I just had one of those wonderful opportunities to have a mind to mind talk with two little boys, one my own, 11, homeschooled, and the other my nephew, 12, who is in public school.

My own son does not get the luxury of a 'summer break' because we incorporate education everyday into his daily activities. His cousin, who stays with us a good bit of the time, always has the choice to participate, or to go play videogames.

99% of the time, he will choose to participate, especially in science and art.

So today, the topic was Frankenstein. I suddenly found myself on the couch between 2 very interested little boys as the topic went from Frankenstein, cardioversion, to Hiroshima, over to wood frogs, then diabetes effect on frostbite, cloning, Dolly, stem cells, the role of bees in our food chain, and just what is 'genetically modified' food.

The conversation was EVERYWHERE, but there was solid scientific information and INTEREST being passed and absorbed.

After an hour, I finally got up and left as they tried to pull me back down. As usual, I felt it best to leave them with their interest high, and the boredom factor at zero.

But I sit here reflecting on the experience, I once again find that the best way to educate a child is to simply talk with them. I've learned to meet them on their own level in attention span and vocabulary, while expanding both, and to never pull punches when it comes to discussing science. Children should be encouraged to watch the news. If it is disturbing, help them process it - for it IS the world that THEY live in too.

Once again, I am convinced that the arts should not be taught 'alone' - they should not be isolated from science and technology.

Talking With Children About Frankenstein

Here's a recent piece by Laura Mallory who seeks to have Harry Potter removed from school libraries.

Her belief is firmly rooted in Judeo-Christian literalist thought. That said, her personal website is one that sells supposed exposes by 'occult experts.' (I'm extremely well read on the subject, and have never heard of ANY of these folks.) Hindus are also dismissed as 'evil.' SHe's making quite a business out of marginalizing and demonizing other religions.

I've always heard the way to get rich is to capitalize on either potential for gain, or fear of loss. Clearly, she's playing on fear of loss - of children's 'souls.' If it were not for the commercial nature of her quest to outlaw the books of Harry Potter, and coattail on said books's success, I might be more inclined to believe that she really is concerned about children.

But it is interesting to read her thoughts, even if I get a kick out of our my child trying to read tarot cards to find out when the next Smash Brother's Mario is coming out. Those same tarot cards gave him quite some mature insight into his own nature sometimes, and help him with problem solving. I won't deny him an intuitive tool that I like myself. Sigh::::

She says the occult sells. Look at her own products! Surely this is a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

Laura Mallory Speaks Out about Harry Potter

I got this link from a homeschool mom trying to get 10 sign ups so she could get an IPOD Shuffle. ®

Well, I don't need one, I have one, but I still want to hawk the site. There's some great ebooks on there. The ones for kids with the crafts you can make, are so very well done that I'd have paid for them. (Egypt, Rome, Pioneer, Native American...)

So here's the deal - you sign up, and you can get 5 eBooks a day. Free. They include an ad or two after the title page targeted to you. That's all the intrusiveness I've ran across.

They have a lot of comics too. Anyway, check them out if you like eBooks. I must. I have a harddrive full of them and I really do use them. I buy 2-3 a month, so it was a treat for me to get some really good ones free.

Thought I'd share the site.

Wowio - Free EBooks - and some are GREAT

At least Korvorkian is out of jail, but somehow I doubt they will make assisted suicide legal. (Sounds like a better out to me than living in extreme poverty on the streets.)

The big problem is what happens when you become disabled. Do you know how hard it is to get disability in America? It is over a 2 year wait in most cases and the paperwork is horrendous.

I guess they think "Who needs food and shelter? We have all these bombs!"

Why you'll never retire...

From Boing Boing:

"Mr. Lee is a cat in Germany, whose owner has attached a camera to his collar so that we can share his daily adventures! Some of the photos are mysterious. Others are beautiful. I love this!"

Cat has camera on collar so we can see what he does

The first amendment is under serious attack following an incident that took place at the GOP presidential debates up here in New Hampshire. Matt Lepacek a member of the activist/alternative media group We Are Change was arrested for simply attempting to question Rudy Giuliani about different issues including the fact that he previously lied to the We Are Change group about his involvement in the events of 9/11. This event shows that we no longer have freedom of speech or freedom of press in this country.

Reporter Arrested For Asking Tough Questions

I'm in the Bible belt, and sometimes I feel like it is on WAY too tight and I'd like to see its grip loosened some.

That said, I have been made absolutely SICK by churches preaching politics and telling members how to vote. I think it is an abuse of power and an atrocity to God myself, but that is just my opinion.

How, I am a homeschooler. I run a homeschool group in NW Georgia that is SECULAR and INCLUSIVE. Strange, but it turns out it is also mostly liberal.

But, simply because I homeschool that makes me some sort of social suspect. Today I got this email, which I am encouraged to forward.
I won't be going. I did forward it, in CASE anyone would want to go - we do have some Christian families in the group.

I took my child to help campaign for a couple of candidates - one national and one local. I am proud that homeschoolers are so political, and I encourage it - don't get me wrong.

But I wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder - how much of this sort of thing is directly or indirectly supported from church funds that are nontaxable? 50.00 for a week wouldn't touch food for my growing boy.

I was very pleased to see the IRS go after one televangelist that told his congregation that if they voted for x candidate they were voting for the devil. It happens all the time. I shake my head.

Do people not see that sort of political pressure from a religious authority that is supported by tax free money is WRONG? There IS a law against it for a reason!

Well, I have a heretic heart, true. However, as an American citizen, I think it is about time that the IRS start watching religious nontaxed institutions for conformance with the law.
If you're going to tell people how to vote and have political camps, it is time you paid taxes. (That goes for liberals too!)

Just a rant. Sorry. Here's the email. I really don't know how they are funded and I'm not accusing them - it is just it makes me WONDER. They could be legit. I only wonder because I saw so much of this and I feel like it is exactly how the far right took control of America.

Forwarding without endorsement.
----------------------------------------------------------
"Political Camp for Georgia Homeschoolers

It is my pleasure to invite you to a special opportunity which is coming to Northeast Georgia in about a week (June 13-19). Dr. Paul Broun (respected Athens physician and conservative leader, www.paulbroun.com) is hosting a Political camp designed to teach teens about grassroots campaigning and aid in his special election bid for congress. Students will be trained in grassroots political tactics and strategies and given hands on experience during a week of positive fun and Christian fellowship under the over sight of noted teen/homeschool leader Tim Echols (www.teenpact.com). Food and housing is all covered at a cost of only $50 for the entire week. I hope that you will be able to join us.

Please direct any questions that you have to:
Georgia Project georgiaproject@gmail.com

Paul Sellers
Georgia Project Director

P.S. Please forward this to any homeschoolers who might be interested, thanks!"

I don't see the problem with any word myself. As long as it works to communicate, I think it is bitchin'.

Judges toss FCC rule on cursing | Chicago Tribune

It is VERY creepy.

CB2 Child Robot is possibly the most disturbing machine ever built - Engadget

Lots of talent there!

Rodrigo y Gabriela