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Texas GOP Officially Opposes Critical Thinking
by Bryant Thu Jul 19, 2012 1:29 am
GOP Opposes Critical Thinking
Party platform paints original ideas as a liberal conspiracy
By Richard Whittaker
Huston Chronicle
See for sources
It's official: The Republican Party of Texas opposes critical thinking. That's right, drones, and it's part of their official platform.
One of our eagle-eyed readers emailed us to point out this unbelievable passage in the RPT 2012 platform, as adopted at their recent statewide conference.
"Knowledge-Based Education – We oppose the teaching of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) (values clarification), critical thinking skills and similar programs that are simply a relabeling of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) (mastery learning) which focus on behavior modification and have the purpose of challenging the student’s fixed beliefs and undermining parental authority."
What this really means is that the GOP is doubling down on learn-by-rote fact recitation – of the kind spearheaded by the worst of the pro-testing advocates, and locally by IDEA Public Schools, which has committed to the anti-analytical direct learning model (aka "press button A, B or C.")
But what the hell is all that bunk about "undermining parental authority"? Could it be that the Texas GOP has shown its paternalistic streak a little too overtly? And, let's face facts, that's just policy-wonk speak for "honor thy father and mother." Yup, the Texas GOP is officially enshrining blind obedience into its doctrine of political domination. And be careful that you don't disturb a student's fixed beliefs, like, say, that the Loch Ness Monster is real.
Sadly, this is just one of 30 pages of head-in-the-sand, pretend-the-Enlightenment-never-happened thinking from the state's dominating party. Other gems include:
– Abstinence-only sex ed (yeah, because that's worked so well so far.)
– Trying juveniles as adults
– Faith-based drug rehab should be emphasized (Scientology front operation NarcAnon should be rubbing its hands at that one)
– Oppose the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Yeah! Who's the UN to tell us we should ban child slavery?)
– Flat rate income tax (go Team 1%!)
– Repealing the minimum wage (suck it, wage slaves!)
– Opposing homosexuality in the military (don't ask, don't tell, and don't do that!)
– Opposition to red light cameras (because if you run a red, kill someone, and there's no witnesses, was the light ever really red?)
– Oppose the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, because firms should be able to fire people for what they consider "sinful and sexually immoral behavior." Like, say, growing a beard?
– Continued opposition to ACORN (even though it has not existed since 2010)
– Opposing statehood or even Congressional voting rights for the citizens of the District of Columbia (who writes this crap, Rand Paul?)
– And no-questions-asked support for Israel because, and this is another direct quote, "Our policy is based on God’s biblical promise to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel and we further invite other nations and organizations to enjoy the benefits of that promise."
Yes, for every measure that everyone can agree on, like labeling GMOs, there's another entry or three from the crazy ideas discount bin.
So, next time some Tea Partier tells you the GOP is all about freedom and liberty, remind them that the GOP doesn't want people to learn how to think critically. Because people who can think critically might start looking at their platform.
Party platform paints original ideas as a liberal conspiracy
By Richard Whittaker
Huston Chronicle
See for sources
It's official: The Republican Party of Texas opposes critical thinking. That's right, drones, and it's part of their official platform.
One of our eagle-eyed readers emailed us to point out this unbelievable passage in the RPT 2012 platform, as adopted at their recent statewide conference.
"Knowledge-Based Education – We oppose the teaching of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) (values clarification), critical thinking skills and similar programs that are simply a relabeling of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) (mastery learning) which focus on behavior modification and have the purpose of challenging the student’s fixed beliefs and undermining parental authority."
What this really means is that the GOP is doubling down on learn-by-rote fact recitation – of the kind spearheaded by the worst of the pro-testing advocates, and locally by IDEA Public Schools, which has committed to the anti-analytical direct learning model (aka "press button A, B or C.")
But what the hell is all that bunk about "undermining parental authority"? Could it be that the Texas GOP has shown its paternalistic streak a little too overtly? And, let's face facts, that's just policy-wonk speak for "honor thy father and mother." Yup, the Texas GOP is officially enshrining blind obedience into its doctrine of political domination. And be careful that you don't disturb a student's fixed beliefs, like, say, that the Loch Ness Monster is real.
Sadly, this is just one of 30 pages of head-in-the-sand, pretend-the-Enlightenment-never-happened thinking from the state's dominating party. Other gems include:
– Abstinence-only sex ed (yeah, because that's worked so well so far.)
– Trying juveniles as adults
– Faith-based drug rehab should be emphasized (Scientology front operation NarcAnon should be rubbing its hands at that one)
– Oppose the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Yeah! Who's the UN to tell us we should ban child slavery?)
– Flat rate income tax (go Team 1%!)
– Repealing the minimum wage (suck it, wage slaves!)
– Opposing homosexuality in the military (don't ask, don't tell, and don't do that!)
– Opposition to red light cameras (because if you run a red, kill someone, and there's no witnesses, was the light ever really red?)
– Oppose the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, because firms should be able to fire people for what they consider "sinful and sexually immoral behavior." Like, say, growing a beard?
– Continued opposition to ACORN (even though it has not existed since 2010)
– Opposing statehood or even Congressional voting rights for the citizens of the District of Columbia (who writes this crap, Rand Paul?)
– And no-questions-asked support for Israel because, and this is another direct quote, "Our policy is based on God’s biblical promise to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel and we further invite other nations and organizations to enjoy the benefits of that promise."
Yes, for every measure that everyone can agree on, like labeling GMOs, there's another entry or three from the crazy ideas discount bin.
So, next time some Tea Partier tells you the GOP is all about freedom and liberty, remind them that the GOP doesn't want people to learn how to think critically. Because people who can think critically might start looking at their platform.
Bryant- Admin
- Posts : 1452
Join date : 2012-01-28
Age : 35
Location : John Day, Oregon
Re: Texas GOP Officially Opposes Critical Thinking
by Dennis324 Mon Jul 23, 2012 6:08 am
Eh...this is a hit piece. Fodder for comics like Colbert. Also, its a month old.
Re:
the authors criticism of abstinence only sex ed not working so well... is abstinence only sex ed being taught anywhere? Or does it have to compete with the passing out of condoms in schools? I was taught sex ed back in the 70s. One might think abstinence only would have been the only way it was taught in a small rural school in Alabama. But no. It was encouraged. But what can one actually say about it? Dont do it? Thats about all one can say about abstinence. After that, the question arises...do what? Then you have to get into what the adults dont want you to do. And at that point it becomes sex ed.
Trying juveniles as adults. It is very very rare that I would agree with this, but in some cases, imo, it might be right to try a child as an adult. Take the Columbine murderers. Had they not died in the shootout I'd have absolutely no problem trying them as an adult. But I guess the author of this article doesnt see it this way eh?
Faith-based drug rehab. I guess the author hates the idea of Faith Based anything so much that he just couldnt resist attaching the name of a cult to it. What could possibly be wrong with faith based drug rehab??? If you dont want to go to a faith based rhab...go somewhere else!
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child: Slavery? The author criticizes Texas by hinting that they support slavery??? Intersting that, while the United States government played an active role in the drafting of the Convention and signed it on 16 February 1995, it has yet to ratify it. The Federal govt...not the Texas State govt. The FEDERAL govt. And why, when since that time the Dems have had every opportunity to push this thing. But no...this is all on Texas I guess. *Sigh*
Also many rational people like the idea of a flat tax. But this would eliminate the Dems dreams of taxing the rich disproportionately and doling it out in federal welfare programs.
Re:
the authors criticism of abstinence only sex ed not working so well... is abstinence only sex ed being taught anywhere? Or does it have to compete with the passing out of condoms in schools? I was taught sex ed back in the 70s. One might think abstinence only would have been the only way it was taught in a small rural school in Alabama. But no. It was encouraged. But what can one actually say about it? Dont do it? Thats about all one can say about abstinence. After that, the question arises...do what? Then you have to get into what the adults dont want you to do. And at that point it becomes sex ed.
Trying juveniles as adults. It is very very rare that I would agree with this, but in some cases, imo, it might be right to try a child as an adult. Take the Columbine murderers. Had they not died in the shootout I'd have absolutely no problem trying them as an adult. But I guess the author of this article doesnt see it this way eh?
Faith-based drug rehab. I guess the author hates the idea of Faith Based anything so much that he just couldnt resist attaching the name of a cult to it. What could possibly be wrong with faith based drug rehab??? If you dont want to go to a faith based rhab...go somewhere else!
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child: Slavery? The author criticizes Texas by hinting that they support slavery??? Intersting that, while the United States government played an active role in the drafting of the Convention and signed it on 16 February 1995, it has yet to ratify it. The Federal govt...not the Texas State govt. The FEDERAL govt. And why, when since that time the Dems have had every opportunity to push this thing. But no...this is all on Texas I guess. *Sigh*
Also many rational people like the idea of a flat tax. But this would eliminate the Dems dreams of taxing the rich disproportionately and doling it out in federal welfare programs.
Dennis324- Posts : 1689
Join date : 2012-01-28
Age : 61
Location : Alabama
Re: Texas GOP Officially Opposes Critical Thinking
by Marconius Wed Aug 01, 2012 3:31 am
Bryant wrote:
– Abstinence-only sex ed (yeah, because that's worked so well so far.)Oh yeah, like passing out condoms has worked oh-so-well. I have never.....ever....actually seen abstinence only sex-ed. Just a thin straw to grab.
– Trying juveniles as adultsDon't some juveniles commit crimes that calls for them being tried as adults??? Lee Boyd Malvo anyone??? How about the group of kids responsible for the death of Derrion Albert??? Should I go on???
– Faith-based drug rehab should be emphasized (Scientology front operation NarcAnon should be rubbing its hands at that one)Do you really have a problem with 12 step programs??? Really??? Seems like the system has helped countless.
– Oppose the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Yeah! Who's the UN to tell us we should ban child slavery?)I wish My son and I, as well as my wife, had the right to free education. Alas, we were all part of the population who pay an inordinate amount of taxes so others can enjoy the right to free education. Where is the UN's concern for the rights of children in Syria??? Seems like they are backing China and Russia who....well you know.
– Flat rate income tax (go Team 1%!)How is the tax system we have today fair??? The 1% is already carrying the rest of you and you want them to pay more??? One size fits all is the only fair way and we might actually get that other 48% or so to finally start paying their fair share as well as we do. Better yet, why don't we concentrate on fixing the root of the problem. Hint: it ain't revenue income.
– Repealing the minimum wage (suck it, wage slaves!)No, let's just keep bumping it up while encompassing more and more jobs under the banner of "minimum wage". Sorry guy, if you make a Whopper for a living you don't deserve $7.50/hour. If you are over the age of 25 and still making that Whopper, there is something wrong with you and not society.
– Opposing homosexuality in the military (don't ask, don't tell, and don't do that!)Ok one so far, but that is a small minority
– Opposition to red light cameras (because if you run a red, kill someone, and there's no witnesses, was the light ever really red?)More emotional dribble. Really, how many accidents exactly like the one described happened prior to those cameras??? It's called investigatory work....and it does work. The cameras are unneeded. Do you really want to end up like England??? Luckily they are removing them from Lafayette. Since the car is an extension of the home, inside the car is considered private property and cannot be filmed or photographed without a warrant or the permission of the owner.
– Oppose the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, because firms should be able to fire people for what they consider "sinful and sexually immoral behavior." Like, say, growing a beard?It is needless. We already have non-discrimination laws on the books. This is a waste of time and money and you know it.
– Continued opposition to ACORN (even though it has not existed since 2010)It still exists.....it now has many names. Check out New England United for Justice, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, and New York for community changes just to name a few. Comeon man, keep up.
– Opposing statehood or even Congressional voting rights for the citizens of the District of Columbia (who writes this crap, Rand Paul?)Seriously, does the author not know why DC is not a state??? Seriously......I mean it. It was pretty clear back in the day. I guess that Federally run education system really is failing us. Talk about writing crap.
– And no-questions-asked support for Israel because, and this is another direct quote, "Our policy is based on God’s biblical promise to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel and we further invite other nations and organizations to enjoy the benefits of that promise."Why the growing anti-Israel sentiment lately (note: being anti-Israel is not the same as anti-Semitic). I mean I don't agree with the amount of support we give them, but geezzz.....I thought progressives were human rights oriented. Any guess what would happen if we didn't support them at least a bit??? Really, take a guess before spouting off.
All this crap reminds me of a spoiled little brat talking shit at Starbucks. Really man....really.
Bryant, I really do not understand how you can watch progressive programs driving your state under and still support that crap. Please tell me how someone so smart can be so foolish.
Marconius- Posts : 1800
Join date : 2012-01-31
Age : 54
Location : Opelousas Louisiana
Re: Texas GOP Officially Opposes Critical Thinking
by Dennis324 Wed Aug 01, 2012 7:51 pm
I guess we are a product of our environment. Here, I'm surrounded by conservatives, mostly republican, defiantly independant, more and more tea partyers, and many church goers. So some of it is bound to rub off I guess.
I suppose it is the same in areas of the country that are dominated by liberal-minded folks.
This forum is proof that people from different backgrounds and poltical views can still come together and be friends.
(Even though I'm right and everyone else is sooooo wrong). Lol!
I suppose it is the same in areas of the country that are dominated by liberal-minded folks.
This forum is proof that people from different backgrounds and poltical views can still come together and be friends.
(Even though I'm right and everyone else is sooooo wrong). Lol!
Dennis324- Posts : 1689
Join date : 2012-01-28
Age : 61
Location : Alabama
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