tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56941334554414825982024-03-08T12:45:11.383+00:00Learning LibertyRighteous ramblings of resistance by a lover of life & liberty.
<p><b>Join my forum '<a href="http://learningliberty.lefora.com/">Learning Liberty</a>' for up to the minute news & lively topical debate.</b></p>
<p><b>Discuss civil liberties issues, share information & network with like minded individuals.</b></p>HolisticHumanisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18371094113362635538noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694133455441482598.post-38527726419008537002011-06-14T11:54:00.002+01:002011-06-14T12:07:32.370+01:00Panic ye not...You may have heard on the grapevine that the SGG have firstly 'leaked' & now spewed their <a href="http://www.box.net/shared/6lk1826muy" style="color: #999999;">pointless drivel</a> into the public arena (though not their names, as yet). Fear not, the contents are likely to make little impact upon the state of play with LA's & this document is designed mainly to boost some uber-egoists flagging consultancy fees & the such like!... although if anybody can be arsed reading the damn thing critically, then please feel free to point out any issues which you may feel will in any way be of detriment to HEers, as these people really do need reining in.<br />
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All else that needs saying about it is <a href="http://www.allaboutthevoluntary.com/blog/2011/6/10/about-the-guidelines.html" style="color: #999999;">here</a>!HolisticHumanisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18371094113362635538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694133455441482598.post-44447524580653484762011-05-14T08:12:00.000+01:002011-05-14T08:12:54.722+01:00"He's not 'The Messiah'... He's a very naughty boy!... " says bitter Labour minister.Yesterday important philosophical issues & matters of law, directly relating to the freedoms of home educators, were once again discussed in the House of Commons...<br />
Many home educators could be forgiven for not even realising we were a topic of current political interest, as the parts of the Education Bill being discussed were supposed to only relate to school admissions & selection processes & as such home educators were not consulted on the proposed changes, as the government decided, in their infinite wisdom, that a proposal to impose a 20 day 'cooling off period' for de-registration of a pupil would be "uncontroversial".<br />
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MP Graham Stuart (who is also the current government's 'Chairman of the Education Select Committee') was alerted to the fact that, should these recent proposals relating to de-registration be put into practice, it would, amongst other things, give divisive Local Authorities, who already feel they have the right to work above & beyond their lawful remit, a further excuse to perpetrate institutional biases & related bad practices against home educators. He, like many, did not at first feel that the ensuing outrage expressed was proportionate to the matter at hand but once again those with a sound knowledge base, relevant past experience & brilliant analytical skills were on hand to open debate on the issue & succinctly express the problems in a way that enabled Mr.Stuart to analyse the evidence & make a more informed decision than he had thus-far been able...<br />
<br />
So here's the 'Good News'... In<span style="color: #999999;"> </span><a href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmtoday/cmdebate/10.htm" style="color: #999999;">yesterdays parliamentary debate</a> Graham Stuart was, once again, 'Our Saviour' ....& Amen to that.<br />
He fought our corner fairly & with enthusiasm. Kept to the FACTS. Reinforced the primacy of the parent, told the 'State' to get it's own house in order. Put <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Nandy" style="color: #999999;">some jumped up little madam</a> in her place when she tried to conflate welfare with education & further the myth that home educated children are in need of being 'seen' to be safe & put to shame <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Mearns" style="color: #999999;">one particular 'gentleman'</a> who dared to say that it was us lower-class riff-raff that needed to be kept an eye on...<br />
...& he took a fair bit of flack from the last governments Ex-Chairman of the 'Children's, Schools & Families Select Committee' in the process...(<-Whose expressions of a desire to implement 'monitoring' of home educators educational provision were predictably depressing)... All of which Graham Stuart dealt with in good grace & efficient style, bringing the debate back within the parameters of the current law as opposed to the bigoted opinions of the ignorant... including a very low parting shot by Mr.Sheerman implying that he thought Mr.Stuart had been somehow brainwashed by home educators & lost his mind. <br />
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Most importantly Graham Stuart highlighted the endemic situation of many Local Authorities overstepping their statutory duties & emphasising how it is this which needs addressing & correcting to bring them into line with the law. He showed that he'd done his homework by researching the websites & publicly available information published by various LA's, citing several examples of particular LA's shamelessly displaying their institutional biases. Nick Gibb spoke of how Graham Stuart had been instrumental in helping him to understand the reasons why the 20 Day Rule idea was a bad one & Mr.Stuart & he agreed to have a meeting to discuss the problems with LA's that overstep their remit. Even Michael Gove got a quick word in to agree with Nick Gibb that <a href="http://conservativehome.blogs.com/parliament/2011/05/graham-stuart-attacks-local-councils-over-home-education.html" style="color: #999999;">Mr.Stuart is in fact the "best-informed Member of the House on home education."</a>... (So I reckon that we better make sure we keep him well informed eh!?! ;))<br />
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Further comment on the whole <strike>debate</strike> debacle can be found <a href="http://sometimesitspeaceful.blogspot.com/2011/05/who-do-these-people-think-they-are.html">here</a> by Gill Kilner, who strikes right at the heart of the matter by stating:<br />
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<blockquote> "In my view, they belong to themselves but when they're very young, parents are their guardians precisely <i>because</i> - unlike the state - <i>we have a natural, instinctive, loving bond with our children.</i> We <i>know</i> them from birth, we spend the most time with them and we are therefore best placed to make decisions with them and on their behalf. The cold, impersonal, self-serving machine of state should be a parent of <i>last</i>, not first resort and the law properly reflects this" <br />
</blockquote>This attempt to introduce the<span style="color: #999999;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150244641310719&comments" style="color: #999999;">20 Day Rule</a>, though successfully deflected, should serve as a warning to those who would like to think that there is any kind of quick fix to the problem of authoritarian mission creep on either local or national levels. The prejudices of political ministers, being spouted as if they are fact, should also serve to remind us that many of those in positions of power are a dangerous mix of arrogance & ignorance.<br />
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In a <a href="http://loubeeloo-holistichumanism.blogspot.com/2010/10/heurism-hijacking-on-home-education.html" style="color: #999999;">previous post</a> I took issue with how a 'secret' few had taken it upon themselves to take active measures, without general consultation, to write 'guidelines' for LA's & legislators regarding 'how best to deal with HE families', any fallout from which will impact upon<b> all </b>home educators... disconcertingly, it appeared that the SGG seemed to have gained the ear of particular members of parliament who'd previously supported home educator's after the Bad Man fiasco & were attempting to push forward their own agenda in an underhand way whilst claiming that what they were doing was 'uncontroversial' (hmmm, ring any bells?). To make matters worse the ensuing in-fighting threatened to drive away that hard won political support & depleted the levels of trust between all concerned.<br />
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I hope those who would seek to serve their own biases, egos & self interests above those of others, both in the political & home education spheres can see the strength with which home educators have again responded, at short notice, to another potential threat to our families autonomy. We are, as ever, vigilant of the seemingly innocuous meddling which can easily snowball into flagrant agenda-ism & we will not give up our freedoms or self-determinism to those who purport to know what is best for us 'little men' without a fight...HolisticHumanisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18371094113362635538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694133455441482598.post-35682845356441980212010-11-21T21:28:00.000+00:002010-11-21T21:28:05.755+00:00Freedom in Education Under ThreatPlease send <a href="http://freedomineducationunderthreat.blogspot.com/2010/11/cme-postcard_21.html" style="color: #990000;">this postcard</a> to your MP "to highlight the urgent need for the Government to stop the continuation of ultra vires treatment of Home Educators in the name of CME Legislation."HolisticHumanisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18371094113362635538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694133455441482598.post-32793291644106928772010-10-30T01:15:00.011+01:002010-10-31T15:44:13.783+00:00Heurists & Hijackers Go Head To Head Over Home Ed...Across the internet forums & email lists a battle has been waging between those who support differing solutions to the current legislative problems facing families who wish to live & learn free from state interference.<br />
<br />
In my previous post '<a href="http://loubeeloo-holistichumanism.blogspot.com/2010/10/if-i-were-guidance-queen.html" style="color: #660000;">Guidance Queens & Pushy Authoritarian Types</a>' I linked to a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/grahamstuart62/posts/10150288404360571" style="color: #660000;">facebook thread on the wall of Graham Stuart MP</a>, who was supportive of home education when the Badman fiasco was in full swing and instrumental in helping to prevent the home education parts of the CSF Bill from becoming law. It has been revealed that he is involved with a select & secretive group of self appointed home education 'experts' & that this group is in the process of helping to draw up 'draft guidelines' for local authorities on how to deal with home educating families.<br />
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Many have been vocal in their concern & outrage over what they see as an underhand attempt by a few to direct future government policy regarding home education & are curious as to what the deeper motives might be of a group of people who are unwilling to present themselves & their 'ideas' to the advance scrutiny of all of those who will be affected.<br />
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Yesterday Lord Lucas started a home-education.biz forum thread which stated:<br />
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<blockquote>Over the next six months or so we will have at least two Bills which potentially affect HE:<br />
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Social Security: new terms for current benefits, and the foundations of the new system<br />
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Education: perhaps something on the new SEN system, and the possibility of amending 436A and consequent guidance.<br />
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As and when I hear news I will post it on this thread.<br />
<br />
I would be glad of your views as to how HE should be treated and consulted about either subject.<br />
<br />
Ralph Lucas<br />
House of Lords </blockquote><br />
When challenged over lack of transparency & asked to disclose the ultimate goals of the secret guidelines group (SGG), Lord Lucas merely used 'soothing' tones to deflect the frustrations of the enquirers but failed to reveal anything more about specifics (don't you just love how politicians do that), only commiting himself to...<br />
<blockquote>"<a href="http://www.home-education.biz/forum/43981-post66.html" style="color: #660000;">...I want to listen to you...</a>"</blockquote><br />
...but then excusing the exclusivity & cloak & dagger tactics of the group with...<br />
<blockquote>"<a href="http://www.home-education.biz/forum/43981-post66.html" style="color: #660000;">...it's just not practical to draft proposals in a large group many of whom are opposed to the whole idea.</a>" </blockquote>There have been expressed some very succinct & well reasoned arguments against the writing of new guidelines & of <a href="http://www.home-education.biz/forum/43785-post3.html" style="color: #660000;">alternative means of illiciting change in education legislation</a> put forth by some very knowledgeable & experienced individuals but it would seem that the SGG are hell bent on running with their 'baby' in spite of any objections from 'stakeholders'. Those who have pleaded with the SGG to stop with their arrogant, overbearing & potentially <a href="http://www.home-education.biz/forum/43952-post60.html" style="color: #660000;">harmful</a> onslaught have been accused of <a href="http://www.home-education.biz/forum/43947-post59.html" style="color: #660000;">the very bullying the SGG are themselves enacting</a> upon all home educators by their <a href="http://www.home-education.biz/forum/43971-post64.html" style="color: #660000;">hijacking of an important civil liberties issue.</a><br />
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However I hope that those who refuse to be blackmailed or bullied into silencing their concerns for the SGG's chosen modus operandi do take up His Lordships kind invitation to...<br />
<blockquote>"<a href="http://www.home-education.biz/forum/43984-post69.html" style="color: #660000;">tell me why I am wrong.</a>"...</blockquote>HolisticHumanisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18371094113362635538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694133455441482598.post-54856507175835415402010-10-13T20:53:00.033+01:002010-10-14T12:13:50.216+01:00Guidance Queens & Pushy Authoritarian Types<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_628310858"><img border="0" src="http://media.education.gov.uk/consumption/img/core/icon_warning.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_628310871">Please note</a></h2><h2 style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_628310871"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">All statutory guidance and legislation </span></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_628310871"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></a></h2><h2 style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_628310871"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">linked to from this site continues to reflect</span></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_628310871"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></a></h2><h2 style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_628310871"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; font-size: xx-small;"> the current legal position</span></a></h2><h2 style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_628310871"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; font-size: xx-small;">unless indicated otherwise, </span></a></h2><h2 style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><a href="http://www.education.gov.uk/"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; font-size: xx-small;">but may not reflect Government policy.</span></a> </h2></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><tbody><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><u><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4Z_b-06BDk">The Judicious Peoples Front would like to remind the Peoples Front of 'JustRollOver&TakeIt' that every individuals freedom is compromised when the few claim to speak for the many. (Some Self Declared Guidance Queen or Other.)</a></span></u></i></b></div><tr></tr>
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</tbody></table><a href="http://www.renegadeparent.net/themes/rp/images/bqbadge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.renegadeparent.net/themes/rp/images/bqbadge.jpg" /></a><b style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://threedegreesoffreedom.blogspot.com/2010/10/great-balls-of-fire.html">Balls'</a></b> reign over matters of education having ended and somewhat comforted by the pre-election promises of the 'Con' part of the new government, many home educating families had relaxed their guard in favour of spending time on their most important task, <b style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://www.renegadeparent.net/post/Parenting-libertarianism-and-morals-a-more-consistent-approach.aspx#top">living & learning freely</a></b>...<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">...however, the <u><b><a href="http://www.home-education.biz/news/28/15/Tweedledum-Tweedledee-the-MP-and-the-DfE/" style="color: #cc0000;">cogs of the political machine are never still</a>...</b></u></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">...and fortunately neither are the <b style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://sometimesitspeaceful.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-guidance.html">vigilant eyes of home educators</a></b>, who have learned that they must <b style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://ahed.pbworks.com/BriefingPaperHEReview">read between the li<strike>n</strike>es of every legislative act</a></b>, <b style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://sometimesitspeaceful.blogspot.com/2010/10/no-new-guidance-for-he-until-youve.html">guidance document</a></b>, legal judgement, <b style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://freedomineducationunderthreat.blogspot.com/2010/10/whats-in-word.html">policy guideline</a></b>, position statement or <b><a href="http://freedomineducationunderthreat.blogspot.com/2010/10/guidance-connivance.html">political muttering</a></b> they are exposed to, in order to continue educating their children free from State interference & <b style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/grahamstuart62/posts/10150288404360571">self serving agendas</a></b>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ballsian Delusion still runs rife amongst <b style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://threedegreesoffreedom.blogspot.com/2010/10/girl-guidance.html">those in positions of 'authority'</a></b>. LAs continue to impose their bullying <b><a href="http://loubeeloo-holistichumanism.blogspot.com/">ultra vires</a></b> practices upon familes who have chosen not to use State education provision. The ConDem government is <a href="http://panopticonuk.blogspot.com/2010/10/constable-teacher-sir.html" style="color: #cc0000;"><b>certainly not looking like they will be any less authoritarian</b></a> than the last! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Home educators WERE warned by all three main political parties that <b style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://irdial.com/blogdial/?p=2732">home education would be on the political agenda</a></b> again at some time. Many believed that as long as it wasn't Liebour who were in power they would have their opinions sought & taken into account <b>before & throughout</b> future processes pertaining to home education. Even the most politically cynical of us hoped that the ConDem coalition would have bigger fish to fry than home educating families for a while but it seems that we are still very much in the political spotlight.<br />
<br />
<blockquote><span class="text_exposed_show">"</span>For home education <span style="background-color: #93c47d;">I think we need </span><span style="background-color: #ffd966;">new guidance issued by the government to local authorities (LAs)</span><span style="background-color: #93c47d;"> which lays to rest, <span style="background-color: #ffd966;">once and for all</span> (hopefully), the agitation by LAs for more powers</span> and encourages a new culture of support and humility <span class="text_exposed_show">from LAs rather than suspicion and distrust. <span style="background-color: #93c47d;">I have spoken to <span style="background-color: #ffd966;">a number of different people</span> about this (including the Minister)</span> and hope to come forward with <span style="background-color: #93c47d;">a proposal for everyone to look at, dispute, improve etc to deliver the above aims</span>. </span><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="background-color: #93c47d;">I have initially asked </span><span style="background-color: #ffd966;">a few people</span><span style="background-color: #93c47d;"> to help come up with a first draft before opening out to the full </span><span style="background-color: #ffd966;">drama</span><span style="background-color: #93c47d;"> of HE community input.</span> Fundamental to anything I come up with will be the primacy of parents in determining their child's education and a complete rejection of compulsory registration and all the other "licensing" facets of the last government's approach. I think we have <span style="background-color: #ffd966;"><span style="background-color: #93c47d;">a real opportunity to settle this issue </span>in a way that LAs can live<span style="background-color: #93c47d;"><span style="background-color: #ffd966;"> with </span>and which makes the chance of future action by government unlikely</span></span> so that the Badman proposals are never resurrected.</span>" (Graham Stuart)</blockquote><div style="background-color: white;"><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="background-color: #ffd966;"><span style="background-color: #93c47d;"><span style="background-color: white;">It has been pointed out that what would make the 'issue' clearer for both LAs and home educators is not MORE guidelines for LAs </span></span></span></span>but a change to the <u style="color: #cc0000;"><b><a href="http://freedomineducationunderthreat.blogspot.com/p/2009-cme-guidance-he-section.html">CME guidance</a></b></u> which creates the confusion as to whether Local Authorities "Should" statutorily make inquiries regarding educational provision or whether they only <i>may</i> ask for such information informally.</div><div style="background-color: white;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white;"></div><div style="background-color: white;"></div><div style="background-color: white;">Cornwall Councils position, as set out by their Principal Education Welfare Officer, is that:</div><div style="background-color: white;"></div><blockquote><div style="background-color: white;">"<span style="background-color: #ffd966;">The legal duty of the Local Authority is concerned only with children who appear not to be receiving a suitable education</span>. However Case Law (Philips v Brown (1980) unreported) established that a LA may make informal enquiries of parents who are educating their children at home to establish that a suitable education is being provided. Lord Donaldson laid down clear limits to LA powers giving a list of three things a parent can do- either provide evidence so that the parent could not appear to be in breach of his or her duty, or that it was expedient for the child to attend school, or they could bring evidence to show that the child is being properly educated.</div><div style="background-color: white;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white;">Lord Donaldson said that even if there is no evidence, a local authority is <span style="background-color: #ffd966;">entitled</span> to write to a parent informally asking for information. If they do not receive any, they <span style="background-color: #ffd966;">may (but need not)</span> regard that as evidence that the education is insufficient." (John Heath)</div></blockquote> In Cornwall this means the LA will ask annually for 'evidence' that parents are discharging their statutory duty to provide a suitable & efficient education, even after they have the year previously ascertained and reported that one IS taking place & use ANY refusal to be sucked into an unremitting cycle of contracting with them as not having received the requested 'evidence' & thus as an excuse to 'doorstep' the family or threaten SAO.<br />
<br />
Since individual Local Authorities interpret the guidelines differently they apply those interpretations to home educators with differing tactics & rigour, however across the country home educators are increasingly being confronted with LAs behaving as though the Badman recommendations were in fact accepted. <br />
<blockquote><blockquote>"Set out below are the arrangements the LA will make to ensure it carries out it's <span style="background-color: #ffd966;">statutory duty</span> for children being educated by parents: (...)</blockquote><blockquote>-<span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="background-color: #ffd966;">Maintain a </span><b><span style="background-color: red;">register</span></b><span style="background-color: #ffd966;"> of pupils being educated at home</span></span>. As <span style="background-color: #ffd966;">this is not a statutory duty</span> it is acknowledged that this <span style="background-color: #ffd966;">list is imcomplete</span>, this will enable officers and co-ordinators to <b><span style="background-color: red;">make contact</span></b> with parents to offer support and work in partnership" (...)</blockquote></blockquote><blockquote><blockquote>"Cornwall LA prefers home visits." (...)</blockquote></blockquote><blockquote><blockquote>"<span style="background-color: #ffd966;">No visit will take place unless parents agree</span> for one and an appointment has been made or confirmed in writing. It is <span style="background-color: #ffd966;">u</span><span style="background-color: #ffd966;">sual practice in the event of the Local Authority not receiving a reply to correspondence that a visit will be made</span> after notice has been given in writing." (John Heath, Principal Education Welfare Officer)</blockquote></blockquote>Thus, the thoughts of your average <b style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7311947/">pushy authoritarian type</a></b>: <br />
<blockquote>"<b style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/pupilsupport/behaviour/attendance/schoolattendancedata/a0010009/removing-pupils-from-the-admissions-and-attendance-registers">Registers to maintain</a></b>... Lists of 'Missing' Children to complete... <b style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://maire-staffordshire.blogspot.com/2010/09/capita-still-talking-about-us-behind.html">Conferences to attend</a></b>... Homes to visit... Parental contracts to secure... Guidelines to help draft... 'Experts' to consult... Vociferous minorities to quash... Political maneuvering to engage in... <b style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://www.home-education.biz/blog/education/our-heads-do-not-button-up-the-back">Jobsworths</a></b> to employ...<br />
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Good job those pesky home educating types didn't manage to sway the government into dropping the HE parts of the Education Bill... <br />
<br />
oh, no wait..."</blockquote><div style="background-color: white;"></div></div>HolisticHumanisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18371094113362635538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694133455441482598.post-19368168792379016922010-10-12T19:22:00.009+01:002010-10-13T13:37:26.623+01:00Cornwall LA- Experts at 'Cut & Paste' & 'Lie & Deny'<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Now it's personal!!! (not that it wasn't before)</u></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">You may have read Maire Staffords blog post regarding <u><b><a href="http://maire-staffordshire.blogspot.com/2010/08/cornwall-county-council-tackling-ultra.html">tackling ultra vires practices</a> </b></u>within individual local authorities, which specifically picks up on an advertisment placed by Cornwall Council for an EHE Coordinator.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">As this is my local authority I decided that I should add my voice to hers in admonishing them for their attempts to overstep their duties.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I had until now, despite being 'known' to the LA, hoped to fly under the radar as much as an autonomously educating family, who refuse to meet with the LA officer, can. So it was not without some trepidation that I sent this letter winging it's way via Email AND by Recorded Delivery ;)</span><br />
<blockquote><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; page-break-before: always;"><span style="font-size: small;">FAO: Mr. John Heath, </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Principal Education Welfare Officer), </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cornwall Council, </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">County Hall, </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">Treyew Road, </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">Truro,</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cornwall,</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">TR1 3AY. 24<sup>th</sup></span><span style="font-size: small;"> September,2009.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="mailto:jheath@cornwall.gov.uk" target="_top">jheath@cornwall.gov.uk</a></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dear Mr. Heath,</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">As a home educating parent in North Cornwall area, I wish to complain specifically about the behaviour of your EHE Co-ordinator for North Cornwall and more generally regarding Cornwall Councils approach toward home educating families.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Cornwall Council Information for Elective Home Educators website states that;</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">“</span><span style="font-size: small;">No visit will take place unless you have agreed to one and an appointment has been made”.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">However, this has not been my experience, in fact quite the opposite, </span><span style="font-size: small;">I have frequently been exposed to the local EHE Officer engaging in ultra vires practices.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">According to letters I have received from Mr. Hockley he has attended our home, without prior agreement from myself on several occasions and, further to this, arranged & attended a meeting, accompanied by two colleagues, at {a local council office} to which I had also not agreed and yet his report seems to indicate that I was expected to attend & that I was deemed as 'absent' from this meeting.<br />
<br />
In my response to the initial 'informal enquiry', my report regarding the home education of my children, dated 1st September, 2008, Mr.Hockley had previously been informed that I would not be willing to engage in any further correspondence or contract with the Local Authority regarding the education of my children, I wish therefore to complain about the many letters from Mr. Hockley I have received since he received my report. I suggest that they are vexatious and that he is harassing me.<br />
<br />
Please can you confirm at the earliest opportunity and in writing that you do not support such ultra vires practices?<br />
<br />
I had no reason, until now, to suspect that my experience of a Local Authority employee toward a home educating family was anything more than an unfortunate personal experience of bad practice on the part of this particular Elective Home Education Coordinator. It has however been brought to my attention that this offensive and intrusive attitude and behaviour toward home educating families may in fact be one which is being promoted & encouraged by Cornwall Council.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a council="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=5694133455441482598&postID=1936816879237901692" local="" office=""><br />
</a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">This document:</span></div></blockquote><br />
<blockquote><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a council="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=5694133455441482598&postID=1936816879237901692" local="" office=""> </a></span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B23GNcZa7kQPNmRiNWZjYWItMmJkMy00MDIxLThkYmItNjQ0NDNjZjk1ZmQ0&hl=en_GB&authkey=CLCuvfsP&pli" target="_top">https:/</a><a href="https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B23GNcZa7kQPNmRiNWZjYWItMmJkMy00MDIxLThkYmItNjQ0NDNjZjk1ZmQ0&hl=en_GB&authkey=CLCuvfsP&pli" target="_top">/docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B23GNcZa7kQPNmRiNWZjYWItMmJkMy00MDIxLThkYmItNjQ0NDNjZjk1ZmQ0&hl=en_GB&authkey=CLCuvfsP&pli=1</a> </span></b> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">describes the role of Education Welfare Officer for West Area as;</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">(to) “ ensure that children and young people who are electively home educated are receiving a suitable and efficient education and that they are safe and their welfare promoted”.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">These practices go far above and beyond the Local Authority's duty in law. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is not for the Local Authority to decide what qualifies as 'suitable' and 'efficient' but only to ascertain, through informal enquiry, that an education is taking place.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">This document also asserts that the role of this Local Authority officer is to;</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">“</span><span style="font-size: small;">Monitor the quality of education for children who are educated at home.”</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">Once again, THIS IS NOT A LAWFUL DUTY OF THE LOCAL AUTHORITY, as is confirmed by Graham Stuart's <b><a href="http://cnes4education.wordpress.com/2010/06/17/education-select-committees-chairmans-statement-on-home-education-report/" target="_top">Education Sel</a><a href="http://cnes4education.wordpress.com/2010/06/17/education-select-committees-chairmans-statement-on-home-education-report/" target="_top">ect Committee’s Chairman’s statement on Home Education Report</a></b> which states;</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">“</span><span style="font-size: small;">As the 2007 Elective Home Education Guidelines for Local Authorities make clear, however, ‘</span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>local authorities have no statutory duties in relation to monitoring the quality of home education on a routine basis</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">’ and are </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>only required to intervene if it appears that parents are not providing a suitable education</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">.” (<b><a href="http://cnes4education.wordpress.com/2010/06/17/education-select-committees-chairmans-statement-on-home-education-report/" target="_top">Education Select Committee’s Chairman’s statement on Home Education Report</a></b> )</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">Further to this Mr. Stuart recommends that;</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">“</span><span style="font-size: small;">As local authorities </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>do not have the power to demand access to home educated children</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"> and </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>cannot insist on parents registering with them</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">, the obvious and correct answer is for local authorities to improve their support for families so that more families make contact with them voluntarily. If they did this and made sure that they employed </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>sympathetic staff</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>who built good reputations</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">, then the number of “unknown” children would be reduced. Such a positive approach would </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>respect the primacy of parents in determining the education of their children and put the onus on local authorities to serve and support, rather than catalogue and monitor</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">, families who home educate.” (<b><a href="http://cnes4education.wordpress.com/2010/06/17/education-select-committees-chairmans-statement-on-home-education-report/" target="_top">Education Select Committee’s Chairman’s statement on Home Education </a><a href="http://cnes4education.wordpress.com/2010/06/17/education-select-committees-chairmans-statement-on-home-education-report/" target="_top">Report</a></b> )</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">Do you not think that it may be more appropriate for Cornwall Council to engage the home education community in a positive manner as suggested in Graham’s statement above?</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">The decision, when creating a job profile for role of Home Education Advisor, to make the opportunity available to individuals who are qualified merely as “mainstream school” teachers, only guarantees that you will employ the most unsuitable individuals for the post.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">“</span><span style="font-size: small;">Experience in </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>mainstream/special school</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">. Proven record of excellent </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>class teaching and behaviour management</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">. Proven ability to teach a range of </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>subjects at different key stages</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"> and to keep up to date with </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>current initiatives in education</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">. Proven </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>ability to use ICT both personally and in the classroom</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">. Experience of </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>working with young people in an education setting</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">. Good </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>report writing</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"> skills” (<b><a href="https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B23GNcZa7kQPNmRiNWZjYWItMmJkMy00MDIxLThkYmItNjQ0NDNjZjk1ZmQ0&hl=en_GB&authkey=CLCuvfsP&pli" target="_top"> </a><a href="https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B23GNcZa7kQPNmRiNWZjYWItMmJkMy00MDIxLThkYmItNjQ0NDNjZjk1ZmQ0&hl=en_GB&authkey=CLCuvfsP&pli" target="_top">https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B23GNcZa7kQPNmRiNWZjYWItMmJkMy00MDIxLThkYmItNjQ0NDNjZjk1ZmQ0&hl=en_GB&authkey=CLCuvfsP&pli=1)</a></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">This list of preferred previous experience could probably not be further detached from most home education practice, particularly autonomous or child-centred styles, if you tried, so it would fail in attracting any individual who possessed skills which could be considered appropriate to elective home education and I therefore fail to understand how Cornwall Council could consider such an individual to be a suitable candidate to liaise with home educating families within your 'Elective Home Education' team'. It is, after all, unlikely that such an individual would be sympathetic to, or have a good working knowledge of, alternative educational ethos' and practice and is therefore unlikely to be familiar with, or understanding of, the many & varied learning styles engaged in by home educated students.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">This Local Authority seems to behave as if it has a duty to harass home educators.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">Please send me the regulations and laws that suggest that its representatives can insist on entry to the home and make annual demands for further information, even after an initial enquiry has been satisfied and the Local Authority has been clearly informed that further contact is not desired. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">Please could you also inform me, at the earliest possible opportunity, of the measures Cornwall Council are taking to correct its literature & policies to abide by the law, as until this has been done, any efforts to create and maintain good relations with local home educating families will remain merely a <b><u><a href="http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ballsian+delusion&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a">Ballsian Delusion</a>.</u></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">In conclusion, I wish to state that the home education community in Cornwall should be able to go about their lawful duty to provide an education to their children without harassment from council employees and should not have to waste their precious time tackling ultra vires practices. However, t</span><span style="font-size: small;">he outrageous attempt by the last government to licence & monitor home educators based upon the contrived & agenda based 'Bad Man Report', galvanised home educating families across the UK into forming many strong support & information sharing networks. Therefore, policy based impositions by Cornwall Council upon the freedom of home educators, individually or en mass, will be met with strong disapproval & resistance from those of us who, both within the county & across the country, are prepared to fight for our Rights in Law.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ultra vires practices of Local Authority officers, across the UK, are now being databased at <b><a href="http://www.theartofsurvival.co.uk/" target="_top">http://www.theartofsurvival.co.uk</a></b>, however, you will be pleased to hear that details are also kept of Local Authorities who are working within the law and which of those make efforts to engender good relations with the home educators in their area. Thus, there is always opportunity for a Local Authority to salvage it's reputation with home educators, by improving its working practices.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">With Thanks for Your Kind Attention and in Anticipation of Your Prompt Reply,</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yours Sincerely</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mrs. L. Sherwood.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Home Educator).</span></div><span style="font-size: small;">Cc: </span><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><u><a href="http://maire-staffordshire.blogspot.com/2010/08/cornwall-county-council-tackling-ultra.html" target="_top">http://maire-staffordshire.blogspot.com/2010/08/cornwall-county-council-tackling-ultra.html</a></u></span></b></blockquote><span style="font-size: small;">Today I received this response:</span><br />
<br />
<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8kdML9m5X74/TLRp0OGAgWI/AAAAAAAAAJo/zND_GA1smyg/s1600/img010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8kdML9m5X74/TLRp0OGAgWI/AAAAAAAAAJo/zND_GA1smyg/s640/img010.jpg" width="451" /></a></span></div></blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8kdML9m5X74/TLRi9znskqI/AAAAAAAAAJY/Nar19EuglIQ/s1600/img011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8kdML9m5X74/TLRi9znskqI/AAAAAAAAAJY/Nar19EuglIQ/s640/img011.jpg" width="452" /></a></span></blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8kdML9m5X74/TLRi-YyfXKI/AAAAAAAAAJg/II_qCulSHWs/s1600/img012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8kdML9m5X74/TLRi-YyfXKI/AAAAAAAAAJg/II_qCulSHWs/s640/img012.jpg" width="452" /></a></span></blockquote><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8kdML9m5X74/TLRi-Mqh8UI/AAAAAAAAAJc/gHbxtwXZuOo/s1600/img013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8kdML9m5X74/TLRi-Mqh8UI/AAAAAAAAAJc/gHbxtwXZuOo/s640/img013.jpg" width="452" /></a></span></div></blockquote><span style="font-size: small;">So, to break it down... the first two paragraphs Mr.Heath dedicates to telling me that, despite my assertions (& the supporting evidence I have in writing from the officer involved) that his EHE coordinator HAS attended my property without my agreement, he believes that "our accepted policy & practice for liasing with Home Educators in Cornwall" has been followed.<br />
<br />
Then he further supports this pushy, ultra vires orificer by informing me that other HE families gave 'testament' to THEIR relationship with Mr.Hockley "when they were part of a focus group looking at safeguarding in Cornwall last summer".<br />
<br />
Gaaaaaahhhhhh!<br />
<br />
Much of the rest of the letter is a 'cut & paste' jobby from the LA's policy documents... however I noted with (outraged) interest that...</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;">the LA maintain a </span><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-size: small;">'register of pupils being educated at home'</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">there are two references to Education Otherwise... in it's capitalised, brand name form, rather than in a non-capitalised paraphrasing form from the Education Act.</span></li>
</ul><blockquote><span style="font-size: small;">"-Encourage, consult and develop relationships with local Education Otherwise groups."</span></blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-size: small;">"The LA does want to encourage, consult and have dialogue with home educators and do involve Education Otherwise support groups in Cornwall"</span></blockquote><span style="font-size: small;">I suppose I should be grateful for Mr. Heath having answered questions I never asked, such as "Are you in cahoots with EO?"... "Do you value the opinion of home educating groups or individuals who are no affiliated with EO?"... or "Are home educating familes already subject to compulsory registration with this LA for which there's no choice to opt out?"... unfortunately, for him, he does not provide the information I did specifically ask for... which means I guess that I will have to keep on asking until I do get a response ;)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">There has been, over the last few weeks, <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/grahamstuart62/posts/10150288404360571">much talk of new guidelines for LA's regarding home education</a></b>, which are currently under construction by the powers that be & their <b><a href="http://freedomineducationunderthreat.blogspot.com/2010/10/guidance-connivance.html">minions</a></b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Many home educators wish to know whether there will be mention of a 'voluntary' registration scheme, the concern being that, if so, this will be a gateway to 'compulsory' registration eventually. Further to this is the issue of<a href="http://sometimesitspeaceful.blogspot.com/2010/10/no-new-guidance-for-he-until-youve.html"> <b>LA's classing home educated children as CME (Children Missing Education)</b></a>, which it would seem, thanks to contradicting government guidelines, they often do.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">In the mean time those who would seek to forward their own agenda for home education have been ingratiating themselves within certain circles and making moves into positions of influence. Unfortunately it seems that some of these people are not in favour of protecting the rights of all home educating families to be free from governmental interference where it's not warranted & wish to push a 'one size fits all' model.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Other recent sentiments I have heard expressed, both online & in real time, have been that since the EHE parts of the Education Bill were successfuly deflected many home educators do not feel that another drawn out fight with government is worth their time or effort, believing that the case has already been made and that the new government, particularly the Conservative faction who supported scrapping the EHE parts of the bill, does have their best interests at heart.....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I have much to say about these attitudes/beliefs that are being touted... but i think that deserves a blog post of its own... (see next post) however, I must state that I believe that both personally & generally, nationally & locally, the fight to protect freedom in home education is far from over. :/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">If anyone would like to express their views here regarding the correspondence from Cornwall Council or ideas for a response your comments would be most welcome, as I intend to send yet another lengthy letter to them quite soon. :)</span>HolisticHumanisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18371094113362635538noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694133455441482598.post-2439954611792401422010-09-28T15:54:00.003+01:002010-09-28T15:58:34.691+01:00A Fandango of Quangos<div style="color: #990000;">The <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/which-of-these-women-willl-be-running-the-country-1603052.html">Ladies</a> & Gents of the <a href="http://www.theorwellprize.co.uk/the-award/who.aspx?org=mst">Board of Directors</a> wish for Fabian ideals to <a href="http://www.cpexposed.com/document_library/?cat=UK%20Government%20Departments">penetrate</a> all <a href="http://www.c4eo.org.uk/themes/safeguarding/files/ehe_report_final_to_dfe.pdf">Sectors</a>,</div><div style="color: #990000;">A Ballsian Delusion of social integration is <a href="http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:1LR-_koPwZwJ:www.eera.gov.uk/Documents/Meetings%2520and%2520Events/Events/Conferences/2008/Leadership%2520Event/Leadership%2520Prog%2520-%25208%2520Feb%252008%2520-%2520041207.doc+community+of+practice+julia+middleton+making+children+matter&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk&client=firefox-a">Making Children Matter</a> by <a href="http://oneworldscam.com/?p=8098">removing parents</a> from <a href="http://www.cpexposed.com/document_library/?cat=Education">education</a>, </div><div style="color: #990000;">but <a href="http://www.cpexposed.com/document_library/?cat=Education">directing</a> Your <a href="http://www.teensandtoddlers.org/news/index.htm">children</a> in <b>N</b>ew <b>W</b>ays <b>O</b>f <a href="http://www.cpexposed.com/documents/CP_Corruption_Councils_Sheffield.pdf">play</a> is their <a href="http://www.edgemediatv.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2256">Common Purpose</a> at the end of the day.</div><div style="color: #990000;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #990000;"></div><div style="color: #990000;">The Fandango of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quango">Quangos</a>, invests YOUR cash in <a href="http://obotheclown.blogspot.com/2009/01/fuck-nspcc.html">Fake Charities</a>, whilst the <a href="http://www.alfredtheordinary.co.uk/index.php?itemid=77&catid=10">UK economy is brought to it's knees. </a></div><div style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Middleton">Middle women</a> and men help to distract from the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5694133455441482598" id="FMID_1783088920FM">deficit</a> & we're all under <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5694133455441482598" id="FMID_1783088920FM">surveillance</a> just for the heck of it.</div><div style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5694133455441482598" id="FMID_961664582FM">Blurring the lines between public</a> and <a href="http://www.communities.idea.gov.uk/welcome.do">private</a> but yet the mainstream <a href="http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&cr=countryUK%7CcountryGB&client=firefox-a&hs=n4b&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&tbs=ctr:countryUK%7CcountryGB&&sa=X&ei=Uf6hTJjQJc2VswatvrSKBQ&ved=0CCgQBSgA&q=mainstream+media+quiet+hollie+greig&spell=1">media</a> keep on keeping quiet. :( </div><div style="color: red;"><span class="note wordstyle"></span></div><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Middleton"><br />
</a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5694133455441482598" id="FMID_1783088920FM"></a>HolisticHumanisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18371094113362635538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694133455441482598.post-11277240611687340632010-04-07T17:35:00.031+01:002010-04-08T15:42:22.583+01:00Shrunken Balls!<div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.home-education.biz/news/24/60/Balls-Bill-shrunk-in-the-wash-up/"><span style="color: #990000;">B</span><span style="color: #990000;">alls' Bill shrunk in the wash-up - Home Education</span></a></span></div><br />
For those who haven't yet heard... the government has been forced to drop the Home Education parts of the CSF Bill (and many other un-popular bits)... which means that <a href="http://www.edballs.co.uk/index.jsp?i=4812&s=1111" style="color: #990000;">PROVIDED NuLiebour DO NOT win the upcoming election</a>,<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://smatthan.blogspot.com/2010/04/o-happy-day.html" style="color: #990000;">home educating families</a> are to be <a href="http://sunnydaytodaymama.blogspot.com/2010/04/party-poppers-and-balloons.html?spref=fb" style="color: #990000;">safe from licensing & tyrannical legislation</a> (for a while at least).<br />
<br />
This does not however mean that the war is been won, merely <a href="http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/news/index.cfm?event=news.item&id=statement_on_the_children_schools_and_families_bill" style="color: #990000;">THIS</a> battle.<br />
<br />
Whilst we all desire to return to the crucial priority of providing our children with<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://kellygreenandgold.wordpress.com/2010/04/07/the-real-secret-reason/" style="color: #990000;">the best education possible</a> & to put behind us the horror that has been the Balls saga, it would be a terrible mistake to let down our guard, or put aside the <a href="http://liveotherwise.co.uk/makingitup/2010/04/08/i-raised-a-glass/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20MakingItUp%20%28Making%20it%20up%29"><span style="color: #990000;">lessons hard learne</span>d</a>, networks woven & knowledge accrued since the 'Badman' report & the governments ensuing dirty tricks campaign.<br />
<object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_QjdcdG4mP4&hl=en_GB&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_QjdcdG4mP4&hl=en_GB&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object><br />
Even if <a href="http://meandchis.blogspot.com/2010/04/political-broadcast-on-behalf-of-what.html" style="color: #990000;">the next government</a> does not stage such an underhand & uncompromising attack as the last one has, the recent fight to protect home education has awakened many of us to the ridiculous stereotyping & <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/education/article7090645.ece" style="color: #990000;">misinformation which persists in the media</a>, political & public arenas, about this issue. <br />
In addition, <a href="http://kellygreenandgold.wordpress.com/2010/04/07/crisis-management-face-saving-and-hubris/" style="color: #990000;">much of the home education community has become more politically aware</a>, opinionated & active, thanks to having seen the process at such close & personal quarters.<br />
<br />
We must continue to keep our eyes open & our thinking clear & not lose contact with the process or one another. When and if the next battle is upon us, we must be<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://www.newsfromnowhere.org.uk/NewYearPoem.pdf" style="color: #990000;">mindful not only of what has gone before</a> but also that we aren't the only ones who have learned lessons...<br />
<br />
KEEP ON SAYING <a href="http://northshropshe.wordpress.com/2010/04/08/victory-for-now/" style="color: #990000;">NO TO STATE INTERFERENCE & INDOCTRINATION</a>!<br />
KEEP ON <a href="http://dutchessdiscloses.blogspot.com/2010/03/about-passion-and-politics-answer-to.html" style="color: #990000;">FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT</a>!! <br />
KEEP ON<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://learningliberty.lefora.com/" style="color: #990000;">LEARNING LIBERTY</a>!!!HolisticHumanisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18371094113362635538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694133455441482598.post-22378262319365817652010-03-09T03:54:00.022+00:002010-03-11T02:06:49.399+00:00Those who can't...DeechOne might be forgiven for thinking that the offspring of a historian & journalist who was persecuted by the<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmselect/cmchilsch/memo/elehomed/me5402.htm" style="color: #990000;">nazi's</a>, might seek to portray the truth of a situation, rather than <a href="http://lordsoftheblog.net/2010/02/10/schoolgirls-ii/">regurgitate the same old lies & inaccuracy of claim</a>.<br />
One might be forgiven for hoping that a professor of law & wife of a solicitor, whose<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/8201282.stm" style="color: #990000;"> family were murdered in nazi concentration camps</a>, might have a sense of fairness & justice, rather than herself be someone who furthers the persecution & propaganda waged against a minority group.<br />
One might be forgiven for believing that a peer, who was a speaker in debates for<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://www2.lse.ac.uk/publicEvents/events/2008/20081014t0903z001.aspx" style="color: #990000;">The Coexistence Trust, on Jewish- Muslim relations and political engagement</a>, might be prone to <span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">furthering "co-operation and good relations" between people of differing faiths & cultures, rather than promoting sterotypes & displaying intolerance & racial prejudice.</span></span><br />
<br />
Tonight I listened to <a href="http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=6043" style="color: #990000;">a prime example of the horrific attitude of members of the Nu 'bourgeoisie'</a> (from 6hr20min) toward those upon whom they seek to reign their tyrrany.<br />
<br />
I kid you not, the <a href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200910/ldhansrd/text/100308-0015.htm#10030854000237" style="color: #990000;">sheer arrogance & blatant ignorance</a><span style="color: #990000;"> </span>displayed IS frightening...<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><a href="http://lordsoftheblog.net/2010/02/10/schoolgirls-ii/" style="color: #990000;">This 'Lady'</a> said that she has determined to immerse herself in the topic of home education because she feels that the parents of home educated children have attitudes of "rage", "resentment" & "superiority" </span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">& "contempt for the state in all its manifestations". To her mind the case against registration & monitoring of HE has been furnished with </span></span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">"<a href="http://irdial.com/blogdial/?p=2493" style="color: #990000;">arguments that must have been used in the late 19th century</a>" </span></span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">and aired the opinion that such </span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">"do not paint a good picture of home educators".</span></span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span style="color: #444444;">She dismisses the "massive representation" by home educators (approximately 200 commenters on her blog) as a </span><span style="color: #990000;">'<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campaign_for_Freedom_of_Information">lobbying' group</a></span><span style="color: #444444;"> & expresses doubt as to how "</span></span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="color: #444444; height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">representative" their views are. </span></span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="color: #444444; height: 100%; width: 100%;">She particularly seems to dislike accusation of 'totalitarianism' against this government and can't fathom </span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="color: #444444; height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">such a "mishmash of ideological views" from this<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://loubeeloo-holistichumanism.blogspot.com/p/parable-by-leo-tolstoy-i-see-mankind-as.html" style="color: #990000;">herd</a> of </span></span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="color: #444444; height: 100%; width: 100%;">"middle class" proletariat</span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="color: #444444; height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">. She accuses home educating parents of that most heinous crime, "rejection of state interference" & most offensively of "indifference to the rights of the child".</span></span><br />
<span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="color: #444444; height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"> </span></span> </div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">Deech assures us that <b>her</b> motives are to "speak up for the rights of the child" & </span></span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">'convey' these rights to the 'oh, so misguided' home-educating parents </span></span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">by </span></span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">"ensuring that every child who is not being educated at school but, purportedly, at home, is registered" </span></span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"> & hopes that<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en-us&q=+site:irdial.com+blogdial+contactpoint&redir_esc=&ei=lFuWS6bZDZT34AaiiK34Cg" style="color: #990000;">ContactPoint</a>, can be used to 'track "</span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ContactPoint" style="color: #990000;"><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">all those born in and who arrive in England after birth</span></span></a><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">". </span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">She goes on to quote the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child & </span></span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">the European Convention on Human Rights</span></span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"> to the end that "education in all institutions must conform to standards laid down by the state", that these must be "</span></span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">state regulation of the education that the child receives"</span></span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"> & that "</span></span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">the parents do not have stand-alone rights to determine that education in any way that they wish without state regulation"</span></span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"> </span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="color: #444444; height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">Whilst grudgingly acknowledging</span></span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span style="color: #444444;"> "that that the child has the right to express his or her views" & "the rights of parents to have their children educated in accordance with their views" she upholds the decision of the EU court that</span><span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://irdial.com/blogdial/?p=619" style="color: #990000;">Germany</a> <span style="color: #444444;">was entitled to ban home education (</span><a href="http://irdial.com/blogdial/?p=615" style="color: #990000;">as it has since Hitler was in power</a><span style="color: #444444;">) &claims that it "is the duty of home-educating parents to secure for their children the education pledged in international treaties". Some concern was voiced also that English might not be the primary language of choice for such families.</span><br style="color: #444444;" /><span style="color: #444444;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span style="color: #444444;">Baroness Deech proudly furthered her claims of compassion toward the poor home educated children she is so very worried about, by comparing their right to be seen to the law of '</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_corpus" style="color: #990000;">Habeus Corpus</a><span style="color: #444444;">'..."Habeas corpus must extend to our children as well.</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444;">"</span></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">I</span>n short, this means that she views home educated children as 'prisoner's who deserve the right to be <span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">to "produce"(d) </span></span>in order to ascertain their well being & to have the validity of their detention determined by those in authority.</div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;">She purposefully conflates education with child abuse, casting doubt as to whether "children can just learn autonomously without being taught" & accuses home educating parents of 'experimenting' on their children "in a way that may blight their only chance in a lifetime to be presented with the knowledge and life skills that they will need". Afterall, home educators, in her opinion, are potentially sacrificing a "<span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">career outside the home", paying for "</span></span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">for all the outings and extracurricular activities that are usually provided by the school" & potentially </span></span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">causing "girls in particular" to believe that marriage & a lifestyle which does not involve being a mere wage-slave of the state, to be a desirous thing.</span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">Her solution for such is that there be the "</span></span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">right (for 'officials') to visit (your home) without warning</span></span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">"</span></span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"> & that "<a href="http://threedegreesoffreedom.blogspot.com/2010/03/mini-blog-4-law-of-institution.html" style="color: #990000;">the child should be sent to school at once </a>and not allowed to continue at home, pending appeal." </span></span><br />
<br />
<span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">Furthermore she would like to ensure that the child's 'rights' are applied by compelling </span></span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">the child "to be seen alone by an inspector</span></span>" every 3-6 months & states that a childs "fear" of such a meeting is "<span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">no excuse" not to do so, afterall, as she says, it is unlikely that they would go through life without being forced to encounter & be questioned & inspected by "</span></span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">doctors, dentists, (&) repair men"</span></span><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"> (?!?*wtf?!#).</span></span> </div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">In summation of her heartfelt speech on assertion of the 'rights' of the child, she says:</span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">"Your Lordships should not be deterred by the strong wording of the home education lobbyists. There needs to be a way for the home-educated child to be seen and heard, for samples of his or her work to be produced and for rigorous tracking of existence and outcome."</span></span></div><br />
<span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"> </span></span><br />
Ruth Deech <span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">is considered, by some, to be a learned academic & bioethicist. This<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossbencher" style="color: #990000;">crossbench</a> '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_peer" style="color: #990000;">Life Peer</a><span style="color: #990000;">'</span></span></span> spent a large part of her working career as a 'Tutor in Law' (those who can't...Deech) & currently presents a series of public lectures on family relationships and the law in her position as 'Professor of Law' at Gresham College in London... She claims that she failed her history A-level because "<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2003/nov/25/highereducation.highereducationprofile" style="color: #990000;">our teacher had leukaemia and only one out of seven of my year passed</a>".<br />
Daughter of the late historian and journalist Josef Fraenkel & once chair of the UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, she was tagged by 'The Observer' as "the 107th most powerful person in Britain" and by channel 4 as no.26 on "The God List" ("the fifty people of faith in Britain who exercise the most<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://www.bbcgovernorsarchive.co.uk/about/roi_19sept06.txt" style="color: #990000;">power and influence</a> over our lives"). She was also a <span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">former <span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://www.bbcgovernorsarchive.co.uk/about/ruthdeech.html" style="color: #990000;">governor of the BBC</a></span></span> & is a founding Trustee of the <span id="L10_ContentPlaceHolder" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;"><span class="sys_layout_three_column_two" id="L11_BodyContentArea" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">'Mandela Rhodes Foundation' (<a href="http://www.commonpurpose.org/countries/southafrica.aspx" style="color: #990000;">Common Purpose</a>?).</span></span>HolisticHumanisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18371094113362635538noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694133455441482598.post-53601649722120332172010-02-26T02:16:00.033+00:002010-04-12T15:16:36.336+01:00Who's/Whose to Choose?<div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.talkcarswell.com/show.aspx?id=1311">"Independence is bad. Look at the academies in my area - we can't control education like we used to and parents want to send their children to them instead". Pesky things, people eh?"</a></b></span></div><br />
As <a href="http://www.talkcarswell.com/about.aspx" style="color: #990000;">another convert to the cause</a> 'gets it', home educators are <a href="http://smatthan.blogspot.com/2010/02/narcissistic-personality-disorder.html" style="color: #990000;">once again stunned</a> by the "<a href="http://smatthan.blogspot.com/2010/02/complaint-to-bbc.html" style="color: #990000;">unyeilding</a>, arrogant, we-know-what's-best-for-your-child attitude" of <a href="http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/news/index.cfm?event=news.item&id=secretary_of_states_response_to_verdicts_in_the_kyra_ishaq_case" style="color: #990000;">those who seek control</a> of <a href="http://sometimesitspeaceful.blogspot.com/2010/01/we-really-wont-stand-for-it-i-cannot.html" style="color: #990000;">our childrens educations, thoughts & futures.</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://muddybarefeet.blogspot.com/2010/02/complaint-to-bbc.html" style="color: #990000;">Much has been made</a> today of <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8532779.stm" style="color: #990000;">this</a> agendist piece by <a href="http://www.swsurrey-home-ed.co.uk/wordpress/2010/02/25/bbc-balls-broadcasting-corp/" style="color: #990000;">the BBC</a>, which<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://blog4victory.blogspot.com/2010/02/khyra-ishaq-may-you-be-allowed-to-rest.html" style="color: #990000;">implies</a> that the Badman recommendations are somehow <a href="http://ciarang.com/posts/complaining-to-the-bbc" style="color: #990000;">relevant</a> in the case of <a href="http://birmingham.gov.uk/child-protection" style="color: #990000;">Birmingham Social Services</a> <a href="http://heourway.blogspot.com/2010/02/ed-balls-big-sack-of-crap.html" style="color: #990000;">failure to prevent</a> the <a href="http://wiselittleacorn.blogspot.com/2010/02/sad-day.html" style="color: #990000;">abuse & subsequent death</a> of <a href="http://gritsday.blogspot.com/2010/02/consequence-of-khyra-ishaq-case.html?spref=tw" style="color: #990000;">yet another vulnerable child</a>, even though <a href="http://daretoknowblog.blogspot.com/" style="color: #990000;">social workers</a> <b>had</b> been <a href="http://pete-darby.tumblr.com/post/412972748/protection-against-social-workers-30-foot-radius" style="color: #990000;">informed of the child's plight many months before she died</a>.<br />
We see here an inkling of <a href="http://www.politicshome.com/uk/article/6019/government_manipulating_anxiety_over_child_abuse_field.html" style="color: #990000;">the depths that people in positions of power will sink</a> to in order to weild power over both the CHILD & PARENTS, as they <a href="http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/geraldwarner/100027537/totalitarian-propagandists-exploit-khyra-ishaq-case-to-discredit-homeschooling/" style="color: #990000;">try to piggyback the CSF Bill onto this tragic story</a>. The heavily biased BBC piece quotes the odious &<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://www.renegadeparent.net/post/Khyra-Ishaq.aspx" style="color: #990000;">discredited Mr.Bad Man</a> as saying "What we cannot do is ascribe rights to parents that deny the rights to the child". <br />
<br />
Thus we enter the muddy waters of WHOSE the child IS... & WHO gets to decide upon & impose these '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights" style="color: #990000;">rights</a>' so often spoken of?<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">"Children are not possessions": </span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://irdial.com/blogdial/?p=2200">Yes they are!</a>...And this IS the crux of the debate... They ARE OUR children NOT YOUR children... & by 'OUR' I mean<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Home-ed-families/" style="color: #990000;">in the first instance THE PARENT'S</a>; secondly<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://www.home-education.biz/news/23/15/Putting-professional-child-abusers-on-the-map/" style="color: #990000;">THE FAMILY'S</a>; and only after those ties have been somehow severed, do those children become the responsibility of OTHERS.<br />
<br />
You would think the matter would be a simple one.<br />
PARENT/S <b>*HAVE*</b> CHILDREN.... without PARENT/S, CHILDREN cannot be. Therefore until a 'CHILD' becomes an 'ADULT' it is generally assumed that the PARENTS will be the ones who care for, nurture & take responsibility for the CHILD.<br />
(<i>Obviously there may be occasions when the parents are unable/unfit to look after the child... in which case is is assumed that a guardian should be appointed instead & in most societies, the world over, it is considered preferable that in the first instance a suitable guardian should be sought within the </i>FAMILY!)<br />
<br />
as <a href="http://irdial.com/blogdial/?p=2192" style="color: #990000;">Blogdial so correctly observes</a>...<br />
<blockquote>"...children are a special form of property. You need to accept <b>this</b> principle as one of absolute truth. They are either your property, or the property of the state."</blockquote>This is not just <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9NWDZx5T2A&feature=youtube_gdata" style="color: #990000;">true in law</a>... but in life. If you do not take possession of your children then someone else will... & they may not have the best interests of the child at heart... they certainly won't have the same motivations as the parents!<br />
<br />
In <a href="http://irdial.com/blogdial/?p=2094" style="color: #990000;">another thought provoking article</a> on the subject Blogdial states:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>"When a child is born however, it becomes a human being with all the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_law" style="color: #990000;">natural rights</a> that human beings are born with. It cannot fend for itself in any way; it needs special care and nurturing. Since it is the creation of two people, those parents are, naturally, the people with the responsibility of caring for that child; <a href="http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Home-ed-families/" style="color: #990000;">the child is the ward of the parents</a><span style="color: #990000;">.</span><br />
<br />
Being a ward in this way is a special form of property. While you are in the care of your parents, they have total responsibility for you and can have procedures performed on you that they feel are for your benefit..."</blockquote><b><span style="font-size: large;">"But children have rights too":</span></b><br />
<br />
Sanitation; healthcare; education; food; shelter; land; positive sexual relations; water; knowledge; clean air; comfort & love... may sound like things we all have a natural, inalienable 'right' to... But the fact of the matter is they are all things which we have to rely upon others to ALLOW us to have... They are also all things which people can make excuse to DENY others.<br />
<blockquote><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span class="UIStory_Message" style="font-size: large;">"<span style="color: #990000;">Rights, are only right, when the right person says so.</span>"<a href="http://smatthan.blogspot.com/" style="color: #990000;"> Susanna Rogers</a></span></h3></blockquote>When we demand our 'rights'.... Or what we think is 'rightful'... We are asking for the consideration of other human beings. Rights are not something we are born with which then have the potential to be taken away... they are something which we are either given by others or take for ourselves from the moment we are born... or sometimes even from conception. <br />
<br />
It is in this knowledge that the term '<a href="http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Home-ed-families/" style="color: #990000;">Fight for your rights</a>' has arisen.<br />
<br />
Some<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9NWDZx5T2A&feature=youtube_gdata" style="color: #990000;">believe that many of our 'rights', whether in LAW or in LIFE, are commodities which must be won</a> & <a href="http://lawfulrebellion.org/lawful-rebellion/" style="color: #990000;">protected</a>.<br />
However others subscribe to the idea that 'rights' are a natural part of existence which should be afforded to each at their whim, or believe that 'rights' are <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0IM7Hobd_k" style="color: #990000;">something which can or should only be granted at the whim of others</a><span style="color: #990000;">.</span><br />
<br />
I'm <a href="http://www.paltelegraph.com/columnists/peter-eyre/4403-the-deeply-upsetting-story-of-hollie-greig" style="color: #990000;">guessing that most people are of the opinion that abusing & exploiting a child is morally abhorrent</a> & that a child has the 'right' (as should we all) to<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://www.wholetruthcoalition.org/freeman-common-law/" style="color: #990000;">live peacably without violence or harrassment</a>, thus Laws have been made to <a href="http://www.newssenses.com/" style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #990000;">protect those in society who are naturally & legally acknowledged as vulnerable & unable to protect themselves</span>.</a><br />
However, the very concept of 'rights' (for that is all it is) is highly subjective. In my opinion there are <a href="http://www.tpuc.org/content/you-believe-people-we-have-%E2%80%98no%E2%80%99-power-powe"><span style="color: #990000;">no</span> <span style="color: #990000;">'inalienable rights'</span></a>... just<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://www.tpuc.org/node/257" style="color: #990000;">'rights' in Law</a>... & agenda driven assertions based on individual principles... <br />
<br />
<ul><li>I may think YOUR child has <a href="http://kellygreenandgold.wordpress.com/2010/02/25/rituals-of-failure/" style="color: #990000;">the right to attend school</a><span style="color: #990000;"> </span>in order to<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://www.bullyonline.org/schoolbully/hometuit.htm" style="color: #990000;">mix</a><span style="color: #990000;"> </span>with lots of other people their own age.</li>
<li>YOU may think MY child has the right to stay at home with THEIR natural care giver rather than be handed over to the<a href="http://www.home-education.biz/news/23/15/Putting-professional-child-abusers-on-the-map/" style="color: #990000;"> care of strangers</a> for 6 hours a day.</li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li><a href="http://timesonline.typepad.com/schoolgate/2010/02/the-optout-of-sex-education-is-a-cop-out.html" style="color: #990000;">YOU</a> may think MY 6 year old child has the right to<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://www.tpuc.org/node/151" style="color: #990000;">state curricula standard</a> sex education so that THEY can become an<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://www.tpuc.org/node/151" style="color: #990000;">uninhibited</a>, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1246077/Children-young-7-taught-homophobic-sexist-bullying-new-sex-education-curriculum.html" style="color: #990000;">responsible</a> & attentive lover when THEY reach adulthood.</li>
<li>I may think YOUR 6 year old child has the <a href="http://www.renegadeparent.net/post/Khyra-Ishaq-my-own-thoughts.aspx#top" style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #990000;">right to the innocence of 'childhood</span>'</a> until such a time as THEY are ready to start thinking about adult concepts.</li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li>I may think YOUR child has the right to be vaccinated against all <a href="http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=68454" style="color: #990000;">communicable diseases</a> as and when <a href="http://vaccineawakening.blogspot.com/2009/02/gardasil-death-brain-damage-national.html" style="color: #990000;">such vaccines</a> come <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/Vaccines/HPV/gardasil.html" style="color: #990000;">onto the market</a>.</li>
<li>YOU may think MY child has the right not to be injected with substances which they may be too young and uninformed to understand the potential ill effects of. </li>
</ul><br />
<br />
<ul><li>A <a href="http://unhallowedground.blogspot.com/2010/02/musings-on-veils.html" style="color: #990000;">deeply religious woman</a> may feel SHE has the right to follow the <a href="http://www.fitz-claridge.com/node/3" style="color: #990000;">conventions of HER faith</a> without the judgement of others.</li>
<li> A <a href="http://lordsoftheblog.net/2010/02/10/schoolgirls-ii/" style="color: #990000;">peer in the House of Lords</a> may feel SHE has the right to pass judgement on ANY of those under her authority. </li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li>The government may think that all of our children have the right to be freed of the opinions & constrains of their parents.</li>
<li><a href="https://heyc.org.uk/" style="color: #990000;">YOUNG PEOPLE</a> may think they have the right to be freed from the opinions & constraints of all ADULTS.</li>
</ul><br />
<ul></ul><blockquote><b>"I didn't give life to MY 3 children for<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="https://heyc.org.uk/" style="color: #990000;">THEIR</a> lives to be subsequently governed & directed by YOU!... <a href="http://freedomineducationunderthreat.blogspot.com/" style="color: #990000;">Whoever they hell YOU may be</a>... and whatever <a href="http://www.stopcp.com/cpcasestudies.php" style="color: #990000;">common purpose</a> YOU 'believe' we should ALL be heading toward!!!" (Me. Specialist Expert on the subjects of 'MY life' & 'MY children')</b></blockquote>Unless<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://www.renegadeparent.net/post/Khyra-Ishaq-my-own-thoughts.aspx#top" style="color: #990000;">the PARENT is the perpetrator of abuse serious enough to warrant the removal of the CHILD</a> from them, then it should be considered<i> de facto</i> that PARENTS retain ownership of &<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://wightweirdos.co.uk/ww/2010/02/wasting-time/" style="color: #990000;">responsibility</a><span style="color: #990000;"> </span>for the child's<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9-QmmlanDM" style="color: #990000;">PERSON</a>, until that child is old enough, both<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9NWDZx5T2A&feature=youtube_gdata" style="color: #990000;"> in LAW</a> & in LIFE, to assert <a href="https://heyc.org.uk/" style="color: #990000;">THEIR own ideas</a> about 'rights'.HolisticHumanisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18371094113362635538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694133455441482598.post-86442289839313735272010-02-22T22:57:00.044+00:002010-04-02T11:29:13.169+01:00Fighting for the Family:<div style="text-align: center;"><b>(Re-posted from <a href="http://hubpages.com/profile/loubeeloo" style="color: #990000;">my Hubpages blog</a>)</b></div><br />
<b>In the biblical story of the '<a href="http://www.skepticfiles.org/sr/3wisdo91.htm" style="color: #990000;">Wisdom of Solomon</a>', two women are in disagreement over who is the mother of a baby. </b><br />
<b>Solomon is attributed with having "great wisdom" for discerning that a mother would rather give up her child to the care of another than have it slaughtered... so he threatens to split the baby in half & duly the woman who is the true mother cries out that she would rather give up the</b><br />
<b>baby to the other woman, than see it killed... </b><br />
<b>... the act of self sacrifice which is performed by this woman is considered as such a given, that it's power & beauty are reduced to the purpose of illustrating the wisdom & might of this king over his subjects.</b><br />
<br />
<b>If anything, i see this particular grisly tale as illustrative, not of how wise this particular king was, but more of the way <a href="http://daretoknowblog.blogspot.com/" style="color: #990000;">children and parents are often used as pawns in political maneuvering</a><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: black;"> to the point</span> </span><a href="http://kellygreenandgold.wordpress.com/2010/01/16/resistance-in-a-child-hostile-society/" style="color: #990000;">where the state tries to assume 'ownership' of the child's life</a> in order to <a href="http://irdial.com/blogdial/" style="color: #990000;">control both the child & the parent</a>... </b><br />
<b>but I am getting ahead of myself... </b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>I believe the true moral of this tale is this; no matter how great the sacrifice, a mother will give her all to protect the child she loves; & how <a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fhome.comcast.net%2F%7Enewcdc%2FTHE%2520GHOST.pdf&h=d26d4d8d069f3d733f32f2bd63959c63" style="color: #990000;">neither greed</a>, nor <a href="http://www.renegadeparent.net/post/I-wont-do-what-you-tell-me.aspx" style="color: #990000;">vindictiveness</a> nor the might & power of kings can waiver the unerring strength of the maternal bond.</b><br />
<b> </b><b></b><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8kdML9m5X74/S4efF5xCZxI/AAAAAAAAABI/1g7wk0QuQC8/s1600-h/image.axd.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8kdML9m5X74/S4efF5xCZxI/AAAAAAAAABI/1g7wk0QuQC8/s400/image.axd.jpeg" width="310" /></a></div><div style="background-color: #eeeeee; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children Schools & Families: Economist, </span></div><div style="background-color: #eeeeee; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">prominent Fabian Society member & trusted adviser of Gordon Brown! </span></div><b>Over the last <a href="http://www.freedomforchildrentogrow.org/printview.php?ID=222" style="color: #990000;">12 months</a>, I have personally been compelled to <a href="http://www.home-education.biz/news/22/15/AHEd-demands-rethink-of-home-education-policy/" style="color: #990000;">participate</a> in a war against<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://sometimesitspeaceful.blogspot.com/2009/04/looking-at-panel-6.html" style="color: #990000;">those</a><span style="color: #990000;"> </span>who would seek to <a href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmpublic/childsch/memo/ucm0702.htm" style="color: #990000;">tyrannically control & oppress</a> the lives of my children and I. (Not to mention thousands of <a href="http://sometimesitspeaceful.blogspot.com/2010/01/we-really-wont-stand-for-it-i-cannot.html" style="color: #990000;">others</a>...& maybe YOURS too!)</b><br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: #eeeeee; text-align: center;"><b>"When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty!"</b></div><b style="background-color: #eeeeee;"> </b><b> </b><br />
<b><b>"<a href="http://www.home-education.biz/blog/civil-liberties/we-demand-the-presumption-of-innocence" style="color: #990000;">This degrading, downgrading and debasement of parenthood is itself an elite project in order to establish tight control over the lives of a subject people.</a> <span style="color: black;">"</span></b></b><b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: black;">Like</span> </span><a href="http://www.hslda.org/hs/international/Germany/201001260.asp" style="color: #990000;">many other home educating parents</a>, I have awakened to the<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://every-child-matters.blogspot.com/2010/01/interests-of-state-are-they-in-our.html" style="color: #990000;">snowballing trend by politicians</a> & <a href="http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2008/04/25/108002/mps-dismiss-hemmings-forced-adoption-claims.htm" style="color: #990000;">public policy makers</a> of attempting to sever the child from parental ties. </b><br />
<blockquote><b>"<a href="http://www.uncharted-worlds.org/blog/2010/01/self-sovereignty-for-children/" style="color: #990000;">The state does not wish to protect the integrity of the child: it wishes to ensure that the child internalises the values of the state and not the parent!</a>"</b></blockquote><b>It is typically, although not exclusively, the mother who stays at home & fulfills the role of educational facilitator. In the UK, home educating mothers in particular, have been subjected to <a href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmselect/cmchilsch/memo/elehomed/me5702.htm" style="color: #990000;">offensive misogynistic slurs</a></b>,<b> such as </b><br />
<blockquote><b>"<a href="http://gritsday.blogspot.com/2009/11/now-i-have-munchhausens-syndrome-by.html" style="color: #990000;">home educating mothers suffer(...) from Munchhausen's by Proxy</a>" </b></blockquote><b>However, the ban upon Home Education in Germany has recently led one US Judge to state:</b><b>..."<a href="http://irdial.com/blogdial/" style="color: #990000;">the rights being violated here are basic human rights that no country has a right to violate.</a>"</b><b>Yet here seems to prevail a belief system, particularly within governmental departments, that children need<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1232611/Mother-boy-snatched-social-workers-refusing-doctors-advice-feed-chocolate-crisps.html" style="color: #990000;">protecting from their parents</a>. What is more 'The State' seems to think it can raise children better than <a href="http://stolenkids-bloggers.blogspot.com/">parents</a> or at least <a href="http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/Elite-trainer-gets-11year-state.4053633.jp" style="color: #990000;">decide who is to be approved</a> as fulfilling<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://www.commonpurpose.org.uk/home.aspx" style="color: #990000;">their idea</a> of an '<a href="http://www.fassit.co.uk/government_totalitarian_regime.htm" style="color: #990000;">appropriate</a>' parent.</b><br />
<br />
<b>While this government has been in power, there has been a marked increase in the unwarranted intrusion in family life by agents of the State. </b><br />
<b>Their sinister social engineering agenda is constantly being <a href="http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6034444" style="color: #990000;">pushed</a><span style="color: #990000;"> </span>forward under the pretext of child protection.<br />
The <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/christopherbooker/6292708/Adoption-system-is-UKs-shameful-secret.html" style="color: #990000;">forced adoption</a> of children in the UK is reaching<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://www.gulagofthefamilycourts.com/" style="color: #990000;">frightening extremes</a>... Babies are often<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/nottinghamshire/7218859.stm" style="color: #990000;">ear marked</a> as candidates from <a href="http://www.itv.com/News/tonight/episodes/Don-tTakeMyBaby/default.html" style="color: #990000;">before birth</a>.</b><br />
<b>The UK operates <a href="http://www.unity-injustice.co.uk/" style="color: #990000;">secret Family Courts</a>.</b><b>Parents are gagged from <a href="http://www.justice-for-families.org.uk/" style="color: #990000;">reporting what happens inside them</a>.</b><b> These closed courts have no juries yet can <a href="http://www.fassit.co.uk/grandmother_prison.htm" style="color: #990000;">imprison</a> without an open trial.</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dK4MqqJ0hnM&hl=en_GB&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dK4MqqJ0hnM&hl=en_GB&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><blockquote><b><a href="http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/vo060302/debtext/60302-26.htm" style="color: #990000;">"I don't think the public appreciates how low the threshold is. When children are taken from their parents, it is not because there is a certainty of future harm or even that, on the balance of probabilities, those children could be harmed. It is enough that there will be a possibility of future harm. If there is a 70 per cent. risk of a child being harmed and every child with that risk was taken into care then, in 100 such cases, 30 children would be taken from families where they would come to no harm. Sometimes, I wonder whether children are being protected, or whether it is social workers' careers."</a> (...) <span style="color: #990000;">"There's </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrJM8eb10JY&feature=player_embedded" style="color: #990000;">an unspoken fear that children from poor backgrounds are being freed up for middle-class adopters</a><span style="color: #990000;">."</span><span style="color: #990000;"> </span><i><span style="color: black;">(</span><a href="http://www.fassit.co.uk/parents_champion.htm" style="color: #990000;">Barrister, Andrew Scott</a>)</i></b></blockquote><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7Yd25ejL6jU&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7Yd25ejL6jU&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></div><b>The most recent high profile case in the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1245190/Mother-clever-raise-child-baby-removed-social-workers-running-away.html" style="color: #990000;">UK media</a> has been that of Kerry Robertson & Mark McDougall. </b><br />
<br />
<b>They were <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/scotland/6365363/Social-services-to-take-baby-from-teenager-deemed-too-stupid-to-marry.html" style="color: #990000;">informed early in Kerry's pregnancy that their baby would be removed</a> within days of being born as social services workers did not consider her clever enough to raise a child.</b><br />
<b>Fife Social Services also prevented her from marrying the baby's father Mark, an act which would have granted him clearer legal custody rights as the father. They again claimed that this was because they didn't consider Kerry to have the mental capacity to understand fully the <a href="http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2010/01/baby_taken_from" style="color: #990000;">implications of the act of marriage</a>. </b><br />
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<b>Kerry, who has mild learning difficulties, fled to Ireland with her partner & on 22 January 2010, she </b><b>gave birth to a healthy 7lb 3oz son who they've named Ben. However, at the behest of Fife Council, Irish social workers took the baby from the couple just four days after he was born. </b><b> </b><br />
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<b>LibDem MP John Hemming said ‘<a href="http://www.inclusionscotland.org/news/story.asp?id=2536" style="color: #990000;">There is no evidence that Mark and Kerry cannot be good parents and I just hope that the Irish authorities can resolve this as quickly as possible.</a>’ </b><br />
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<b>It was reported in the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1246590/The-woman-told-stupid-baby-boy.html#addComment" style="color: #990000;">Daily Mail</a>(27/1/10) that, after a court hearing, the parents of Ben were granted access to their child on the proviso that Kerry move into a mother and baby unit, where the 17-year-old will be under under constant supervision. </b><b>So far Kerry & Mark have been given no indication how long she & Ben will be expected to remain in the Mother & Baby Unit.</b><br />
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<b>Kerry was breastfeeding Ben when he was taken from her. She claims that he was given a dummy & fed formula by the foster carers he was placed with. There was an outcry from <a href="http://www.nursingmatters.org.uk/RobertsonDyad/RobertsonDyadLetter.html" style="color: #990000;">breastfeeding advocacy & support groups</a>. </b><b><br />
</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GxPUsbTqa0I&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GxPUsbTqa0I&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><blockquote><blockquote><b>"Those who think that society has “gone too far” in<a href="http://www.hmbana.org/" style="color: #990000;"> supporting breastfeeding</a>, that mothers who formula feed are demonised and breastfeeding mothers aren’t: Show me the <a href="http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/adb/ll_adb.nsf/pages/adb_et71"><span style="color: #990000;">women who are losing their jobs for formula feeding</span>.</a> (...) Show me the women who have been<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://one-of-those-women.blogspot.com/2010/01/in-bens-name-love-from-elisha.html" style="color: #990000;">ordered to cease or interrupt</a> formula feeding by family courts. (...) Show me the people who, on seeing a bottle pulled out in a public place, will wrinkle their nose and say in disgust, “Are you going to do<i> that</i> here?” (...) <a href="http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#%21/pages/If-breastfeeding-offends-you-put-a-blanket-over-YOUR-head/444758635156?ref=search&sid=538472921.1834958480..1"><span style="color: #990000;">Show me the people who insist that all bottle feeding should be covered with a blanket, you filthy sluts.</span> </a>(...) Show me the people who say that formula feeding shouldn’t be allowed in public because they don’t have time to explain such adult concepts to their children. (...) Show me the women who have been <a href="http://ww1.highlandclassifieds.com/js/mi/c47195/b45757/r779541/2134841.html" style="color: #990000;">accused of formula feeding because they’re paedophiles</a>..." (read full article <a href="http://hoydenabouttown.com/20090625.5497/gone-too-far/" style="color: #990000;">here</a>)</b></blockquote></blockquote><b><b><a href="http://www.onemillioncampaign.org/" style="color: #990000;">Breast Feeding</a>, <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UKbabywearingSWAP/" style="color: #990000;">Attatchment Parenting</a> & <a href="http://www.naturalmamas.co.uk/" style="color: #990000;">Co-Sleeping</a> have all had bad press & been subjects of controversy...</b></b><b>How have some of the most natural acts of motherhood, including <b>the utmost act of parental input into the nourishment of a child</b>, feeding a baby the way they have been fed since the dawn of time... become such controversial, abhorrent & socially taboo subjects? Since when has feeding a baby or choosing to teach a child become the subversive acts of 'domestic extremists'? Why is it that...</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><blockquote style="color: #990000;"><b><a href="http://hoydenabouttown.com/20081112.2541/salma-hayek-and-the-anti-breastfeeding-cocktail/">When women use their breasts in ways that don’t centre around men’s desires, women are demonised. And what better way to demonise people than to denounce them for our most despised crime, child sexual abuse? </a></b></blockquote></div><b><b>Parents are finding themselves increasingly attacked for committing the most natural acts of love, child nurture & care giving and these attacks are often <a href="http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/ete/independentreviewofhomeeducation/irhomeeducation/" style="color: #990000;">instigated</a><br />
or supported by <a href="http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/graham_badmans_abuse" style="color: #990000;">policy makers</a> & <a href="http://irdial.com/blogdial/?p=1821" style="color: #990000;">supposed experts</a> in a field & the media... </b></b>Although <b style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://www.babymilkaction.org/">breastfeeding</a></b><b> & extended or child-led weaning has seen a marked increase in recent years, the onslaught of political & economic control of parenting via <a href="http://one-of-those-women.blogspot.com/2010/01/sodding-tesco-again.html" style="color: #990000;">marketing</a>, <a href="http://boycottnestle.blogspot.com/" style="color: #990000;">social manipulation</a> & <a href="http://global-breastfeeding.org/pdf/WABA_HIV.pdf" style="color: #990000;">medical misinformation</a> continues to this day. </b><b>The bad reputation of Co-Sleeping is fuelled by the media hysteria & mis-information about rare instances when a co-sleeping baby has died. Most people who are anti co-sleeping claim concerns about the baby’s safety. However, others claim it's necessary for a baby to be taught from an early age to sleep seperately from the parents.</b><b> This would be the very antithesis of the idea of 'attatchment parenting', which promotes the ethos that children grow to be more confident and secure when they are allowed to experience the world at their own pace & need a close relationship with their parents to enable that to happen in a positive way. </b><br />
<blockquote><b>"The history of our times will show of many broken families, of children without a family to remember, of heartache and tears of fear and a lifetime of terror of that knock on the door at midnight. Of being wrenched from mother’s arms and of brothers and sisters disappearing, never to be seen again. Of men and women wrongfully cast into prisons, tormented for years by the knowledge of their innocence... This will be the legacy of our times for future generations – it is now being written. In newspapers, television documentaries, Parliamentary debates, and most importantly of all, by those who have suffered." (<a href="http://www.fassit.co.uk/charles_pragnell_inhumanity.htm" style="color: #990000;">Charles Pragnell</a>, Dip.S.W., L.R.C.C.)</b></blockquote><b>So here we are at the beginning of a new century... a new millenium... and </b><b>in many ways, the wars waged by parents & particularly Mothers are not that different from in the ancient times of the 'wise' king Solomon... </b><br />
<b>Those who seek power through public positions & attempt to control whole societies & cultures, really do not seem yet to have a full appreciation one of the most obvious... most basic... most fundamental rules of humanity ...</b><br />
<div style="background-color: #eeeeee; text-align: center;"><blockquote style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>DO NOT COME BETWEEN A MOTHER & HER CHILD!!!</u></b></span></blockquote></div><b>A woman's special role as 'Mother' dictates that she has both an duty & a right to participate in <a href="http://gritsday.blogspot.com/2010/01/teaching-kids-about-politics.html" style="color: #990000;">political & public policy making</a> spheres.</b><br />
<b>Graham Badman has been heard to foolishly utter that he doubts "</b><b style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=5645&player=windowsmedia">the sort of civil disobedience that you fear</a></b><b>"...from the parents & young people who are to be affected by his recommendations...</b><b>Well i say this to you, <a href="http://northshropshe.wordpress.com/2010/01/29/badman-got-this-badly-wrong/" style="color: #990000;">Mr.(a very) Badman</a> & Mr.(talking utter) Balls... this Labour Government... & any political party or person in a position of authority who tries to manipulate the vulnerability of my children or who<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=45453211491&ref=nf" style="color: #990000;">wages a dirty tricks <b>campaign</b> </a>to bring violence, coersion & abuse upon my family...</b><br />
<blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"<a href="http://smatthan.blogspot.com/2010/01/stakeholders-release-balls-blockbuster.html" style="color: #990000;">No public stakeholder loves me or our child</a>" (S.Matthan)</b></div></blockquote><div style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: black;"><b>During the greater part of the 20th century, when women’s political & activistic energy had been concentrated on issues of women’s economic rights and status, 'Organized Motherhood', still continued to be the overriding principle at the head of anti-violence movements.</b></div><div style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: black;"><b>On the 5th September 1981, the Welsh group “Women for Life on Earth” marched from Cardiff to <a href="http://www.vortex.uwe.ac.uk/places_of_peace/greenham.htm">Greenham Common</a>, Berkshire, with the intention of challenging, by debate, the decision to site 96 'Cruise' nuclear missiles there. Thus, beginning a protest that was to last 19 years.</b></div><div style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><br />
<b>They delivered a letter to the Base Commander which stated...</b></div><blockquote style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><b>We fear for the future of all our children and for the future of the living world which is the basis of all life."</b></blockquote><div style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: black;"><b>After their request for a debate was ignored, they set up a Peace Camp outside the surrounding fence of the Greenham Common RAF Airbase. The camp became known as the 'Women’s Peace Camp' and gained both national and international recognition. </b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black;"><div style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><b>Taking non-violent </b><b>direct action against movements at the base meant that some women were arrested, taken to court and sent to prison. A 22 year old Welsh woman, Helen Wynne Thomas, even lost her life there when she was hit by a West Midlands Police horsebox, as she stood on the safe zone waiting to cross the road near 'Yellow Gate'. Her name is the only woman's name to be recorded on the site which is now known as The Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp Commemorative & Historic Site.</b></div><br />
<b>The message from women as 'Mothers', past, present & to come, is clear, </b></div><blockquote><b> "<a href="http://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/clare-sambrook/ed-balls-and-his-iron-hat" style="color: #990000;">Keep your hands off our kids</a><span style="color: #990000;"> </span>because there is no sacrifice too great in order to protect them!"</b></blockquote><b> </b><b>... and we will bring THAT <a href="http://www.ahed.org.uk/aims.html" style="color: #990000;">philosophy</a> & THAT<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><a href="http://www.home-education.biz/blog/civil-liberties/we-demand-the-presumption-of-innocence" style="color: #990000;">battle cry</a> to any 21st century challenge upon their lives or our bond with them!</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Essential Reading:</b></i></span></div><div style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Forced-Adoption-2nd-Ed-Josephs/dp/140926971X?ie=UTF8&tag=bloggerlou-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Forced Adoption 2nd Ed.</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bloggerlou-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=140926971X" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /></span></div><div style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gulag-Family-Courts-Jack-Frost/dp/1430316357?ie=UTF8&tag=bloggerlou-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Gulag Of The Family Courts</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bloggerlou-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1430316357" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /></span></div><div style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Politics-Breastfeeding-3rd-Breasts-Business/dp/190517716X?ie=UTF8&tag=bloggerlou-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Politics of Breastfeeding, 3rd Edition: When Breasts are Bad for Business</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bloggerlou-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=190517716X" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /></span></div><div style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Milk-Money-Madness-Politics-Breastfeeding/dp/031336060X?ie=UTF8&tag=bloggerlou-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Milk, Money, and Madness: The Culture and Politics of Breastfeeding</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bloggerlou-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=031336060X" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /></span></div>HolisticHumanisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18371094113362635538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694133455441482598.post-19192896904241110222010-02-22T11:27:00.010+00:002010-03-04T01:00:49.723+00:00EVERY Child Matters!!!... ALL of them!Over the last few days some home educator Facebook 'friends' have seemed to be losing patience with my posts that concern subjects they consider irrelevant, unproven or contentious... <br />
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However I, like many other HE'ers, cannot fail to<span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrJM8eb10JY&feature=player_embedded#at=74" style="color: #cc0000;">see the links</a><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span>between other current socio-political issues & the attack on non-state governed learning.<br />
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Whilst fighting to protect home education, I have become aware of the underhand methods that those in authority will use to obtain & retain control over others. The Badman Review has been an abject lesson in how 'evidence' is fabricated & manipulated in order to push a set agenda. The readings of the Bill and the associated voting process further exemplified how those working within institutions of power will toe the party line even when it's ideals are in direct contradiction to their own moral view-point.<br />
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The CSF Bill is presently the foremost battle on my agenda, but I find it impossible to ignore or separate myself from the plight of others who are also victims of the abuses, machinations & tyrranies of the governing elite... especially when these are enacted upon the most vulnerable members of our community.... namely CHILDREN!<br />
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I recently wrote an<span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Fighting-for-the-Family" style="color: #cc0000;">article on Hubpages</a><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span>detailing how families are used as pawns in political maneuvering to the point where the state tries to assume 'ownership' of the child's life in order to control both the child & the parent...<br />
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Call it 'paranoia'.... call it a 'conspiracy theory'.... call it 'irrelevant' or 'unproven' if you will... but I think most people are aware that there's something very wrong with the way our government & society operate... and whilst this may not be a new phenomena, what has changed over recent decades is our ability to communicate about & protest against the status quo.<br />
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Although in recent years we have been infested with a plague of legislative measures to restrict & monitor the spread of information & our ability to speak out against injustices, the Internet has never-the-less provided the common man with a platform upon which to stand & spread the word to an unlimited audience...<br />
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Once upon a time, a man being wrongly arrested for a 'breach of the peace' in Scotland would be news that few people in other parts of the UK would EVER get to know about... however, the rise of our friend the Internet now provides us with the ability to communicate with millions of others, the world over, in the space of seconds...<br />
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... and it is with these factors in mind that I would like to introduce to you the case of<span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><a href="http://newssenses.com/" style="color: #cc0000;">Hollie Greig</a>!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am not usually one for<span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#%21/group.php?gid=310572835068&ref=ts" style="color: #cc0000;">joining groups</a>, spreading tales or getting up in arms about paedophilia.... this is NOT because I do not care... but because I have seen how the fear of child abuse is often milked & manipulated in order to create a climate of societal fear which is subsequently used by those seeking to control others & tends to give rise to acts of vigilantism and persecution...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">However, the story of <a href="http://www.newssenses.com/" style="color: #cc0000;">Hollie Grieg</a>'s abuse is not just worthy of note because of its horrific details... but because it bears the potential to expose the sickening corruption which permeates our society from the very top... Those implicated include a member of the Scottish Judiciary, a senior government law officer, a senior police officer, members of the legal, social work & medical professions & others.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">From the age of 6 until she was about age 20,<a href="http://www.newssenses.com/" style="color: #cc0000;"> Hollie Grieg </a>(who was born affected by Downs Syndrome) was raped & sexually abused by her father, her brother & by her fathers paedophile associates. After 14 years of terrified silence, Hollie eventually told her mother Annie about the abuses and duly the Grampian Police were informed. After Hollie was questioned about her allegations it was accepted & made a matter of record that she was a truthful & reliable witness. Medical and other evidence supported Hollie`s account. <a href="http://www.shropshirestar.com/2009/04/22/payout-for-sex-abuse-victim/" style="color: #cc0000;">£13,500 was paid to Hollie by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority</a>... & yet no charges have ever been brought!!! In fact, Hollie received payments for crimes that have <b>never even been investigated</b>...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The <a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/72649711ce0e3d5a/" style="color: #cc0000;">details of this shocking case & the attempted cover-up can be heard here in this presentation by Robert Green</a>, a journalist investigating the allegations. In it he describes the breadth of evidence available to support Hollie's claims & names those involved in the abuses. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">There have been continuous<a href="http://www.ukcolumn.org/2010/02/15/lies-damned-lies-and-scottish-justice/" style="color: #cc0000;"> steps taken to prevent these allegations being made public</a>. These have included the drugging of both Hollie & her mother Anne. Anne's forced incarceration in a psychiatric institution. Shots being fired at the home of Anne & Hollie. The intimidation of BBC employees to prevent futher investigation by them.<span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><a href="http://www.ukcolumn.org/2010/02/15/communications-with-levy-mcrae/" style="color: #cc0000;">Legal notices </a>issued. The fleeing of Hollie's father and brother to Portugal & quite possibly the murder of Anne's brother, who Hollie says witnessed her father abusing her. His body was found with multiple injuries in a burned out car.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://stolenkids-hollie.blogspot.com/" style="color: #cc0000;">On the morning of 12th February 2010, Robert Green, was detained by Grampian Police</a>. He intended making his way to the town centre to campaign for justice for Hollie & announce his intention to stand for election as an MP in order to bring to light Hollie’s case. The UK Column asked its readers to get involved by phoning the station where Robert was being held to enquire after his wellbeing & right to legal representation & to show that many people were supporting him & were aware of his incarceration.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mr Green was not released from police custody until the 16th February. He was first required to appear at Stonehaven Court where a 'gagging' order was imposed upon him. His charge is 'Breach of the Peace'.</div><br />
I will not apologise for bringing this case to the attention of as many people as I can, irrespective of how irrelevant, unproven or contentious some may think this case is compared to the themes of their lives & their agendas.<br />
<br />
<br />
Hollie, Anne & Robert have all shown remarkable bravery & tenacity in doing all they can to get this story into the public domain in order TO PROTECT THOSE WHO ARE BEING ABUSED NOW & THOSE WHO WILL BE IN THE FUTURE IF THIS IS NOT STOPPED!!!<br />
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If this story is not reported & investigated then MANY, MANY more children will continue to be harmed both physically & emotionally whilst<span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><a href="http://www.counterpunch.org/james01292003.html" style="color: #cc0000;">the perpetrators get away scott free</a>!... Perpetrators of rape, abuse corruption & fraud, who are in some of the<span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><a href="http://www.ukcolumn.org/2010/02/21/macaskills-gagging-law/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheColumn+%28The+UK+Column%29" style="color: #cc0000;">highest positions of authority</a> in society, are<span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><a href="http://stolenkids-hollie.blogspot.com/2010/02/sk-h111-police-raid-to-supress-truth.html" style="color: #cc0000;">trying to suppress the truth</a>!!!!<br />
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As a parent..... a home educator.... a bloody human being.... I DO believe THIS is my business, it's EVERYBODY'S business. EVERY CHILD MATTERS whether they're home educated or 'otherwise'.<br />
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<blockquote>"First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist;<br />
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist; Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew; Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out for me." (Martin Niemöller, 1946)</blockquote> Please re-post widely.... please demand an investigation.... please help the victims be heard!<br />
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<blockquote>‘The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.’ (Edmund Burke) </blockquote><br />
<script charset="utf-8" src="http://ws.amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=GB&ID=V20070822/GB/hubpages04de-21/8006/10bb731e-48fe-43ad-8d3f-6aff84a6fe24" type="text/javascript">
</script> <noscript>&lt;a HREF="http://ws.amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;MarketPlace=GB&amp;ID=V20070822%2FGB%2Fhubpages04de-21%2F8006%2F10bb731e-48fe-43ad-8d3f-6aff84a6fe24&amp;Operation=NoScript"&gt;Amazon.co.uk Widgets&lt;/A&gt;</noscript>HolisticHumanisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18371094113362635538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694133455441482598.post-4780184894259911782010-02-04T16:28:00.015+00:002011-05-15T19:50:38.235+01:00Elective Home Education in the UK- A brief history?Originally Published 26/11/09<br />
<h2>Formal Schooling: Fashion or Fascism?</h2>Historically, formal 'schooling' or the use of 'tutors' was an option available only to the elite, thus most people were educated at home or by learning a trade. However 'State sponsored' & 'compulsory' education have been a feature of many societies as far back as 1AD. <br />
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It is to be noted that the main reasons for many of these legislative 'compulsions' to institutionalized schooling were in order to promote a strong 'work ethic' amongst the poor & thus strengthen the state economy, the streamlining of philosophical & religious ideaologies to prevent rebellion against those in power & to coerce the population into a State prescribed 'mold'. <br />
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Under the Elementary Education Act 1880, education in the UK became<br />
compulsory for children aged 5-10 years & was made compulsory up to<br />
age 15 in 1947. <br />
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The requirement for ever more labourers & the appalling social conditions of the under-class during the Industrial Revolution, meant that both parents had to work & were unable to look after their own children at home. Child labour was becoming increasingly frowned upon & it became more required of the masses to be literate & numerate so that they could keep records of production. Manufacturers & politicians therefore sought to provide a childcare/apprenticeship solution. <br />
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In 1938 Hitler banned Home Education in Germany. <b>The law was imposed to enable the 'Hitler Youth' to be indoctrinated & to prevent freedom of thought, religion or philosophical conviction within wider society. </b>That law stands to this day, with parents who defy it being fined or imprisoned. It often results in their children being forcefully removed from their care.<br />
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<a href="http://www.echr.coe.int/echr/" style="color: #999999;">The European Court of Human Rights</a> upholds the German ban on home-schooling, stating that "Schools represent society, and it is in the children's interest to become part of that society. The parents' right to educate does not go as far as to deprive their children of that experience."; and (that it is in...) "the general interest of society <b>to avoid the emergence of parallel societies based on separate philosophical convictions</b> and the importance of integrating minorities into society." <br />
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On January 19th 2009 the UK government began <b>it's</b> most recent attack on Home Education. The 'Badman Review into Elective Home Education in England', was commissioned by the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls. Former Director of Children's Services at Kent County Council, Mr. Graham Badman was given the remit to investigate whether home education could be used as a cover for some forms of child abuse. <br />
Published on June 11 2009 the review's recommendations that related to safeguarding were accepted in full by Ed Balls & in the 'Queen's Speech' on November 18th 2009, the introduction of a Children, Schools and Families Bill intended to amend the Education Act 1996 was proposed, even though <b><u>the review stated that no evidence was found to support suggestions that home education was linked to forced marriage, servitude or child trafficking.</u></b><br />
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This will make compulsory the registration & licensing of home educating families and the implementation of State constructed guidelines as to what constitutes a 'suitable & efficient' education. Those who get permission to educate at home will have an annual review & any license issued may be subject to revocation. Local council representatives will have the power to enter family homes and question children alone, a power even the police do not have! They will also have the power to order under-16s to school if they do not approve of the style of education being provided, this power is, at present, reserved for the courts!!! <br />
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<h2>Schooling & Socialism: Killing the competition</h2>Modern schooling is upheld by its proponents as socially & economically enriching & stabilizing. Governments seek to create, through education, Utopian societies blessed with equality of thought & deed. "Education, Education, Education" is no longer just one political party's tag-line, it is the buzz-term of the new millennium, echoing across continents. Mankind's natural instinct to explore & learn has now been given its own slogan.<br />
But not everyone believes that education needs, or should be subject to, such vigorous & uncompromisingly direct promotion.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Holt_%28educator%29" style="color: #999999;"> John Holt</a><span style="color: #999999;"> </span>claims that the compulsory schooling system violates some of the most basic fundamental right of humans, in particular the right to decide what enters our own minds.<br />
What is more, he asserts that an approach where the child directs the learning, based upon their own interests & facilitated by the adult, is the most effective for both the happiness & future prospects of the individual.<br />
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There are as many different types of Home Education as there are Home Educators. Some parents choose to mimic formal schooling, with adherence to curricula & timetables & 'classical' subjects. At the other<br />
end of the spectrum we see 'Unschooling' or 'Child-centred/led learning' which emphasizes the need to follow the natural pace of learning & interests of the child, rather than imposing preconceived ideas upon them. What is certainly felt by most home educating parents, irrespective of philosophical ideology, is that a School environment is NOT the right place for THEIR child to receive the kind of education they deem most appropriate.<br />
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There have been <a href="http://www.home-education.org.uk/research/review.htm" style="color: #999999;">many instances of research</a> into Home Education & it's outcomes for children, most noteable are <a href="http://pjrothermel.com/" style="color: #999999;">Paula Rothermel's PhD thesis and other works.</a> A published paper by <a href="http://www.thuisonderwijs.net/artikelen/meighan-homebasededucation.html" style="color: #999999;">Dr. Roland Meighan (University of Nottingham School of Education)</a><i style="color: #999999;"><a href="http://www.thuisonderwijs.net/artikelen/meighan-homebasededucation.html"> 'Home-based Education: Not Does It Work but Why Does It Work So Well'</a></i> and several other works including<span style="color: #999999;"> </span><a href="http://www.howchildrenlearnathome.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1" style="color: #999999;">a book published by Dr Alan Thomas</a>, who is an ex-school teacher, & a Visiting Fellow University of London Institute of Education & Fellow of the British Psychological Society. Nearly all of these experts in the field come to the conclusion that home education provides outcomes for children which not only match those expected from school education, but in the greater number of cases, exceed them.<br />
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One may be forgiven for asking, 'why would a government want to jeopardize & maybe even eradicate an educational choice which is proven throughout history to be so successful, economically sound & in keeping with the idea of true parental responsibility?' Why indeed...<br />
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<blockquote><b>"Government schooling is the most radical adventure in<br />
history. It kills the family by monopolizing the best times of<br />
childhood and by teaching disrespect for home and parents."</b> (<i><a href="http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/underground/prologue2.htm" style="color: #999999;">from John Taylor Gatto's resignation letter, featured in The Wall Street Journal</a>)</i></blockquote>Most modern, state financed schools can easily (& ashamedly) be seen to fit into Erving Goffman's model of the 'total institution'. This model has much more to do with 'schooling', as a form of social control, rather than 'education' which should be a process of expanding mind & consciousness.<br />
In <a href="http://sometimesitspeaceful.blogspot.com/" style="color: #999999;">examining the battle</a> of the right to home educate across the globe, there seems to be a recurring theme; that idea that children need to be protected from the fundamentally held beliefs of their parents & exposed instead to the 'pluralistic' experiences & belief systems deemed suitable by those in governance.(<i><b>see <a href="http://loubeeloo-holistichumanism.blogspot.com/p/parable-by-leo-tolstoy-i-see-mankind-as.html">Tolstoy's Parable of the Herd</a></b></i>)<br />
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<b>The systematic erosion of liberty is never more of a threat than when it literally comes knocking on your door! </b><br />
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Not only does home education encourage free & critical thinking but it's very existence as a choice arms the parents & children who use schools with the knowledge that they are the consumer of a product. As consumers they are entitled to a certain standard of service & have the freedom to opt out when that system fails. What is more, home education is growing in popularity as more parents & children discover that it is a realistic option for them thus reducing the uptake of state provision...<br />
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<b>Home education, in it's success, holds up a mirror to the ugly face of<br />
modern, formalized schooling and shows up all its flaws. What better reason could a failing state system have for wanting to kill the competition? </b><br />
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</script> <noscript>&amp;amp;lt;a HREF="http://ws.amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;amp;amp;MarketPlace=GB&amp;amp;amp;ID=V20070822%2FGB%2Fhubpages04de-21%2F8006%2F10bb731e-48fe-43ad-8d3f-6aff84a6fe24&amp;amp;amp;Operation=NoScript"&amp;amp;gt;Amazon.co.uk Widgets&amp;amp;lt;/A&amp;amp;gt;</noscript>HolisticHumanisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18371094113362635538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694133455441482598.post-79744811774664855772010-02-04T13:30:00.022+00:002010-02-22T16:41:08.342+00:00Brown Badman Balls: The Thought Police<p>(Original Publication on: 10/10/09)<br />
<i><b><u>THE STATE WISHES TO ESTABLISH ITSELF LEGISLATIVELY AS THE 'PARENT' OF OUR CHILDREN!!!</u></b></i></p><p>As a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeschooling">home educating</a> parent, there have been <a href="http://freedomineducationunderthreat.blogspot.com/2009/11/nektus-and-badman.html">a number of concerns</a> which I had been hesitant to rush into writing a blog about, as most of it was <a href="http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/EHEreview/">a drama in the unfolding</a>... </p><p>...<a href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmselect/cmchilsch/memo/elehomed/me5702.htm">seemed absurdly surreal</a>...</p><p>...and I really wasn't sure it would ever reach the <a href="http://irdial.com/blogdial/?p=1821">proposterous heights it now has!</a></p><p>...but I can contain it no longer...</P><p><b><br />
I just can't allow myself to be<br />
<a href="http://irdial.com/blogdial/?p=2192">dragged down into the murky depths of a draconian State dictatorship by the<br />
'powers-that-be' & their snivelling cronies</a> without putting up a<br />
damned HARD FIGHT!</b><br />
<blockquote><p><h2>Mr. Balls, you can take your Mr. Bad-man, wrap him in that <a href="http://homeschooler.org.uk/individual-commentators/badman-review-action-group/badman-review-action-group-press-release-16/06/09">web of lies review</a> he wrote FOR you... And shove them both where the sun don't shine... </h2></p><p>...& that goes too for the '<a href="http://www.home-education.biz/news/16/15/Selective-committee-stitch-up/">selective committee</a>', the<a href="http://homeschooler.org.uk/2009/09/dcsf-grants-badman-extra-time-justify-flawed-findings-home-educators-cry-foul"> DCSF</a>, your pathetic political party & <a href="http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=4813">any attempts you make to restrict home educating families rights & liberties... </a></p></blockquote><h2><b>The answer is "NO!"<br />
</b></h2><p><br />
</p><p>I was heartened by this<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QjdcdG4mP4"> video</a> which details exactly what most Home Educating families attitude toward the '<a href="http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/EHEreview/">Review of Elective Home Education in England by Graham Badman</a>' is...</p><p>...<b>that it is a spurious piece of fiction <a href="http://irdial.com/blogdial/?p=1818">designed to control freethinking individuals</a> who are resistant to this tyrannical governments increasing stranglehold on our liberty!</b></p><p>While watching<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QjdcdG4mP4"> this video</a> I saw a comment left by a person who was, as many are, obviously unfamiliar with the concept of Home Education & its specifics & just couldn't understand <a href="http://maire-staffordshire.blogspot.com/2009/06/letter-to-our-mp-re-review-report.html">why Home Education shouldn't be 'Quality controlled' </a>& parents subjected to examination by & registration with 'The State' as suitable to raise their own children, before being allowed to do so... </p><p>I think <b>I </b>need to clarify the matter...<br />
</p><blockquote><p>"Dear <b>[Insert Name of anyone who hasn't woken up to this issue yet]</b>... before all of us HE'ers were subjected to the <a href="#mce_temp_url%23"></a><a href="http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/submissions_to_the_elective_home">dirty tricks campaign</a> of '<a href="http://daretoknowblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/ed-balls-letter-to-graham-badman.html">The Bad man</a>' & '<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1062940/I-obeying-orders---Schools-Secretary-Eddie-Balls-dressed-German-officer.html">The Governments Balls</a>' we too might have been just as naively wishful as you in thinking that our 'powers-that-be' would only impose laws that were fair... & just... & for the greater good of us all.... cast with an even & paternally gentle hand....<br />
</p></blockquote><br />
<h2>...WAKE UP! Your government is raping you!!!(& they're <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/children_shealth/6146654/Uppity-parents-who-challenge-the-authorities-risk-having-children-taken-away.html">disguising it as 'child protection'!</a>)</h2><blockquote><p><b><i>"The state must declare the child to be the most precious treasure of the people. As long as the government is perceived as working for the benefit of the<br />
children, the people will happily endure almost any curtailment of<br />
liberty and almost any deprivation."</i><br />
<br />
<i>from 'Mein Kampf'</i></b></p></blockquote><p><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2007/apr/07/gender.women">Some kids will always be neglected by the adults that should be caring for them,</a><br />
or may not get as good an education provided to them as they deserve...</p><p>...just as some people will always want to break into your house &<br />
steal your stuff, drive cars over the alcohol limit, <a href="http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/csf/csfpn220709.cfm">lie about statistics to meet their own ends</a>...<br />
etc, etc, etc.... <b>there just ARE people out there who will do 'wrong'<br />
things sometimes</b>... sometimes you or I could be one of them.... </p><p>...<b>that doesn't mean that we should all </b></p><ul><li><b>be <a href="http://irdial.com/blogdial/?p=2192">thought of as criminals, until we have proven to government agencies that we are not breaking any laws or<br />
Govern-mentally prescribed moral codes</a>, <br />
</b></li>
<li><b>state on record who we are, what we do & how we do it, and answer questions as to whether we know what is right for OUR children... <br />
</b></li>
<li><b> be told by 'experts' whether our 'license to be a parent' is to be approved or revoked based upon a governmentally prescribed ethos of child-rearing & moral ideology... <br />
</b></li>
<li><b>be forced to register annual statements of intent toward OUR own children so that we can account for what we are doing within OUR own homes... lives... &<br />
thoughts....</b></li>
</ul><p><b>and so on & so on... </b></p><blockquote>"It was terribly dangerous to let your thoughts wander when you were in any public place or within range of a telescreen. The smallest thing could give you away. A nervous tic, an unconscious look of anxiety, a habit of muttering to yourself--anything that carried with it the suggestion of abnormality, of having something to hide. In any case, to wear an improper expression on your face...; was itself a punishable offense. There was even a word for it in Newspeak: 'facecrime'..."<br />
- George Orwell, <i>1984</i>, Book 1, Chapter 5</blockquote><p><b>THAT is 1984! That is Nazi germany!</b> </p><p>That is attempting to <b>make us fit to one mould, so that we can be measured & overseen</b> for 'our own good' and <a href="http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/_download/?id=6081">this law that they are trying to force upon us </a>will not just apply to HE'ers...</p><p>It is just another tool in the governments agenda of social control from cradle to grave... if not before!... </p><p>"But what about 'Quality control'?" you say... <b></p><p>There ARE laws in place already</b> that can be used to deal with parents who a Local Education Authority, or any concerned member of society, feels is not providing education or appropriate care for their child.<br />
</p><p>The reason <b>kids slip through the net that IS already in place</b> is because <b>those laws are often not understood, or correctly applied</b>, by those who are being paid to do so!...</p><p>and because, unfortunately, some will always slip through the net.</p><p>The reality of life is that there are bad people out there & some of them are very evil.... <b>(<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1062940/I-obeying-orders---Schools-Secretary-Eddie-Balls-dressed-German-officer.html">& SOME OF THEM ARE IN OFFICIAL POSITIONS OF POWER OVER YOU & YOUR FAMILY RIGHT NOW!</a>)</b></p><p>Please believe me when I explain to you that this AGENDA DRIVEN PROPAGANDIST HATE CAMPAIGN AGAINST HOME EDUCATORS has <a href="http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/submissions_to_the_elective_home">proven itself again and again as A COMPLETE RED HERRING</a>... </p><p>This agenda has been pushed forward by <a href="http://maire-staffordshire.blogspot.com/2009/09/fisking-graham-badmans-plea-to-local.html">painting HE as a haven for neglect & abuse</a><br />
to occur unless tight guidelines & careful monitoring are used and<br />
have claimed to have the figures to back this up... </p><h2>However, in truth, the <a href="http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=rbrk5-GEdrUdcmfi670Mihg&gid=2">statistics prove the opposite of what the Badman review suggests.</a></h2><p>Home Education is HISTORICALLY & <a href="http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=rbrk5-GEdrUdcmfi670Mihg&gid=2">STATISTICALLY proven </a>to be one of the most positive ways of bringing up bright & happy children who go on to be successful & contented adults... thats why many Home Edders have, or still do work within education or child services but will not risk putting their own child through the power crazy Neu Liebour workhouses they want to <b>force </b>our kids<br />
into!</p><blockquote><p>"<a href="http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/consultations/index.cfm?action=consultationDetails&consultationId=1643&external=no">Day by day and almost minute by minute the past was brought up to<br />
date.</a> In this way every prediction made by the Party could be shown by<br />
documentary evidence to have been correct; nor was any item of news, or<br />
any expression of opinion, which conflicted with the needs of the<br />
moment, ever allowed to remain on record. All history was a palimpsest,<br />
scraped clean and reinscribed exactly as often as was necessary." - George Orwell, <i>1984</i>, Book 1, Chapter 3</p></blockquote><p><b>IF YOU HAVE NO LOVE FOR THIS CONTROL FREAK GOVERNMENT...may I urge you to take a look at the many many articles written on this subject. <a href="http://ahed.pbworks.com/"><br />
<br />
Home Education organisations</a> & individuals have sought to record & appraise all of the<a href="http://homeschooler.org.uk/start-here"> FACTS about, the lies being told</a> </b>& <b><a href="http://gritsday.blogspot.com/2009/11/now-i-have-munchhausens-syndrome-by.html">the propaganda that has been pushed</a> by our government & it's cronies, in order to demonise & vilify all home educating & free thinking families & individuals everywhere!</b></p><p><b>Once applied to Home Educators, THIS NEW SET OF POLICIES WILL HAVE TO APPLY TO ALL, or they would be classed in law as discriminatory...<br />
therefore, <a href="https://heyc.org.uk/news/2009/11/aug-2009-heyc-dcsf-meeting-transcript">THEY WILL APPLY TO ALL CHILDREN</a>... ALL OF THE TIME... EVEN YOURS!!!</b></p><br />
<br />
<p><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/nov/06/home-schooling"><b>THINK ABOUT THE POSSIBLE REASONS WHY </b></a><b><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/nov/06/home-schooling">THE STATE INTENDS TO ESTABLISH ITSELF LEGISLATIVELY AS THE 'PARENT' OF OUR CHILDREN</a>...</b><b><b><b><b>Then, <a href="http://ahed.pbworks.com/ParentsDeclaration">Just say NO! to the DCSF!!!</a></b></b></b></b></p><p></p><p>UPDATE: December 2009-<br />
<br />
"MP's have finally begun to get behind home educators & speak out against the proposals. It is likely that Labour will be ejected in the next election, but there are still NO cast iron guarantees from either of the main opponents that they will repeal this legislation.<br />
<br />
The Children, Schools and Families Select Committee has published a report which is somewhat critical of the initial government review into home education & the proposals for legislation, but fails to grasp the heart of the issue... that the government works for the parent(taxpayer/citizen) & that it is up to the parent(taxpayer/citizen) to decide whether or not to utilise state provision of services & not for the state to compel us to do so.<br />
<br />
Many families have stated their intent of non-compliance with this legislation, if introduced.<br />
I, for one, WILL NOT be bullied into subjecting my children to ANY process which I do not feel it is in their best interests to be part of.<br />
Some parents may be able to leave the country & start afresh in places with less draconian systems. But for many there will be no option except to stay & brazen it out." (<a href="http://learningliberty.lefora.com/">'Learning Liberty' Forum</a>) </p><script type="text/javascript">
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<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://ws.amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=GB&ID=V20070822/GB/hubpages04de-21/8006/10bb731e-48fe-43ad-8d3f-6aff84a6fe24"> </SCRIPT> <noscript><a HREF="http://ws.amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=GB&ID=V20070822%2FGB%2Fhubpages04de-21%2F8006%2F10bb731e-48fe-43ad-8d3f-6aff84a6fe24&Operation=NoScript">Amazon.co.uk Widgets</A></NOSCRIPT>HolisticHumanisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18371094113362635538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694133455441482598.post-69311110755114353392010-02-03T19:51:00.002+00:002010-02-12T12:20:07.125+00:00Our chosen method:<p><b><u>Autonomous Education/ Unschooling/'Free-Range' Education/Child-led learning:</u></b> </p><p><b>...are forms of home education which work on the belief that the conventional<br />
methods of<br />
traditional schooling, are counterproductive to maximising the<br />
education of the individual and that in fact it is preferable to allow<br />
children to learn through their natural life experiences. </b></p><p><b>This kind of<br />
educational philosophy is also sometimes known as the "free-range"<br />
method. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Student-centered_learning">Student-centred learning</a> is led by the children themselves &<br />
facilitated by the adults, child directed play is a key tenet of the<br />
unschooling philosophy. </b></p><p><b><a href="http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1568/is_5_33/ai_78575528/">Read an article</a><br />
about 'Un-schooling' written by Grace Llewellen, a former English<br />
teacher and the author of 'The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How to Quit<br />
School and Get a Real Life and Education' (1991) </b></p><br />
<p><b>Join my forum '<a href="http://learningliberty.lefora.com/">Learning Liberty</a>' for up to the minute news & lively topical debate.</b></p><p><b>Discuss civil liberties issues, share information & network with like minded individuals.</b></p><script type="text/javascript">
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<br />
<b>Did you know that <a href="http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1996/ukpga_19960056_en_2#pt1-ch1-pb4-l1g9">UK law</a> states that it's a parents responsibility to decide where & how their child should be educated?</b><br />
<br />
<i><u>"7</u><u>: </u><u>Duty of parents to secure education of children of compulsory school age</u></i><br />
<i>The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable-</i><br />
<i>(a)<br />
to his age, ability and aptitude, and</i><br />
<br />
<i>(b)<br />
to any special educational needs he may have,</i><br />
<br />
<i>either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.</i><br />
<b><br />
Did you know that in the UK it is perfectly legal NOT to send a child to a 'school' for their education, but to teach them yourself instead?</b><br />
<i><u>9: Pupils to be educated in accordance with parents wishes</u><br />
</i><br />
<i>In exercising or<br />
performing all their respective powers and duties under the Education<br />
Acts, the Secretary of State, local education authorities and the<br />
funding authorities shall have regard to the general principle that<br />
pupils are to be educated in accordance with the wishes of their<br />
parents, so far as that is compatible with the provision of efficient<br />
instruction and training and the avoidance of unreasonable public<br />
expenditure."</i> (<a href="http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1996/ukpga_19960056_en_2#pt1-ch1-pb4-l1g9">Education Act 1996</a>)<br />
<br />
<b>Did you know that it DOES NOT require ANY special qualifications & THOUSANDS of parents already do this in the UK, <a href="http://www.home-education.biz/">RIGHT NOW</a>!!!?</b><br />
<br />
<b>Did<br />
you know that children educated this way, more often than not, do much<br />
better in learning & life, than their schooled counterparts? (<a href="http://www.howchildrenlearnathome.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1">studies</a> have <a href="http://www.thuisonderwijs.net/artikelen/meighan-homebasededucation.html">been done</a> which <a href="http://pjrothermel.com/">illustrate this</a>)</b><br />
<br />
<b>Did you know that <a href="http://www.blogger.com/hub/Brown-Badman-Balls-The-Thought-Police">the UK government would like to remove this legal right from parents & children </a>so<br />
that THEY, not parents, can decide what is to be taught to ALL children<br />
& where that learning should take place? (& are currently<br />
attempting to bring in legislation to this effect)</b><br />
<br />
<b>Did you know that the UK government intends to let it's employees interview<br />
children ALONE, a power which even the police do not have. They have<br />
stated that <a href="http://www.blogger.com/hub/Elective-Home-Education-in-the-UK-A-brief-history">they will force children into schools</a> if the parents refuse to comply with their policies!</b><br />
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