an opinion about the Texas Ed Board decision..

********tinyurl.com/yjxswr8

Is the Texas Board of Education Conservative -- or Honest? by Suzanne Venker

so, I was asked what I think of this Texas board of Ed revamping of Soc.sci curriculum.
my major problem ( just based on the AP article) is with this paragraph:
"heralding "American exceptionalism" and the U.S. free enterprise system, suggesting it thrives best absent excessive government intervention."
Why do we want to teach children exceptionalism?
Who said we are exceptional? Why not just stress value of hard work and pioneer spirit this country was built on?
we will definitely stop being exceptional if things go as they are now, especially with basic science education ... ..
I totally agree with free enterprise system, but isn't it ideological to state to children about government non-intervention?
Why not just give comparisons of different types of economic systems in the world and then have a debate about pros/cons?
I need to read more on details of Texas decision, will comment more as read along....

Julia, I would also find that particular way of describing American model suspicious and not classroom worthy, however, the whole article wreaked of left wing leaning (unlike Atlantic that we both love and read). Starting with a title, down to every non-factual sentence it was a s biased as Chris Matthews in early November of 08. I can quote, if needed. So, I don't really believe the author when he/she describes teachings of American exceptionalism. Otherwise, every issue, from hip-hop not being music history material, to racism not being deeply rooted in today's society, to teaching history of Israel, I agree with their stance.

what's wrong with teaching kids about American exceptionalism??Probably people who have no clue where this concept came from wouldonly object to it..
American exceptionalism refers to the theory that the United States occupies a special niche among the nations of the world in terms of its national credo, historical evolution, political and religious institutions and unique origins. The roots of the belief are attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville,who claimed that the then-50-year-old United States held a special place among nations, because it was a country of immigrants and the first modern democracy.
A Frenchman, not a patriotic cowboy, made that observation..something to think about..

Света, браво!(Y) American exceptionalism is a notion that too many people do not understand. It must be taught at school!

(Y)(Y)(Y)
People do not understand American Exceptionalism, as well as the concept of Constitutional Republic, the nation of Laws.

you know what I noticed?
and, please, correct me if I'm wrong:
when conservatives discuss politics and policy, they are (almost) never critical of conservatively- sounding, originated or minded politics . When democrats discuss - they are very critical of both liberal or conservative politics, it's either too conservative, or too liberal or not liberal enough for them:-) . And they don't give "blanket" approvals to stuff just because it comes from the "left", while with the "right" it's almost like "партия сказала Надо, комсомол ответил - есть!":-D
Why is it?
To me it means that the Left is more inclined towards critical thinking, while Right - towards tribal mentality. Not all, but many?
But, again, I could be wrong...

it's not "blanket approval"..it's something many have thought through and agree with..you still didn't answer what's wrong with introducing to kids the idea of American exceptionalism, something a french thinker observed when travelled to the US and wrote a book about, how different this country was back then compared the rest of the World, where many original concepts and values had been created, and how it paved the way for so many opportunities for people regardless of their background..
I think that people who subscribe to liberal views don't truly understand the role of the US in the World's history, the foundations on which it was built and why it has become so successful..that's why they'd support any changes to this country left and right, even if it'd change the very foundation of it...and they don't appreciate the opportunities this country has given them, more fascinated with themselves than with the country..

U.S. free enterprise system, suggesting it thrives best absent excessive government intervention."
and is it this the truth?? :-)

Hey! We just need free markets. Keep your hands off us, you liberals. Sick of ya already.