Science Class Or Christian Indoctrination Class?

You know what I don't understand?  I don't understand why state boards of education and elected officials insist on trying to inject their personal religious beliefs into public school science classes.  Tonight's articles are from the State of Texas, but this type of thing happens on a regular basis all across America. 
Texas School Board To Push For "Intelligent Design"?

Texas In A "Spiritual Battle" In Science Class?

I just don't understand this on many different levels, folks.  First, these are public schools.  It has been the law of the land for many years that religion is not to be taught in public schools.  Public taxes are not to be used for religious indoctrination.  If you want to teach your child about your religion, I have no issue with that.  Just please do so in the house of worship of your choice, in a religious school, or a combination thereof.  However, it has no place in a publicly funded school.

Another thing that bothers me is the amount of time, money, and resources that are utilized by the religious right to try to interject their views into public education.  American children continue to lag behind children in other industrialized nations in math and science scores.  Major corporation and health care providers have to recruit outside the US to find competent engineers, mathematicians, scientists, and physicians.  American children don't even know the history (the true history, mind you, not the Sarah Palin version) of our country, and, yet untold millions of dollars are spent trying to convert science teachers into Christian messengers.  Am I the only one that sees the connection between these things?  Perhaps if we actually taught our children math and real science (not "intelligent design"), we wouldn't be importing our engineers, scientists, and medical doctors from Europe, Asia, and South Asia.  (And yet the same people who want to inject religious dogma into science classes also bellyache about immigration, but, once again, I digress............)

Another point, ladies and gentlemen, why is there no thought whatsoever given to children who are not Christians?  I realize Texas isn't the most multicultural place in the US, but I can promise you that 100% of the population is not Christian.  Why is there no thought given to the Jewish child, the Muslim child, the Buddhist child, the Wiccan child, the Atheist child, and so on?  The lack of respect and consideration, to borrow a phrase from a dear friend of mine, is simply stunning. 

The lat point I want to make is that I am utterly baffled by how Texas Governor, Rick Perry, a Republican of course, can actually be considered a viable presidential candidate when he has been the driving force behind this nonsense over the past few years.  Will he try to do to American what he is trying to do to Texas?  Between that and recalling how tragically wrong things went the last time we elected a GOP governor from Texas as president, I certainly hope Perry's obvious presidential ambitions never get off the ground.

Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.

Don't Say Gay!!!!! (At Least Not In Grade And Middle Schools In TN)

You know what I don't understand? I don't understand why the Tennessee Senate has passed a bill that would forbid public school teachers and students in grades kindergarten through eight from discussing the fact that some people are gay. Under the proposal approved 20-10 on Friday, any instruction or materials at a public elementary or middle school will be "limited exclusively to age-appropriate natural human reproduction science." Republican (of course) Senate sponsor Stacey Campfield of Knoxville says "homosexuals don't naturally reproduce." Oddly, neither do those of us like me who have been voluntarily sterilized, but, alas, I digress.

Don’t' Say "Gay" In TN Grade and Middle Schools

Opponents have derided the measure at the "don't say gay bill". They say it is unfair to children of gay parents and could lead to more bullying. Supporters say it is intended to give teachers clear guidance for dealing with younger children on a potentially explosive topic.

The House version of the bill has, thankfully, been withdrawn, but its sponsor promises to revive it next session if the Senate version passes again.

Okay, ladies and gentlemen, where do I start?

First things first, there are gay people all over the world. They have been here for hundreds of thousands of years. That is a simple fact. Why would we not want to teach our children, even younger children, facts? There are also people of different races, religions, national origins, and creeds. Perhaps Sen. Campfield would prefer the children of Tennessee not be taught this either.

Second, why are lawmakers at the state level obsessed with gay folks? This kind of thing goes on nonstop in my home state of Indiana as well. Why don't they expend their time and money with improving American students’ math and science scores and abilities? Am I the only one who sees a connection between a lack of achievement in these critical areas and a misguided focus on gay people, sagging pants, and wanting religion (their religion, of course) taught in public schools?

Lastly, at least for now, would these esteemed lawmakers efforts not be better directed at creating jobs in their home states and/or districts versus forbidding teachers and students (AND STUDENTS) from talking about gay people? Which is more important? Economic development or more state sponsored discrimination?

Think about this for a moment. If an inquisitive student asks his or her favorite teacher about why Little Johnny has two mommies, how is the teacher supposed to react under this proposed law?

Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.

20 Years In Prison For Trying To Educate A Child?????

You know what I don't understandd?  I don't understand how an ocassionally homeless mother can be facing twenty years in prison (and a $15,000 fine) for using a friend's address to enroll her son in a better school system.  http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110425/us_yblog_thelookout/rally-for-prosecuted-homeless-mom-who-sent-son-to-a-better-school-district  To add insult to injury, the friend has been evicted from public housing for allowing the mom in question to use her address.

So let me see if I have this straight.  This young lady, who we can only assume has fallen on hard times, faces twenty years--two decades--in prison for trying to send her son to a better school.  Really?  Yet the CEOs of the big banks, investment firms, insurance companies, and mortgage brokers, with their seven and eight figure salaries, who almost brought down the entire American financial system don't even get prosecuted??  Murders, rapists, and child molestors regularly do less time than this, but this woman faces being imprisoned untl 2031???

The school system claims that this young lady "stole their services", yet the city filed the case against her, not the school system...................

What the hell is wrong with this country?  Someone please tell me.  Someone please explain how this is justified.  Someone please tell me how wanting a decent education for their child can cost a mother twenty years of her life.  Someone please tell me.

And while I am at it, someone please explain it to the gentleman in this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDJdtO2DWEU&feature=share

Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.