I do not have children. I did marry a woman with two teenage sons, 14 and 16 years old, and was their mother's third husband. I survived. They both attended public school but in St. Louis Park. Yes, I admit it. I did live in the suburbs, albeit a first ring burb. It was the longest eight years of my life in so many ways but that is a whole nother story. Their mother had moved to St. Louis Park because her sons did not like the public school (Anwatin) they attended in the city. I don't know why. My sister, interestingly enough is a former MPS teacher and currently Assistant Principal at Southwest High School. Before that she was at Olson Junior High up north, and at Anwatin. I grew up going to private schools and hated every minute of my education. It showed. I literally begged my parents to allow me to attend Jefferson Junior High and West High where my friends went to school. Admittedly this was a long time ago and things have changed. Some things have not. This debate is one of those things. I'm partly responsible for this debate as it was I who once suggested to Ms Solle that the "problem with public schools is private schools." There is a Dylan song that has a lyric about "going to the finest schools". Maybe someone can help me here. "You know you only used to get.." At any rate, I pretty much turned away from that life of privelege. Maybe it was an aversion to lime green. i don't know. I always thought that if the five Dayton brothers had sent their children to public schools that their input would have helped the school system. They lived in Wayzata, and of course I only use them as an example, but I do think that the schools and society in general would be a lot better without the elitism I think is inherent in private education. When it comes to parochial schools I don't know what to say. I went to a couple of those as well. I have the distinction of having attended four different high schools. It's funny but I have fewer issues with parochial schools than I do with private schools. This from a person who practices no religion presently. It may not mean anything as I do not have children of my own but I suspect I would send them to public school, one I would hope they could walk to. And I would be as active in the school as I possibly could. I believe it is my responsibility to both my fantasy children and society. I was moved by Linda Picone talking about tutoring a child. I recall doing the same for a short time when I was in college. I wish I were not so self-indulgent and had more time for those pursuits. I wish I knew a lot more about the Minneapolis Public School system. Someday maybe. As to R.T. Rybak sending his children to private school, I do not know what to say. Should it be an issue? I don't really know. It does not help me feel good about R.T. but then there are other reasons I won't vote for R.T. I'm not certain how this thread began. I have some idea or feeling that it has to do with Lisa Mc. bringing it up. She wanted me to bring this issue up weeks ago. There was some brouhaha between Lisa's husband and R.T. and Lisa thought he was a hypocrite for sending his kids to public school. It's a pretty easy stand to take when you don't have children of your own. All I can say is "it takes one to know one." I know this was disjointed and I apologize. At least I kept it relatively short. Tim Connolly Ward 7 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Auctions - buy the things you want at great prices http://auctions.yahoo.com/ _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
