I received a questionnaire last week from Dan Morrow, publisher of the Middleburg Eccentric. Dan asked very pointed questions, and the answers from all who responded will be published circa October 23rd (Dan's words). Normally I would just wait and let you read them in the paper, but I thought Dan's questions were particularly thoughtful, so with his permission here are those questions, and my responses:
1. Immigration
If it were possible for the county to deny educational facilities and/or and services to the children of illegal immigrants…would you support such measures? Why or why not?
Let’s be clear that it isn’t possible under our constitution, and for good reasons. It serves no-one to deny education and services to children. Also remember that the children of undocumented residents are sometimes US citizens or have other legal status even if their parents don’t. Most importantly, remember the words of Matthew chapter 25, verse 45: “I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.” These children of parents who live in poverty and fear, in our very neighborhoods, are the least ones.
2. Creationism
Would you support the teaching of Creationism as a science? As part of a philosophy class? At all? Why or Why not?
Creationism, or “Intelligent Design” is not science, it is religion, and has no place in a science class. It’s perfectly fine for parents or private schools or churches to teach it as science, but clearly inappropriate for public schools. In public schools these topics can be appropriately studied in comparative religion or political science classes alongside competing approaches.
3. Textbooks
Should Loudoun County move away from printed textbooks and toward providing learning materials to both teachers and students in digital form? Why or Why not?
Yes, I believe that we can move away from textbooks in favor of digital and selectively-printed lesson formats. Our children live and thrive in a digital world, a world that we can help to preserve (saving money in the process) by cutting down on our use of paper.
4. Cheating.
Should coaches teach kids the "tricks of the trade" and how to "get away" with cheating in order to win. (For example, how to get away with holding in football; or hand-checking in basketball.) Why or Why not?
There is a fine line between good strategy and cheating, and I’m in no position to dictate where that line is. Ethics is an important part of sports, and I trust our coaches to include it in our athletic programs.