The reply of Eileen Williams of Dover, NH to Waffler is not only [as she put it] "sad," but gossly misinformed. In fact, it was only after the Civil War -- and based heavily upon the efforts of the newly freed blacks -- that public education came to be. Before that, most WHITE people couldn't read or write, but only the wealthy elite. I won't even delve into the lie about the 'household immunization programs'. What arrogant ignorance -- or ignorant arrogance!.