Really? Demented? Wow..
November 20, 2008
So, by now almost all of the homeschoolers have heard about The Views Joy Behar dissing homeschooling children by stating “A lot of them are demented when they’re homeschooled.” .
I know that it shouldn’t come as a shock that the liberals on The View would state (much less condone) such language and ignorance concerning Homeschooled children.. except for the fact that Joy was a… ya know.. teacher herself. This is the same lady that said this about Sarah Palin-and I quote-
“We all know that the woman is an airhead.”
Really? All of us? Please do not assume that everyone shares your “views” on these issues, Mrs. Behar. Please do not assume that I am incapable of giving my children the proper “socialization”. Please do assume that my children “learn to be scared of other children”.
That quote there is so far beyond ridiculous.
Your bias generalizations hurt the movement that parents all across the country have worked so hard to build. You know nothing about most homeschooling families, yet you speak as if you are the authority on the subject, flippantly dismissing homeschooling like it is a bad joke. I know that you are a “comedian”, and it was “all in fun”, but really? Demented?
Wow.
Here is the video, starting with Joy stating “I think they should get an education in the White House just the way George Bush did.”
Also notice how Joy also states “I think those kids should be educated in the White House with other children and make a ‘Little House on the Prairie’.” That was the first jab on homeschoolers, and it just goes down hill from there..
But I really shouldn’t be surprised. After all… it is The View.
If you would like to contact The View and state your mind about Joy and her comments today (or any day for that matter) here is ABC.com’s contact page.
I highly recommend all of the homeschoolers (and people who know homeschool families) that were flabbergasted and outraged by her comments today email the network and tell them that this is TOTALLY unacceptable.
I just did, wont you?
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Note From Heather: All comments are welcome, but I reserve the right to delete at any time. All comments are solely the opinions of the individuals submitting them and the publication of them on this blog does not imply my endorsement or agreement. By posting your comments to the blog you are granting me the right to use them. Your submission of a comment constitutes your acceptance of this comment policy.
In other words: Play Nice
58 Responses to “Really? Demented? Wow..”
I would love to hear from you!
I had never seen The View before. Made me all the more certain my choice to not buy a converter was a good one. No TV is good TV.
sprittibees last blog post..Our Homeschool Journey: Changing Course
She’s a loon, Heather. Plain and simple.
Tinas last blog post..Baby Leg Warmer give away!
I was SO offended by this statement as well. It was actually a prejudice remark - since being prejudice is “pre-judging” someone. She is simply assuming and judging everyone who home schools their children is this way!
She also said the kids were clingy, etc., etc. I’m so glad you posted this. Amazing how some people truly are.
I was happy to see Elizabeth stand up for home schoolers though. I hope she stays on the show because daytime television needs a good Christian standing up for us. :)
Heathers last blog post..Christian Movie Review: Sahara
Absolutely unacceptable, I am constantly disgusted by what I hear on the View. I’ve recently decided to homeschool and I find Joy’s opinions to be offensive and disturbing and uneducated (maybe someone should send HER back to school).
Rebeccas last blog post..Curriculum
It amazes me how liberals get away with such prejudiced statements. How would she know what home schooled kids are like? She’s obviously never been around any. I hope that this backfires on her, not just from the homeschool community, but from those who know home schoolers & recognize this for the unfair & misrepresentation of home schoolers that it is.
In our experience, people tend to find out that we homeschool after they’ve spent time with our kids. They come away thoroughly impressed with homeschooling.
Sherrys last blog post..Writing Contest
That would be one of the MANY reasons that I don’t watch “The View”.
I don’t homeschool — my children attend public schools — but, yes, that statement is prejudiced, offensive, and, well, demented!! I wouldn’t waste a lot of energy on being irritated with her. Makes me think of the snake giving the fox a ride across the stream. “But you knew I was a snake when you got on…” You can’t expect anything more from those women….
Sarah S.s last blog post..Randomness for Tuesday
Wow. I had not heard about this.
I think her comments show clearly that she has never met a homeschooler. Maybe I should write and invite her to our home for a couple of days. (without cameras). She would get a kick out of how demented we are. *wink
weavermoms last blog post..Gymnastics Extravaganza
I saw this on Michelle Malkin.
She’s crazy. I liked The View ages ago but haven’t watched it for years.
I just don’t understand why she was interviewed on so many shows during the election as if she’s some great political pundit?
She’s a comedian/daytime talk show host. Woopie doo!
Very offensive however we know people think this way anyway.
I absolutely am sickend by Joy on the view, I had to stop watching because of her, she needs to be bombarted by all homeschooling parents because that was totally just ridiculous. I have never in my life not liked anyone but she makes me sick.
Good post Heather, and seriously email her.
Here, here. As a homeschooling Mom of six I am not surprised at her comments. I am compelled to pray for her and to spend more time praying for our country as a whole. I appreciate your comments.
I can not begin to tell you how offensive I find Joy Behar. It is hard to listen to her argue and out yell any guest or co-view member who doesn’t believe as she does. To hide behind her remarks as if they are “jokes” is not fair. Other members of the view are usually able to share their feelings/views without being mean. I don’t always agree with their opinions but I understand the premise of the show is to share different views. Just because you can yell louder than the next person doesn’t mean you are correct…
@Sharon : But do they really share different views? I mean, really… they all are pretty liberal and all agree on the issues, except for Elizabeth, and they pretty much ignore and laugh off anything she has to say in their own passive aggressive “joking” ways…
I understand what the premise of the show is *suppose* to be… but it is so very far left leaning that it ridiculous. I was just shocked when I heard Joy’s comments today on the local Christian station.
And trust me… it takes alot for me to be shocked over Joys comments, as of late.
I used to watch “The View” every once in a while. I got very turned off by it a few years back when I watched an episode in which this family was living out of their car, had nothing but yet the son pulled off perfect marks on his SAT’s. They did not even do one special thing for him. But in the next part of the show after the commercial it was Tony Randall officiating a dog wedding. They were commenting on the prices for the dogs tuxedo and the other dogs bridal gown. Outrageous. I think one of the dogs was one of the girls from “The View”. Possibly Joys dog. How could they sit there with a clean conscience and give these dollar amounts and not do anything special for this young man who obviously needed something.
Joy Bahar is the best example of why not to send your children to public school. Why would you want them to be socialized to be “demented’ like her, and taught how to look down your nose at and ridicule people who may not be, or think “Just like you”. I have not watched “The View” very much but what I have seen leads me to believe that Joy’s view is very skewed and negative. What an unhappy person.
I will take home-schoolers over people like her ANYTIME.
And I’m not joking
Dad
Dads last blog post..Truly Thankful
Nothing Joy says surprises me. She’s a “comedian” and it’s her job to be controversial, create the latest scandal to get folks talking. Sad that’s the way it works today.
Monica @ Paper Bridgess last blog post..Watercolor by 10-year-old girl
Good for you, Heather! I am so glad you are encouraging other mothers to express opinions about this.
Cathys last blog post..A Tag From Sally
I really don’t like that show or any of the women on it and this is just one reason why.
Kathleens last blog post..i love it when a plan comes together
See, that’s the kind of garbage we don’t miss because well, homeschool mom’s don’t necessarily have the time to watch the gossip shows (PRAISE GOD!) . However thanks for posting this so we can email it to our friends that do homeschool and dont have time to watch it so people realize we aren’t just raising freaky little demented beings…lol as if!
jennifer
LOL…I’ve had this on my blog for days and got zero traffic out of it! lol I’m glad you’re getting the word out! We don’t have a tv and I’ve only seen bits and pieces of the show once or twice. Can you imagine if Elizabeth said that public school kids were all a bunch of sex crazed, drug addicted hellions? (NOT to offend your readership - I’m just trying to give a wild example!) She’d probably be fired. The only form of bigotry that is acceptable in America is that of Christians. Granted, homeschooling is not only utilized by christians but the perception is that homeschoolers are religious.
Would you care to share part or all of what you wrote? I have honestly tried to write something for days to the View but I’m coming up short. The whole thing upsets me so that I can’t formulate a complaint! Ideas?
Karens last blog post..Is your homeschooler "demented"?
SHE’S the one that’s the airhead! She tries to be funny…but, clearly, she’s NOT!! Although I don’t homeschool, I respect those of you who make that choice. It takes a lot of commitment and determination to be able to do so, and I commend you for it.
SandySmiles last blog post..I Know He Loves Me When…
Thank you for shedding some light on this. I never watch this show or much tv at all and would never have known about this. I am glad you are encouraging others to speak out!
I also wanted to thank you for your encouraging comments on my blog yesterday. It meant SO MUCH to me!
I will be emailing. I think she showed her intelligence by all those stupid remarks. Seems to me she is just there to slip in stupid side jokes anyway (and to shoe cleavage). Nothing of substance coming from her, but I don’t watch the show either…
Betsys last blog post..Weblink Wednesday
I rarely watch the view but one of the few episodes I watched was of the making of the view and what goes into the preparation. They were showeing behind the scenes of Joy’s scripted yet flipant responses so I wouldn’t be surprised if some of it was scripted, however, she does have a right to say NO to the things on the script. My kids go to public school. If I had to do it all over again - they would be homeschooled, unfortantely I don’t have a husband who shares that view. I applaud all you mothers who give of their time, energy, and resources to homeschool your children. It is a huge undertaking but yet a rewarding one I am sure.
Angies last blog post..Where did the summer go
I have been on a media fast for over 2 weeks now so I had not heard about this. Wow… I watched the video…wow.
Wouldn’t it be great if we she was confronted with hundreds of home schooled children where she would have to apologize for her ridicules comment about them being “demented”.
I have emailed. Thank you for sharing
Hope @ Monkey Giggless last blog post..It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Why anyone still watches The View is beyond me. I can’t stomach all of the arguing back and forth and total disrespect of eachother. Bleh!
Jennifers last blog post..Bookishness
i like it when dangerous people get to speak their dumb ideas on national TV, that is why a show like the view is so important ( except that VERY FEW people watch it, prefering things like the “Price is Right” hehe
God bless you sister and your brilliant children
david, in Big Bear Lakes last blog post..Mid week evaluation
Heather, I have sent my comments to ABC, thank you for this information. Aren’t Liberals supposed to be open minded? Its amazing how many people know nothing about homeschooling but love to make such comments. Why do they call it The View? Shouldn’t it be named what it is? “Liberals throwing Stones at those who don’t believe as they do”? I don’t watch them anymore and I think Elizabeth needs our prayers, for sure.
Donnas last blog post..Growing Up
So I wonder where Joy was educated? It amazes me that those that claim to want tolerance are the most intolerant people. They don’t want tolerance - they want everyone to agree with them. I cannot stand watching that show any more.
I don’t normally watch the view… I quite after Rosie OD came on - to obnoxious… and never went back. Thanks for pointing this out. I homeschooled my kids for years… Very normal kids. I wrote in my complaint email demanding an apology. Have a blessed day!
Kathleens last blog post..2008 Christmas Ornament Exchange
Good for you, Heather! I will do the same and write a note. I don’t usually watch that show but it was on in another room and when I heard that comment I had to actually go hear if I heard right! Poor Elizabeth … How does she stand it?
My son was home-schooled and is attending our church school now, (in the 11th grade). His headmaster just told me today how VERY intelligent he is… he went on to say scholarships and a great college opportunity were in his future. He has tons of friends and far less problems than Joy has, in my prejudice opinion!
That’s why I don’t watch the View, because their Views aren’t mine. Joy doesn’t just bash homeschoolers, she also consistently bashes Catholics. I will email the show because what she says about groups of people is ignorant and shallow. Thanks for bringing this to our attention!
Roses last blog post..Wouldn’t You Like to Be A Pepper, Too?
The View is a show where 4 or 5 women from different walks of life get to share their “VIEW” on things. You don’t need to agree with Joy’s View, but it is ger right (and her job to express it). You can share your Views with ABC but if you are not interestred in hearing any Views other than your own, maybe you should not watch a show entitled the View. Just a thought.
Get a sense of humor, my goodness, what a bunch of sanctimonious church ladies. ( and I say that in the SNL sense, not blasting anyone’s religion ! )
There are valid concerns raised with home-schooled children. Not every person who home-schools is a conscientious parent. Some better oversight is needed to make sure that the children are keeping up - and not being taught nutty stuff. I think the question is the motivation for home schooling. For example, a lot of children are missing out on valid science, because the parents don’t want to teach their children evolution. In missing out on evolution - genetics is not addressed. (that’s just an example).
Joy could have spoken better on the issue, and not been so polarizing - but home-schooling is an issue that will soon need to be better addressed. Many parents are simply not qualified to teach!
Oh Heather I just love the fact that something ‘out side of the square’ got you so mad. Just shows how much you are improving not only health wise but also spritual and emotionally. I am so proud that you are feeling strong enough to stand up for what you believe in. God bless and take care. Carol. (Australia)
Thanks for bringing this to light for those of us who missed it. I just logged my complaint challenging ABC for allowing such ignorant, inflammatory and prejudicial comments to be aired. Such intolerance would not be permitted if they were discussing, race, gender or sexual orientation, and I find it offensive that they would not have edited her comments during this conversation. I do feel though that in addition to peaceably and respectfully logging a complaint, we have a responsibility to handle our selves with dignity and honor. Joy’s comments were the result of bitterness and ignorance and what she needs is truth and love… so, God love her, and help me to love her too.
Well, makes me glad I don’t have a tv. If you don’t hear it/see it then it can’t rile you - and that’s all she wants, to rile people and get a reaction.
Now excuse me, my demented children and I need to go read Caddie Woodlawn and and bake some pies for a charity supper.
groovyoldladys last blog post..Where oh Where Did My Stamina Go?
To Amy and Clara, yes she has every right to express her view and it is the point of the show. The problem that the people here and I have is expressing an uneducated, uninformed, and mean spirited view. This insult was directed at children and I don’t think ridiculing children is right in any way shape or form.
I don’t mind being called a church lady, I wear that title proud…but I am not sanctimonious. We are called to be loving and forgiving as Christ is to us…but we also have the right and responsibility to defend our beliefs.
As a mother I also feel the need to defend children being called “demented”, my child is not homeschooled but she does attend a small Christian school…if this school were not available she would be homeschooled.
I would hope that whether you homeschool or not, that we should never condon insulting or demoralizing children from either a Christian or non Christian perspective.
Annies last blog post..I Can’t Sleep
I’m sure Joy just wanted attention-I guess she is getting it. I don’t homeschool, I couldn’t if I wanted bc I have to work to support my family. However, we have a good public school. The principal is the associate pastor at my church and all my daughter’s teacher thus far have been Christians-she’s been there preschool-4th. I work in medicine and see kids where I live often homeschooled bc they can’t keep up academically. Often by parents w/ no high school diploma. I know that’s not always the case though. My daughter has friends who are homeschooled by their mom who is a nurse and they are delightful kids. I think it’s everyones personal decision, but I think there should be some basic guidelines nationally, like the parent being able to pass some sort of test-just to make sure the kids are getting what they need.
No one’s child should be called demented though-I would definitely be offended as well.
I have emailed The View several times about Rosie O’Donnell and her rude comments. I quit watching them about a year ago. I hope her ignorant comments are taken with a grain of salt by the homeschooling parents and students everywhere.
Dear Heather,
I haven’t watched The View but I’m not surprised by the comment. I must admit I was pretty sickened by Joy Behar’s words…my kids are most certainly NOT demented and how dare she use such insulting language to describe our children? Most anti-homeschooling people are making judgments against us and our kids without valid information, goodness they probably don’t even know a homeschooling family for that matter. This is my 4th year homeschooling and I love it, so do my kids and they are learning! Sheesh, look at the public schools and the things going on. My sister has worked in the public school system for years, not to mention a best friend of mine also, and they both said they’d never put their own kids in public school. Homeschooling offers children a very intensive, one-on-one tutor style education that can’t be replicated in a classroom. A teacher simply cannot give each and every of their students that kind of attention. I know they try very hard, don’t get me wrong!
As for parents not being qualified to teach their children, I don’t agree. I feel every parent is qualified, if they are truly committed and dedicated. Think about it, public school teachers are handed curriculum to teach, right? So, they follow the directions and teach it. Personally, I feel that a parent who is willing to homeschool their child will go above and beyond that, I know many who do! I don’t think there should regulations for parents to homeschool. I realize many will not agree with me but I think it’s nobody’s business but mine how I choose to homeschool. Yes, I am a Christian and that is one the main reasons we chose to homeschool. The Bible says in Deuteronomy 6:5-9 that we as Christians are to teach our children to love God, obey Him. We’re to teach them when? It says when…when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. How can I do that if they’re in school 6-8 hours a day? Anyhow, that’s my 2 cents (: Heather, I’m glad you’re doing well and I love reading your blog! Hope everything went well with Emma’s IEP meeting! Take care.
Molly (:
I wanted to include this link from Fox news. Greta Van Susteren has asked the questions, “What do you think about homeschooling your children? Is homeschool a good idea?” on her blog at Fox News. Click here to give your input:
http://gretawire. foxnews.com/ 2008/11/20/ homeschool/
Molly (:
I have never watched the show, and when I saw this clip, I never will. Not only was the remark ridiculous and assanine, but the whole conversational piece was so disjointed and disgusting. I don’t know how Elizabeth Hasselback can stand to be with those other pathetic women.
Heather~~ Thanks for bringing this to the attention of your blog readers. The liberal media is very flippant about anything conservative, and IMHO Joy Behar went too far. She may be a comedian, but it was not a funny joke. It was a snarky remark by someone who has influence on many watching. I think she owes the homeschool community an apology, and then maybe spend a couple days with real homeschoolers.
Once she does this, she will have first hand knowledge and not talk out of ignorance. 
Lesleys last blog post..Farm Ramlings
I left a comment with ABC concerning Joy’s comments. I told them her comments were unacceptable and offensive. The reason people home school their children is because the government schools are failing terribly. They want their children to have a quality education. This is a prime example why I don’t watch The View. I can’t stand their liberal views.
Tees last blog post..PLAN TWO IMPLEMENTED
Hey Heather, I just shot off my complaint to ABC.
I thought Amy and Clara’s remarks were interesting and would agree if the show would present views that were varied, but they don’t.
Also, my mother has dementia, should I call the tolerance police since she used the term in such a derogatory manner?
Oh well…
Isn’t it ironic how people like her think they are so “progressive” and “tolerant.”
Pamelas last blog post..Here goes…
I admit, I am a liberal. I admit, I attended parochial schools, and plan to have my children (if I ever have any) the same ways. I admit, over the years, I have met some very odd adults who were homeschooled. But I also admit, I’ve met some very odd adults who went to public schools, private schools and parochial schools. Heck, I’m a scientist: most people I know are very odd.
One definition of liberal is “favoring or permitting freedom of action, esp. with respect to matters of personal belief or expression.” I firmly support the right of every parent to educate their children any way they so please, so long as the children get the proper education and socialization to prepare themselves for adulthood.
mbboreds last blog post..About the cake
I just wanted to comment about some suggesting that parents be able to pass a test to homeschool. According to this recent article on yahoo (http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081120/od_afp/ushistoryeducationoffbeat) our elected officials only scored 44% on a recent American history test. And I’d be willing to bet that most of them are products of our nation’s public school systems and our ivy league colleges.
I do not believe the gov’t has ANY right to my children but having said that, until they can fix the monster they have created in the PS system (graduating children who can’t read and write) then they have no business trying to tell me if I’m qualified to teach my own children.
Teaching is more than just giving a bunch of facts and figures. Children need to be taught HOW to learn so that they can learn for a lifetime. If I don’t know something, I will learn it with them. Teachers aren’t infallible - even if they have a degree from the state. A good teacher goes over a lesson prior to teaching it to refamiliarize herself with the topic at hand and that is what I do as a homeschool parent. ‘
I certainly do not want to sound like I’m creating a HSing vs PSing atmosphere because that is not my intention. I have some wonderfully intelligent friends who are the product of a PS education. I’m simply saying that I don’t think a broken system created by officials who flunked their own US history test have any right judging whether or not I’m qualified to teach :)
Karens last blog post..Is your homeschooler "demented"?
Overly defensive much ? Let’s face it , the “mainstream” go to SCHOOL at a real school with other children not spend every day home with mommy . Homeschoolers may come out just fine, but they are missing a huge part of the socialization that the vast majority of our society has and as a result are more likely to be more “unique” than other people brought up more traditionally. It is thus the subject of Joy’s HUMOR , get the concept — not LITERAL but meant to be an extreme to get a laugh. Lighten up, laugh, and enjoy your day for goodness sakes !
Joy’s humor may not always hit the mark but its worlds preferable to the incoherent babbling of Elizabeth spouting right wing sound bites that she clearly doesn’t even understand.
All these comments don’t strike me as very Christian…
sad sad sad
Wait a minute, its “Christian” to criticize the View women as ” pathetic ” , “ignorant” and shallow if you disagree with them, but unChristian to suggest that people develop a sense of humor ? As a lifelong Catholic, I differ on your definition of Christianity.
Heather, me thinks you have stirred up a liberal hornets nest :) Not sure how you accomplished this! lol And beyond that…biting my tongue, biting my tongue…. ;)
Back to the original intent of the post - it is not unchristian to voice one’s opinion about remarks made to a national audience that directly insults a specific group of people under the guise of ‘humor’ (and I know that is a run-on sentence but I don’t care at the moment!).
Wow Heather, looks like things might be heating up a little (: As far as comments go, I would say that I wonder what the person above means by a homeschooled child turning out “unique” (her quote not mine). The whole concept of public school only came about in the 20th century. It’s not been around forever as some might imagine. Traditionally, kids were schooled at home via parents or tutors. I’m not saying homeschool is for everyone, I understand that point. However, saying that homeschooled children are missing out on “socialization” is quite misleading. Firstly, people socialize every single day…the grocery store, Blockbuster, the bank, Target, neighbors and so on. To imply that just because a child is not sitting in a classroom surrounded by other children then they’re not socialized is ridiculous in my opinion. Obviously this is an issue near and dear to me as I am a homeschooler but I just get rather irked by the socialization argument all the time. My kids are happy, well-adjusted and perfectly able to talk with and play with other children. Spending time at home with “mommy” allows me to mold and shape their character as well as teach them their subjects. Why should I let the public school form their character when I don’t agree with what they’re teaching? Society as a whole isn’t too great with socialization either. Also, I love a good joke too and consider myself to be somewhat funny, I enjoy making people laugh BUT I wouldn’t call homeschooled children demented to do so. That clearly is not funny. How would the parents of public/private school children like hearing their kids labeled demented because they’re not homeschooled? Just my 2 cents worth (:
Molly (:
I left a message at ABC. I struggled to express my feelings in 500 characters, but I think I got the point across. I do not homeschool, but am strongly supportive of it and have been impressed by so many homeschooled children I know. It is appalling that such bigotry is tolerated and even laughed at. Hopefully ABC will hear from enough of us to get the message.
@Clara
Clara said:
“Let’s face it , the “mainstream” go to SCHOOL at a real school with other children not spend every day home with mommy”
“Homeschoolers may come out just fine, but they are missing a huge part of the socialization that the vast majority of our society has and as a result are more likely to be more “unique” than other people brought up more traditionally.”
I dare you to sit in a room with my homeschooled child who has punk rock hair and has a band with her non-homeschooled friends and plays on the praise team @ church and tell her she isn’t “socialized” enough. I dare you tell her that she is missing out on a “real education” because she stays at home with “mommy”. The majority of homeschooling families are in the 21 century and are not “little house on the prairie” or the Duggars (not that there is anything wrong with them). They homeschool for many different reasons, all of them personal choices based on what they want for their families. I, personally want to spend as much time with my kids as possible because I have cancer. I also want to protect (not shelter) them from the evils of this world for as long as I can.
Why is it “un-christian” to stand up for your innocent children who have done ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong, yet it is “mainstream” to attack and belittle and condemn them. If Joy would have said that the parents who homeschooled were demented, that would be different (yet not any less offensive), but she CHOSE to say the children. That was blatantly wrong. I have never understood that, it boggles my mind every time someone makes the argument. And her humor… what if she would have called autistic children “demented”? Where do we as parents draw the line and drop this “grow a humor backbone” argument and make it about the kids, just like she did with her “demented” kid joke.
You also said:
“Joy’s humor may not always hit the mark but its worlds preferable to the incoherent babbling of Elizabeth spouting right wing sound bites that she clearly doesn’t even understand”
That comment speaks volumes.
Awesome response Heather (: I’m sure your kids love being home with you and learning! You hit the nail on the head there…how dare people say our children are demented. Soooo not funny. Take care!
Molly (: