Group insists science books be thrown out

Houston Chronicle ^ | September 7, 2001 | JANET ELLIOTT

[Cincinatus' Wife]

AUSTIN -- Newly drafted middle-school science textbooks contain errors and exhibit a pro-environment bias, more than two dozen speakers told the State Board of Education on Thursday.

The criticisms focused on the proposed textbooks' discussions of global warming, acid rain and rain forest destruction. Many of the speakers were affiliated with Texas Citizens for a Sound Economy, an advocacy and education organization dedicated to economic freedom.

Peggy Venable, director of that group, said one 8th-grade textbook "selectively uses data to frighten students about global warming and to motivate them to action."

"Many learned scientists and experts have differing opinions on global warming, endangered species, land management, and other topics in these texts," Venable said. "But rather than present an accurate picture of the different approaches to complex issues, these texts often depict the view that humans and the free enterprise system are driving forces behind our planet's destruction."

Michael Franks, a member of the State Republican Executive Committee, said the books should be thrown out.

"I think we've found the alternative fuel source that everyone is looking for and that is burning these," Franks said.

One speaker pointed out widely varying statistics in the different books about the number of acres of rain forest that are destroyed each year. Others decried a suggestion in a teachers' guide that students write their congressional representatives about environmental issues.

"These kids are not qualified to advise on national energy policy or to write their congressman, for God's sake," said Don Beeth of Friendswood.

The hearing was monitored by the Texas Freedom Network, a group that counters the religious right. Ashley McIlvain, research and press director for the network, called the meeting a "rather bizarre spectacle."

"These religious right groups are using the platform of fixing textbook errors to rant about a global conspiracy to indoctrinate students and accuse textbook publishers of pushing a political agenda by incorporating such radical notions as respecting the Earth," McIlvain said.

The State Board of Education will consider approving the books at its next meeting in November. Board Chairwoman Grace Shore said the board can make sure that factual errors are corrected, but can't do much about allegations of bias.

"We can only address errors. All we can do is give our moral indignation to the publishers over bias," Shore said.

Shore said she thinks some of the concerns are legitimate, such as having only environmentalist organizations listed for students to contact.

Shore said the local school boards who decide which textbooks to buy may be the campaign's real target.

"The publicity that this receives will influence local school boards because they are the ones that will ultimately choose the books," she said.

Publishers have 14 days to submit written responses to the public hearing. The board also will be considering an evaluation of the textbooks by a committee of educators and a review by Texas A&M University.

Joe Bill Watkins, who represents the Association of American Publishers, said there may be a difference of opinion on certain issues but that doesn't mean the books have a political agenda.

"It's not good business to present one-sided or biased instructional materials," he said.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

"It's not good business to present one-sided or biased instructional materials," he said.

It is when you know your buyer's biases.

[KayEyeDoubleDee]

It is important to have the proper materials when brainwashing people, especially children

[HHFi]

So why does demanding that a science book contain scientific facts instead of junk science and leftist propaganda mean you are a member of the religious right who doesn't respect the Earth? Jeremy Rifkin and Robert Tilton are all the same to me: Fundamentalist con artist or Earth-worshiping pseudoscientist, a fraud is a fraud is a fraud.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

So why does demanding that a science book contain scientific facts instead of junk science and leftist propaganda mean you are a member of the religious right who doesn't respect the Earth?

Because it is important for the progressives to demonize the opposition.

Here they are: CLICK

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Bump! From endangered species yogut cups to science texts, the Left marches forward.

[HiTech RedNeck]

"I think we've found the alternative fuel source that everyone is looking for and that is burning these," Franks said.

ROFLOL!!!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Bump

[medved]

Has anybody ever tried to answer the question of whether all of the bombing and targeting of oil facilities in WW-II ever had any effect on the weather? I mean, you see all those films of smoke roiling up over Ploesti, Hanoi, and all those other sites and all those oil tankers being torpedoed and what not and you'd figure if global warming had any chance at all, that would have to have been it.

[Orual]

Next targets: history, reading (including spelling, grammar, writing, comprehension and literature appreciation), and math text books. Terminate with extreme prejudice.

[WyldKard]

Geez guys. This is a no-brainer. If the science and the facts back up your assertions, there shouldn't be ANY NEED to slant things in your favor. By thy own actions be damned.

Statistics, unfortunately, is the most slippery and mercurial of all mathematics. You can make them say whatever you like, as long as no one ever takes a good, hard look at your sources or methodology. *heh*

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I hope parents are starting to get the picture.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I wonder if the books give the facts that 3rd world countries are still pumping stuff into the atmosphere?
I don't think so but that's O.K., it's only important that they know the U.S. and business is the evil Earth destroyer.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Next targets: ...........

Communists Should Not Teach In American Colleges - 1949

[AppyPappy]

"These religious right groups are using the platform of fixing textbook errors to rant about a global conspiracy to indoctrinate students and accuse textbook publishers of pushing a political agenda by incorporating such radical notions as respecting the Earth," McIlvain said.

The 1930's Germany, it was common to blame the Jews for everything.

[WyldKard]

I can only hope so, but I have my doubts :(

"These religious right groups are using the platform of fixing textbook errors to rant about a global conspiracy to indoctrinate students and accuse textbook publishers of pushing a political agenda by incorporating such radical notions as respecting the Earth," McIlvain said.

This is the line that gets me. This Mcilvain person doesn't get it. Science books aren't supposed to preach ANY viewpoint. They are just supposed to talk about science. About facts, about the way the world works. Not about viewpoints such as "respecting the Earth." Respecting the Earth in one sense is a good and natural idea, because obviously you don't want to piss in the river you drink from. But twisting and manipulating facts to push your own political agenda is a far, far different thing.

Besides, don't the teachers know that you are supposed to push political agendas in SOCIAL STUDIES classes? ;-)

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Maybe parents will get the picture and decide it is going to harm their children, actually stunt little Johnny and Janey's education, to put them in a public school.
Oh, ick, yucky public schools.....who on the block will want to be left behind in the mass movement (even fad) of educating your child at home?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

The 1930's Germany, it was common to blame the Jews for everything.

It still is apparently but they've made more room for Christians. We're just intolerant of their agenda.

It is impossible for "just the facts ma'm."

[kassie]

Sadly, there are a lot of parents who really don't care what the books say. Just teach the kids whatever...and make sure the food stamps aren't late.

[wattsmag2]

We can only address errors. All we can do is give our moral indignation to the publishers over bias," Shore said.

No, you can refuse to purchase this tripe. Just say no. I'm sure the publishers will get the message.

[Ole Okie]

I don't think so but that's O.K., it's only important that they know the U.S. and business is the evil Earth destroyer.

Psst....the U.S. and business are also the ones with lots of dinero, which every good socialist and communist hopes to separate from said U.S. and business.