Tyranny!

For the past forty years, the United States government has increasingly passed laws for "the good" of citizens (specific groups in many cases!).

According to C.S. Lewis, "Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."

Our government is no longer a republic under elected leaders who care about our best interests. Instead - we are living under TYRANNY!!!

Sonya Haskins

Trading guns for gift cards

South Carolina ministers are giving gift cards in exchange for citizens' guns in an attempt to "reduce" the number of guns in the communities.

First, these are liberal churches who apparently don't believe in the second amendment!

Second, it stinks of government involvement.

KEEP YOUR GUNS, GOOD CITIZENS!!! KEEP YOUR GUNS...

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/03/27/south-carolina-ministers-trade-store-gift-cards-guns/?test=latestnews

Radio interview about homeschooling - March 20

Hey everyone! There will be a really neat discussion of homeschooling on the radio tomorrow that I thought might be of interest to some of you. We already taped tomorrow's show and it will be an HOUR long. We discuss the responsibility of education, how to address the socialization question, misunderstandings about homeschooling, what it means to homeschool (why are we doing this?!?), how to handle the "skeptics," and several other important issues. The lady who did the interview actually homeschooled her children when they were school-age. These are questions that come up a lot as I talk with homeschoolers and it would be great if you would like to let others (especially new homeschoolers or those interested in teaching their children at home) know about the interviews.

You CAN listen live online. The show is Woman to Woman with host Barbara Tompkins on KGMS in Tuscon, Arizona. It will air from 1 - 2:00 PT Saturday so of course this will be 4:00 - 5:00 Eastern Time.

I'll try to get a downloadable file to go on my website later, but I don't know if this will be possible so try to listen on Saturday if you can.

What: Radio interview about homeschooling
Date: Saturday, March 20
Time: 4-5:00 p.m. Eastern time (1-2:00 Pacific time)
Location: Tuscon, Arizona
Format: Taped - radio / internet
Availability: Listen live in Tuscon area. Listen via the Internet from any location.

Link to site where you can listen live: http://kgms.com/index.php (Near the top of the page is a "Listen Live" link.)

I hope some of you will be able to tune in.

Thanks!
Sonya Haskins

6-yr-old suspended from MI public school for making gun gesture w/ hand

If the student suspended for the cafeteria knife or the two boys suspended last year for a Boy Scout camping utensil set (which contained a "dangerous weapon" - the knife) weren't enough, now a SIX-year-old Michigan student has been suspended for making a gun gesture out of his hand and pointing it at other students. While some of the other students were said to be "uncomfortable" with the gun gesture, rather than suspend the little boy, I would have suggested that they show them how to make gun gestures with their hands as well and point back. After all, a friendly game of "cops and robbers" or "Cowboys and Indians" never hurt Opie Taylor (or me and my brother and all our friends for that matter)!

Of course today, Cowboys and Indians is no longer appropriate because they aren't "Indians" as Columbus mistakenly thought - and we've been trying to correct that for nearly 600 years. They are "Native Americans" and that just doesn't have the same ring to it. Besides, since kids aren't allowed to play with guns any more and any cowboy in his right mind wouldn't be caught DEAD without a gun ... well, actually, that's the problem, a cowboy without a gun was kind of like someone in the Wild West holding up a huge sign saying, "Go ahead, just shoot me. I don't have enough sense to carry a gun to hunt wild animals, protect myself from rattlesnakes, shoot coyotes that try to eat my cattle, etc. so perhaps I just want to be shot." So Cowboys and Indians is out.

And even playing "Cops and Robbers" isn't appropriate any more. You wouldn't want to stage one group of kids against the other, after all, and the "robbers" might be mislabeled. After all, it's not politically correct if their attorneys aren't present and they are innocent until proven guilty so no shooting until ... well, no shooting. They should be able to languish in jail at taxpayers' expense for the next thirty years and then allowed out on parole, again at taxpayers' expense, when they'll be able to get a "fresh start" on life, but be way too old to play cops and robbers any more. The "cops" aren't supposed to use their guns unless absolutely necessary and if you face reality, it's really no fun when you just run around the yard yelling, "Stop, or I'll shoot." Just SHOOT the robber! You already KNOW they're the robbers because you're playing cops and robbers!! What's the harm in letting kids be kids? And whatever happened to um, let's see... imagination?!? It's PRETEND play. It's not supposed to be real!

There is something to be said for letting children play pretend and get it out of their system, but here's another thought. Even though we do have checks and balances (such as a trial by jury of our peers and innocent until proven guilty), I would say that a lot of these old games were great for several reasons. Here are a couple. First off, they were definitely pretend and the kids knew that. We could use more separation between reality and pretend in today's world. Second, there were definite good guys and definite bad guys (who would vary from week to week depending on who wanted to play which role). There was one side or the other. Kids KNEW this and they picked sides! Today everyone is soooo concerned with being politically correct - saying things the right way, doing things the right way, and not offending anyone that we sometimes have a difficult time figuring out who is who any more.

The teenager who walks into the high school carrying a concealed shotgun under his trench coat is doing something BAD. He is a BAD GUY. The six-year-old who pretends to make a gun with his hand and points it at his classmate is doing nothing bad. He is not a bad guy. I'd say he is mostly likely a bored six-year-old who would MUCH RATHER be outside playing cops and robbers than sitting inside a classroom listening to his teacher drone on about some politically correct lesson related to civil rights or evolution.

OK, I guess I should admit here that I could have just said, "There was a boy suspended from public school for making a gun with his hand. If you'd like to read the article, go here: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,588183,00.html?test=latestnews"

But I didn't. It's just SO frustrating that I wanted to - in this case - vent a little. I could go on and on forever about how RIDICULOUS this is. If anyone wants to say how boys shouldn't use guns or how was a good decision on the school's part to prevent the future possibility of violence, we could discuss that. We used to say we'd NEVER let our boys play with guns and we'd NEVER own a gun ourselves. Well... you know what they say. Never say "never." Biblically we're admonished to train children in the way they should go. I obviously believe this means to train them toward following Christ and share the gospel, but I also believe this means training them based on the examples we see in the Bible of proper behavior of men and women - taking care of the home, being frugal with money, being of godly character, and YES, even learning to use weapons and being ready and willing to defend their homeland, their property, their families, their values, their right to worship the Lord, their children or anything else that needs defending. Learning to stand up for what is right - and knowing the difference between right and wrong - is something that is just as important to learn as the ABCs or 123s! It's going to be difficult to train young men to stand up for what is right and have the skills to do so if we continue to raise effeminate boys who grow into men with no bearing on how to be manly.

Sonya Haskins, author of Homeschooling for the Rest of Us

www.thehomeschooladvocate.com

P.S. The only way to be sure that this doesn't happen to your children is to teach them at home!! : )

Harvest Show - Monday, March 8 - homeschool interview

I received news tonight that a taped interview I did during the National Religious Broadcasters convention this past week will be on the Harvest Show Monday, March 8. The discussion will be about homeschooling. It's a very short interview - only about seven minutes long, but in addition to other issues, we do discuss the "big" question - socialization.

If the show is available in your area, you can find out viewing times and stations here: http://www.harvest-tv.com/ShowInfo/Viewing-Times.cfm

If you would like to watch online, visit http://www.harvest-tv.com/index.cfm. It will be available online later in the morning after the show airs.

I hope some of you will mark your calendars now and make time to watch it! Also, if you enjoy the program, PLEASE let the producers know that you appreciated the coverage about HOME EDUCATION. Any positive feedback they receive about this will encourage them to develop a positive homeschool-friendly perspective and share programs of interest to homeschoolers.

Thanks!

Sonya Haskins, author of Homeschooling for the Rest of Us

The Life of Washington - book review

If you're looking for an absolutely terrific history book that hasn't been modified to satisfy the liberals trying to force "political correctness," then you need to read this book!

Originally published in 1842, the reprint has retained original spelling and vocabulary (a GREAT way to build vocabulary skills). It shares stories from George Washington's life that integrate his faith and character.

This should be essential reading for all students of American History. It would be especially beneficial for homeschool families (or other educators) who want to integrate original, classic works into their studies.

Sonya Haskins

Publisher: Attic Books / New Leaf Publishing Group (Another wonderful option from New Leaf PG!)

Format: Hardcover

Retail Price: $16.99

Publication Date: reprint of 1842 vintage original text (reprinted in 2

this year's Christian Writer's Guild Operation First Novel winner was homeschooled

Below is a press release from Tyndale House about this years award-winning Christian novel. The lady was homeschooled all 12 years. Yeah! A lot of you ask me about how to encourage your students who are interested in being published... Share this with them! Visit her website. She talks a lot about how homeschooling influenced her journey. It's encouraging to read news like this.

Sonya :)


Homeschool Graduate Pens Award-winning Christian Novel!

[Lititz, PA] "If it weren't for homeschooling, I wouldn't be where I am today," says C.J. Darlington, a homeschool graduate who started writing her first novel when she was fifteen-years-old. That novel, Thicker than Blood, recently won the Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest.

The grand prize included $20,000 and publication by renowned publisher Tyndale House. Thicker than Blood has now hit bookstores across the country and is even being featured in select Walmart stores.

With endorsements from the likes of Jerry B. Jenkins, Rebecca St. James, Susan Meissner, and James Scott Bell, Thicker than Blood tells the story of estranged sisters May and Christy Williams. Booklist has called it a "modern twist on the prodigal son story" and ultimately the novel delivers a message of the forgiving and redemptive power of God available to all those hurting among us.

"I hope my journey encourages homeschool parents to keep the faith and never give up," C.J. says. "You're giving your kids an awesome gift by homeschooling them. I'm living proof that homeschooling works!"

"With Thicker than Blood, C.J. Darlington proves she's a novelist for the long-haul, a strong new voice in Christian fiction. This book speaks to the heart, from the heart, about the heart. Readers will not soon forget it."
---Sibella Giorello, Pulitzer Prize nominee, homeschool mom and award winning author of The Stones Cry Out and The Rivers Run Dry

To request a review copy of Thicker than Blood, or to request an interview with C.J., feel free to e-mail her directly at cj@cjdarlington.com

Her website http://www.cjdarlington.com includes high-res photos, the book trailer, bios, reviews and more.

Visit to National Religious Broadcasters Convention

After a long weekend, we’re home from the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Nashville. We had a wonderful time and a safe trip so I wanted to say thank you to everyone who prayed for a safe travel. Also, I received several notes from people that you would specifically pray that the Lord would be able to use my words to glorify HIM and help the cause of homeschooling and parental freedoms. I can’t tell you all that was done this weekend – it was just amazing. I had a great time and there were many doors opened! I was able to do several interviews (radio, television and web) so hopefully I’ll be able to post announcements about those in the future. They’ll be aired in the coming months – all are about homeschooling except for the interview I did with Campus Crusade for Christ, which was more of my personal testimony.

I did want to share a couple of funny stories that I thought readers might enjoy.

The interviews I did this time were especially fun because they were with very large media outlets (national in most cases) so in one they actually tried to “fix” my hair, which is basically impossible with naturally curly hair! The lady figured that out after a few minutes of trying to get my curls to go where she wanted them so she finally just sprayed them down with hair spray. : )

Many of you know we don’t have cable at home or watch much television (it’s wasted time and pointless anyway with only two channels!). When we go to hotels, however, we LOVE to watch those “fix your home” type shows. We were watching one of these in the hotel and Micah (12) said, “Look at that sink in the bathroom. It’s almost on the floor!” I said, “Micah, that’s not a sink. It’s called a ‘bidet.’” He still didn’t know what it was so we explained how it works and I said, “It’s like a sink for your bottom.” You should have heard the kids laughing! Life is always a learning experience.

Then, on Sunday, I had finished my interviews so I was waiting for Chris to pick me up. Finally, he drove up in our 15-passenger-van. I walked around to the other side of the van and he started loading my bag, my computer case, etc.. While he was loading things, another lady walked up to him and said, “Is this the shuttle to the mall?” You should have seen his face!! He was so embarrassed. I told him he should have let her join us since we were heading that direction anyway. It was so funny. On the other hand, I pointed out to Chris that if I were paying $220 a night for a hotel room and they tried to pick me up in our van, I would be incredibly upset!!

Among the people I met or saw in Nashville, I ran into Matthew Hill, Ron Ramsey, and a few other leaders or media professionals I've met before. I visited the people from Answers in Genesis (the Creation Museum), met a few authors (doing book signings), and had a TERRIFIC evaluation of my website from a professional website development firm while I was there. I’ll be implementing some of the changes they suggested over the coming weeks so that’s exciting.

I also had lunch with Focus on the Family’s Dr. James Dobson. Well.... not really. : ) What happened was that after I purchased an itty bitty box of Asian food for lunch, which cost $7.50!!, there was not one single table with a chair open where I could eat. There were, however, those tall bar-size tables where people stand to write notes, make phone calls and such. I just stood at one of those and started eating my lunch when Dr. Dobson started to walk by. He was with several people and they stopped and talked right beside my table for about ten minutes. It was enough time for me to finish my lunch so I told the kids I “had lunch” with him. At the end of their conversation, one of the men wanted a picture so I took that for them and then, having my book handy, I took advantage of the moment and thrust it into Dr. Dobson’s hand, telling him I’d like to give it to him. I know many of you were praying for the Lord to open doors as He saw fit. You never know what will become of a “chance” meeting so hopefully he’ll read the book and find in it something he likes. I believe my publicist said Focus on the Family is starting a new program soon specifically for homeschoolers so maybe they will be interested in discussing some of the concepts mentioned in the book – placing the responsibility of learning back on the student, focusing on relationships and obedience early on in the child’s life rather than stuffing them with academics, encouraging homeschool parents to evaluate their relationship with Christ as a priority over everything (including homeschooling), etc.

When I find out more about when any of the interviews will air, I’ll post the information. There was a lot of discussion – from me and others – about the Obama administration, the German homeschool family who is seeking asylum in the United States, homeschool rights and how they link to parental freedoms in general, and much more – from me AND others. It was great to be around so many like-minded individuals who see how important homeschool freedoms are, whether someone wants to homeschool or not. If we lose this right, we WILL lose the right to parent our children as we see fit in every area.

Thanks again for your prayers.

Sonya Haskins, author of Homeschooling for the Rest of Us

www.thehomeschooladvocate.com