A Call for Action: Ratify the UN CRPD!

Last updated on: November 12, 2013 at 4:01 pm by Libby Anne

A Call for Action: Ratify the UN CRPD! 2013-11-12T16:01:03-04:00 Libby Anne

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

In two recent posts, guest contributor Rachel Lazerus has examined Michael Farris’ recent testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In that testimony, and elsewhere across the web, Farris has argued against the U.S. ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). In a sort of mission drift, Farris has been using his position as arguably the most prominent homeschool activist—he founded the powerful Home School Legal Defense Association—to expand into a range of issues beyond just homeschooling. This is but one example.

In her first post, Rachel Lazerus examined the faulty way that Farris has portrayed what happened during his testimony to his followers. Farris has twisted the facts to such an extent that he is essentially lying, and has done so in such a way as to both create fear among his followers and raise money for his organizations. In her analysis, Rachel Lazerus walked us through what actually took place during Farris’s testimony, supplying but quoted transcripts and links to videos of his testimony.

In her second post, Rachel Lazerus looked at the citations Farris used during the testimony to buttress his opinions and found that he was taking these citations out of context and twisting their meanings. This is important because it speaks to something beyond just his testimony—these same citations are frequently used on Farris’s various websites and by his various organizations. Whether it’s through incompetence or malicious intent, Farris is misleading his followers—and the public.

While Rachel’s two pieces are long, they are worth a read. I’ve summarized them here for those who do not have the time or interest in reading them in their entirety. I’ve also created this summary because I want to echo Rachel’s call to action. Farris has overextended himself, reaching far beyond homeschooling and attempting to shape policy in areas that affect populations far outside of his usual following. It’s time we pushed back and told him no. And so I finish with Rachel’s call to action.

Call Your Senators!

If you live in one of these states, please call your senator and ask them to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). As long as the US refuses to ratify the CRPD, we look silly and backward and provide other nations with an excuse for refusing to sign the treaty or refusing to implement it. We need to lead by example, and ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is part of setting that example.

HSLDA has helpfully provided an app on their website which will provide you with contact information for each of your representatives in Congress. I use it here as a wonderful information source, and I express my sincerest thanks to the good folks at HSLDA who make participatory democracy possible.

Sen. Bob Corker (TN) – (202) 224-3344

Sen. Thad Cochran (MS) – (202) 224-5054

Sen. Rob Portman (OH) – (202) 224-3353

Sen. Tom Coburn (OK) – (202) 224-5754

Sen. Jeff Flake (AZ) – (202) 224-4521

Sen. Johnny Isakson (GA) – (202) 224-3643

Sen. Saxby Chambliss (GA) – (202) 224-3521

Sen. Debra Fischer (NE) – (202) 224-6551

Sen. Ron Johnson (WI) – (202) 224-5323

Sen. Michael Johanns (NE) – (202) 224-4224

Sen. Roy Blunt (MO) – (202) 224-5721

Sen. Lamar Alexander (TN) – (202) 224-4944

Sen. Dan Coats (IN) – (202) 224-5623

Sen. John Boozman (AR) – (202) 224-4843

And if you appreciate the effort Senators Boxer, Durbin, and Menendez put into dismantling the arguments of Farris, call them and tell them so.

Sen. Barbara Boxer (CA) – (202) 224-3553

Sen. Dick Durbin (IL) – (202) 224-2152

Sen. Bob Menendez (NJ) – (202) 224-4744

Let’s get involved and get this treaty ratified.

Homeschool

Politics

Michael Farris

Previous Post

November 12, 2013

Michael Farris’s Lies, Damned Lies, and Bad Sources: Testimony before the Senate on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Part 2

Next Post

November 12, 2013 Vision Forum Ministries (but not Inc.) Shutters Its Doors

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Atheism Evangelicalism/Fundamentalism Family Feminism Homeschool Meta Parenting Patriarchy Politics Purity Quiverfull Social Justice Uncategorized Worthwhile reads

Select a Month February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How many books are in the Old Testament?

Select your answer to see how you score.

42 27 66 39