egg. If you believe "life begins at conception", you can argue the woman hasn't really conceived until the fertilized egg is well ensconced in her womb, therefore no abortion. If you believe, as the newly passed Kansas law sitting on Gov. Brownback's desk says, "Life begins at fertilization" , then preventing implantation would be an early abortion. Plan B is not the same a RU486, (which I always thought should be pronounced "Are You For Aiding Sex". Just had to get that in there.)

So what you're suggesting is what the government does best is make things worse. --- If some guy in a USMC uniform blows a hole in my cell & says "I'm from the US government and I'm here to help", I'll take it!

What a kid needs is someone who irrationally loves him & cares deeply about him & is willing to sacrifice everything for him. That's Mom and Dad. Society has other agendas. Not the irrational overwhelming, burning, soul-wrenching, gut-twisting desire for one particular child. (Besidse dispassionate, objective assessment, they are motivated by their own self-interest separate from the child's wefare. Exhibit A: Teachers' unions.) Society should under-gird the Moms and Dads.

Let us stipulate that Professional Educators know what is best. Intellectually. What a kid needs is someone who irrationally loves him & cares deeply about him & is willing to sacrifice everything for him. That's Mom and Dad. Even ignorant ones. Smart educators have agendas other than irrational overwhelming, burning, soul-wrenching, gut-twisting desire for one particular child. (Besidse dispassionate, objective assessment, they are motivated by their own self-interest separate from the child's wefare. Exhibit A: Teachers' unions.) Which class of person should advise in the education & welfare of a child? Which class of person should have final say?

Would this be a problem if the school were not a Government School? --- Always ask that question. The world of ideas is too important to be left in control of a government. That is the essence of the 1st Amendment.

"I am the epitome of sweet reasonableness."

When my wife was 5 she wanted to marry a tv horse named Fury. When my 6 year old sister was the flower girl at our wedding, she thought she was the bride and was devastated when it was time for me to leave with the actual bride. Let children be innocent. All they need to know is there's "the mom" and "the dad".

Would this problem exist if education were not government education? This is always the 1st question to ask whenever you hear of any problem with public education. The world of ideas is too important to be left in the hands of the state. That is the essence of the 1st Amendment.

Mary Grabar is my hero, but she lost me on this one.

The world of ideas is too important to be left in the hands of the government. That is the essence of the 1st Amendment.