Another homeschooler against Huckabee

Nothing personal, but I don't think the way Mr. Huckabee does.

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Comments

[Beve]

Have you seen that he has Chuck Norris as a spokesperson?? He says he will sic Chuck Norris on illegal immigrants and those who disagree with him. Real presidential...not! Yuck to Huck.

ahaH,

Beve

[Valerie]

I saw the Chuck Norris YouTube clip. It's worthy of Mad magazine.

[Laura]

Response from Homeschool Legal Defense website:

January 2008

Questions have arisen regarding Governor Huckabee’s commitment to homeschooling. HSLDA-PAC is confident that Governor Huckabee is a strong supporter of home education, and we stand by our endorsement.

As discussed in this article, the Arkansas legislature passed a homeschool law in 1999, which was signed by Governor Huckabee. The law represented a step backward for homeschool freedoms.

Arkansas' homeschool law was enacted in 1985 when Bill Clinton was governor. It was one of the most restrictive laws in the nation. After Bill Clinton was elected president, Jim Guy Tucker, another Democrat, became governor. Unfortunately, homeschoolers were not able to roll back this terrible law during his administration. After Governor Tucker resigned from office because of legal difficulties, Mike Huckabee became governor in 1996.

Prior to the 1997 legislative session, the Arkansas Christian Home Education Association and HSLDA approached Governor Huckabee about supporting changes in the homeschool law. Governor Huckabee actively supported and lobbied legislators to get a bill passed which transformed Arkansas into a much more favorable state for homeschoolers. HSLDA attorney Dewitt Black wrote Governor Huckabee a thank-you letter. He replied, "Dee, it was my pleasure and privilege to get behind this effort on behalf of home school students in Arkansas, and I sincerely appreciated the backing of the Home School Legal Defense Association and the Arkansas Christian Home Education Association." HSLDA still has the original of this letter from the governor.

Only two years later, however, during the 1999 legislative session, two bad bills were introduced to impose restrictions on the homeschoolers. There was a great deal of momentum to get these bills through.

To avoid a major step backward for homeschool freedom, local homeschool leaders worked with a homeschooling father in the House of Representatives to sponsor a bill which would place some additional regulations on homeschoolers but would avoid the much worse provisions of the other two bills. HSLDA could not support this compromise bill because we always stand on the side of homeschool freedom and against government regulation. We opposed the bill and urged our members to lobby against the bill without success.

The political reality, however, was that the homeschoolers were going to have to give the opposition something or they were going to get something much worse. As far as Governor Huckabee was concerned, it was a bill the homeschoolers wanted. It was sponsored by a homeschooling father in the legislature and had the support of the Arkansas Family Council. The bill was enacted and became Act 1117.

HSLDA-PAC has spoken directly with Governor Huckabee and we believe that by his words and actions he is a firm supporter of homeschooling.

This video discusses more of Governor Huckabee's relationship with homeschoolers.

[Valerie]

HSLDA wasn't so confident about him in 1999.

http://www.homeedmag.com/blogs/newscomm/?p=1250

This is just more spin for a right-wing agenda.

[Laura]

Valerie,

HSLDA may not have supported the bill 9 years ago but they have given the reasons why in their current explanation that I have pasted from the HSLDA website above.

They acknowlege that two very dangerous bills made there way through at the time and if Act 1117 (which was drafted by a homeschooling father in the legislature) had not been signed by Governor Huckabee, things would have been far worse for the homeschoolers at that time.

Furthermore, if one looks at Mikehuckabee.com and studies his issues, it is very clear that there is absolutely nothing about him that is right wing.

HSLDA is certainly not right wing, so I'm confused as to whom you are referring to.

Also check www.illinoisfamily.org.
This website does not endorse any particular candidate, but simply shows the record of our all the candidates on issues such as pro-life, marriage, right to live, moral education etc.

Huckabee, for whatever reservations one may have about his stance on homeschooling is the clearest choice on moral issues.

I have homeschooled for 15 years and I will continue to fight for parental rights, but if we have a president who will not attempt to overturn Roe VS Wade, (Guiliani), or who supports a school curriculum that promotes homosexuality, (Romney), or who opposes a Federal Marriage Amendment defining marriage as the the union between a man and a woman (Giuliani, McCain, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, and Fred Thompson, we will not have to worry about the rights to educate our children. This lack of family values that the other candidates share, will do so much more to erode the family than more stringent accountability on homeschooling families. (if that were to even occur)

Ouch! Yes, none of us want anyone breathing down our necks, but if we continue to keep our nose clean and do what we are supposed to be doing as we educate our children, we won't be intimidated by this.

I have full confidence that HSLDA will be educating Huckabee on the merits of homeschooling if elected, and these fears of further control of our families by our government will not be warranted.

It is very difficult for me to disregard the endorsement of Huckabee by Michael Farris. Mr. Farris has fought hard to preserve parental rights, and the parents' right to educate their children for over 2 decades.

Michael Farris is the "co-founder (and current board chairman)of Homeschool Legal Defense Association, a constitutional lawyer, a leading pro-family activist on Capital Hill, a published author of 14 books, and an ordained minister."

In addition,"Education Week named Michael Farris as one of the 100 most significant 'Faces of the Century' in education, and he is listed in Praying for the World's 365 Most Influential People."

Michael Farris was fighting for parental rights when parents were still getting arrested for educating their children, (as homeschooling was ignorantly considered illegal in most states a little over 20 years ago. The laws were vague regarding homeschooling and most parents had to fight for the right to educate their children in the courts.

Michael Farris and Homeschool Legal defense continue to fight for parental rights in other countries such as Germany because Homeschool Legal Defense understands the dangers of the United Nations. HSLDA understands the UN could have the authority to deem homeschooling illegal and that axe could fall in the US as well.

Michael Farris is Chancellor for Patrick Henry College. This college is devoted to training Christian men and women to become the future journalists and lawmakers of our country, grooming them to be equipped to fight in Washington for Godly principles.

Patrick Henry is also the only College I know of that refuses to take government funding because they know that once they do, they will be oblidged to teach what the state says is politically correct.

We must continue to pray that God reveals His will, as we consider the future leaders He has chosen for office.

May God grant us the wisdom to vote in accordance of His will.

Laura

[Valerie]

Laura, are you the president of the Michael Farris fan club?


We'll take this bit by bit.

HSLDA may not have supported the bill 9 years ago but they have given the reasons why in their current explanation that I have pasted from the HSLDA website above.

Laura, not even die-hard conservative Protestant homeschoolers are on the bandwagon with Farris concerning Mr. Huckabee.

• Mary Pride is an ahaH
• Spunky on Rush on HSLDA on Huckabee

Furthermore, if one looks at Mikehuckabee.com and studies his issues, it is very clear that there is absolutely nothing about him that is right wing.

You're joking. Right?

HSLDA is certainly not right wing, so I'm confused as to whom you are referring to.

HSLDA, not right wing?

??

OK, now I KNOW you're playin' with me.

• National COR Steering Committee
  The following members of the national COR Steering Committee helped develop and ratify the COR Foundation Documents, the 17 World View Documents, and all signed A Manifesto for the Christian Church in 1986. Some of these people are no longer associated with COR, but many continue to actively support COR.
  
  A complete list of Christian leaders who signed the COR manifesto in 1986 is available here and at the back of the Manifesto.
  ...
  Mr. Michael Farris, President
  Home School Legal Defense Association
  
• CNP:
  The Council for National Policy: Selected Member Biographies
  Michael P. Farris - CNP Member1996, 1998; Baptist minister; ... president, Virginia chapter, National Federation of Republican Assemblies; ... chairman, Christian Solidarity International (CSI) in USA and steering committee for CS International; international vice president, former general counsel, Concerned Women for America; member of the steering committee of Jay Grimstead's Coalition on Revival (COR); 1993 Republican candidate for lieutenant governor of Virginia; delegate to Virginia and National Republican Conventions; appointed to National Republican Education Task Force; appointed to Republican governor George Mien's Blue Ribbon Strike Force; ...

Huckabee, for whatever reservations one may have about his stance on homeschooling is the clearest choice on moral issues.

Where you stand governs a lot of what you see. The moral issues I see just don't jibe with Mr. Huckabee's views.

I have homeschooled for 15 years

We're pretty much even, then. I started 17 years ago.

... and I will continue to fight for parental rights, but if we have a president who will not attempt to overturn Roe VS Wade, (Guiliani), or who supports a school curriculum that promotes homosexuality, (Romney), or who opposes a Federal Marriage Amendment defining marriage as the the union between a man and a woman (Giuliani, McCain, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, and Fred Thompson, we will not have to worry about the rights to educate our children.

You've bought into HSLDA's mission to bring All Things They Value under the homeschooling umbrella, haven't you.

• Does HSLDA Mix Causes?

Ouch! Yes, none of us want anyone breathing down our necks, but if we continue to keep our nose clean and do what we are supposed to be doing as we educate our children, we won't be intimidated by this.

And what are we "supposed to be doing?"

I have full confidence that HSLDA will be educating Huckabee on the merits of homeschooling if elected,

Am I meant to be encouraged by that?

and these fears of further control of our families by our government will not be warranted.

Have I mentioned fears? All I did was put up an ahaH button.

It is very difficult for me to disregard the endorsement of Huckabee by Michael Farris.

And not difficult at all for me.

Mr. Farris has fought hard to preserve parental rights, and the parents' right to educate their children for over 2 decades.

Mr. Farris has fought hard to keep putting laws on the books to keep HSLDA in the lawyering business.

• HSLDA's Lobbying Expenses
  1998 1 Jan - 30 Jun: $100,000
  1998 1 Jul - 31 Dec : $40,000
  1999 1 Jan - 30 Jun: Sorry, forgot to file
  1999 1 Jul - 31 Dec: $40,000
  2000 1 Jan - 30 Jun: $40,000
  2000 1 Jul - 31 Dec: $60,000
  2001 1 Jan - 30 Jun: $80,000
  2001 1 Jul - 31 Dec: $60,000
  2002 1 Jan - 30 Jun: $60,000
  2002 1 Jul - 31 Dec: $80,000
  2003 1 Jan - 30 Jun: $80,000
  2003 1 Jul - 31 Dec: $80,000
  2004 1 Jan - 30 Jun: $30,000
  2004 1 Jul - 31 Dec: less than $10,000
  2005 1 Jan - 30 Jun: Sorry, forgot to file

Michael Farris is the "co-founder (and current board chairman)of Homeschool Legal Defense Association, a constitutional lawyer, a leading pro-family activist on Capital Hill, a published author of 14 books, and an ordained minister."

Good for him. He's been busy and worked hard.

• HSLDA was founded by Michael P. Farris.
• Only Christians need apply: Religious freedom and Michael Farris
• Special Report: Seelhof v. Welch

In addition,"Education Week named Michael Farris as one of the 100 most significant 'Faces of the Century' in education,

I'm a homeschooler, why would I take direction from Education Week? The Establishment goes its way, and I went mine.

and he is listed in Praying for the World's 365 Most Influential People."

And?

I'm reminded of my mother's question to me. "If your friends jumped off the Empire State building, I suppose you would too?" Just because Someone Else honors a person does not bind me, even if we superficially share a philosophy on bringing up our kids.

Michael Farris was fighting for parental rights when parents were still getting arrested for educating their children,

I thought all this was about Huckabee, not about Farris? Mr. Farris had a shot at a political career and the effort ran out of steam. You're a little late.

Michael Farris was fighting for parental rights when parents were still getting arrested for educating their children

And so were many other people. Before they were subsumed by the right-wing Protestant SOF group, there were inclusive homeschool groups in many states. These people worked directly with the legislators in their states, instead of reaching into states where they did not live.

• Homeschooling Freedoms At Risk, 1991
  
  This relationship has very far reaching implications. Given the editorial and advertising policies of The Teaching Home magazine, the true diversity of the homeschool community can never be recognized via the co-published inserts. Control of this vital link in the communication process is straining local and state relationships and further lessening the ability of these groups to work cohesively. This also, in turn, increases the dependency on outside "expert help" in the face of adversity.

What does this have to do with Mr. Huckabee?

The laws were vague regarding homeschooling and most parents had to fight for the right to educate their children in the courts.

Pioneers have always had it rough.

Michael Farris and Homeschool Legal defense continue to fight for parental rights in other countries such as Germany because Homeschool Legal Defense understands the dangers of the United Nations.

Don't even get me started on interference in other countries, Laura. I spent 18 years of my adult life in Germany. I see the foreign interference as making the situation worse for Germans, not easier.

Consider how we feel about people in other countries telling us how to run our own affairs.

HSLDA understands the UN could have the authority to deem homeschooling illegal and that axe could fall in the US as well.

And what indication do you have of that, short of HSLDA's announcements?

• U. N. Convention on the Rights of the Child
  This past April (2006), the topic came up on the HEM-Networking list when a list-member asked why the Convention on the Rights of the Child was “front-burner” again. The only thing I could relate it to was HSLDA’s “free membership” drive, a limited-time membership that is valid only for the summer, a time when school-attendance isn’t #1 on most people’s lists, and the likelihood of the need for homeschool legal services is probably the lowest, excludiing child custody issues, which know no season. Homeschool legal coverage usually doesn’t include representation in child custody disputes.

Michael Farris is Chancellor for Patrick Henry College.

Well, yah. He all but founded it. Why wouldn't he be chancellor?

This college is devoted to training Christian men and women to become the future journalists and lawmakers of our country, grooming them to be equipped to fight in Washington for Godly principles.

Which god?

Patrick Henry is also the only College I know of that refuses to take government funding because they know that once they do, they will be oblidged to teach what the state says is politically correct.

Hillsdale accepts no federal funds either.

We must continue to pray that God reveals His will, as we consider the future leaders He has chosen for office.

So, God is on OUR side, right?

If you look at the vastness of the Universe, it doesn't appear as if we're even a blip on the Big Scale of Importance.

It also seems that He has an inordinate fondness for beetles.

Revelations of "God's" will (I'm assuming the god in question is Yahweh and not Allah or Jupiter or Krishna) seems to have more to do with the people espousing the revelation than they have to do with the being who created the infinite universe.

May God grant us the wisdom to vote in accordance of His will.

I imagine football teams think the same thing about the calls made during the game by the quarterbacks.

[Valerie]

From Hope to Betrayal

Parent and local control were both undermined by Governor Huckabee in favor of state oversight and control. Are we going to let him do the same thing at the federal level? If my posts on Huckabee seem like "over kill" it's simply because I've been consistently getting emails telling me that I don't understand Arkansas politics and that I've misrepresented Huckabee. Apparently, the one who is misrepresenting his record is Mike Huckabee.

[Valerie]

Golden Words from a Silver-Tongued Salesman

The media has portrayed Huckabee as strongly supported by homeschoolers across the nation.  But in Arkansas?  Not so much.  As homeschoolers in Arkansas, we saw Mike Huckabee sign into law on April 5, 1999, HB1724, which gave Arkansas some of the strictest home school rules in the nation, including requiring parents to file a “Notice of Intent” by August 15th of the school year, in which the home school parent must list courses and curriculum, school day schedule and the homeschooling parents’ education level, among other things.

According to the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) website, HB1724 also states that homeschoolers refusing to participate in the state-mandated testing program would be subject to prosecution for truancy.  Public school students are not subject to the same.  Ironically, this is the same HSLDA that has endorsed Huckabee, along with the National Education Association (NEA).

[Cindy]

Good job on this Valerie! I didn't know any of this about Huckabee, but it doesn't surprise me.

What a strange election year.