"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." Wendell PhillipsOne very real example of the need for vigilance is last week's California appellate court ruling regarding homeschooling in California. In a case of possible abuse of children, a three-panel judge has taken it upon themselves to make sweeping statements regarding homeschooling as unconstitutional, and negating the rights of parents to direct the education of their children. It really is breathtaking and dismaying! In one sweep of judicial arrogance, these judges have attempted to dismantle the constitutional rights of homeschoolers in California, with broad implications for all parental rights. While I agree with the state prosecuting any family guilty of real neglect and abuse (and perhaps the family at the heart of the lawsuit is, indeed, guilty of such...) I rebel in every fiber at the idea that the court would attempt to make broad constitutional interpretations in such a manner! If this holds, no parents are safe from any kind of government interference.
If you wish to educate yourself on this issue, here are some resources I have been reading this morning:
- Denny Burk has listed many excellent resources at his blog here (with thanks to JT for pointing it out...) including a radio clip and several newspaper articles covering the ruling.
- The petition from HSLDA to depublish the decision can be signed here. I hope many of you will do so.
- Governor Schwartzenegger has issued a strongly-worded statement you can read here.
- A short video from The Daily Case Report explaining the issues in the case can be found here. (Thanks to LD for her links!)
- Kathleen has some excellent thoughts at her blog here.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke
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