http://revspike.blogspot.com/

The HSLDA (<a href="http://www.hslda.org">www.hslda.org</a>) sent us an e-mail yesterday letting us know that the District of Columbia is considering new laws that would radically limit the rights of homeschooling families. Similar legislation in CA was "terminated" (yuk-yuk) by Gov. Schwarzenegger (I will NEVER get used to that). Here was my letter to about a dozen DC legislators. If you care to, you can click the above link to do the same.

Rev.   
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Dear Honorable Legislators:

The District of Columbia is considering new regulations on homeschooling that would significantly alter the manner in which families practice home education. I am greatly concerned about the effect this may have within your own community, as well as the potential ripple effect throughout our great nation.

I was a truly reluctant convert to home schooling, yet after watching my children grow intellectually in our home I simply cannot see us doing it any other way. Our children have thrived in a homeschooling environment; they brim with confidence and have a deep love of learning. We are regularly complimented on our children's' academic and social skills. Regrettably, it seems that the exceptions rather than norms often garner the most attention. I wish that you could visit our home, or that of many other homeschooling families, to see the process at work.

Please work to preserve the rights of families in America who have chosen to be personally responsible for their families academic development. Homeschoolers can grow into exceptionally responsible and productive citizens just as well as those in the public school system.

Thank you for your time.

Respectfully,

Bro. J P Williams
Appleton City, MO

One reviewer said that Walden Media’s adaptation of Caspian is what would happen if Disney took LOTR and put in the cast of Hannah Montana. While I wouldn’t agree entirely, I have to say I was far less impressed by this offering than with The Lion Witch and the Wardrobe.

I have to ask the same question that I asked after I saw TLWW: “What screen writer really thinks they are a better writer than CS Lewis!?”

Dialogue rarely comes from the book, and Lewis surely turned phrases better than “You’ve got to be kidding me… you’re it?” Also the chronology of the story is changed significantly, and a few important scenes and discussions are omitted completely, but hey, only nerds notice that sort of thing right?

On the up side (once I realized that the screen writers were wrestling with how to adapt a book that is nearly 1/3 omnipotent narration into film) I can say that the overarching Narian themes remain.

This is a decidedly more dark film, reflecting that period of the Narnian canon. I suspect that some who were uncomfortable about the mysticism and violence of TLWW may give up on the upcoming films. Personally, it will be a while before our kids see Caspian (just like they have yet to see Revenge of the Sith).

Thankfully the themes of chivalry and the importance of old stories thankfully were firmly intact. Hard questions are asked (and answered0 such as, “Is it ever right to do wrong to accomplish right?” Honor and tradition are also venerated; we must remember that Lewis speaks to us from the fissure between one society and an emerging one that he detested in many ways.

Overall, Caspian is no substitute for the book, but perhaps it will whet the whistle for a new generation of Lewis fans. Then again, Lewis hasn’t really needed their help before… great stories spread without much help.

Rev.