Texas GOP rejects ‘critical thinking’ skills. Really.

[Dinner]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/25/louisiana-students-loch-ness-monster-disprove-evolution_n_1624643.html

Public funds for schools that teach the Loch Ness Monster is real? Gee, that is probably just not a good idea.

[Dinner]

An example of such attempted behavior modification the Texas GOP does not support:

YEAH! That would be EXACTLY an example of critical thinking and "Higher Order Thinking" which the Texas State GOP wants to avoid. That's obviously why they put those exact words in their manifesto. NOT.

[Wiglaf]

If you want to talk about the Jindal bill, and be fair about it, you should also mention that the vouchers target only impoverished students who are attending a failing public school, and gives them the option to attend any number of private schools --- which in Louisiana are often far better than the public ones. I am sorry you or the Huffington Post found an example of a bad private school that is eligible for one of these vouchers, but it would be bizarre for a student to use one of those vouchers to go to an even worse school than the one they attend, wouldn't it? Why do you distrust and hate low income Louisianians? Do you want them to fail?

[Wiglaf]

YEAH! That would be EXACTLY an example of critical thinking and "Higher Order Thinking" which the Texas State GOP wants to avoid. That's obviously why they put those exact words in their manifesto. NOT.

Again, the GOP does not oppose "Higher Order Thinking." This is not planet of the Apes..They oppose behavior modification that is labeled as "higher order thinking." Behavior modification includes deliberate attempts by teachers to change their students' fundamental opinions, rather than expose them to new ones or new information, which the Texas GOP explicitly supports.

The GOP sees the role of teachers as informing students to make their own judgments. Liberals like yourself and the teacher in that video see the role of teachers as thugs who know what's right, and have a solemn duty to convince dumb students to bend to their will.

[Ecthy]

I see - so critical thinking means you doubt the legitimacy of your thoughts as you think them, while thinking just means you are deluding yourself.

Ah, the misery of human existence. Or of being conscious for that matter.

[Wiglaf]

Also from the GOP platform:

Bilingual Education – We encourage non-English speaking students to transition to English within three years.

RACISTS !!! MEXICAN HATING ANTHONY WEINER FRAMERZ!! :MAD: :PISSED:OFF ::HUFFINGTONPOST:

[Ben Kenobi]

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.

Excellent.

Yes, you read that right. The party opposes the teaching of “higher order thinking skills” because it believes the purpose is to challenge a student’s “fixed beliefs” and undermine “parental authority.”

That's exactly what it is for. It's got nothing to do with actually teaching the material, but in teaching kids that "what your parents/church/republicans" teach is E-VIL.

It opposes, among other things, early childhood education, sex education, and multicultural education, but supports “school subjects with emphasis on the Judeo-Christian principles upon which America was founded.”

Damn, I'm going to have to register as a TX republican.

it seems a fair conclusion that the GOP Party in Texas doesn’t think much of public education.

Bullcrap. You can educate just fine without any of this ****.

[Lonestar]

Some real winners in the platform:

Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) - We oppose this act through which the federal government would coerce religious business owners and employees to violate their own beliefs and principles by affirming what they consider to be sinful and sexually immoral behavior.

Family and Defense of Marriage ― We support the definition of marriage as a God-ordained, legal and moral commitment only between a natural man and a natural woman, which is the foundational unit of a healthy society, and we oppose the assault on marriage by judicial activists. We call on the President and Congress to take immediate action to defend the sanctity of marriage. We are resolute that Congress exercise authority under the United States Constitution, and pass legislation withholding jurisdiction from the Federal Courts in cases involving family law, especially any changes in the definition of marriage. We further call on Congress to pass and the state legislatures to ratify a marriage amendment declaring that marriage in the United States shall consist of and be recognized only as the union of a natural man and a natural woman. Neither the United States nor any state shall recognize or grant to any unmarried person the legal rights or status of a spouse. We oppose the recognition of and granting of benefits to people who represent themselves as domestic partners without being legally married. We advocate the repeal of laws that place an unfair tax burden on families. We call upon Congress to completely remove the marriage penalty in the tax code, whereby a married couple receives a smaller standard deduction than their unmarried counterparts living together. The primary family unit consists of those related by blood, heterosexual marriage, or adoption. The family is responsible for its own welfare, education, moral training, conduct, and property.

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.
Pornography ― We encourage the enforcement of laws regarding all forms of pornography, because pornography is detrimental to the fabric of society.

Family Values ― We support the affirmation of traditional Judeo-Christian family values and oppose the continued assault on those values.

Supporting Motherhood ― We strongly support women who choose to devote their lives to their families and raising their children. We recognize their sacrifice and deplore the liberal assault on the family.

RU 486 - We urge the FDA to rescind approval of the physically dangerous RU-486 and oppose limiting the manufacturers’ and distributors’ liability.

Morning After Pill - We oppose sale and use of the dangerous “Morning After Pill.”

Basic Standards – We favor improving the quality of education for all students, including those with special needs. We support a return to the traditional basics of reading, writing, arithmetic, and citizenship with sufficient discipline to ensure learning and quality educational assessment.

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.

Remember folks, if someone in the GOP tells you they are for small government, they are lying through their teeth.

Also: 500 Quatloos to the person who IDs the redundant statements in this drag of platform points.

[Wiglaf]

All of that seems consistent with a principled small government position. What specifically suggests otherwise to you?

[Wiglaf]

You DOUCHE.

[Lonestar]

All of that seems consistent with a principled small government position. What specifically suggests otherwise to you?

The whole "government dictating the bedroom lifestyle of consenting adults" thing.

[Ben Kenobi]

The whole "government dictating the bedroom lifestyle of consenting adults" thing.

So having the government pay for your MAP is 'getting the government out of the bedroom'?

Seems to me that the first priority you have is making sure the government gets IN, not OUT of the bedroom.

[Lonestar]

So having the government pay for your MAP is 'getting the government out of the bedroom'?

Seems to me that the first priority you have is making sure the government gets IN, not OUT of the bedroom.

Man, you just enjoy willfully ignoring the most obvious stuff, huh?

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.


Pornography ― We encourage the enforcement of laws regarding all forms of pornography, because pornography is detrimental to the fabric of society.

And by the way, the Texas GOP is so stupid that they think that RU 486 and the MAP are two different things.

[Wiglaf]

What are you talking about?

We believe there should be no granting of special legal entitlements or creation of special status for homosexual behavior

How can this possibly be read to encourage government intervention in people's private lives? If anything, as Ben said, it's encouraging the opposite.

This line of thinking is really perverting the Democratic party --- this notion that, by failing to go out of its way to give special benefits to gays/women/etc the GOP is somehow actively waging a "war" on them. As far as I can tell you are the first ****** to claim this war = "big government" though.

We encourage the enforcement of laws regarding all forms of pornography, because pornography is detrimental to the fabric of society.

This is the only line in the entire part you quoted earlier that could be considered intrusive, but all it really says is "existing laws against minors/children being in porn should be enforced."

[Lonestar]

What are you talking about?



How can this possibly be read to encourage government intervention in people's private lives? If anything, as Ben said, it's encouraging the opposite.

This line of thinking is really perverting the Democratic party --- this notion that, by failing to go out of its way to give special benefits to gays/women/etc the GOP is somehow actively waging a "war" on them. As far as I can tell you are the first ****** to claim this war = "big government" though.

What "special status" is being granted to the Gays that the GOP is so worried about? Uh, marriage and not being able to legally discriminate against them?

Well, they want to be allowed to continue to discrimnate against the gays

Additionally, we oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction or belief in traditional values.

Which is so vaguely worded that for all we know it's tacit support for giving a pass to assault and battery so long as the victim is a queer.

This is the only line in the entire part you quoted earlier that could be considered intrusive, but all it really says is "existing laws against minors/children being in porn should be enforced."

so why doesn't it use those specific words?