I don't know if you have children, ichMael, but our children are NOT being retarded by the educational system. Individually there are children who are abused, neglected, abandoned, but that is not the aim of the school system, its teachers or concerned and involved parents.

Years ago, I came to realize that the question 'Why can't Johnny read?' is answered by 'Because Mommy and Daddy don't read'.

That may be a generalization but I believe that when Johnny's parent reach for a book when he or she sits down, perhaps discusses what he or she has been reading and anticipates his or her plans for a must-have book, Johnny will soak up naturally the information that reading is a fun, interesting thing to do.

Repeating that blather above is a mark of ignorance.