I am a native Texan, and I have many wonderful friends in Texas. So it pains me to write this. There are a bunch of people with some crazy ideas in Texas. Unfortunately, a significant number of them are elected officials.
Do you think that pre-K is Godless socialism? Do you think that Texas should secede to form a Christian nation? Are you suspicious of the U, S. military invading Texas? Do you think the state should pay for religious education?
I went to public schools in Houston during the Red Scare of the 1950s. I thought my home state had left those days behind. Guess not.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
So long as the national Democratic Party aligns itself with the corporate masters and Wall Street, and doesn’t work with, instead of against, private and public sector unions, for better wages, better working conditions, more public sector jobs, affordable health care, adequately funded schools, and retirement security with protected and fully funded pensions and social security, is it any wonder this type of nonsense gains support from the voters in Texas and elsewhere. Shame on the democrats for not standing up for its constituents. Thank God Bernie Sanders is running as a democrat. He’ll put their feet to the fire.
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I’m a native Arkansawyer, and it pains me to hear the words, “Senator Tom Cotton”. The same narrow-minded, bigoted insanity pervades Texas politics. Bring on the Godless Socialism, let’s give Texas back to Mexico, and let them worthless crackers try to learn Spanish and live off of $5/hr. picking tomatoes.
Just don’t expect Hillary Clinton to change anything.
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Temporary?
Nothing temporary about it…
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Actually, it’s temporary until Eva forces out the public schools she’s invaded, and then gets the city to “sell” her the buildings for a nominal sum.
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I agree GST!
I’m from San Angelo, TX. I left there in 1986 and have only been back once since then. But I have been following the politics there, so I’m well aware of the crazy that has taken over Texas. It makes me sad because I don’t remember it being so radical. Either it’s my memory or Texas has more recently become off the charts crazy. Texas makes AZ, where I currently live, somewhat rational but not completely. Our new governor is trying to destroy public education here (K-12 and higher ed). You know it’s bad when we’re looking back on Jan Brewer’s time in office as one of moderation and rationality!
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I think it is safe to say that I’m a student of history—I’ve certainly read enough of it covering thousands of years of history in China and the West.
And this I know for a fact, repeating the same insanity and making the same mistakes is normal when leaders take advantage of the fact that most people are not avid readers and most decisions are made by emotion and not rational thought.
It’s even worse when many of those leaders are also fools and ignorant of that same history.
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At least there are some Real Men of God who are willing to stand up against this sickness:
http://tablet.olivesoftware.com/Olive/Tablet/AustinAmericanStatesman/SharedArticle.aspx?href=AAS%2F2015%2F04%2F30&id=Ar01105
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Dr. Ravitch, a vote was taken last night to “allow resignation” of Mike Miles. The vote failed 3-6. This collection of articles which all appeared this week, after your piece on Dallas ISD featured last Sunday.
http://trueschoolreform.org/2015/05/dallas-isd-business-as-usual/
The May 9 election, next Saturday, will determine the fate of Dallas ISD. It is the most crucial election in recent Dallas history. Teachers and parents are endorsing candidates who are NOT backed by wealthy PAC’s who support home rule charter in Dallas.
http://trueschoolreform.org/2015/03/dallas-home-rule-charter-a-back-door-to-corporate-reform/
Dr. Ravitch, any extra attention you can give to Dallas elections this week will make a difference. The motives of the home rule charter folks are very far reaching. The favored candidates are Dr. Kyle Renard, David Lewis, Bernadette Nutall, and for mayor, Marcos Ronquillo. Relevant information is found here.
http://trueschoolreform.org/2015/03/dallas-school-board-and-mayoral-elections/
If you, or any true reformers have a couple of hours to spare, I highly, highly recommend view the following video from the school board meeting last night.
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From the Houston Chronicle, 4/30/2015: A chance to end the public school era
Also from the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, 5/1/2015:
Pastors: Texas public schools are not ‘Godless environment’
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These idiots weren’t elected by a majority, by any means – 9 million people didn’t vote in the last election in Texas. The roughly 2 million who did vote these wing nuts into office likely drink the same poison they’re spewing. Texas has no legitimate teacher unions- it’s a right to work state, so there is no collective bargaining. Dan Patrick is bound and determined to destroy public education and everyone who is not one of their political donors will suffer. It’s demoralizing and sickening to think that they feel teachers should be paid a base salary of $27,000 a year and have any salary increases tied to test results – no step increases. If every teacher had thought about the candidates before voting (or not voting) instead of having blind party or religious allegiance, we wouldn’t be in this mess.
Btw, Tinterholt – one of those who consider PreK a godless plan- is 44 and on his 5th marriage. Of course, he also considers “equality” a defilement tot he sanctity of marriage.
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