Texas Schools Board Rewriting US History

suraj.sun picked up a Guardian (UK) piece on the Texas school board and their quest to remake US education in a pro-American, Christian, free enterprise mode. We've been keeping an eye on this story for some time, as it will have an impact far beyond Texas. From the Guardian: "The board is to vote on a sweeping purge of alleged liberal bias in Texas school textbooks in favor of what Dunbar says really matters: a belief in America as a nation chosen by God as a beacon to the world, and free enterprise as the cornerstone of liberty and democracy. ... Those corrections have prompted a blizzard of accusations of rewriting history and indoctrinating children by promoting right-wing views on religion, economics, and guns while diminishing the science of evolution, the civil rights movement, and the horrors of slavery. ... Several changes include sidelining Thomas Jefferson, who favored separation of church and state, while introducing a new focus on the 'significant contributions' of pro-slavery Confederate leaders during the Civil War. ... Study of Sir Isaac Newton is dropped in favor of examining scientific advances through military technology."

Comments

In case there is any confusion...

[Anonymous Coward]

"As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion..."

--Treaty of Tripoly

Ratified by the Senate, signed by President John Adams in 1797.

I hope that clears things up for these right wing wackos who are confused about our founding fathers' intentions. I hope to see this quote up on a sidebar in the next issue of their books.

Why omit Newton?

[izomiac]

I'm wondering why omit Newton, he was a very devout Christian. One of his greatest regrets was not making a theological breakthrough that matched his scientific discoveries. Heck, he was also a strong advocate of maintaining virginity (perhaps too strongly, he died a virgin and reputedly call that his greatest accomplishment).

Re:1984

[Lundse]

This classic quote doesn't have much to do with rewriting history, I'm afraid.

I'm afraid it does. It is one of the basic points of the book, and what the entire Ministry of Truth is all about. Shortly after the above quote, this appears:
'In memory. Very well, then. We, the Party, control all records, and we control all memories. Then we control the past, do we not?'

Two words ...

[Evil Pete]

Manifest Destiny ... look it up. Think of it as a democratic jihad. Not a good idea. The British had a similar notion: The White Man's Burden. Well meaning ideas that just result in a lot misfortune.

Re:1984

[alexhard]

>By definition a Troll is someone who makes defamatory ad hominem comments about the poster, instead of bothering to legitimately address the subject of discussion.

That would actually be a "flamer".

A troll is someone who deliberately presents a false and/or stupid opinion in order to generate a reaction in their audience.

Welcome to the internet!

Re:1984

[Kjella]

Here's what a real leftist government would look like.

Heh, let me compare what you said to Norway, which is considered pretty much the most socialist country in a socialist Europe currently under a socialist government.

Immigrants would be given amnesty and a path to citizenship.

No, we have illegal immigrants but there's no general amnesty for them.

The top marginal tax rate would be closer to 90% than the current 35%.

47.8%

Regressive taxes like sales tax and vehicle taxes would be eradicated.

VAT is 25%, vechicle taxes are a complex mix of weight, horsepowers, emissions etc. but highest in the world.

There would be a massive investment in a single payer government run health care system for all.

Yes.

A massive reinvestment in education from bottom up, focusing on leveling the inequality of poor school districts in minority neighborhoods and inner cities.

Yes, though the school system is underfunded it is far more equal than the US.

Wall Street would be heavily regulated and much of what currently goes on would be illegal.

Mostly no, nobody is stupid enough to try a soviet plan economy. The Oslo Stoch Exchange is quite regular.

Housing, food, and a meaningful job would be a right just like speech currently is.

Housing yes. Food yes. Meaningful job? No. Though the government does try to act anti-cyclical creating jobs in downturns unlike California etc. which seem to be cutting adding to the downturn instead.

Workers would collectively own the businesses they work for.

No. But there is a larger public sector and more government ownership interests.

The level of income inequality would be unacceptable.

Yes. Progressive taxes and strong unions have made the income inequality much less.

And the military industrial complex would be dismantled, removing the troops we have stationed over seas. We would also never use our military again in an unprovoked war of aggression.

Norwegian troops are in Afghanistan as well, this is more geopolitics than a left/right policy.

THAT would be a leftist party.

Yes. Far to the left of the Socialist Left party on some areas. The democrats aren't exactly left by my standards but you are setting the bar where any party will fail.