Texas ed board vote reflects far-right influences

I try to stay in the center too...that way you can pick and choose what is sensible without buying into entire platforms. For example, I like social programs that feed the poor and protect weak (the truly weak, and not rich people who are forced to pay taxes) people from abuse. I can take those and other left-leaning ideas, while at the same time believing that the death penalty is the best thing for sadistic killers and that it's ok for nice people to own guns. If you don't label yourself and identify with the loudmouth's on either wing, then you can be honest and not find yourself promoting dumb things that you should know are wrong. In the end, both wings are quite alike, because they are rigid and like extreme measures to control society. What's crazy is that the 20th Century is basically a history of extremist, totalitarian movements and we should all know better by now. Winston Churchill said something like the Soviets and Nazis were as different as the North and South Poles.

 

This country is in fact not democratic per say, since we elect others to make decisions for the group, but a republic. No reason not to use the proper terminology when educating kids. Don't forget your pledge of allegiance: "...and to the republic for which it stands..."

 

Yes, that is true. I also found this informative link on the web:
http://depts.alverno.edu/dgp/GEC/Types%20of%20Government.html

 

As someone living in a "People's Republic" I don't exactly agree with their statement of a democratic republic being a firm/absolute dictatorship. I have always had the impression dictators are leaders for life, such as Hussein, the Kim's, Castro, etc. At least the leader here changes ever so often even if the political party group remains constant.

 

Nice post, Maniac! One side of my family are long time democrats bordering on proud socialists (old world European immigrant New Yorkers so I forgive it a little).

I am more cynical, jaded and "in the middle." My uncle once told me "people in the middle get run over." Yes we get run over by you blind extremists who stampede in one direction like rabid wildebeasts and wonder how you ended up going over a cliff!!

ahhhh, politics.

 

At least it appears that teaching of the Theory of Evolution was not weakened:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/012309dntexevolution.1d0cd401.html

 

I don't believe in the left-right paradigm, and I think it is unfortunate that so many people are trapped in it.

The real division is between those people who leave other people alone, and those who want to control other people. Seems like there are too many of the latter.

 

I haven't followed this Texas school book thing very closely and don't know all of the minute details. But from what I've heard, I agree with the Texas board and think that they did the right thing.

I don't see it as a victory for "far-right influences". This seems to have been more about preventing the far-left influences of race-class-gender theory from setting the educational agenda.

In a word, it was about presenting the United States and its values and traditions to students in a positive light, and not simply as examples of oppression that need to be swept away by revolutionary change.

 

“…a liberal onslaught has been unleashed to try to influence these education standards. An unelected review panel, not the elected members of Texas State Board of Education (SBOE), attempted to push through a number of highly questionable changes to the standards – removing Independence Day, Neil Armstrong, Daniel Boone, and Christopher Columbus – from them. They even dumped Christmas and replaced it with Diwali. You can’t make this stuff up! After a huge outcry from citizens and strong leadership by conservatives on the Texas State Board of Education, each of these changes was reversed" (Shackelford, 2010).
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/03/11/kelly-shackelford-texas-textbook-social-studies-standards-american-history/

 

It seems like a crazy idea, but why don't they appoint a panel of prominent historians and let them sort it out? Politicians (left, right or center) can't begin to know what's important in American history or how to develop a balanced curriculum. There must be historians of every political persuasion in Texas who would love the project.

 

From The Economist (3/16/10) - Jefferson v Board of Education

http://www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?story_id=15710558&source=hptextfeature

 

+1

I always thought that way too many people tried to think for themselves anyway. Too much waste of time, and who knows what would happen if we were to allow all that? I mean, my goodness, if everyone were to think like Jefferson, then we'd have all manner of crazy ideas out there. Can't have that now, can we? Now, where did I put my whiteout?

I'm from Texas. Troubled, but not surprised.

 

This thread should have been in the political discussion section.

 

What the fuck?



"Numerous attempts to add the names or references to important Hispanics throughout history also were denied, inducing one amendment that would specify that Tejanos died at the Alamo alongside Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie. Another amendment deleted a requirement that sociology students "explain how institutional racism is evident in American society."

I guess some like this.

Abner

 

I am a thread thief.

Maniac, wanted to let you know I have posted a thread just like this one in a teaching forum. Want to see what kind of response comes out of the teaching community. Will post a link if it gets interesting.

 

And people wonder what's wrong with the educational system in America.

 

Amen to that TT! What a bunch of shite!

Abner