First just let me state that you are the most polite liberal I've ever encountered and I appreciate that.

"Please explain what a physical handicap has to do with learning ability?"

Well, deafness and blindness could pose a little learning barrier. Accesibility and special medical needs require all schools to be specially equipped where only specialized schools otherwise would be.

"One of my best friends father was a serious alcoholic. His mother floating around in a Valium induced haze. He is a full professor and working on his second or third Ph'd. He was also valedictorian of my high school. Does the fact that alcohol is a legal drug and the valium was by prescription really change anything?"

No, and I'll bet he was not an impediment to the learning of others.

"Which learning disabilities? I have a friend of mine with two dyslexic, ADS children. They've done quite well up through ninth grade without dragging the rest of the class into the mud. Granted they've only managed a 3.8 average."

The schools have been "dumbed down" so much by this point that a 4.0 AIN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE!

"Need I add that none of the private schools would even consider them."

There should be private schools that cater to every type of individual need better than the government "equality" school.

"Strange that all these problems have existed for a long time, yet public schools (with all those undesirables mixed with the select), managed to invent, discover and build the modern world"

Actually we've been importing engineering, scientific, medical and math professional for decades. Our colleges are complaining of poorly equipped American high school graduates, in dire need of remedial reading and math training.

"You start with the absolute fact that the public school system is bad, wrong and a failure "

It is, why else would we be so low when compared to students (K-12) from other countries of the world.

"I will agree that chronic discipline problems need to be pulled out of the mainstream. Do that and add class sizes comparable to that of most private schools and I think that even with all those undesirables, you'd be amazed at what public schools can do. As they have demonstarted in the Palm Beach District"

Isn't that where they found all those people who screwed up their ballots because of illiteracy? (see today's news)

"I miss how schools teach promiscuity. That's a moral value and the duty of the parents. Their failure isn't the schools fault."

Putting a condom on a banana, instruction on anal sex, not informing parents before aiding a female student in obtaining an abortion etc.

"Homosexuality seems to be at least partially genetic"

Bu77$hi+! In that case so does axe murderer!

"It can't be "taught".(What would you call the call the class?)"

I would call the textbooks, "Heather has two Mommies" and "Daddy's Roommate"

"Given that over 60% of the adults in this country believe in some form of junk science (and less than 40% have any confidence in science)

60% of the adults may have learned that at public school. I'm talking global warming here.

"I think you need to look else where for blame. And if those statistics can be laid at the door of the public schools, why would we let people like that make important decisions about their children?"

Well, in your terms, 40% don't (believe in junk science) and should be able to make that choice. The aformentioned 60% can leave their kids in the government indoctrination centers and take their chances.

"Your comment on political correctness is valid. It is contrary to the supposed value of education and learning and no one seems willing to stop it. Quite the contrary, they institutionalize it, It has and will come back to haunt us."

Thank you, this is the bulk of my point. PC violates free speech (and thinking)

"I also agree that we have given up trying to teach children how to think. I lay that at the door of some parents.(the ones who are politically active on both ends of the political spectrum). Teaching children how to think means they start asking questions, questioning assumptions and challenging the accepted. Neither the PC nor the RR crowd want their orthodoxy questioned. Their solutions are two-fold. Intimidate the public schools. And start private schools that support their particular mind-set. Another problem to be solved."

Hell, I'll bet face to face over a cup of coffee, we wouldn't disagree at all.

The public schools need a little intimidating. The arrogant LSC union thug educrats who advocate solely for themselves can go ^&%@$^&**%$!

Those parents who do give a damn shouldn't be forced to place their kids in a learning environment contrary to their belief system.

"PS: (and in partial jest) Maybe, rather than special schools for the less than ideal, we can just deport them. Saves tons of money and helps clean up the gene pool. Sorry, but you were edging real close to the edge there."

Oh give me a break, many slow learners, handicapped and disruptive students would be able to benefit greatly from specialized schools and be able to re-enter the mainstream student community, many may be gifted students.

Now you have to admit, this is a departure from the status quo. We only protect the education monoply if we deny competition.

mav out