We need less Thomas Jefferson more Newt Gingrich

Posted: 3/16/10 at 2:49pm

At least, that's what Texas School boards think when it comes to textbooks. Texas is flexing it's muscle and demanding that textbooks start "adding balance" in the classroom, since "academia is skewed too far to the left."

Little changes like removing references to minor figures like Thomas Jefferson in favor of Newt Gingrich or Phyllis Schlafly (If you don't know who she is, well, blame that left-leaning curriculum!). Or adding Jefferson Davis' inaugural speech as president of the Confederacy to provide balance to that liberal Lincoln's. Stop talking about Hispanics and talk more about white people. And give Joe McCarthy his due!
Coming soon to a school room near you....

[Perfectly Marvelous]

Posted: 3/16/10 at 3:00pm

They also want to focus more on western/country music, because hip hop and rap is obviously left-sided.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/16/10 at 3:06pm

Sheer insanity.

Posted: 3/16/10 at 3:38pm

Yeah, Country-western as a USA contribution to world culture instead of Jazz, R&B and rap. I assume no Texas textbook would mention showtunes....

[strummergirl]

Posted: 3/16/10 at 3:44pm

I feel like I should chip in and send a teacher Carolyn Baker's What Your High School Text Book Didn't Tell You.

[tom5515]

Posted: 3/16/10 at 3:45pm

The declaration of independence is worth more than anything Newt has done to his poor wife.

[Perfectly Marvelous]

Posted: 3/16/10 at 3:46pm

Well, you can be certain that showtunes will be cut altogether, seeing as they are entirely too radical!

I wonder if they'll mention rock and roll. Probably not, though, seeing as it's the "devil's music".

[tom5515]

Posted: 3/16/10 at 3:55pm

I am a Newbie trying to fit in, but these threads are confusing.

I thought it was about Gingrich and Jefferson, who are all these other people?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/16/10 at 4:02pm

Growing up in the suburbs of Houston in the 80s, I was aware of the Christian-heavy slant in the local society and the general Conservatism in the atmosphere, but I don't remember it permeating into the school system to any major extent other than every football game opening with a prayer (which always made me uncomfortable). As I got older and moved closer in to the city, I definitely noticed a much more liberal shift within the city, but perhaps it was because I worked 24/7 in the performing arts. My day job was mostly spent with ex-hippies and the punk/goth crowd and nights, I was usually amongst the theatre community.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 3/16/10 at 7:28pm

Huffington Post had a great breakdown as well.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/16/health-care-opponents-dem_n_501353.html

They also are supposed to highlight the Founding Father's Judeo-Christian influences, but refuse to acknowledge that the US constitution doesn't promote one religion over others, or separation of church and state.

[tazber]

Posted: 3/16/10 at 9:08pm

And this is just plain ignorance:

"- A recommendation to include country and western music among the nation’s important cultural movements. The popular black genre of hip-hop is being dropped from the same list."

Yes, hip-hop has had absolutely no impact whatsoever on our culture.

That's not a recommendation, it's an old white person's wishful thinking. Embarrassing for Texas, and the country as a whole by extension.

[Q]

Posted: 3/16/10 at 9:38pm

The 'ick' factor is radically multiplied because we're not talking about opinions meant to influence society NOW - this is for indoctrinization, meant to play out in the long term.

'Gay Agenda' my ass. We're fighting a battle with the religionists.

"You have to be carefully taught."