HSLDA Intrudes on Florida Matters, and Personal Freedom

Heads up Florida homeschoolers -- HSLDA is trying to "help" us again. According to a recent Home School Legal Defense Association email alert:

"..parental rights are based on "Western civilization concepts of the family." When those concepts are no longer the legal definition of the family in this nation, then the foundation upon which parental rights are based is completely removed. Therefore, HSLDA will continue to fight against same-sex marriage. Same-sex marriage attacks the traditions of the family in Western civilization. This is an attack on parental rights. This is a battle the homeschooling movement cannot afford to lose."

One has to wonder if parental rights in the Eastern Hemisphere are also based on "Western civilization concepts of the family." What the heck does that even mean? Well, HSLDA says it stems from the 2000 Supreme Court case, Troxel v. Granville , in which the Supreme Court worded a portion of its ruling, "Our jurisprudence historically has reflected Western civilization concepts of the family as a unit with broad parental authority over minor children. Our cases have consistently followed that course."

The case had nothing whatsoever to do with same sex marriage, but involved a visitation rights dispute. The bottom line in the case was actually the court's recognition of the "fundamental right of parents to direct their children’s upbringing."

Nowhere in this case is there any apparent reference to the gender of parents, or its affects on those rights one way or another. Further, HSLDA seems to think same sex marriage somehow "attacks" the "traditions of the family in Western civilization" and parental rights, and declares "This is a battle the homeschooling movement cannot afford to lose."

The battle we really can't afford to loose is the one against rights limiting fear mongers like HSLDA:

• who would use a constitution to take away rights instead of preserving them;
• who feel it's acceptable to legislate personal matters of the heart and mind;
• who would rule by fear, misinformation and intimidation to forward their own narrow agenda;
• who use homeschoolers and homeschooling for their own personal gains.

Same sex marriage is not a homeschooling issue. It will not affect homeschooling one way or another. We cannot preserve our own rights to lead the lives we desire -- to marry or live with whom we wish, to direct the education of our children, to live the lifestyles we choose -- by taking away the rights of others to do the same.

Vote NO on 2 and tell HSLDA to keep its own house in order and stay out of yours.

PHF