TX Board of Education

I usually don't go into rants on this blog but this issue touched a nerve within me and I just can't let it go. I'm going to try to censor myself but be prepared, I'm going to rant. I can feel my blood boiling while I type this.

First, the facts.

For those of you who don't know, recent actions by the TX Board of Education voted to remove Thomas Jefferson, Cesar Chavez, Oscar Romero, the topic of sex vs. gender, and any specific mention of Tejanos from their the social studies curriculum. They also have changed referring to the USA as a democracy to a "constitutional republic." They also omitted the concept of separation of church and state.  Here are some recent articles and editorials about the changes (note: some of these have been proposed since mid-2009).

Now, my rant.

I am INFURIATED by the fact that a bunch of right-wing conservative republicans have decided who and what constitutes significant contributions to history.  I am OUTRAGED by the fact that racism and sexism (and plain 'ol F***ing stupidity) can be blatently justified with such intentionality toward children's education.

I would be more sympathetic toward this board if they instead proposed to present a more wholistic view of these issues.  I hope that all of your children and grandchildren rebel against your actions and condemn your behavior! HOW DARE YOU!

It makes TX take a million steps backward in terms of social progress to the pre-1950's Mississippi-esque era. WTF people!!?!???!  I mean do you really think that you can erase history? Do you really think your children will be better off by NOT learning these things? Do you see how your dangerous and damaging right-wing religious moral conservative bullshit is TOTALLY crossing the bounds of separation of church/state? (I know you do bcz that's why you want Mr. Jefferson removed.)

I try hard NOT to be one of those "liberal democrats" who thinks I'm right all the time and I at least try to understand another person's differing point of view to the point where I could defend it as my own. I may not succeed but at least I try. And even if I don't understand, I at least try to withhold slandering that point as not to make myself be insensitive nor ignorant.

I understand your point. I COMPLETELY DISAGREE WITH IT!!!!!

Here is an excerpt from a recent article:

Barton, a former vice chairman of the Texas Republican Party, said that because the U.S. is a republic rather than a democracy, the proper adjective for identifying U.S. values and processes should be "republican" rather than "democratic." That means social studies books should discuss "republican" values in the U.S., his report said.

And, it makes me vomit in my mouth and wants me to completely stereotype and bash my conservative republican friends. You give a TERRIBLE name to the republican party.

AND FURTHERMORE, this has NOTHING to do with being a Christian. I am a Christian and I think you have overstepped your bounds.  Who the HELL gave you the right to decide what can and SHOULD be taught???? You have disgraced our nation. You and the people who voted for you should keep your ideologies to yourself and out of the schools. I don't even think you should pass these "values" on to your children. You should be prepared for an outcry from people who are APPALLED and ASHAMED of your actions.  SHAME ON YOU!

You and Glenn Beck. Awful. Awful. AWFUL!  You abuse your power and it should be taken away from you. I HATE it when you proof-text.
 
I applaud Ms Mary Helen Berlanga and Ms Mavis B. Knight and others who voted AGAINST your racist, sexist, narrow minded decisions.

One thing for sure, I am GLAD as F***ing HELL that I don't live in TX and I CERTAINLY NEVER will.

Perhaps I'll write my own social studies curriculum and leave the entire state of TX out of it.

Wordless Wednesday - Catapolooza

A Trip to the Zoo

The first full weekend every month is Bank of America day at many museums and other public places nationwide. It's a great opportunity to explore new places plus admission is absolutely FREE! Perhaps there is a location near you: check here.

So, the first weekend of March, Brian and I visited the Phoenix Zoo and had a great time!  Here are some of the highlights.

Good Eats!

Brian and I have visited many restaurants after being in Arizona in an attempt not only to try new places but also to (re)familiarize ourselves with the area.  In addition, we have had some good times taking photos and reviewing wonderful food through our involvement with the Phoenix Tastecasting group.

So, in response, we'd like to begin posting our own reviews about restaurants we visit.  It is to share our own personal, unsolicited opinions about food, restaurants and our experience in general.

These posts will be titled after the great Food Network show by Alton Brown, Good Eats.

We hope you enjoy our reviews and some good food as well!

Bon Appetit!

The Bean is Coming! The Bean is Coming!

He will be here on April 2nd (along with his wonderful parents!)

beep! beep!

the luck of the irish was with me this afternoon.  i say that because, as i write this, it is st. patrick's day.   


today was my lucky day for 1 reason:  i saw my 1st roadrunner!  well, actually my 1st and 2nd roadrunners.  1 was plump like our cat squiggs and the other was skinny like our other cat panini.  if you don't know, pretty much ever since i came to arizona for the 1st time, i decided that a goal would be to see a roadrunner in the wild.  it finally happened this afternoon as i was stretching outside just before my run.  they walked over to julie's car after casually hopping down from the roof of the house across the street.  they would stop every few feet or so and put their tails almost straight up in the air.  i'm not sure if it was for balance, or as a sign of being alert for predators or perhaps both.  either way, i experienced a few incredible minutes while watching these 2 creatures walk and run in our little cul-de-sac.  


unfortunately i didn't have a camera on hand when it happened.  the only piece of electronic gadgetry i had was my ipod (which was playing "canadian girl" by the walkmen during this event).   it would have been great to take a picture, especially since 1 of the birds came within 30 feet of where i was standing.


although real roadrunners look nothing like the character from the classic looney tunes cartoons (as the above picture shows), i thought i would post an episode in honor of this monumental day.