TFOT Show 5/24/08, 8 a.m. central, at www.praise940.com, click on ‘listen live’.

Topic: Exposing the myths of mass education

Guest: John Taylor Gatto, 3-time NY City Teacher of the Year and NY State Teacher of the Year

“THINK IT THROUGH:
Each week I ask listeners to analyze headlines and hidden agendas and think things through. This week the topics were:
- Follow up to last week’s show (see blog dated 5/17/08). After passing both Iowa Houses, The Emancipation of a Child bill, SF 2364 was vetoed by the Governor Culver. This legislation was dangerous and intrusive with irreconcilable consequences on Iowa families.
- Update on Texas LDS Tragedy where 400 plus children were unlawfully removed from their homes by CPS agents and state authorities. With no arrests, and warrants dropped, the over zealous behavior of authorities is becoming increasingly more glaring. For nearly six weeks TFOT listeners have been asked to consider the dangerous implications for all American parents if authorities are allowed to invade private homes unconstitutionally on the basis of ‘potential danger’ or religious bias. LA Times reported Texas officials had admitted at least 15 of the mothers the state initially detained as child brides were adults; one as old as 27.
- Memorial Day Take time to pay respects to loved ones and decorate family graves with your children so you can share a memory or some family history.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
- Friday, May 30, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. The Meyer Orchestra
under the direction of Cheryl Kutscher will be performing in the Sheslow Auditorium located in the Old Main Building on Drake Campus. The concert is free to the public and a great way to expose young musicians to the beauty of classical music.
- June 3, 2008 Primary elections in Iowa. Know your candidates, see what your choices are and make an informed one – VOTE.
- June 6 & 7, 2008, NICHE - Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators annual conference.

INTERVIEW:
John Taylor Gatto was a public school teacher who climaxed his teaching career as New York State Teacher of the Year after being named New York City Teacher of the Year on three occasions. He quit teaching on the OP ED page of the Wall Street Journal in 1991 while still New York State Teacher of the Year, claiming that he was no longer willing to hurt children.

Gatto has a vast knowledge and ability to break apart the educational ‘programs’ and expose their purpose and origin. In his book, “The Underground History of American Education”, John exposes the myths of mass education that many parents have sensed, but don’t quite feel qualified or know how to express. He explains how America’s schools have become breeding grounds for boredom and alienation; alienating students from parents and their peers, and teachers from administrators and other teachers. He discusses the damage of labeling children whether it be talented and gifted or with a learning disability, both have little meaning outside the classroom. Beyond the violence, John explains the simple structure of the school day is unhealthy to children and can lead to obesity and diabetes due to inactivity.

Gatto’s insights surpass the school house doors. He moves pass the superficial argument of ‘supply and demand’ being the root of high gas prices to the real issue of government control and behavior modification which falls in place with Sen. Harkin’s comment that “Iowans will have to cut back on their travel”. This relates to the ‘group think’ being taught in our schools today and how it eradicates individual morally and critical thinking skills as we wait for approval from the masses.

If you read nothing more than the prologue and you will have much to think about and hopefully some of those ‘pieces’ will start falling into place. In the Fourth Purpose, a documentary series, Gatto gives compelling evidence of what is wrong with our schools and he then gives parents, students, and teachers extraordinary alternatives. John’s new book, Weapons of Mass Instruction will be available this fall.

Note from the show host:
Many parents feel that they must turn their children over the ‘experts’ for education. If you are one of those parents, please take time to read John’s book and understand these education professionals have lives of their own. Your children will NOT be their priority, but they should be yours. Consider your priorities and how you might possibly rearrange your time or finances and consider giving your child an educational boost by removing them from government indoctrination centers. Too many students today are unhappy and unhealthy. The rat trap of a ‘good education’ for the purpose of a ‘good degree’ so a ‘good job’ can be held to achieve a ‘good life’ will just continue to lead to a larger rat trap of unhappiness if not illness. American children are taking more prescription drugs than ever before, they are increasingly depressed and teen suicides are rising. Each fall millions of American parents place their children in the hands of a stranger and expect something they are not willing to give themselves. Why would a stranger put more effort, time, or thought into your child than you do? The best teacher may be well intentioned, but will still have a ‘bad’ day. Read about Bianca. God uniquely designed you to be the parents of your children. Trust Him to help you in the process. If God cares about the sparrow, how much more will he care about your children, Matthew 10:29. Start now prayerfully considering what environment your child should be in next fall. Who will best teach your children this fall? It likely ISN’T a stranger.

“We must view young people not as empty bottles to be filled, but as a candle to be lit.” Robert Shaffer

Blessings,
Tamara

TFOT show 5/17/08, 8 a.m. central, www.praise940.com, click on “listen live”.

Guest: Scott Woodruff, Esq., Home School Legal Defense Association

Topics to think through:
- A salute the men and women in uniform this Armed Forces Day
- Iowa’s Governor Chet Culver vetoes dangerous Collective Bargaining bill.
- University of Toledo has suspended and administrator for expressing free thought in an editorial letter she provided as a private citizen to a Toledo newspaper refuting homosexual behavior as a civil right equal to a disability or race. Go to Worldnet Daily for the complete story.
- CA court overrules the will of the people on Traditional Marriage Unconstitutional.
- Warrants dropped and no arrests made in LDS community in TX, yet hundreds of children still held in state’s custody causing heartbreak for parents.
- When advertising initiatives called for Iowans to follow Minnesota’s lead in spending more money to ‘curb’ unwed/unwanted pregnancies many voters had concerns as to how those dollars might be spent. Figures from MN DHS only add to those concerns as MN taxpayers were forced to pay $1.6 mill for abortions in 2006.

Interview:

Scott Woodruff will be sharing in four workshops at the upcoming (NICHE) annual conference is June 6th and 7th in Des Moines, Iowa. Scott will share about ‘12 Prophets of Error’ that have profoundly impacted our culture in negative ways, protecting children and the 4th Amendment, latest updates in Iowa home schooling law, and the need to protect the authority and integrity of the traditional family through Parental Rights.

Most parents don’t understand their rights and crumble at the thought of Child Protective Services at their door. What are the rights of a parent? Do you know your rights as a parent? Does the state need warrant to enter your home? What does the 4th Amendment of the Constitution say concerning this topic? Do those in question ever get to face their accused? Scott will answer many of these questions at the upcoming Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators (NICHE) annual conference is June 6th and 7th , call 800-723-0438 for more information.

Scott also discussed SF 2364 Emancipation of a Minor. Concerned with the “breathtakingly broad” language in the bill, Scott warned Iowa parents that any child who might be unhappy or rebelling could declare emancipation for their parents with no consent from the parents. Social workers eager to help a child they perceive as ‘better off’ away from the family could instruct and aid in the process of declaring emancipation on behalf of the child. An act consider irretrievable should the family be able to repair relationships and family ties. Recent headlines expose numerous instances where courts have ruled against parents and removed custody of their children over issues such as church attendance, home work requirements, refusal to allow dating privileges, and other basic issues that have usually fallen under parental rights, if not good parenting.

The good news is SF2364 was vetoed later in the day, Friday May 16th, after the show was taped. While it was unfortunate this news was not available for listeners previous to the taping, alerting Iowans to the potential danger of this invasive legislation was still time well spent. For more information go to State Legislative website and search for SF2364.

Helping you protect the treasures God gave you as parents,

Tamara

TFOT 5/10/08

Topic: Motherhood

Guest: Nina Bell, Field Development Coordinator for Concerned Women for America

Motherhood - It will never be as mundane as the media makes it out to be, nor will it be as glamorous as Hollywood spices it up to be; but it will be what we, as moms, make it out to be. It could be glorious if we allow it to be what God designed it to be.

We forget, God, the Creator of all, specifically places every child with the mother he chose to be their nurturer, advocate, protector, and teacher. Yet, too often, we think someone else might be more capable to train, teach, or care for our children. And too often, we are wrong.

Our kids don't need daycare, they don't need government funded teachers, they don't need youth pastors; they need parents! While any of the above mentioned may supplement parents, moms and dads are responsible before God for their children.

Parents need not be perfect, we need only be persistent in pursuing God's direction in raising their kids. Nina Bell of Concerned Women for America walked right into our hearts has she shared stories from her home. Her past experiences allowed every listener to understand that alone we will fail, but with Christ we have hope.

In an unhappy marriage, Nina aborted her second pregnancy only to find herself pregnant a short time later. Through prayer, surrender, and study, God strengthened her marriage over time. Nina reminded listeners that Salvation didn't make problems disappear, but it did give her a new love for her family and a way to handle trials and heartbreaks. Nina's story reminded us that God is the God of total restoration, and because of that, condemnation has no place when we have repented and given our pasts to God. Nina and her husband grew closer together as they grew closer in the Lord. They raised three sons and Nina enjoyed the honor of being at home while raising them.

Today, Mothers should be on the 'Endangered Species' list as too many are disappearing out of the home and outsourcing the care and raising of their children to strangers. Our homes are larger and nicer than years' past, yet the family is torn and tattered. Our kids are taking more prescriptions than ever before, but they are not necessarily healthier. Both parents are working to earn money, but many families are worse off financially than families were decades ago when Mother's stayed home and cherished the wealth of their children. If a mother wishes to work - fine, but government shouldn't force mothers out of the home financially.

When the family is healthy, society benefits. When the family is hurting, society pays the price. We see this today in our crime rates, prescription and non-prescription drug use, unwed pregnancies, alcohol abuse, incarceration rates, etc. Perhaps government would fare better to find some federal funding for mothers like we do other 'endangered species'. At the very least, we should discontinue fiscal policies that promote the outsourcing of raising our children like daycare credits or free child care which costs all mothers more money in the long run. Surely, the heart of a mother is better than the hand of a stranger in nurturing our children and worthy of equal funding.

Additional source mentioned was Mary Eberstadt's book Home Alone America and the Hidden Toll of Day Care
Purchase Home Alone America.

Children are the only earthly treasures we can take to Heaven with us; but we can't 'take' them, we must 'train' them to get to Heaven on their own through salvation. According to Worldview Weekend, 88% percent of children raised in Christian homes will walk away from their faith by college graduation.

Moms - you're uniquely qualified for a job that God gave you and no one else - raising your children.

Psalm 127:3,4
Tamara

TFOT 5/3/08

Topic: How to mentor and train others to be leaders

Guest: Dr. Jeffrey Myers, Passing the Baton International

As baby boomers, WWII veterans, and our grandparents disappear, so is their knowledge, history, and experience.

According to Dr. Myers' new book 'Handoff' The Harvard Business Review reports that "The CEO succession process is broken in North America and is no better in many other parts of the world." Five hundred of the largest companies can expect to lose 50 percent of their senior management by 2010 and 40% of companies don't have a leadership succession plan.*

Governing magazine reports that as baby boomers retire, the knowledge and experience necessary to conduct government is going out the door with them. Warns Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, "The looming retirement of so many baby boomers is a seismic event that will affect our workforce in profound ways." MIT professor David DeLong says that NASA would have to start from scratch to conduct a moon landing because those on the original team have all retired or passed away.*

Dr. Myers once again breaks down a difficult subject into everyday language and illustrations that we can understand and embrace giving us the confidence to step up and mentor others. Jeff has a way of sharing his personal stories so we can laugh and learn all the while he educates us on history and philosophical myths. The book is an enjoyable and quick read breaking down the intimidation of 'mentoring' with easy lessons and ideas of ways we can make a difference in the life of a young person.

Dr. Myers if offering two copies of his book and an audio download for only $20 as a special offer for TFOT listeners. Go to Handoff for more information.

Equipping you to educate others for eternity,
Tamara Scott

*information taken from Jeff's book Handoff.