Texas Republican Party

[Unicorn]

Just found something from the Texas Republican party today. Thought I'd share this.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/texasgop_pre...form-Final.pdf

>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.

>Controversial Theories – We support objective teaching and equal treatment of all sides of scientific theories. We believe theories such as life origins and environmental change should be taught as challengeable scientific theories subject to change as new data is produced. Teachers and students should be able to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of these theories openly and without fear of retribution or discrimination of any kind.

>NASA – We strongly encourage the federal government and NASA to work with American citizens and American businesses to research and develop a new vehicle to continue human space flight and maintain American’s leadership in space exploration.

The quotes says it all.

[AustralAlien]

I read about this in a few blogs. I can't comprehend how someone could actually support a party that wants them to remain stupid and ignorant, and for their children to grow up stupid, ignorant and unaware.

Then again, I can't fathom how the US Republican party is supported by anyone sane at all. Actually, that might explain it somewhat.

[Darwinsbulldog]

Originally Posted by AustralAlien

I read about this in a few blogs. I can't comprehend how someone could actually support a party that wants them to remain stupid and ignorant, and for their children to grow up stupid, ignorant and unaware.

Then again, I can't fathom how the US Republican party is supported by anyone sane at all. Actually, that might explain it somewhat.

Republicans did have their intellectuals, but now that the party is dominated by the loonie religious right, I suppose they have all left. It is no longer the party of Lincoln. The democrats have a few religious nutters also, but so far they do not dominate the agenda.

[Unicorn]

The most worrying part for me is that they seem to want average people and businesses to be involved with NASA. A profit driven NASA might not work well, since profit related researches might not look at things from the big picture, certainly not anything longer than a life time. Not to mention the public might not even understand what they might end up opposing.

I don't want to see a NASA dedicated to frying pan research.

[Logic please]

There are some mightily scary nuggets in that lot. Some minor examples:

Originally Posted by Throwbacks

Free Speech for the Clergy - We urge amendment of the Internal Revenue Code to allow a religious organization to address issues without fear of losing its tax-exempt status. We call for repeal of requirements that religious organizations send the government any personal information about their contributors.
...
Remedies to Activist Judiciary - We call Congress and the President to use their constitutional powers to restrain activist judges. We urge Congress to adopt the Judicial Conduct Act of 2005 and remove judges who abuse their authority. Further, we urge Congress to withhold Supreme Court jurisdiction in cases involving abortion, religious freedom, and the Bill of Rights.

Sooo... alleged "activist" judges... bad. However, "activist" religious talking-heads... hunky-dory, apparently.

Originally Posted by More throwbacks

Marriage and Divorce - We believe in the sanctity of marriage and that the integrity of this institution should be protected at all levels of government. We urge the Legislature to rescind no-fault divorce laws. We support Covenant Marriage.
...
Homosexuality ― We affirm that the practice of homosexuality tears at the fabric of society and contributes to the breakdown of the family unit. Homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God, recognized by our country’s founders, and shared by the majority of Texans.
Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable "alternative" lifestyle, in public policy, nor should "family" be redefined to include homosexual "couples." We believe there should be no granting of special legal entitlements or creation of special status for homosexual behavior, regardless of state of origin. Additionally, we oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction or belief in traditional values.

Hang on... what year are we in, again?

I note that this is the policy platform of a major political party, in a stable Western liberal democracy, in 2012.

Hard to get one's head around that, innit?

[Logic please]

@Mr B: IIRC, the *spell* being cast is an offshot of a strand of American mythological history called "the liberal dream".

Basically, in America it's mythologised that "anyone" can become a millionaire or President, and sometimes both . So, individuals tend to resist moves to tilt the rules of that "lottery" towards relatively more equity and collectivism, while they still feel they've got a personal shot at winning the whole shebang.

Teh Republic(ans) Of Texas are just mining that rich vein of feeling, with all the enthusiasm of a West Australian iron ore producer.

[Logic please]

Originally Posted by The Irreverent Mr Black

So, LP, they're really putting the "Ass" in "aspirational"?

Hehe, it appears so.

FTR, I had no specific WA iron ore producer in mind, when framing my post.

An analogy of Texas oil miners would've been equally apt, come to think of it.