Husband, Dad, Mechanical Engineer, Bass
Player ...
Obsessed with all things Engineering.
AMY
Wife, Homeschool Mom, Webmaster ...
Obsessed with all things Political.
RACHAEL
Daughter, Sister, Sophomore ...
Obsessed with all things Geological.
NICHOLAS
Son, Brother, 8 year old ...
Obsessed with all things Historical.
(especially Egyptian!)
Favorite Books/Curriculum
The Well-Trained Mind Singapore Math Greenleaf Guides Apologia Science AIG Science curriculum Story of the World
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Day 318 - Political rant & Christmas Trees
Monday, November 17, 2008
In co-op today, we studied about the Pilgrim colony having first been set up as a socialistic society, and its conversion to capitalism. I find it interesting that there are so many examples of failed societies in which there was no incentive to learn more or work harder, yet even our own nation seems to be creeping closer and closer to that end. Everyone wants something for free. Free health care, free education, free retirement, free welfare... You know, there's something to be said for hard work & sacrifice. NOTHING is free! 'Someone' has to pay - either directly or indirectly. Maybe one of these days people will realize that. Then again, the more the government convinces people that they 'deserve' everything for nothing and that only the government can provide it, the more mindless people become. Remember - paying higher taxes is 'patriotic'. After all, the government is so efficient and honest that they will always spend my money with 'me' in mind...
Okay, off my soapbox....
After co-op, I visited the condo that we'll be living in when we move. The owner will be moving to Alaska and is selling nearly all of her possessions. I bought a bed and a tv stand for Nick, two lamps, a couch & loveseat, and a white Christmas tree for Jeff. Ever since Jeff & I have been married, we have had an ongoing discussion regarding Christmas trees. Every year I want a real tree, and he wants a white artificial tree. With the exception of a few years when got a real tree (we had hardwood floors, so it was easy cleanup!), we've always ended up with a fake green tree. I figured it was time he got his wish. This year, our tree will be white...as sacrilegious as that may be...
Since I typically work the polls or at the Republican HQ on Election Day, I decided to head to the Courthouse to vote today. I've always taken the kids with me as a civics lesson. We discuss the importance of voting, the issues, and why we vote the way we do. Rachael is used to this. She's been going to political rallies, watching debates, staying up all night for election tallies, etc. ever since she can remember. However, this is Nick's first foray into my political obsession! He talked with the two elderly gentlemen who were handing out the ballots, he proudly announced (LOUDLY!) that, "I'm voting for John McCain. He's a Democrat!" Oh well, I guess he at least knew "A" candidate and "A" political party - even if the two weren't exactly a match! Maybe the concept of a "secret" ballot might be the next area to discuss!
Day 229 - Visit & Long (vast right wing!) Political Post
Sunday, August 17, 2008
I met my dad's first cousin this morning for breakfast. He is a Virginia Tech professor who had been in Chicago for a conference. He was able to stop by for a short visit on his way home to Virginia. He is an avid genealogist, and I was able to give him several old family pictures that I had found in my dad's things.
After breakfast, Jeff and I had some errands to run before we headed to his parents' house for a visit. While at their house, Nick got the idea that climbing into the dryer would be a good idea. It made for a cute picture, but his incessant need to be in a confined space is a little intriguing.
Later in the day, we drove past a local gas station and saw the My Man Mitch RV. It was a good photo opportunity, even if we didn't have time to stop. Go Mitch!
Speaking of politics - Because of my passion for all things political, I receive numerous political e-mails nearly every day. For the past few days, I have been bombarded with messages regarding this evening's Presidential forum at Saddleback Church. As much as I LOVED Pastor Rick Warren's book "The Purpose Driven Life," I have disagreed with him on several political issues as of late. I was less than enthused about the forum, yet my curiosity got the better of me. I actually ended up watching it TWICE! I found it to be the absolute BEST example of how a political forum should be held. Both candidates received the exact same questions - neither one having the benefit of hearing their opponent's responses. There was no mud-slinging, no cross-examining, just their opinions on the issues. My initial fear would that it would be "touchy-feely" politics with no hard hitting questions. In reality, it was exactly the opposite. I think the differences between the candidates were stark.
I went into this election season being lukewarm (to say the least!) Being a conservative, I was not a fan of McCain. I disagree with his stance on embryonic stem cell research, the Constitutional Marriage Amendment, and Campaign Finance laws - just to name a few. However, I was determined to vote for him simply based on his Pro-Life, Pro-Defense views.. (but I was not happy about it!) After tonight, I am actually getting excited about him. His answers on taxes, Supreme Court Justices, abortion, adoption, off-shore drilling, education (I never realized he was pro-homeschooling...hooray!), and National Security just blew me away! He was direct, concise, and deliberate.
In contrast, I think Obama came off as "wishy-washy" - either too afraid to state his opinion or not knowing what his opinion actually was! The only point that he really drove home was that he was pro-choice. He said that knowing when a baby should be awarded basic human rights was "beyond his pay grade." If that is true, and he doesn't really know when life begins, wouldn't you naturally err on the side of life?
He also said that anyone making over $150k annually was "rich." While that may be true in some parts of the Midwest, as a former Bay Area resident, I found that disconcerting. Another scary statement was his response regarding the mandatory hiring of faith-based employees whose values don't align with the organization which they'll be representing.
I did have to laugh, however, at his comment that he wouldn't have nominated Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas (who, in addition to Scalia, happens to be one of my favorite Justices...) because of his inexperience! If I were him, I certainly wouldn't be bringing up lack of experience for higher office!
In his defense, I truly believe that Obama is doing what he thinks is best for our country. He is a good public speaker and motivator as long as you don't listen to WHAT he actually says and only listen to HOW he says it. I don't agree with those who judge him by the color of his skin, call him unpatriotic, or try to associate him with radical Muslims (or worse!) I do, however, think that he is horribly misguided in several ways, for example:
1. Attempting to figure out the psyche of and trying to negotiate with terrorist madmen . You can't reason with unreasonable people. Protecting our country and the freedom that it represents needs to be our #1 priority. 2. Capitalism (not socialism) is what built our nation into what it is today. You cannot continue to raise taxes to support inefficient government waste, and you cannot EXPECT to be able to support a family working at McDonald's or living on welfare. 3. You cannot continue to pump million of dollars into failing schools and expect different results. Money is not what builds a great education. Get rid of the P.C. propaganda and "feel-good" educational philosophies and start focusing on the basics...
Sorry, this post ended up a lot longer than I had intended. I am just so excited that I saw a spark of hope in McCain after all...(!)
Today was Jeff's first day off in several weeks. Rachael and I got up early and headed to a used book sale in Evansville. It was hot, crowded, and miserable, but I did manage to get a few decent books. I'm really trying hard not to buy anything that I can get at the library. I have over 20 large boxes of books already in storage, several boxes at this house, and dozens of books currently on loan to other homeschoolers. Until we move to a bigger house, I just don't have the room! Of course, if I find a consumable or other "homeschool" type books not available at the library, that's another story... (!)
After the sale, Jeff & Nick met us at a Mexican restaurant for lunch, then we met my mom and headed to a movie. Following the movie, Jeff and Rachael went to the shooting range and Nick & I went to Barnes & Noble. Even though I was firing guns when I was younger than Nick, there's just something that makes me nervous about the thought of HIM holding a weapon. Maybe in 5 (or 20!) years... Of course, Rachael refused to even touch it, so who knows?!?
On our way home, we drove by the county courthouse and saw the display pictured above. I have no idea who put the candles out or why, but thought it was a pretty awesome display! Of course, I guess the ACLU will probably be investigating this "affront to political correctness..."
Since we missed the South Carolina Republican primary debate live, we decided to watch the repeat several hours later. Rachael got all snuggled up on the couch wrapped in her Daddy's shirt. She made it until nearly 2:00am when she couldn't hold out any longer! We had an amazing time discussing the candidates and their positions. I love hearing her thoughts and insights. She'll be sleeping in tomorrow morning, but that's okay ... you could say we started school around midnight. ;-D
Rachael went to a Christian school for Kindergarten. I remember staying out really late one night at a campaign rally. There was no way that I was going to send my 5 year old to school with only a few hours of sleep. However, without a doctor's excuse, any absence was 'unexecused' - no matter what the reason. Even though we paid a lot of money to send her to a private school, our parental rights were over once she stepped through the doorway. Don't get me wrong, it was a great school. I am just a firm believer that a lot of great learning happens outside the 8-3 timeframe AND outside of the classroom.
Of course, Nick made it all the way through the debate! (However, I don't think he got too much out of the political banter!)
Name: Amy Home: Indiana, United States About Me: I am a Homeschool Mom of 2 awesome children. This is my attempt at Project 365 - to chronicle our world through daily photos... See my complete profile
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