Board takes up books' take on religion Resolution up for vote next week alleges texts have pro-Islam

[mbperrin]

They're at it again. This is being pushed by a nut from my very own hometown.



http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7203033.html

AUSTIN -- Texas public schoolchildren risk getting tainted with a pro-Islamic/anti-Christian bias in their textbooks, according to a resolution the State Board of Education will consider next week that is likely to further inflame emotions already running high across the country.

"If Christians and Judaism get pushed aside, parents and people don't like it because it's not accurate. It's not true," said Don McLeroy, R-Bryan, one of the board members supporting the resolution.

Critics of the resolution contend the bias perceptions are inflated or invalid. They also pointed out the lack of objections seven years ago when the social studies books were updated during a time Islam attracted less attention in this country.

Lawrence Allen Jr., D-Houston, the board's only Muslim member, warned Wednesday that board approval of the resolution will bring more unwelcome national attention to Texas.

[northoftheborder]

1. Thanks for bringing this to my attention, and...

posting on DU. The state of Texas is a laughing stock for stuff like this, and I'm desperately hoping to have a different team on the state school board after the election. These people just never give up - appealing to reason and truth makes no difference. They need to be OFF the board. Making this public is imperative. They've worked under the radar for too long.

[sonias]

2. Randy Rives is a crazy wing nut that doesn't know what century this is

State board of ed considers Islam in textbooks
(snip)
The measure was first suggested to the board this summer by Odessa businessman Randy Rives, who lost his Republican primary bid for a seat on the panel earlier this year. Members of a social conservative bloc of the board then asked chairwoman Gail Lowe to put the resolution on next week's agenda.

Board member Pat Hardy, R-Fort Worth, suggested the issue may be moot because none of the books cited by Rives still are being used in Texas, having been replaced in 2003, and said Rives "might want to go back and get newer copies of the books."

Glad he lost his race. He seems like the Texas Republican crazy that would have been elected in the primary.

:kick:

[mbperrin]

3. He actually lost his seat on the local school board previous.

Yes, too nutty even for west Texans.

No insult there, I am one and have been my whole life.

[boot@9]

6. Rives did not

run for the school board for a second term. Instead he ran for state rep.in the R. primary. Out of 4 candidates he received 8% of the vote. By the way a true progressive took his place on the school board.

[sonias]

4. SBOE Wants to Scrub Textbooks Of 'Pro-Islamic, Anti-Christian Distortions'

Talking Points Memo 9/16/10
Texas Board Of Ed Wants To Scrub Textbooks Of 'Pro-Islamic, Anti-Christian Distortions'

The Texas Board of Education, whose decisions can set textbook standards for the entire country, is now trying to take on the "Muslim propaganda" in world history books.

The social conservatives on the board, who earlier this year set new standards requiring textbooks to include sections on anti-Equal Rights Amendment crusader Phyllis Schafly, the Contract with America and the Christian beliefs of the Founders, want to pass a resolution warning textbook makers not to include "gross pro-Islamic, anti-Christian distortions" in their books.

According to board member Ken Mercer, many world history books are rife with such "Muslim propaganda."

"One of the books I reviewed has 120 lines referencing Christian beliefs, but has 248 lines referencing Muslim beliefs," Mercer told WOAI News Radio.

That wing nut ass wipe Ken Mercer is my rep on the SBOE. I pray to God (yes I do) that Rebecca kicks his ass into the middle ages.

:kick:ing Ken Mercer's ass!

[sonias]

5. Resolution on Islam in textbooks criticized

AAS 9/20/10
Resolution on Islam in textbooks criticized
Area religious leaders call proposal anti-Muslim, inflammatory.

Local religious leaders on Monday urged the State Board of Education to reject a resolution they called anti-Muslim and inflammatory.

"When one religion is attacked, we're all attacked," said the Rev. Larry Bethune, pastor of University Baptist Church in Austin.

The nonbinding resolution is scheduled for a board vote Friday. It says world history textbooks have been tainted by "pro-Islamic/anti-Christian bias" and calls for the board to reject future texts that demonize or lionize major religious groups over others.

Critics say the analysis that led to the resolution is flawed and incomplete, and they note that the texts in question have not been used since 2003. Rabbi Neil Blumofe of Congregation Agudas Achim said the resolution reflects a religious bigotry that does not belong in Texas classrooms or textbooks.

"Just as we should not saddle (students) with our debts, we should not burden them with our fears," he said.

Good for the religious leaders who spoke out. :applause::applause::applause:

[sonias]

7. While Texas school board tackles ‘pro-Islam’ bias, progressive blog helps raise money for Democrat

The American Independent 9/22/10
While Texas school board tackles ‘pro-Islam’ bias, progressive blog helps raise $1,000s for Democratic SBOE candidates

While State Board of Education members are embracing yet another controversial topic — this time, alleged “pro-Islamic” bias in school textbooks — a one-day, online grassroots effort has generated more than $10,000 in campaign cash for Democratic SBOE candidates.

Progressive blog Daily Kos urged readers to contribute to the Judy Jennings and Rebecca Bell-Metereau campaigns early this morning via ActBlue.org. According to the blog, donations matched half of the fundraising goal of $10,000 four hours later, and shot up to $7,000 before noon. The figure, generated by mainly small contributions, was greater than $11,500 by about 2 p.m.

Author Steven Andrew wrote, “the outcome of either of those two elections could affect the entire country for years to come, but both races are so local that just a few bucks or votes could make the difference.”

Outstanding news!

:woohoo::bounce::woohoo:

[sonias]

8. SBOE approves resolution on Islam in textbooks

Postcards from the Lege blog AAS 9/24/10
SBOE approves resolution on Islam in textbooks

The State Board of Education narrowly approved a resolution Friday that instructs publishers to counter a “pro-Islamic/anti-Christian bias” in future world history textbooks.

The resolution, which passed on a 7 to 6 vote, calls for a “balanced treatment of religious groups in textbooks and cites examples of perceived bias in textbooks used prior to 2003.

The practical effect of the resolution is unclear.

Social studies textbooks, including the world history textbooks to which this resolution would apply, will probably not be adopted and bought until 2016. They were originally in the queue for 2012, but the state’s budget crunch has pushed back the purchase of new science textbooks as well as the social studies books.

The resolution is not binding and reflects the opinion of the board members - opinions that could change over time and with turnover.

Stupid is as stupid does. :crazy::crazy::crazy:

Terri Leo, R-Spring is the next big target for SBOE change. This crazy woman has got to go. She is as nuts as Don McLeroy was as chair! :puke:

[sonias]

9. TFN Condemns Resolution Passage

Texas Freedom Network Insider blog 9/24/10
TFN Condemns Resolution Passage
September 24, 2010 by TFN

UPDATED: It is important to note that opposition to this resolution was bipartisan. Three Democrats (Rick Agosto, Lawrence Allen, Mavis Knight) and three Republicans (Bob Craig, Pat Hardy, Geraldine "Tincy" Miller) voted to reject the resolution. But the board’s far-right members voted, as they almost always do, as a bloc to pass it. With two Democrats absent, the board approved the resolution 7-6.

The Texas Freedom Network just released the following statement:

Today the Texas State Board of Education voted 7-6 to adopt a resolution attacking Islam and calling on publishers to stop writing what the resolution falsely claims are social studies textbooks with an anti-Christan/pro-Islamic bias. Texas Freedom Network President Kathy Miller is releasing the following statement:

(more at link above)

:kick: Thank you TFN for all you do!

[onestepforward]

10. Dupe. n/t