Discovering Democracy research fair on Thursday, May 24 at Milton High School.
Discovering Democracy research fair on Thursday, May 24 at Milton High School.
This is a VERY special opportunity for WE THE PEOPLE of the MILTON school district and area to learn more about significant public policy issues. This is the 3rd annual and I will be there. I learned so much at the first 2 that this year’s fair is HIGH on my priority list. I urge you to visit the fair which is open to the public and free. We all need to live and learn… just do it!
I reported on the 3rd annual Discovering Democracy program at Milton High School in my blog post on March 28, “Citizens of a republic must be EDUCATED to be effective citizens!”
I would remind you of the assertion by Thomas Jefferson re. an “enlightened” or educated citizenry as requisite for a healthy democracy, "I know no safe depositary of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education. This is the true corrective of abuses of constitutional power."
I believe Discovering Democracy at Milton High School is a very good example of high quality and meaningful democracy/civics education.
More information as to the plans and schedule for the 3rd annual Discovering Democracy Field Study was reported by Neil Johnson published in The Janesville Gazette on Wednesday, March 28, “Milton students off to Washington, D.C.” (I am not allowed to give you a link – you will find the article on page A2 of the March 28 issue of The Janesville Gazette.)
After the 3rd annual Discovering Democracy Field Study which was in Washington, D.C. from March 22 to April 2, Rebecca Kanable, Associate Editor of The Milton Courier, wrote an informative feature article about the field study experience. If you want to read that article published on April 19, use this link, “MHS students discover democracy.”
Knowing that I have learned a great deal talking with the Discovering Democracy students at the annual research fair, I am planning to go to the Discovering Democracy III Political Science Research Fair which is from 7 – 9 pm next Thursday, May 24 in the library at Milton High School. I KNOW I will learn a great deal about the significant public policy issues which the students researched preparing for the field study and then delved into with interviews complemented by Q&A sessions with our representatives in the US Congress (Senators Ron Johnson and Herb Kohl and Representatives Paul Ryan and Tammy Baldwin).
Examples of the significant public policy issues which the Discovering Democracy III students delved into are: Separation of Church and State, Illegal Immigration, Stem Cell Research,US-Chinese Rela tions, US-North Korean Relations, US-Libyan Relations and Support for the Intellectually Disabled.
I was highly impressed as the Discovering Democracy group continued with a special group session with a US Supreme Court Justice. The first year (2010) it was Justice Scalia. When he himself was not able to meet with the group, the next year (2011) he arranged for his colleague and friend, Justice Ginsberg to meet with the group. This year (2012), Justice Ginsberg again made a point to meet with the Discovering Democracy group.
I note that she kept that appointment with the Milton HS Discovering Democracy group in spite of the fact that it came in the midst of the INTENSE DAYS of the oral hearings on the health care law! I see that priority as a VERY SIGNIFICANT COMPLIMENT to the Milton High School Discovering Democracy group!
NOW comes OUR opportunity to not only hear more about the FIELD STUDY in Washington, DC, but more importantly, I think, the analysis and stance these students have to share about the significant public policy each student researched. I urge you to make time to go to the Research Fair to LEARN and be better prepared to cast an informed ballot both in our WI RECALL ELECTION on Tuesday, June 5 as well as the WI PRIMARY coming on Tuesday, August 14 and then the GENERAL ELECTION, including vote for US President, a US Senator, Congressional Representatives, some WI State Senators and all WI State Assembly Representatives and other PARTISAN offices throughout WI – Tuesday, November 6. BE PREPARED to cast an informed ballot!
KNOWING about both DISCOVERING DEMOCRACY at Milton High School and WASHINGTON SEMINAR in the School District of Janesville involving students at both Parker and Craig high schools, I would be irresponsible if I did NOT alert readers that both WASHINGTON SEMINAR and DISCOVERING DEMOCRACY need financial support. I HOPE you will contact the director of the program you wish to support to get information for a tax deductible contribution. WASHINGTON SEMINAR – Joe Van Rooy, Parker HS – 608-743-5585. DISCOVERING DEMOCRACY – Val Crofts, Milton HS – 608-868-9200. YOU can make a valuable INVESTMENT in democracy/civics education through either or both of these democracy/civics education programs in our community.
Here we go…
Mr. E.
John Eyster lives in the Edgerton area. He is an adjunct professor of political science at UW-Waukesha and an advocate for democracy/civics education in Wisconsin high schools. John is a community blogger and is not a part of The Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the The Gazette staff or management.


May 22, 2012 at 10:26 p.m.
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Did you try asking him nicely instead of demanding that they be answered? Because he isn't a dog for you to play fetch with. But he dose bite... very hard at that... damn liberal commies... boy am I confused.
May 22, 2012 at 12:06 p.m.
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I do find these comments amusing and that's because before you can post, it says...
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How many comments would violate that? LOL some people will never learn to start fights at the appropriate place and time... GO 'MERICA!
May 22, 2012 at 9:23 a.m.
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I actually feel as if my comment is a little to much of an ad hoc against taxpayer, and I am sorry, but again this fair is about bipartisanship and the research the children have done, and it should not be made into a political battlefield for your attacks against a fine educator.
May 22, 2012 at 9:10 a.m.
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Feduptaxpayer, you implied "all" when you failed to concede that educators can be something other than just "liberal."
Studs, please show me where I said that I've had my freedoms taken away. Oh and by the way, I'm a he, not a her. I thought having a MALE tennis player as a username implied that, but I guess not.
May 22, 2012 at 8:55 a.m.
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I can't tell if your response was an attempt at a comeback or what. But here is a cookie for trying, fine sir.
http://tinyurl.com/lfnrum
May 22, 2012 at 8:52 a.m.
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Dear feduptaxpayer, you are one of those missinformed republicans. You believe anything that the party heads tell you without researching the facts for yourself. You are ignorant, and refuse to give on your ideas, most likel you had trouble in school, drive a big red truck, have a terrible work ethic, and get little pay. You believe that its ONLY your rights that count, and not the rights of others such as women, blacks, or gays. You most likely believe bipartisanship means the democrats coming over to the republican side. I'm sorry sir, but the world does not work like ur fantasies, so stop thinking it will.
This article was about a research fair, not politics. It has nothing to do with a liberal or conservative agenda, and it is only to show how had the class has worked a great paper and showcase their trip to the washington dc area. You sir remind me of Glinda Brown, I urge you to look her up, with your refusing to back anything that is deemed "liberal".
May 22, 2012 at 8:50 a.m.
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I'm a current AP Gov student at Milton High School.
This research fair is bi-partisan, and all are welcome. We hope to see you there, regardless of your political affiliation.
Feduptaxpayer: If you'd like to verify the quality of our education, you're more than welcome to attend the research fair this Thursday. You can even meet Mr. Crofts, just to see what a great teacher he is and just how unbiased the fair is. I think you'd be pleasantly surprised.
DrTalk: The oportunity cost that would be paid would be given to hard working high school students- the future of our nation. Your time would give us the opportunity to learn and grow. If that's not a cost you'd like to pay, that's fine. No one would hold it against you if you didn't want to attend. :) However, if you have the time to spare, we'd greatly appreciate the chance to show you how worthwhile we are.
May 22, 2012 at 5:45 a.m.
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"I urge you to visit the fair which is open to the public and free. We all need to live and learn… just do it!"
--John Eyster
Here's something you need to learn Mr. Eyster: There's no such thing as a free lunch. There's always at least an opportunity cost to be paid. People who go to this event will be paying with their time. I've even paid an opportunity cost by reading your blog and posting your comment. Time which probably could have been spent doing something more constructive. But there's a part of me that hopes you get a CLUE.
May 21, 2012 at 10:32 p.m.
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"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."
Abe said it more eloquently than I could.
Oh, and Feduptaxpayer, I'd like to point out that you hijacked a neutral blog post that promotes non-partisan, educational awareness for both students and adults in an attempt to instigate some form of a conservative "hoorah" and do some liberal bashing. Please go have your extremist pow-wow elsewhere.
Oh, and please go after your legislators if you want something changed--all revenue bills originate in the House, and really the executive has little to do with it except a yay or nay.
But then that just may be some maniacal liberal scheme my politics teacher came up with to take down America so we can all become commies. Please, enlighten me with your complete and total wisdom of the current American education system.
May 21, 2012 at 9:35 p.m.
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Yes, Federer has clearly had her freedom taken away by researching, learning, writing, and presenting. I guess freedom requires ignorance.
May 21, 2012 at 8:58 p.m.
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Liberal educator running this? Hardly... He is a great guy and runs the Young Republicans at the school. Politics aside... this is about kids that traveled to DC and worked hard on project that they chose. Good for them!
May 21, 2012 at 4:28 p.m.
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Feduptaxpayer, I really don't think you can generalize public educators so broadly. I have an outspoken Republican, Mr. Crofts, as an AP Gov teacher this year who would strongly disagree with your assumption that all educators are "corrupting" us with Liberalism. Teachers come from both sides of the spectrum, just like normal people, they aren't predestined to be Liberals just because they want to educate the youth of our nation. It's your extremist attitude that gives the common, more moderate Republican, such as myself, a bad name.
Oh and thanks for bringing into question the integrity of the educational system that just this year has allowed me to both go to D.C. and now present my findings from the trip in a setting such as the Research Fair. It's people like you that make me lose faith in humanity.
May 21, 2012 at 2:28 p.m.
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idea for an apology does not equal demanding an apology.....we could all learn a little bit from these young adults who are looking at issues from both sides and deciding for themselves where they stand from their research versus what someone tells them to think
May 21, 2012 at 2:08 p.m.
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Check this out.
http://mediatrackers.org/2012/05/21/chie...
May 21, 2012 at 1:16 p.m.
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Why do you demand an apology? Seriously, Feduptaxpayer is entitled to his opinion, for now anyway. That freedom hasn't been taken from us yet. I would like an apology from the teacher I saw at a anti rally dragging the American flag...*rolls eyes* LIKE THAT WOULD HAPPEN!
May 21, 2012 at 11:47 a.m.
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Fedup...the idea for an apology comes from the fact that you DID generalize that liberal educators are educating the students in the course....not the case...
May 21, 2012 at 11:46 a.m.
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Maybe Obama should attend, if anyone needs to learn about Democracy its that Jerk! Think maybe someone could squeeze in a session about the Constitution for him also?
May 21, 2012 at 9:33 a.m.
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Mr. Lyke and Mr. Eyster,
I would NOT waste your time expecting the likes of someone with a screen name "feduptaxpayer" to be educated enough to understand that these classes are NOT a partisan, political issue. Obviously, some people would like everyone to be home-schooled so he/she could save money. See fedup, we don't need to make a political issue out of a high school class!! A lot of time on his hands to complain and judge rather than find solutions and common ground.
May 21, 2012 at 9:01 a.m.
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LOl at eyester being offended. You eyester have been offending people with common sense with your liberal dribble for a long time, but that don't stop you from continuing to do so! You eyster owe the rest of us an apology for sponging off of the tax payers of this great state!
May 21, 2012 at 7:59 a.m.
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Feduptaxpayer, once a flunky, always a flunky.
May 21, 2012 at 6:47 a.m.
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Feduptaxpayer - Your comment may be the most ignorant and moronic one I have read on this site in a long time...and that's saying something. What do you find partisan and liberal about this project? You're going to bunch all of the educators in every school into a liberal bucket and assume they are "indoctrinating" students? It's obvious you know absolutely nothing about Val Crofts and the incredible learning experience he provides for these students. It's also obvious you know nothing about these bright and intelligent young people. I challenge you to come to this event Thursday. Perhaps you, yourself, might benefit from a little education.
May 21, 2012 at 6:30 a.m.
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I am offended by YOUR off the top and ignorant comment about educators, "Feduptaxpayer"! YOU ought to know the AP US Government & Politics teacher, VAL CROFTS at Milton HS. WHY do YOU use stereotype? I guess it is easier than thinking and learning and rationality? YOU owe an APOLOGY to Mr. Crofts! Here we go... John W. Eyster
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