Texas Schools: "Be Good Little Communists..."

...And design a flag for the USSA.

Thus is the analysis from EAGNews.org, a school-choice website.  I can't say I completely disagree, but neither does this peg my outrage meter.

In fact, here is my biggest problem with the requirement for kids to create a communist flag: is there one for free countries?  See, the requirement reads thus:

Notice socialist/communist nations use symbolism on their flags representing various aspects of their economic system. Imagine a new socialist nation is creating a flag and you have been put in charge of creating a flag. Use symbolism to represent aspects of socialism/communism on your flag. What kind of symbolism/colors would you use?

Now, it is true that socialist and communist nations use symbolism on their flags, and specifically to represent aspects of their economic symbol (that's why so many of them have the hammer and sickle).  What is also true, however, is that all nations do that.  Our own "Stars and Stripes" are "symbolism" of our political beliefs.  It's just that in communist/socialist nations economic beliefs ARE political beliefs (given that both believe in government control of the economy).  Where the United States flag represents the fifty States, the thirteen original colonies, the bravery of those who fought, etc., etc., the USSR Flag (as one example) had the hammer and sickle to symbolize "The Worker."

So, here is my question- is there one that says, "Democratic/Republican nations use symbolism on their flags to represent various aspects of their political systems and/or national character.  Imagine a new Representative Republic nation is creating a flag and you have been put in charge of creating a flag.  Use symbolism to represent aspects of democracy/republicanism on your flag.  What kind of symbolism/colors would you use?"

If the answer to that question is "YES" then I'm... well, not okay with it, but willing to let it slide.  Teachers do have a fair amount of discretion in the classroom after all.  Who's to say the teacher won't lead the kids such that they represent their new communist nation with shackles and a dessert? 

If the answer is "No," then I'm not okay with it.  In that case, either particular political/economic systems should not have been mentioned at all, or you are advocating for socialism/communism- which would be the height of inappropriate in a school curriculum regardless of my own personal beliefs.

According to the story, various officials in Texas have attempted to contact the authors of the curriculum.  Hopefully they will clarify or change the requirement.  Until then, make sure your school board knows about the requirement, and knows that you vigorously oppose it until such time as the correct clarification is provided, or the requirement is removed.

Why do Teachers Unions in California Support Pedophiles?

From the San Bernardino Sun comes this positively flabbergasting story.  The California Senate passed a Democrat sponsored bill which would have made it easier to fire teachers "accused of particularly egregious crimes - such as sex, violence or drug offenses involving children..."


Now, one would think this would a no-brainer.  It passed with strong bipartisan support in the California Senate, and it's a fairly obvious rules fix.  It is currently very hard to fire teachers who would prey on the children under their authority, and this bill would have fixed that.  Enter the Teachers Unions.


Rather than support the rights and safety of the children in their care, the teachers opposed this measure vociferously.  They claimed "there already are sufficient rules to protect children, that the bill lacks due process, and that the bill was meant to give cover to the LAUSD officials who are to blame for [the recent scandal which led to the bill]*."  Apparently someone even called this measure which would protect children from predators "UnAmerican."


What is it about unions?  What is it about Teachers Unions specifically.  Discuss making it easier to fire teachers and you're evil.  Talk about merit-based pay and you're evil.  Attempt to strengthen academic standards and you're evil.


We are supposed to, for some reason, completely revere teachers and worship the ground they walk on.  We're supposed to faint at the idea they might have to work a full 8 hours a day, five days a week for the whole year, instead of 6 hours a day for nine months.  And then they pull crap like this.


This is disgusting.  It is disgraceful.  The people of California should call up your state Representatives and demand that his bill be brought back to committee, passed out of committee, and passed by the full House.  


If we're going to treat our children as though they're not even human while they're in school, the least we owe them is safety from their wardens.

*-Read the article to find out about the specific scandal