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I Can't Believe the News Today...Posted Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at 11:26 AM
I was disturbed and troubled after reading the news from Yahoo! when they reported that U.S. history books could be heavily peppered with conservatism. This country's social studies textbooks are mostly made in Texas, and guess where this conservative version of history is being made? You guessed it, in Texas. Taking text from the article:
Don McElroy, who leads the board's powerful seven-member socialconservative bloc, explained that the measure is a way of "adding balance" in the classroom, since "academia is skewed too far to the left" (Yahoo! News). A balance, Mr. McElroy? A balance is the reason for this? Yes let us rid of accuracy of what really happened, which is characterized as being "far to the left," in exchange for your conservative education agenda. Here are some of the proposed changes the Texas State Board of Education would like to make: A greater emphasis on "the conservative resurgence of the 1980s and 1990s." This means not only increased favorable mentions of [Phyllis] Schlafly, the founder of the antifeminist Eagle Forum, but also more discussion of the Moral Majority, the Heritage Foundation, the National Rifle Association and Newt Gingrich's Contract With America. - A reduced scope for Latino history and culture. A proposal to expand such material in recognition of Texas' rapidly growing Hispanic population was defeated in last week's meetings. - Changes in specific terminology. Terms that the board's conservative majority felt were ideologically loaded are being retired. Hence, "imperialism" as a characterization of America's modern rise to world power is giving way to "expansionism," and "capitalism" is being dropped in economic material, in favor of the more positive expression "free market." (The new recommendations stress the need for favorable depictions of America's economic superiority across the board.) - A more positive portrayal of Cold War anticommunism. Disgraced anticommunist crusader Joseph McCarthy, the Wisconsin senator censured by the Senate for his aggressive targeting of individual citizens and their civil liberties on the basis of their purported ties to the Communist Party, comes in for partial rehabilitation. The board recommends that textbooks refer to documents published since McCarthy's death and the fall of the Soviet bloc that appear to show expansive Soviet designs to undermine the U.S. government. - Language that qualifies the legacy of 1960s liberalism. Great Society programs such as Title IX--which provides for equal gender access to educational resources--and affirmative action, intended to remedy historic workplace discrimination against African-Americans, are said to have created adverse "unintended consequences" in the curriculum's preferred language. - Thomas Jefferson no longer included among writers influencing the nation's intellectual origins. Jefferson, a deist who helped pioneer the legal theory of the separation of church and state, is not a model founder in the board's judgment. Among the intellectual forerunners to be highlighted in Jefferson's place: medieval Catholic philosopher St. Thomas Aquinas, Puritan theologian John Calvin and conservative British law scholar William Blackstone. Heavy emphasis is also to be placed on the founding fathers having been guided by strict Christian beliefs. - Excision of recent third-party presidential candidates Ralph Nader (from the left) and Ross Perot (from the centrist Reform Party). Meanwhile, the recommendations include an entry listing Confederate General Stonewall Jackson as a role model for effective leadership, and a statement from Confederate President Jefferson Davis accompanying a speech by U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. - 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 (Yahoo! News). Such potential changes caused a board member to walk out the meeting. Mary Helen Berlanga, stormed out in protest. She said, "They can just pretend this is a white America and Hispanics don't exist," she said of her conservative colleagues on the board. "They are rewriting history, not only of Texas but of the United States and the world" (Yahoo! News). So U.S. History would drop a founding father, sanctify Joe McCarthy, build relics for Stonewall Jackson and Jefferson Davis, and almost name Newt Gingrich Prime Minister. This is what happens when people no longer care what transpires in education. This can happen when funds are cuts, and this is the only option for schools to buy books like these. It must be stated that the proposed changes are not final and there is a chance they may not be approved, but then again that chance is about as likely as a snowball not melting in hell. If this kind of historical spin continues, anything is fair game. By anything, I mean a softer depiction of southern slavery, renaming the Civil War to "The War of Northern Aggression," giving a paragraph's worth of notification on the Holocaust, and perhaps giving an entire unit on the Confederated States of America. There is, however, a third variable that often goes unnoticed. That piece is the teacher. A good teacher would look at such spin and be able to adjust the lessons. Perhaps the teacher would be able to compare and contrast these "new" books to older versions and could make lessons based on the two books. Take my high school biology teacher for example. After explaining evolution in great detail, he took a brief moment to say there are too many holes for him to buy into it. Bear in mind this was said to my class over ten years ago, so it is possible his opinion changed. Regardless, this example serves as how teachers are free thinkers and are not always taken into account when discussing school curricula. Then again if Governor Daniels' proposed education cuts are met, schools will not have the opportunity to hire and keep good teachers to deflect textbook spin and schools are left with the football coach teaching social studies and assigning chapter reviews. Good idea with those proposed cuts, Governor. There is no question the education of future generations are at stake with such proposals from the Texas State Board of Education. I can only hope teachers of the social sciences stand up for accuracy and not spin. That historians will encourage schools to not allow this to happen, and that local politicians will speak out and take actions against these concepts and ideals. Till Next Time... Comments Showing most recent comments first [Show in chronological order instead] |
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"Listen to them complain about the health care reform long enough and eventually hate words come out..."
How many times have we heard the race argument?
"Oddly, they all thought they were still talking health care, but they really weren't."
These people didn't realize or understand what they were talking about. They must have been using code words. "Health care" is code for "did you know our president is black?"
It is not possible anyone thinks ObamaCare is bad for our nation, the only possible explanation for opposition is that you don't like the color of his skin. No one can find fault with anything the President does or says, unless they're racist.
"They were more interested in the color of the President's skin and his religious views (Obviously none of them check Snopes for their facts, instead rely on gossip for their truth) than what they started talking about.?
And here you are "gossiping", telling second hand what you saw and heard.
If only these people had taken the time to research, they would surely fall in line, leave their evil ways behind and agree with the President.
DonCon:
I had mistaken something you posted somewhere else in the paper and got a wrong impression. First, I apologize.
I like the way you write. You speak from experience and see how helpful the new bill will be. I like to read a refreshing point of view. It's nice to be only one with a particular pov.
I think you make a valid point that it's not about politics, but about racism. People will deny it, to their deaths. But I listen closely to what people say and how they say it. Listen to them complain about the health care reform long enough and eventually hate words come out, sneak in here and there, and if left unchecked or if there's a group with similar views, all jump on the band wagon and the discussion changes. I've had this experience several times. I tend to be first a watcher, then talker. So I sit and shut up. I let the group talk away over their coffee and express opinions. Wednesday, I actually decided to time how long it took the conversation to go from health care to racism. I glanced at my watch (11:23 am) and just listened. The first hint (ugly N word used just once by one person at this point) came at 12:07 pm. Within 3 minutes, everyone was talking race instead of health care. Oddly, they all thought they were still talking health care, but they really weren't. They were more interested in the color of the President's skin and his religious views (Obviously none of them check Snopes for their facts, instead rely on gossip for their truth) than what they started talking about. I don't know if they even realized how ugly they were in those moments. For me, it was like watching humans being transformed into dark evil entities. I had to leave, because I didn't even like being in their presence. Suddenly it felt evil.
But in short, I agree with you.
Thanks,
ME
Pro_product:
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Thank you,
9th Amendment.
I'm not one who likes to play the race card, but, unfortunately, I think a lot of the people voting for these changes are xenophobes against Latino and black culture.
Off topic! Drew's article was not about health care, find somewhere else to discuss:
http://gcdailyworld.com/story/1581498.ht...
cow rancher- You ask people to give examples of people uninsured or denied coverage...it doesn't take much looking and a little common sense to see abuses in healthcare happening all over. Is the new plan the right plan...I don't think so, but since neither side cares to work together...we will get stuck with one.
Insurance companies aren't complete idiots...they know the system. They know people have some rights...they just weasel around them. It may by denying coverage because their "expert" doctor(often unethical or clueless lackies) refute countless 1st, 2nd, and even 3rd opinions of doctors treating a person. It may be the general hike in everybody's premiums. Sometimes they drag their feet hoping a patient will give up, or just die. There are real problems that need a light pointed in their direction.
Sadly, insurance companies are held up by hospitals and physicians that overcharge them for services. Try to negotiate a payment with a hospital without insurance...then look and see what they charge the insurance companies.
The system is broke, but nobody wants to talk about how to fix it. Republicans just will try to wish it away with capitalism, while Democrats will just pay for another band-aid to keep the system limping along.
DonCon,
There were NO children in the US that were denied coverage. Since you know 8 million of them, name just one. They have been given Medicaid, WIC, free meds from indigent programs, etc.
Also, I'm sorry you have epilepsy, so did my sister. She was never denied coverage with any employer and her rates were never higher than her co-workers. She even got free meds from Lilly for just asking. You are just blurbing out talking points.
I believe it is discriminatory to tax some people while not taxing everyone.
Did you pay your federal taxes for last year? I did. I paid enough to support two or three families incomes while my children (who were A students in high school and scored high on their SAT's) couldn't get grants due to their families "high" income. More discrimination.
It's time for a Fair Tax that taxes every citizen the same percentage. To do otherwise is discrimination.
It is Socialism when it comes to sharing the costs. Communism comes into play with where the money that is generated goes.
Yeah I completely hate that 8 million kids are going to get health insurance, and that I will now be able to get an insurance plan because my epilepsy will not be able to be discriminated against. In November, I am in complete support of voting out the very people who helped me in favor of people who would have rather me remained struggling just to help out there rich friends. I understand the whole cost argument, but trying to argue that this is communism or that it is a violation of the Constitution is a very far stretch.
3-21-10 The day America lost 1/5 of it's freedom.
November, 2010, elected officials replacement month!
And I think we are at war with Carthage, Gaul and Germania also.....
We've always been at war with Eurasia.
How exactly is education skewed to the left? I'm curious to know. The big bang theory can't be proven, so it is simply an idea. Most of the time it is skimmed over or presented as a guess to how life started. Even the textbooks make sure to emphasize it as a theory...not a law of science. Health probably covers a lot of things it may not have 25 years ago, but even in regards to sex...it only talks about abstinence. Local schools still say the pledge of allegiance with God in it. Most have moments of silence for students to pray if they wish. Christmas programs are still Christmas programs. Is it that way everywhere? Don't know, but now that the State has a larger role financially in schools...we could see a push for rural schools to swing to the so called left...but don't worry...our property taxes went down. They just forgot to mention the purse strings and possibly the power was taken away as well. I'm sure it will all be better when we have the Greene County School Corporation in charge...man I need to get off my soap box.
First, I like that Yahoo started allowing comments to the stories on their site. If you think some of the posts on this site are out there, scan the Yahoo comments.
To get back on topic, I think McElroy is right that government education is skewed to the left but skewing text books isn't going to bring it toward the center.
Also, please note that there are no planse for Obama to honor Jane Fonda with anything. The story above comes from a Barbara Walter's show from 1999 (11 years ago).
This is very old stuff and it has been floating around the internet for over a decade. I realize that the truth here on Fonda doesn't necessarily fit your agenda, and I am not in any way defending Fonda, but I do like people to stick with facts, not fantasy.
Cow Rancher: I read your stuff, it wasn't the first time I read the stuff on Fonda.
You should know, though, that the stories of POW's handing over slips of paper with their SS#'s on them to Jane Fonda stories, as well as other details above (not all), are Urban Legend, per Snopes.com, please read:
http://www.snopes.com/military/fonda.asp
Interesting points. I personally love to teach about Stonewall Jackson...he was an unusual man that truly depicts the torn feelings many southerners felt when called upon to fight for their country or state. Great little chance to point out the states vs. federal argument we have been debating for over 200 years.
Jane Fonda is polarizing figure, but when it comes to Vietnam...she deserves no free pass. I'm not sure I would qualify her as a traitor. This is a free country...and that goes for idiots too.
If 60% of doctors will change professions, then count on that many teachers doing the same. Truthfully, it will defer some...but both professions are more than 9-5 jobs. Mitch will get his books in black, and the parents, students, and teachers will bear the burden. Look for less teachers, larger class sizes, higher school fees, etc...
Cow Rancher, would you prefer we pay for wars, or for the health care for Iraq's. By the way how much did the Iraq war cost? I don't think they have ever told us. How much would you like to bet that 60% of the young Dr. in Indiana quit if this bill passes? I will cover what ever you want to bet.
Imperialism? Really? Our policies are imperialistic? Like as in Empire of Japan or Third Reich? Oh, imperialists because of our occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. Oh yes I see how this is similar to the Axis powers of WWII.
And capitalism is bad. I spent a significant amount of time behind the iron curtain back in the 80's. Those people had a very bad life.
Hmmm...it's pretty easy to see where the lack of education is...
By the way, I do believe guns are good, porn is fine, the less the government is involved in things the better off we are, books should never be banned, and that God has no place in the classroom but we should be able to pray where we want... And that's why the last four generations of my family have defended this country...
Oh, I can't close my eyes and make it go away
Lil Hahn,
I agree my reponse was long. When I previewed it, the second half wasn't double spaced. However, are saying because it is long that you didn't read it?
There is some good stuff in there...trust me...Just assume that everything said is there to better you as a person and to better your family. Isn't that what the liberal democrats are saying about this wretched healthcare bill...trust us. We know it is 2700 pages long but it's OK because we know what is better for you than you do.
Call your House representative today to stop the healthcare bill. We can't afford it, we don't want to pay for abortion, we don't want 60% of the doctors to change professions and we don't think a minority should take away our freedom. Had they read a balanced History book when they were in school they would know that.
Cow Rancher - you need to get your own blog if you are going to write responses that long!
Hey, Drew -
"There is, however, a third variable that often goes unnoticed. That piece is the teacher. A good teacher would look at such spin and be able to adjust the lessons."
No kidding sport. I'll give you an example: Back in the day, I took a US History course at SUNY Buffalo. My teacher was an avowed Communist, and at every available opportunity worked hard to make us aware of the inequity of our capitalist system. She hated Ben Franklin the most and felt that he was a self-aggrandizing blowhard instead of the self-made man that he claimed to be.
So, sport, it balances out. George Will wrote an excellent column on this, you might want to give it a read:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/art...
"One study of 1,000 professors finds that Democrats outnumber Republicans at least seven to one in the humanities and social sciences. That imbalance, more than double what it was three decades ago, is intensifying because younger professors are more uniformly liberal than the older cohort that is retiring."
Seven to one, sport! Does that sound "fair and balanced, eh? Indeed.
Drew,
First, only the first and last paragraphs are your liberal thoughts. You have taken a progressive article and added your slant to say that you can't believe the news today. I found no less than 14 other liberal bloggers using the same exact talking points that you have written. Google your paragraphs to read their comments.
I applaud the Texas board for bringing back the truth of history instead of changing it to fit the NEA and the democrat party.
Here is a couple of paragraphs from the liberal MSNBC (as much as I despise MSNBC as a source)article about the board's decision to print the truth.
"Teachers in Texas will be required to cover the Judeo-Christian influences of the nation's Founding Fathers, but not highlight the philosophical rationale for the separation of church and state. Curriculum standards also will describe the U.S. government as a "constitutional republic," rather than "democratic," and students will be required to study the decline in value of the U.S. dollar, including the abandonment of the gold standard.
"We have been about conservatism versus liberalism," said Democrat Mavis Knight of Dallas, explaining her vote against the standards. "We have manipulated strands to insert what we want it to be in the document, regardless as to whether or not it's appropriate."
At least Mavis Knight (a big honking liberal)told the truth that since she couldn't change the board votes that she was trying to insert strands of liberalism, whether or not it's important.
I expect nothing less from the slithering progressives and their approach to lying about facts. "It depends what is, is."
The truth is, your Biology teacher was right to question evolution as the liberals have written it. I suppose your teacher knows about scientific method and would also scoff at the joke of global warming, socialized health care, and has the ability to read the founder documents and understand what they were saying ( this is a Constitutional Republic-read the Constituition)and not what the liberal NEA's talking points told him to say.
Americans are not stupid, but we sure love our country and it's Christian heritage. To say otherwise is a lie.
Here is some news that I can't believe today,"Obama to honor Jane Fonda!!!
SHE REALLY WAS A TRAITOR!!
And now OBAMAwants to honor her ......!!!!
In Memory of
My brother -in- law
LT. C.Thomsen Wieland
Who spent 100 days at the Hanoi Hilton
A TRAITOR IS ABOUT TO BE HONORED
KEEP THIS MOVING ACROSS AMERICA
This is for all the kids born in the 70's who do Not remember, and
didn't have to bear the Burden that our fathers, mothers and older
Brothers and sisters had to bear.
Jane Fonda is being honored as one of the '100 Women of the Century.'
BY BARBRA WALTERS
Unfortunately, many have forgotten and still Countless others have never
known how Ms.
Fonda betrayed not only the idea of our country, But specific men who
served and sacrificed During Vietnam
The first part of this is from an F-4E pilot.
The pilot's name is Jerry Driscoll, a River Rat.
In 1968, the former Commandant of the USAF Survival School was a POW in
Ho Lo Prison The ' Hanoi Hilton.'
Dragged from a stinking cesspit of a cell, Cleaned, fed, and dressed in
clean PJ's, he was Ordered to describe for a visiting American 'Peace
Activist' the 'lenient and humane Treatment he'd received.
He spat at Ms. Fonda, was clubbed, and was Dragged away.
During the subsequent beating, he fell forward On to the camp Commandant
's feet, which Sent that officer berserk.
In 1978, the Air Force Colonel still suffered from Double vision (which
permanently ended his Flying career) from the Commandant's frenzied
Application of a wooden baton.
From 1963-65, Col. Larry Carrigan was in the 47FW/DO (F-4E's). He spent
6 years in the 'Hanoi Hilton',,, the first three of which his Family
only knew he was 'missing in action'.
His wife lived on faith that he was still alive.
His group, too, got the cleaned-up, fed and Clothed routine in
preparation for a 'peace delegation' visit.
They, however, had time and devised a plan to Get word to the world that
they were alive An d still survived. Each man secreted a tiny Piece of
paper, with his Social Security Number On it , in the palm of his hand.
When paraded before Ms. Fonda and a
Cameraman, she walked the line, shaking each man's hand and asking
little encouraging Snippets like: 'Aren't you sorry you bombed Babies?'
and 'Are you grateful for the humane Treatment from your benevolent
captors?'
Believing this HAD to be an act, they each Palmed her their sliver of
paper.
She took them all without missing a beat.. At the End of the line and
once the camera stopped Rolling, to the shocked disbelief of the POWs,
She turned to the officer in charge and handed Him all the little pieces
of paper.
Three men died from the subsequent beatings.
Colonel Carrigan was almost number four But he survived, which is the
only reason we Know of her actions that day.
I was a civilian economic development advisor In Vietnam , and was
captured by the North Vietnamese communists in South Vietnam in 1968,
and held prisoner for over 5 years.
I spent 27 months in solitary confinement; one Year in a cage in
Cambodia ; and one year In a 'black box' in Hanoi My North Vietnamese
captors deliberately Poisoned and murdered a female missionary, a Nurse
in a leprosarium in Ban me Thuot, South Vietnam , whom I buried in the
jungle near the Cambodian border.
At one time, I weighed only about 90 lbs.
(My normal weight is 170 lbs)
We were Jane Fonda's 'war criminals..'
When Jane Fonda was in Hanoi , I was asked by The camp communist
political officer if I would Be willing to meet with her..
I said yes, for I wanted to tell her about the real Treatment we POWs
received... And how Different it was from the treatment purported by The
North Vietnamese, and parroted by her as 'humane and lenient.'
Because of this, I spent three days on a rocky Floor on my knees, with
my arms outstretched With a large steel weights placed on my hands, And
beaten with a bamboo cane.
I had the opportunity to meet with Jane Fonda soon after I was released.
I asked her if she would be willing to debate me on TV.
She never did answer me.
These first-hand experiences do not exemplify someone who should be
honored as part of '100 Years of Great Women.'
Lest we forget...' 100 Years of Great Women'
should never include a traitor whose hands are covered with the blood of
so many patriots.
There are few things I have strong visceral reactions to, but Hanoi
Jane's participation in blatant treason, is one of them.
Please take the time to forward to as many people as you possibly can.
It will eventually end up on her computer and she needs to know that we
will never forget.
RONALD D. SAMPSON, CMSgt, USAF
716 Maintenance Squadron, Chief of
Maintenance
DSN: 875-6431
COMM: 883-6343
Happy St. Patricks Day
Aren't you hungry for some corned beef?
Go Meat!!