Okay we have debated dress code for most of the class today. I sympathize with and fully understand an atheist's point of view. Even the outspoken guy behind me. Because I used to be atheist. He doesn't want to be forced to fund and send his children to school slathered in religion. To an atheist all religion is childish superstition. They believe prayer is no more effective than talking to yourself and it's all the same, paganism, islam, judaism, christianity or just worshipping the stars, the sun the moon whatever. If i thought religious people were basically crazy I wouldn't be inclined to send my children to schools were the crazy people dress up crazy. Just because we aren't atheists doesn't mean that we can't or shouldn't sympathise with those people with no religion just as we can bridge the gap and tolerate those of other faiths we should at least all be sympathetic to another's lack of tolerance for what they deem to be superstitous and irrational behavior. I think that schools should have the freedom to enforce dress codes. But not any federal or even state standards, just specific standards from school to school. At my son's school he must wear a collored shirt. I think that the way they dress up lends a more formal enviroment to learning and that, I believe can be more conducive to both classroom discipline and learning. I would in fact be offended if a ton of people were dressed up in Muslim clothing at my son's Christian school. I pay good money for his education (though most of the expenses are paid for by others via a scholarship) We chose to send our son to an Orthodox private school to both narrow his socialization and broaden his education. I too do not want my child heavily exposed to islam, atheism, buhdism, or any other religion. I don't mind him having brief exposure with other religions and other cultures but, just as I am focusing very intently on his fluency in English due to the fact that I live in America, I am also focusing heavily on his understanding and practice of Christianity. He comes from a Christian family and we truly believe Jesus Christ is Lord and we follow his teachings. I do not aspire to impose my beliefs on others, partly because neither Jesus nor the Apostles ever forced their religion on anyone else. This is a big part of what makes Christianity unique, Jesus was a pacifist and he loved everyone showing us a perfect example of how to live. But peoople aren't and never will be perfect. I can't rely on this so called Christian nation to teach our son Christian values. Without a thorough understanding of Biblical teachings he won't know not to judge others, to love thy enemies, to love god, the sacraments and so on. We keep electing Christian President's yet rarely do any of them act like Christ. We are blessed in a unique way. Connery's education is provided to him by taxpayer funded scholarship. Georgia residents who so chose under GA law are given the option of donating money to an education fund instead of paying the same amount in state taxes. In effect I almost get a voucher system (we are more than lucky but blessed mind you) thanx to the generosity of others I am able to choose the education that's right for us. All the Edwards guy sitting behind me was saying was that his choice is being infringed upon. He feels the religion is silly superstition and he doesn't want his kids raised around it. His proposed solution was asanine, however because you cannot protect your freedom by limiting the freedoms of another. I propose dude and anyone else who wants to should have choices as to what school to send their kids, we need atheists schools too, muslim schools and as many other schools as it would take to give more freedom to our people. Education should be publically funded but lets scratch this one size fits all approach, because one size never fits everyone.

It doesn't bother me that Obama berated the supreme court. I disagree with the Supreme Court's decision for one but also I very much appreciate the President's candor. I've heard a lot of people complain about how politicians talk, and talk and talk but say nothing. How refreshing to have a leader who occasionally says something with substance! I only wish the rest of his state of the union was so specific. Like him mentioning numerous bills he will be presenting to congress. His campaign is over why can't he get something done instead of talking about talking about what he might like to happen. I agree wholeheartedly with the ideas he put forth on Education reform, so that bill should already be at congress.

Education has vast room for improvement. Increasing the Pell Grant is a good idea, but increasing is not enough we need to triple it. I shouldn't have t take out loads of debt to go to school. Society as a whole benefits from my education more than just me. We all benefit from higher education, a more educated society can pick a better more constituiency minded government. All things being equal the more educated an individual is the less likely they are to be a criminal, to be violent or to live in poverty. The most effective way of promoting income equality is to better educate all Americans this would be a more practical way build an egalitarian society.

We need a massive overhaul of our education from pre-k through grad school. We must prioritize our education as a people. We need school year round, universal pre-k and federal funding to make up the gaps. Everyone deserves an equal education regardless of whether they go to school in the inner city, the rural countryside or the more wealthy areas like buckhead, Atlantic Station. To grant every citizen the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness we must begin by providing equal education to our citizenry regardless of the geographic location someone happens to be from.

How do we keep Mr. Jones from coming back while not trading him for Big Brother?