Texas moran tries to inject Christian Bible into social studies!

[ColbertWatcher]

Ed Board Extremists Target Social Studies
By TFN

Having done what they could to muck up the state’s science curriculum standards, fringe right-wingers on the Texas State Board of Education are now moving to politicize the social studies curriculum for public schools. Texas Freedom Network just sent out the following press release:

The Texas State Board of Education is set to appoint a social studies curriculum “expert” panel that includes absurdly unqualified ideologues who are hostile to public education and argue that laws and public policies should be based on their narrow interpretations of the Bible.

TFN has obtained the names of “experts” appointed by far-right state board members. Those panelists will guide the revision of social studies curriculum standards for Texas public schools. They include David Barton of the fundamentalist, Texas-based group WallBuilders, whose degree is in religious education, not the social sciences, and the Rev. Peter Marshall of Peter Marshall Ministries in Massachusetts, who suggests that California wildfires and Hurricane Katrina were divine punishments for tolerance of homosexuality.

It gets worse.

(boy does it ever--check the link)

--http://tfnblog.wordpress.com/2009/04/30/ed-board-extremists-target-social-studies/">Texas Freedom Network blog

This doesn't just effect Texas; as everyone knows Texas can decide what information is in text books nationwide.

[geckosfeet]

1. This takes the phrase 'Amurican Taliban' to a new low.

[ColbertWatcher]

2. They simply won't give up. Or learn. n/t

[zbdent]

21. it's hard to "learn" when you refuse to learn ...

and refuse to accept facts ...

[Skidmore]

3. I'm so sick of Texas and its bully boy politics made worse

by just wrongheaded and ignorant perversity. What is it that makes this state that way? The chemicals leeching to the groundwaters there?

[PDittie]

16. It's not everybody here

We're making progress, little by little (particularly in the large urban areas outside Austin). Wanna come down and help?

[Terry in Austin]

41. What made Texas this way

What is it that makes this state that way? The chemicals leeching to the groundwaters there?

Close. I'd say it was all the oil (or in Texan, "awl the awl").

Spindletop gushes, and presto -- instant plutocracy, with all the odious stuff that goes along with it, including inevitable linkups between church and power structure. And given the customary scale of things Texan, that often translates to monumental perversity.

The main thing that's wrong with Texas is the people who think they own the joint -- plus their sons and their sheeples. Other than that, the "Texas national character" -- that pragmatic, affable, don't-bullshit-a-bullshitter kind of 'tude -- is alive and well, and generally spot on. Best examples are Jim Hightower, Molly Ivins and Ann Richards.

Of course, here in the People's Republic of Austin, we're not actually in Texas so much as surrounded by Texas, so we keep a vigilant eye on who crosses the Austin City Limits. ;)

[ColbertWatcher]

46. The People's Republic of Austin!?

http://www.wikiality.com/The_People%27s_Republic_Of_Austin

It awaits your wisdom!

[Terry in Austin]

48. LOL! - Beautiful!

I loves me that Colbert -- thanks for the link!
:toast:

Now, if I can just figure out how to work a wiki...

[ColbertWatcher]

51. All you have to do is ...

... register a free account (so no one can see your IP address), click on the word "edit" and just start typing.

Make sure you press the "preview" button before you save anything. You'll pick up stuff in no time.

[ananda]

49. You got that right.

Austin is like an oasis in a desert
filled with crazed limbaughtomized sandrats.

Keep Austin Weird.

[Anakin Skywalker]

4. They Want to Secede from the Rest of Us!

This is TX, where a handful of wanna-be cowboys also TALK BIG. Remember a secession talk a few weeks back? :)

[ColbertWatcher]

5. Yeah, and the dumbass had the nerve to cry out for help less than a week later!

Oh, and did you see Tom DeLay on TV!?

How the hell is that guy still relevant?

[polmaven]

14. Not only HOW is he still relevant,

but WHY is he still relevant....Why on earth does he keep popping up on the tv machine? Who keeps inviting him? And when the H is his trial going to begin?

[ColbertWatcher]

15. I had forgotten about his trial. When is that supposed to begin!? n/t

[NoPasaran]

44. We've decided to cancel his trial

We'll be sending him as ambassador to you yankees when we regain our independence.

[ColbertWatcher]

45. Ha! Good one! n/t

[WolverineDG]

47. ...

:loveya:

dg

[spiritual_gunfighter]

27. Chris Matthews loves him apparently

He says so every time he is on Hardball.

[ColbertWatcher]

62. Just another reason why we call him Tweety! n/t

[depakid]

10. They only want to secede when they can't get their way

It's in the nature and the culture of the majority in the state- and why reasonable people around the world both laugh at it- and keep on guard to make ensure that Texas' mentality doesn't ruin the places where they live.

[Obamanaut]

18. "...ensure that Texas' mentality doesn't ruin the places where they live..."

I'm in Florida, in many ways it's too late to save us. We're still fighting the leftovers of Jeb. We're "rurnt" (I've heard it said that way, pretty sure it's "ruined")

edited to ad an apostrophe. note: do not type when not wearing glasses

[no_hypocrisy]

6. Let me guess: They'll teach this country always was and is and will be a Christian nation.

Starting with the Pilgrims and the unchurched savages (i.e., Native Americans) and building from there.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

7. The dumbing down continues.

Another generation of kids will be part of the great Falling Behind. India and China must be laughing their asses off at us.

[ColbertWatcher]

8. "The Great Falling Behind" I've never heard that before, mind if I steal it!? n/t

[SalmonChantedEvening]

9. Yours for the using cousin

:hug: :)

[ColbertWatcher]

11. Thank you!

:P

[bumblebee1]

64. It's not just China and India who are laughing at us.

It's also the rest of the world.

[BR_Parkway]

12. What'd they blame disasters on before Soddom invented us homos?

There actually is some room in a social studies class for discussing the effects of religion on society - but I doubt that's what these 'scholars' have in mind

[ColbertWatcher]

13. Who knows how badly they'll twist it.

We've seen what they tried to do with science; there's no telling what they'll do with the social sciences.

[XemaSab]

35. The proper place for discussing religion is in "Social Issues"

When they talk about drugs.

After all, it's the opiate of the people.

[Iris]

39. that uppity woman - Eve

[droidamus2]

17. The problem

The problem with a lot of these people is that they don't believe in education they only believe in indoctrination. They just want to inculcate young minds with their particular narrow minded ideology and do everything they kind to make sure those same minds are never allowed to do any critical thinking. That's why they have such a problem with science because it gives students a method to examine the world outside of ideology. I am sure they would love to remove anything from the social studies curriculum that does reaffirm their philosophy. Even though I would prefer they never get to indoctrinate anybody if they want to do this they should open their own schools with their own money and print their own books and leave the rest of us alone.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

19. Well stated

I don't know if I've ever heard it put so succinctly but yeah, that's exactly their MO and I totally agree with you. They have the gall to act as though THEY are victims of intolerance and closed-mindedness when what they are really fighting for is the ability to advance their own agenda, which usually requires, ironically (or not), intolerance and closed-mindedness. They're mostly pissed off IMHO that THEY aren't the ones calling the shots. That's what it essentially boils down to as I see it. I don't belong to an organized religion but religion is certainly intertwined with history and society and I don't have any problems with discussions of religion being incorporated as relevant into classroom lessons. Like you, my concern is the desire of some people to indoctrinate and prevent discussion of alternative ideas (i.e. critical thinking).

[The_Commonist]

22. That about sums it up.

Of course, the question is WHY do they only believe in indoctrination?

Because they don't want to find out that their entire worldview is based on complete bullshit...

[sufrommich]

20. I was just about to post this. Can Texas get any wackier?

Yes. It. Can.

[WolverineDG]

23. To those of you who love to complain about Texas

but don't do anything to help out:

This is what you get when you leave a state to twist in the wind, using it as your party's ATM yet refusing to send back money & resources to help us out.

In other words, quit your bitchin' & come down & help.

dg

[WeDidIt]

26. I don't want to go anywhere near Texas

I turned down a position where I would ahve made about 65% more than I do today with substantially better benefits because I would ahve had to relocate to Austin.

No way in hell would I move to Texas.

[WolverineDG]

30. Well thanks for proving my point nt

[Justyce]

31. Austin is in a big blue county. Guess you don't know much about Texas.

[WeDidIt]

32. I knew that about Austin

And I'd feel about the same way Crockett and the rest felt in the Alamo if I lived in Austin.

[Justyce]

33. A little overdramatic, eh? Have you ever even BEEN here? If not,

why on earth post crap like this? There are millions of proud Texas Dems, and plenty of them here on DU. Are you aware Texas had a Dem governor before Bush, and that we could go blue again with the right funding & help? I thought we weren't supposed to stereotype people here on DU...

[WeDidIt]

37. Yes, I've been there

which is my number one reason for never wanting to return.

I've been to Georgia, too, and I'll never return there, either.

[Terry in Austin]

43. Crockett at the Alamo

I think you've identified the vibe pretty well -- Austin is indeed surrounded by Red State forces and we kind of hunker down together here on the Blue Island.

But hey, if nothing else, the contrast sure heightens your awareness of being progressive -- sort of like skydivers and mountain climbers who like the danger because it makes them feel more alive! (Not for everyone -- YMMV.)

:hippie:

[rcrush]

40. I go to Austin to not get busted by the cops for smoking weed.

ACL SXSW Marley Fest. Thousands of people smokin weed in the park all weekend and the cops dont do shit. I love Austin

[Richardo]

36. .

:applause:

[ColbertWatcher]

65. "... but don't do anything to help out ..." My governor is just as bad as yours is.

However, everyone who has kids in school should know what's going on in Texas because of what they can do to textbooks every where.

BTW, before any of us can do anything we have to know what's going on.

[WolverineDG]

66. There is a Texas forum on DU

and it's not that hard to find, if you really wanted to know.

dg

[ColbertWatcher]

69. As I'm sure there's a California one. n/t

[LiberalFighter]

24. Someone needs to taser Barton and Marshall between the legs.

[WeDidIt]

25. David Barton is a PROVEN and ADMITTED LIAR!

HE made up quotes and attributed them to founding fathers.

The man is a con artist, nothing more.

[LeftyMom]

28. The Rev. Marshall writes history textbooks for fundie Christians. (links)

http://www.amazon.com/Light-Glory-1492-1793-Gods-America/dp/0800732715/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241183849&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Sea-Shining-1787-1837-Gods-America/dp/0800733940/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241183849&sr=8-2

http://www.amazon.com/Light-Glory-Children-Discovering-Christopher/dp/0800754484/ref=pd_bbs_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241183849&sr=8-7

[marshall]

29. It does have some place in our history

For many pioneer families it was the only book they owned. Many of the stories were influential in the literature. I don't want to see Bible studies instituted but I would like to see an understanding of the place the book had as a piece of literature.

I was taking a graduate class in Chaucer a few years ago. In discussing his "The Legend of Good Women" we came across a passage about a woman who kills a man by driving a nail in his head. I commented that the incident was obviously drawn from the story of Jael in the Old Testament. I was flabbergasted that nobody--NOBODY--in the class of graduate students of early modern English literature, was familiar with that story, other than the teacher. She and I engaged in a short conversation about the similarities, met with confused gazes from the rest of the class.

My point is the Bible has its place in our culture. Perhaps this move is misdirected, but the baby shouldn't be thrown out with the bathwater.

[ColbertWatcher]

53. Did this happen in a public high school? n/t

[knitter4democracy]

56. I've run into that in my grad-level literature classes, too.

Even more obvious references than that go right over most students' head and often the prof's head as well.

[newspeak]

34. as a child, I read excerpts from the Bible

and I really wouldn't want my children to read certain stories in the Bible. The NT would be what I'd allow a child to read. I'm not into Saul of Tarsus or Paul's text, which may have had some extra "help" from some of the early church leaders, such a Iraneous. Some who had visions of control, prejudice and power on their mind. Now there is much of the OT that I wouldn't want my children to read. I mean I can imagine a child asking "what's a concubine?" I'd have to be explaining about David's many concubines--you know, those women keeping him warm at night. Or how David sent out Bathsheba's hubby to get killed so they could be together. Or, explaining about Sodom and Gomorrah, and how Lot laid with his daughters (of course, those sexy daughters enticed him). Or explain how Joshua was told by God to murder everyone in a town, including children. Maybe Joshua used God as an excuse to murder everyone in that town. Or how brothers betrayed their sister's husband's family because of their greed, and murdered the wedding party--because they were different-even though the husband was converting to their beliefs. Or explain the love affair between Sheba and Solomon. And then, I'd have to explain, after all these atrocities committed against other people, why some people believe they are God's chosen people.

[surrealAmerican]

38. Not to excuse this disgusting attempt ...

... to teach their religion in public schools, but Social Studies has always been a target for political agendas.

[Lilith Velkor]

42. What does Christian Bale have to do with social studies?

Oh, BIBLE. Nevermind.

:yoiks:

[KamaAina]

50. "who suggests that... Hurricane Katrina were divine punishments for tolerance of homosexuality."

:grr: :banghead: :argh:

New Orleans' gay community is centered around the lower French Quarter and adjacent Faubourg Marigny. These areas, adjacent to the Mississippi River and above sea level, did not flood. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, a couple of miles away in the Gentilly Woods neighborhood, took on about eight feet of water.

So apparently god hates Baptists far worse that she does ho-mo-sesshuls. :eyes:

[dysfunctional press]

52. "as everyone knows Texas can decide what information is in text books nationwide."

actually- not everyone knows that at all- and that's a big part of the problem.

people don't care what's going on in that looney-bin of a state, because they don't realize the impact it has on their children's educations in their own states.

[sonias]

54. Damn it, Texans do care!

I wish people would stop making these broad statements that our whole state is a looney-bin. Most of you have no idea what goes on in Texas and how things are changing.

In fact we have a wonderful organization called Texas Freedom Network. The one that got mentioned in the OP that devotes almost 100% of it's time and resources fighting this wing nut crew and this state agency.

And there are great Texas House Democrats that do everything in their power to bury this crew. For example here is an action alert for a bill that will be heard this weekend to sunset the SBOE.

House Bill 710 . this Saturday (5/2/09) Get the freepers off the school board

ACTION ALERT: Tell Your State House Member to Support House Bill 710 this Saturday

On Saturday the Texas House of Representatives will consider a major bill that would help rein in the extremists who control the State Board of Education. House Bill 710 would put the state board under periodic review by the Sunset Advisory Commission. It would help ensure that the state board focuses on public school curriculum standards and textbooks that promote sound education, not personal and political agendas. Passage of House Bill 710 would be a major step forward in keeping politics out of our kids’ public school classrooms.
(more at link above)

This same SBOE agency is about to get it's power over our permanent education fund stripped too.

AAS 4/27/09
Squeaker of a vote on School Fund constitutional amendment

Texas voters could soon have a say in who manages the investment of the state’s $22 billion Permanent School Fund that is dedicated to public education.

The Texas House of Representatives agreed put a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would move investment decisions from the elected State Board of Education to an appointed body of financial professionals named by high-level elected officials, including the governor, land commissioner, House speaker and comptroller.

And the Senate confirmation for current SBOE chairman, Chairman Don McLeroy (R-creationist) is dead in the water in the Republican controlled Senate. But it's the Senate Democrats (12 of them blocking the confirmation). Someone else is going to lead that board now.

AAS 4/30/09
McLeroy confirmation blocked

The confirmation of State Board of Education Chairman Don McLeroy is dead in the water, Sen. Mike Jackson, R-La Porte, said Thursday.

Jackson, chairman of the Senate Nominations Committee, said McLeroy will be left pending in committee because there is enough opposition on the floor of the Senate to block his confirmation, which requires approval of two-thirds of the senators.

There are too many other important issues to take up on the floor to waste time on a doomed confirmation, Jackson said.

So you see those of us in Texas do give a damn! :grr:

Sonia

[ColbertWatcher]

55. If the SBOE is allowed to sunset, what would replace it!? n/t

[tbyg52]

57. Well, we Democrats here in Texas would do our best to see that it was something that made sense. nt

[sonias]

58. Something better we would hope

One step at a time. You have to make sure that whatever responsibilities the SBOE has are farmed out to some other agency or board. And the Legislature also has the power to totally gut the agency and start over with a clean slate.

The Democratic party is actively recruiting people to run for these seats as well in the meantime.

One way or another we're going to get this Board in shape.

Sonia

[ColbertWatcher]

59. Just out of curiosity, who wants to get rid of SBOE?

And why do they want to get rid of them?

[sonias]

60. Everyone that thinks this board has too much power

And that they've gone rogue.


Sonia

[ColbertWatcher]

61. Well, good luck to you. A government agency going rogue needs to end. n/t

[donheld]

63. They'd find a lot less vomit on the Bible

If they'd stop shoving it down our throats.

[RagAss]

67. Religion is guiding us down the path to a Third World Nation....nm

[Veruca Salt]

68. THEOLOGY class only goddamnit!

If they need their freaking bible in a publicly funded institution then it is relegated to theology class only! And they damn well better not bitch when other religions are discussed as well in said type of class!

I hate these fascists with every fiber of my being! :argh: