I love when clueless people comment
20 06 2008It’s so real and personal. And when I am too busy to blog, gives me ready made material. Sure, Cara’s entitled to her opinion, and I’m entitled to make her look like an idiot for voicing it.
Cara says:
About home-schooling — I think it is okay, IF the “parent/instructor” is given academic testing FIRST, to see if they qualify to teach their children. I do think there should be routine testing of the children, possibly the parents too. Perhaps even psychological testing for the potential parent doing the homeschooling. My concern is that there are a lot of parents unqualified academically themselves, much less capable of teaching their children.
I also wonder if homeschooled children aren’t less socially adept as they grow up, and what they might miss by simply not mingling with their peers through their childhood years. The issue of hidden abuse is certainly important too; any time you shield children from an outside environment, it’s a potential abuser’s avenue to remaining unknown.
I come from an alcoholic/abusive homelife, and believe me, I LOVED public school. It was the time I could get away from the nightmares of homelife and made me realize our living situation was highly abnormal. While abuse certainly takes place even in homes where children are in public schools, at least the children have time AWAY from that environment — and in today’s more open willingness to report and investigate abuse, it could save lives.
Cara, Cara, Cara, you “wonder”, that’s a good start - but why stop there? (Doc wonders what the fuck kind of “former journalist/editor you are, to not be able to do simple research OR spell - home life - two words). Doc has already written extensively about the myth of socialization, homeschool academic performance consistently outperforming public school performance regardless of parental education levels, poorly qualified and abusive public school teachers, and bad parents of all stripes… there’s a search box in the side bar for you. Lots and lots and LOTS of other people (many of them in my blogroll) have written about these topics. People with actual homeschooling AND parenting experience. Big gigantic enormous research organizations have written about these topics. Nobody with any sense has ever come to the same opinions you have (notice I did not use the word conclusion, that comes AFTER careful study of a topic). Research tools - the internet has them. Touch them, use them, learn from them, because honey, you’re just about the biggest fucktard to ever grace my pages.
now I would have thought Cara was an also ran tbh, it’s fairly stereotypical, we’ve read it all before, commenting. Surely you’ve had more, um, individual or creative attempts previously?
Actually, I think my reputation is far enough established that the
creepsless intelligent don’t comment much. The poorly written and purely trollish comments get shit-canned without fanfare, but the truly obtuse get center stage. Cara actually believes what she’s written.See, that’s the problem with homeschoolers these days. These poor kids are being educated by parents use the word “fucktard.”
Ahhh, another shining example of exactly why my kids won’t go to public school. I’m teaching them to actually research and study a topic before making an opinion. Rather than being spoon-fed garbage and believing it. Thank you Cara, thank you.
I homeschooled my son for several years during his middle school years, because of the abuse he was taking at the hands of other children. He has Asperger’s Syndrome, which made it very difficult for him to read people. He is extremely intelligent, and the teachers were not challenging him whatsoever. Instead, he got three years at home with me, getting a quality education that prepared him to be the successful college student he is today. I really wish that people who put down homeschoolers would just do their homework before forming an opinion, particularly on someone’s blog like this. It sounds to me as though she had a hellish home life. I think that is what was really behind her post.
Peace - D
Wow, why don’t you tell us what you really think. I’m think I’m a little afraid to comment now.
Why? Are you planning to walk into my living room (my blog) and shit on my carpet (badmouth nearly my entire lifestyle)? If you’re not, you’re cool. I allow lots and lots of dissenting opinions. I don’t drag everyone in front of the class, just the special cases.
You know, it occurred to me recently that the same people who call for regulation of homeschooling parents would probably change their mind right quickly if someone suggested *any* parent be subjected to the same even before having kids.
And doesn’t it get old, dealing with dumb people?
Actually I’m not so sure about that — I think parents of school-aged kids are a minority demographic these days (about one-third? — can’t verify that, it’s from old memory) and if that’s true, it would explain a lot of things about this culture’s ignorant yet superior attitude toward parents, and the blithe regulatory blather specifically.
You know, I was interviewed this week about lesbian relationships, and one of the questions was about “red flags in potential partners” and I SHOULD have added “childless parenting experts”. We all know one. Heck, pre-children, we all WERE one. Ha ha ha ha ha.
That’s the truth!
And I was representing the supt. and school board in a 30,000+ student district back then, so I spent all my time talking to parents about their kids (getting beat up on the bus or strip-searched by Officer Friendly or whatever) and telling them with complete confidence that “we” knew better than they did” . . . Ha ha ha indeed!
I know that this issue is way beyond just important to you but I really think you were harsh in labeling her a fucktard(though maybe just a little funny). I really don’t think she was badmouthing your whole lifestyle. It was pretty clear to me that she was projecting her own fears of what her life would have been like had she, specifically, been homeschooled in her home environment.
While uninformed about homeschooling in general, I don’t think her comments were inflammatory or hostile toward you. I’m also pretty sure you have had much bigger fucktards grace your pages than this lady.
Additionally, from my own perspective, if I had to carefully research a topic or familiarize myself with everything written by a person on their blog or if I thought I was going to be ridiculed for every grammar misstep or typo, I don’t think I would ever comment.
It’s more of an open, albeit very personal forum to express opinions and share information and yes, maybe even educate people who are uninformed so they can be exposed to the info that will help balance their perspective. I know it’s called Doc’s Rants and you are very well-informed and fervent on this issue but when you call people names and belittle them for not knowing as much as you do, you shut down the dialogue and the learning stops.
I just have to say after reading that and the comments already left ~ “Fucktard” would be the perfect word for her! In fact I think it is my new favorite profanity! I read things like this all time and wonder where these people really came from. I don’t know very many people who truely enjoyed PS, but I do not a LOT who didn’t and a LOT who LOVE home schooling!
Thanks for sharing all your interesting perspectives!
“About home-schooling — I think it is okay, IF the “parent/instructor” is given academic testing FIRST, to see if they qualify to teach their children. I do think there should be routine testing of the children, possibly the parents too. Perhaps even psychological testing for the potential parent doing the homeschooling.”
I stand by my assertion. No discussion necessary. In my vast experience dealing with homeschooling critics, especially those who know NOTHING about parenting or homeschooling (the author is “childless by choice” according to her profile), no learning would take place, no matter how hard I tried. And I’ve tried. If she feels like a moron for commenting, then she learned not to comment here anymore. That’s good enough for me.
I wish I had been homeschooled by a woman who understood how and when to use the word fucktard.
Doc, I think you are spot on with the alleged name calling. If it looks like a fucktard, quacks like a fucktard…etc.
I wonder if Cara knows how much psychological testing is required of public school teachers? (That would be none, dearie, at least in my area, as evidenced by the branding of a student…by a teacher.)
I think anyone who has read my archives, or has been a reader for awhile, understands that I don’t tolerate ignorance. It’s just that simple. If someone wants to have a discussion, come prepared - that’s all I ask. Belief systems of all types are tolerated - stupidity isn’t.
I don’t correct grammar. I do occasionally correct a comment when the reader specifically asks, or leaves an additional comment with a correction. Now, if you come to my blog and make silly statements that are based in an alternate reality, I’m probably going to go a little postal on your ass. I won’t be nice about it. No, I won’t be.
This one claims to be a former journalist/editor? She should know better.
“Perhaps even psychological testing for the potential parent doing the homeschooling.” is not a sentence. If you count “doing” as a verb, it maybe squeaks into dependent clause territory.
At least my “over-protected, sheltered, weird” children (sorry, got into it with my equally uninformed nephew), will know how to properly write their rants.
She should also read your previous post.
Doc,
Much as I appreciate a great retort, I have to point out that the use of fucktard is offensive, not because of the profanity, but because it’s a substitution for retard, which I doubt many people working towards a better life for kids would use today. Just because fuck is substituted for re in the word doesn’t mean that the negative stereotype of those with legitimate developmental and/or mental delays isn’t continued and perpetuated.
Children and adults with said circumstances do not deserve to be put into the same category of someone displaying ignorance about a subject. People with mental/developmental disabilities are not ignorant by choice (as Cara seems to be). Retarded is a medical term to describe the pace of their development, not intellectual capacity.
As the mom of a child with Down syndrome (so I may be more sensitive to using a ‘tard word pejoratively), my daughter will face enough issues from those who choose ignorance. From all I’ve read on this site (which is great), that doesn’t seem to be the MO for you or (most) of your readers.
I think there are better ways to name call, if one is so inclined. My humble suggested alternative is fuckwit.
Thanks.
I just read her blog and the one thing she should NOT do is advertise herself as “former journalist/editor”–emphasis on the editor part. That’s why I don’t advertise my qualifications–usually the first time you do, you end up making a ton of mistakes.
Ahh well, such is life. Asshat, Assclown and Fucktard are three of my favorite words.
Toni
Oh and Doc? ….. Yes (bats eyelashes) Bwhahahaha..
Call me as soon as the divorce is final. I’ll send you a ticket to San Francisco.
BWHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH…
omg.. the rumors–can you just see them now? hahhahaha that’ll get those fundies in a tizzy..
Toni
Jennifer, your offense is noted. I’ll probably still use the word though. I say “that’s so gay” too. I also tell (and laugh at) racial jokes. I’m just an ass I guess. I think I’ve already had the “retard” conversation via Greg Laden, and I’m not going there again.
I’d still use the word and tell anyone who had a problem with it to sod off. Fucktard is NOT a substitute for “retard” in any sense of the language. And if you get offended by that, then maybe you have bigger problems that exceed the “retardedness” you claim to protect.
Toni
I’m trying to consider how to put this diplomatically;
I wouldn’t walk up to a mentally challenged person and call them a retard.
Wait, I might. If the mentally challenged person was acting like an asshole, I might at that.
http://docsdomain.net/blog/?p=392
You see, I call ‘em as I see ‘em. And if Ree can do it, I can too. (the link to Ree’s blog in the above story doesn’t work because she’s changed servers - she does have her retarded brother - and that’s her terminology - stories labeled as such)
If a person reads this post, and gets offended because they think I’m insulting a mentally challenged person, well, that’s their problem, not mine, because it’s obvious that’s not what I’m doing. I’m also not going to reserve a perfectly good definitive, like ‘tard, just for speaking of the actually mentally challenged, which gets confusing, because it appears that many people of seemingly normal intelligence are in fact, mentally challenged.
I think the only person who should be offended here is me. People are insulting my intelligence at every turn. Stop!
you know, I forgot all about Ree and her brother. She does call him Retarded Mike, my Retarded Brother(and she repeats the word retard throughout her stories)…
But my prediction is that someone like the poster above will come back and say “that’s not the same thing” because “Ree loves her brother and you are just doing it to be mean”.
Then I’d have to quip back “You obviously have not read all of Ree’s site then and listened to the number of phone calls she’s made to her brother just to instigate him and egg him on. How is that “love” and Doc “Mean”?”
Now don’t get me wrong, I adore Ree, just like everyone else. But the lack of logic in this poster’s argument is so glaringly bright, I’m going blind from it.
Even my own kids can be ‘tarded some times.
Toni