you asked - opinion from someone who rarely posts

[Guest guest]

I, too, like occasional disagreement, I think its important. To

disclose my personal bias, I am a Southerner transplanted to

Minnesota, and Minnesota Nice often makes me want to scream. I like

it so much more when people say what they are thinking, and the

issues get out in the open where they can be dealt with. I am a

school psychologist as well, and I'd much rather have an angry parent

than a silent parent at a meeting (which is good, since I'm now often

an angry parent myself).

But... it's not good if the level of argument clouds the original

question and I think a good one which was missed, still is (although

I know its only part of the issue): Does think its appropriate

to speak as representative of a large group of parents and label

ourselves as " desperate " when that is the term that is so often used

by others to belittle us and avoid any of the issues we are raising.

I myself get so infuriated by this word as it relates to this issue

that I think of it on the same level as other slurs used against any

group of people.

It would be great if we could all calmly state when we disagree, but

no one's perfect. Let's debate the issues that this has raised, and

forgive each other when we go too far. I hope no one really leaves

the board over this. Let's remember who we're all really fighting

and who we're all really fighting for.

P.S. - I agree that all bets are off for how you want to treat Offit

and the AAP for the matter (and let's think of some more; let's make

a list of people that don't deserve our good manners, that would be a

fun use of our time).

P.P.S. - all of this is typed with a smile on my face. I don't know

how to use, what do you call them, emoticons? (all I know about the

computer I've learned from my 5 year-old ASD son) Anyone want to

give some brief examples?