Barbara, I wasn't necessarily expecting outrage on Ricochet, but I am surprised that it was not mentioned by more people. More broadly, I am shocked that so very few people even raised the issue. Part of this has to do with fear of being branded a conspiracy theorist. Part of it has to do with the fact that even so-called conservatives have been conditioned to accept a larger and more invasive government. If there is a war on terrorism, we are losing big time. Since 9-11 we've just about unanimously (and enthusiastically!) thrown out the Constitution and abandoned the very ideals that founded this country. We have politicians and military leaders saying that we will need to get rid of the Constitution, or to interpret it more broadly, in order to live in a post 9-11 society, and no one is even talking about it.

What amazes me is that people actually celebrated the police state in Boston and thanked those who forced businesses to shut down and pulled people out of their homes at gunpoint. I am sure the government was even shocked as to just how easy this all went down. If Bostonians cannot resist tyranny, then who will?

Very true. Either the government has become too big and inefficient, or it has ulterior motives. I suspect that both are true.

If the purpose of satire is to raise awareness about a serious issue, one that most people are not even discussing, then I think satire is appropriate for this subject. I have heard or read very little about concern regarding martial law in Boston. If this event does not wake us up, what will?

Barbara, I think that's true...but I think these are desperate times and we cannot allow ourselves to become complacent. Too many conservatives have bought into the idea that big government is OK as long as Republicans are running it. The neo-conservatives have convinced us that an American empire and a police state at home is compatible with liberty and the Constitution.

Brent, that's exactly my point with this satirical view of what happened in Boston. We must never give in, but I'm afraid that what we witnessed in Boston is just a warm-up. We are next.

I think the reaction of Bostonians would have happened in any American city. We are a people who are living in fear and who are conditioned to let the government swoop in and lend its hand. I would prefer to have seen thousands of armed citizens in the streets hunting him down. The State is conditioning us, my friends. We are going to see this happening more frequently. The precedent has been set and the people did not question what happened. Now the State knows we will take anything.

I can't think of a better case for widespread gun ownership than the Boston bombings. The Left would have taken advantage of this crisis to bring people to support their cause. We should have done the same thing. Conservatives should have ads on television warning people that gun control will leave us susceptible to the next attack.

Terry, I agree! I do blame the people. Whenever something bad happens, our first reaction is: "how can we empower the government to stop it from happening again." This reaction is what gives the state it's power. They count on the people looking for their help in order to justify acting "on behalf of the people." 

Absolutely! Of course my piece is satirical. I don't think we should EVER give up our rights in exchange for security.

Romney's speech was the best speech I've heard from a Republican since Ronald Reagan. I've waited more than 20 years for this.

You make some good points, but it's not a cop-out to blame bad parents because they are more prevalent today than twenty or thirty years ago.  I agree that bad parents are not to blame for all of the failures of the system, but neither are bad teachers.

Mendel, very true.  I do not mean to single out parents of public school students. Some wealthy parents will pay big bucks to send their children off to Exeter or some other school and expect the school to raise them.  Unfortunately, private schools are no longer a viable option for parents.  Private schools have become infiltrated with progressive administrators and teachers who are hellbent on undoing the good that parents have done.  No wonder home schooling has become so popular.

@Jo Jo

I always try to keep in mind that the work in my class is only part of what students will be assigned on any given day.  I'm sure we've all had teachers who went too far with the rules. Unfortunately, the new learning styles you mention are now part of the private schools as well.  Private schools were once an alternative, but no longer.  

@Michael Hornback

You are correct sir.  I do not completely blame the parents. There are some societal issues at play here including the fact that our children are immersed with images of pornography and violence on television and on computer screens, that technology has shortened our attention spans, etcetera.  Parenting is a tough job and I think it is increasingly difficult to raise children with sound values because parents have to compete with other forces who are trying to influence their kids as well.

KC, I agree with you completely.  Schools cannot take the place of parents, but I think too many parents believe that the school is responsible for raising children. Therefore, teachers should not be fired if test scores are low, unless the school can prove that the scores are low as a direct result of poor teaching.