Warning: this has nothing to do with art. Even if I was driven to design a stamp when I heard about this becoming an issue, that fact is entirely beside the point. So, here's the scoop. New York Law School , in normal contrarian fashion, is holding a panel discussion entitled, "Is Constitution Day Constitutional: Byrd-Brained Idea or Welcome Opportunity?" This all comes after new federal law was passed, requiring every American school that receives taxpayer funding to teach students about the U.S. Constitution on or around Sept. 17, the anniversary of the document's signing in 1787. So here's the thing. The Education Department is not policing ANY schools to make sure they're complying. And the law does not specify how schools present the lesson, which means that New York Law can, as each other school can, create its own class or program. But that fact notwithstanding, NYL is publicizing this "discussion of the constitutionality of the law." They wonder "if congress really can require schools to present programs or distribute materials relating to the United States Constitution on or about Sept. 17 each year." Oh - and they say that they will "discuss potentially more appropriate ways to teach Americans about the Constitution." OK, that's me with the dumbfounded look on my face. Since each school comes up with their OWN lesson or presentation - um - I'm wondering exactly WHAT the folks at NYL will be comparing to their "more appropriate" approach. Don't even get me started. I'm not one who normally can abide being lectured by the law's author, the dapper though pompous windbag, aka: the Senator from West Virginia, Robert Byrd. I mean, after all, even for a Senator this is a guy who acts like he's pretty much superior to everybody else, bar none. And tacking this "event" on as on amendments to a spending bill raises my hackles too, but watch me make every effort to ignore that. In the end I guess it comes down to being open minded enough to support a little more basic education and a little less politically correct kumbaya singing. What can I tell you; I'm the mother of four and regardless of being educated in some of the best-funded school systems in the US, only #4 (incidentally, the only one who home-schooled from the middle of grade one through grade twelve) has much of a grasp of history. Have you seen Jay Leno in his Jay-Walking questioning of people on street corners? I mean come on people; let's admit we need help. So I say, bring on the History! Make the History Channel mandatory watching in the time saved when schools stop studying the geography of outer Slobovia. I see this NYL stunt as merely another excuse for a bunch of elite attorneys who give liberalism a bad name to bemoan how downtrodden the American people are with such unreasonable requirements such as expecting the nation's educators to actually illuminate us about the benchmark of our liberties, our Constitution. Here's a thought, though. Perhaps New York Law might better serve the community, their students and their country by sending faculty and student body volunteers into schools, village halls, fire houses and libraries (See a video of a discussion with students) to discuss the living document that our constitution is and how it affects our everyday life. Sure. That's going to happen. constitutioncenter.org