Filed under “Did this really just happen?”

From the Austin Chronicle:

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.

But wait! There’s more. Read the full article. But take your anti-nausea medication first.

No big deal IMHO. That’s par for the course for conservatives.  I good read on the subject is John Deans books on the conservative mind.  Check out Amazon.

They can’t be serious! OBE is the very foundation for school curriculum in Ohio. In fact they’re trying to tie merit pay to it right now.  The yardstick for school perfomance is based on it. How can legislators in Texas or the voters for that matter allow this return to the dark ages thinking? Has Texas been turned into one big homeschool? Progressives had better unite and pressure their legislators or better yet vote them out of office. No one, not even parents have the right to close a child’s mind. This is criminal and should be thought of in that respect. If they’re successful nationwide then we’re all doomed.

Cap’t Jack

I fear that in Texas, there has, for some time, been a critical mass of non-critical-thinkers-who-vote reached, such that the prevailing conservative perspective is entrenched for the foreseeable future (and more non-critical thinkers will be produced).  This and mass apathy, I expect, will lead to the continuance of the reactionary downward spiral.  Also the Republicans in power are actively promoting policies that will keep them in political power, e.g., strategic gerry mandering to promote continued Republican wins and laws to require picture ID to vote.  (College picture ID would not be accepted, but concealed carry license would be.) Otherwise, only TX driver’s license or official TX ID (which costs money and requires transportation to get, thus making it harder and more expensive for elderly, or persons who don’t drive, and are poor, who may not have needed such an ID for anything else.

The Democratic Party, although they have a core of hard workers, is weak in Texas, and do not have transcendent populist leadership, as they may have, at times, in the past, to effectively change things.

The biggest problem, however, is that most people for whom their interests would be promoted by progressive policies, simply do not care enough to pay attention or to vote.  Be this because they don’t believe it would make a difference, or more likely, because they are caught up in just getting by or in their personal interests such that political concerns are a non-priority in their lives.

Thank you linking this FIK. I’ve shared it on my FaceBook page. Effing Republicans. They get worse by the week.

Is Texas f****d?  Or is this blown out of proportion by the media.

The biggest problem, however, is that most people for whom their interests would be promoted by progressive policies, simply do not care enough to pay attention or to vote.  Be this because they don’t believe it would make a difference, or more likely, because they are caught up in just getting by or in their personal interests such that political concerns are a non-priority in their lives.

Unfortunately Tim this is a problem nationwide and has been since the beginning of the Republic. Most people don’t care to learn even the basics of government (many aren’t aware of the powers of the vice president), or the political propaganda aimed at them. We have in the past voted in presidents by as little as 30% of eligible voters. Most people are compelled to vote by “hot button"issues that have no relevance to the problems we face now ex. Global warming, a struggling economy, a bloviated department of defense, and etc. I agree with your contention that Americans have their head in the sand. Watch the reaction to the national health care plan and how we react.

Cap’t Jack

spooky.

Looked at the PDF and it’s one thing after another.
This one will help fix the world.

Protection from Extreme Environmentalists – We strongly oppose all efforts of the extreme environmental
groups that stymie legitimate business interests.  We strongly oppose those efforts that attempt to use the
environmental causes to purposefully disrupt and stop those interests within the oil and gas industry.  We
strongly support the immediate repeal of the Endangered Species Act.  We strongly oppose the listing of the
dune sage brush lizard either as a threatened or an endangered species.  We believe the Environmental
Protection Agency should be abolished.

And the section: “STRENGTHENING FAMILIES, PROTECTING LIFE AND PROMOTING HEALTH”
is a chilling trip through the looking glass.

Nothing like forward into the past

In all fairness, the argument can be made that the Endangered Species Act harms some species more than it helps.  Due to the use and development restrictions placed on land that’s inhabited by certain species, some people simply kill the animals (or at best drive them off) when they’re found.  Or they simply destroy the habitat rather than allow their land to be rendered unusable.

It could also be argued that the entire concept is doomed to failure and that all we’re doing is wasting resources and hampering evolution.  It’s not like this is first time species have ever been killed off in large numbers or the planet’s climate has been drastically altered.  It’s happened numerous times.  And on a more profound level.  And each time life evolved and reordered to fill in the gaps and adapt to the new world.

You may tell me why I’m wrong…..........NOW.