From: Norma Jean <nsawicki>
Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 13:12:15 -0400

I am on the run and will respond more fully tonight or tomorrow but I am delighted many people have joined in this discussion; the opinions/ observations are wonderfully interesting. Quickly though...I am from upstate New York where I still have family...many young children in that area still play cowboys and Indians, and dress as such for Halloween. A friend from Australia once traveled throughout this country and observed that the U.S. is many different countries under a single umbrella...she was astonished by the differences. And too, the Founding Fathers, in writing the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence knew some states would be behind/ahead of others. I subscribe to those ideas and while I have no doubt not all young children play cowboys and Indians, many do. A few blocks away from me
( in New York City) there are two stores in which Halloween costumes reflecting that can be bought...Lone Ranger masks as well.

I share Ed's observations about parents/public schools and agree with our astute mayor who got himself into a heap of trouble for saying in terms of education ( public schools) parents do not often know what is best for their children. Think about it...what does it take to be a parent...it is harder to get a driver's license...an observation that is a subject unto itself.

Monica....smart lady that you are...you teach at Dalton...one of the best private schools in the city/state if not the country. A fine curriculum, terrific teachers, and a variety of "standards" kids must meet/uphold. If not......out. Not the kind of school most kids attend which is unfortunate. Norma Jean
Received on Thu 20 Apr 2006 12:12:15 PM CDT