Readers sound off on the textbooks debate and its contradictions
The textbooks debate spreads to expose
contradictions on energy, climate change
Re: Nov. 14 article: 'Texas State Board of Education questions climate change, evolution in science textbooks'
It seems as if the debate on schoolbooks has surfaced some significant contradictions: Wayne Christian wants books that promote fossil fuels and reject anything written about green energy or climate change, you know that Chinese hoax. Others question evolution and demand creationism be taught.
Contradictions? Christian is a member of the Texas Railroad Commission, an agency that has nothing to do with trains and tracks and resists attempts to change its name to something that accurately describes its role, energy. He does wish to “railroad” his support of dirty energy into textbooks.
The old joke that ”Texas has the best politicians money can buy” needs updating. We have the worst politicians money can buy. Which is what the buyers want.
Joe Schaub, Belton
Take creationism talk to Sunday school.
Let science reign in the public schools.
Re: Nov. 15 article, "Board debates evolution in textbooks"
The parents believing in creationism can take their kids to a Sunday school where that alternative view is taught. Science should reign in public schools.
Irv Smith, Austin
Why would Texas want to mess with role
of music programs in public education?
Re: Nov. 12 commentary, 'Opinion: We can't give up on public education in Texas'
As the parent of three children who attended our local public schools, I couldn't agree more with Matthew Giani's piece on the value of public education. His use of the term "orchestrated" also highlights one of the most puzzling aspects of subsidizing private school tuition, potentiallytaking funds from public education. That's the immense role that our public schools' music programs play in the economic engine of college football.
Most of the musicians in the Texas Longhorn Band, "The Showband of the Southwest," matriculate from public high schools. Texas public schools lead the nation in music education, which is one of the reasons the Longhorn Band is so good and thus why football fans enjoy games so much. Why on earth would our state leaders mess with that?
Mary Closmann Kahle, Austin
Let's honor the educators who nurture
the next generation of artists in Texas
American Education Week (November 13 - 17) is an annual celebration of public education and the many individuals who uplift our next generation. As a board member of the Texas Cultural Trust (TXCT), I understand the critical role of arts educators in our schools, and the need to adequately resource arts programs.
TXCT’s State of the Arts report shows that students who are highly engaged in the arts demonstrate higher attendance, standardized test scores and college enrollment than peers taking the minimum arts requirement.
However, access to this education is far from equitable in our schools. To address this, the Trust provides financial and program support to make quality arts education accessible for all Texas students.
I hope you’ll join us in honoring the arts teachers who foster a lifelong appreciation for the arts in children and in doing so, nurture the next generation of Texas artists and culture.
Dan Jackson III, Austin
Fascism is an enemy to democracy, not
an insult to throw around lightly
Fascism is defined “a political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition.” The only current (or former, for that matter) candidate who fits this definition is Donald J. Trump.
So why does Trump use that term to describe his opponents? He wants to convince people that it is a generic insult politicians use. So, when his opponents accurately call him a fascist, the public will forget his praise for white supremacists, his promise to use the Justice Department to punish his opponents, his desire to use the U.S. military against the American people.
Fascism is not a generic insult. It is a philosophy that is not compatible with democracy. Please, please, please, do not forget this.
Eric Estlund, Austin
Navigating city street closures, avoiding
collisions is much like slalom skiing
It's a head-scratcher who the decision-makers and communicators are regarding lane closures on Guadalupe between 17th and 2nd street, all a result of new construction. As soon as one block reopens (Guadalupe north of 6th), another block has new closures (between 12th and 11th).
Let's not forget the closures on the south side between 5th and 6th, with poorly marked lanes leaving the drivers to narrowly avert collisions as they cross the intersection. Add in the new closures between 16th-17th streets, leaving only one lane open other than the bus lane, with little advance notice. This doesn't even mention the abhorrent condition of the road itself. I feel like a Olympic slalom skier weaving through the 'gates,' hoping to avoid careening into a barrier or another car.
New construction dollars seem to prevail above the daily commuter and our safety.
Joanne Foote, Austin
How to submit a letter to the editor
Send letters of no more than 150 words by noon Thursday by using our online form at https://bit.ly/3Crmkcf or send an email to letters@statesman.com.
We welcome your letters on all topics. Include your name and city of residence; we do not publish anonymous letters.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Readers sound off on the textbooks debate and its contradictions
