If you want to see a Texan swell with pride, just utter the lyrics \u201cthe eyes of Texas are upon you.\u201d\u00a0 But these days, the eyes of the nation are on Texas, thanks to a campaign by the conservative-led state board of education to consider banning references to notable Latino leaders in social studies textbooks. Although a vote was expected on January 13, it has since been delayed for a preliminary vote in March and a final vote in May, at which time, the board hopes to adopt new standards governing grades K-12 for the next decade.<\/p>\n
The action would impact more than 4 million students across Texas. At one point, farm worker leader Cesar Chavez was among those headed for the chopping block. But, according to news reports, Board Chair Gail Lowe said Chavez would not be removed from the standards. As for recognizing the contributions of other Latinos and Latinas like Texas\u2019 first Latina female legislator, Irma Rangel, praise may fall on deaf ears. In the meantime, I urge Tecolote readers to email Ms. Lowe at sboesupport@tea.state.tx.us or call (512)556-6262 and vigorously voice your displeasure. Yes, Texas, the eyes of the nation are upon you! And, no doubt, for good reason.
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\nHere\u2019s a travesty\u2026It never ceases to amaze me how incompetent our government can be. There\u2019s a news report that a Bush-administration project initiated in 2005 to secure the entire U.S.-Mexico border with a \u201cvirtual fence\u201d equipped with cameras, ground sensors and radar at a cost of $6.7 billion is in trouble. The $672 million already spent on the project now faces a series of technical glitches and delays. Glitches include delays in relaying information to a command center, the radar system\u2019s inability to distinguish between vegetation and people when it\u2019s windy, and software problems that cause video recording devices to lock on to the wrong cameras. Those problems and a proposed $189 million curt to the project by the Obama administration could spell its doom. As ambitious as the project appeared to be, was it practical, especially when you consider the outlandish cost during these difficult economic times. Obama should scrap the project entirely and think about a better solution.
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\nTalk about a power grab\u2026It seems that Pacific, Gas & Electric (PG&E) is seeking to stop communities from seeking an alternative to PG&E and its growing rates for gas and electricity. Currently, the company has a monopoly on said services, so it has orchestrated a June ballot measure that would amend the state constitution to require a two-thirds vote before communities could break away from PG&E. The ballot initiative is Proposition 16, the \u201cNew Two-Thirds Requirement for Local Public Electricity Providers Act.\u201d PG&E has reportedly already pumped in some $6.5 million to support its passage. In the meantime, there are news reports that Marin County is looking to jump into the public power business by forming an authority board to contract with Shell Energy North America for wholesale electricity from power plants, wind farms and solar facilities. Likewise, the Palo Alto City Council recently passed a resolution opposing Prop. 16 because it already provides its own utilities. No doubt PG&E is not happy. It is time we show PG&E that their years of greed at our expense has been tolerated for too long. Let\u2019s strike a blow for freedom. Let\u2019s strike down Prop. 16!.
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\nLastly, here\u2019s one for the books\u2026A 19-year-old New Zealand woman who was facing the prospect of not being able to attend college because of high tuition fees, sold her virginity online to the highest bidder for $32,000. Although she did not break any laws because prostitution is legal in New Zealand, the personal risks to her has raised some concerns. What\u2019s troubling about this situation is the extreme measure taken for the opportunity to attend a college. With the current crisis facing our own educational system \u2013 continually growing tuition fees and textbook costs, as well as cuts in course offerings and financial aid \u2013 is it possible that some of our young people could find themselves taking desperate measures to fulfill a dream for themselves and their families?\u00a0 I hope not. But, if getting a college education continues to be touted as the best way to succeed, then the unexpected is possible. Education is a right, not a privilege!
\nUntil next time, lets keep in mind those inspiring musical lyrics from reggae legend Bob Marley\u2026\u201dStand Up, Get Up, Stand Up for Your Rights. Stand Up Get Up, Don\u2019t Give Up the Fight.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
If you want to see a Texan swell with pride, just utter the lyrics \u201cthe eyes of Texas are upon you.\u201d\u00a0 But these days, the eyes of the nation are on Texas, thanks to a campaign by the conservative-led state board of education to consider banning references to notable Latino leaders in social studies textbooks. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"newspack_popups_has_disabled_popups":false,"newspack_featured_image_position":"","newspack_post_subtitle":"","newspack_article_summary_title":"Overview:","newspack_article_summary":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":false,"newspack_show_updated_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[113,6315,173,13,172,171,170],"coauthors":[18468],"class_list":["post-1428","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-voices","tag-barack-obama","tag-education","tag-gail-lowe","tag-immigration","tag-irma-rangel","tag-pge","tag-texas","entry"],"yoast_head":"\n