I'll admit that I've never thought much of Texas. Perhaps that stems from the 6 weeks I spent in San Antonio back in the late summer of '86. Air Force Basic Training...admittedly a joke compared to that of the Army and even more so when compared to a stint on Paris island training to become a US Marine. But the heat and the pure desolation of that region pretty much spoiled the state for me and I was only too happy to leave and I've never returned. Barring a forced professional trip to Houston, I have no desire to revisit the Lone Star State. I am unashamedly of the opinion that we'll never have to worry about Mexico sliding away so long as Texas still sucks.That opinion has NOT been bettered by the state school board attempt to wedge
However, it seems that the more sensible and rational members of the Texas community have finally rallied to oppose those who would dumb-down science education and effectively reduce the scientific literacy of Texas students to the equivalent of a student body from a third world country. The 21st Century Science Coalition writes:
"The 21st-Century Science Coalition is putting politicians on notice that the science community in Texas will accept nothing less than the best education for our kids. We will not allow politics and ideology to handicap the future of our children with a 19th-century education in their 21st-century classrooms."The battle has been joined! Reason, rationality and common sense may yet prevail in Texas.
If I seem a bit snarky in this rant it is only because this is an issue very close to my conscience.
R.
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