Major Political Party Opposes Teaching "Critical Thinking Skills"

[EleCivil]

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/06/26/506357/the-5-craziest-policies-in-texas-republicans-2012-platform/?mobile=nc

From the article:

“We believe the current teaching of a multicultural curriculum is divisive,” the platform says, adding that it supports teaching “common American identity and loyalty instead of political correctness that nurtures alienation among racial and ethnic groups.” In Arizona, where Republicans banned multicultural programs, students in those programs actually out-performed their peers. Texas Republicans also believe “controversial theories” such evolution and climate change — which aren’t controversial at all — “should be taught as challengeable scientific theories subject to change as new data is produced.” There’s more: the GOP also opposes the teaching of “critical thinking skills” because they “focus on behavior modification and have the purpose of challenging the student’s fixed beliefs and undermining parental authority.”

(Bolded for emphasis.)

It's like they read about Socrates, and the lesson they got out of it was "Yeah! Those Greeks had the right idea getting rid of that troublemaker!"

If your "fixed beliefs" and "parental authority" can be undermined through logic and reason, your beliefs are weak and your authority is questionable.

[Cole Parker]

Bunch of old farts wanting to take us back two centuries.

Taking the vote away from women will be next. What do those dames know, anyway, and shouldn't they be in the kitchen instead of the voting booth?

C

[FreeThinker]

If your "fixed beliefs" and "parental authority" can be undermined through logic and reason, your beliefs are weak and your authority is questionable.

Eloquent, profound, and so very true.

[JamesSavik]

Do keep in mind that republicans are, like democrats, a spectrum of ideologies.

As there are only two parties, to chose one, everybody has to make many compromises.

Many republicans are pro-science and progress. They simply aren't part of the religious fanatic wing of the party.

Most of this sort are more Libertarian than Republican and are more likely to deal equitably with GLBT people than Southern Democrats.

[DesDownunder]

In case you missed the link, see the Republican Party of Texas 2012 party platform here, (pdf)

I don't know when I have been more disturbed by a political party platform.

This is just insanity, and I think it reads like a cross between The Inquisition and Mein Kampf.

[EleCivil]

Do keep in mind that republicans are, like democrats, a spectrum of ideologies.

As there are only two parties, to chose one, everybody has to make many compromises.

Many republicans are pro-science and progress. They simply aren't part of the religious fanatic wing of the party.

Most of this sort are more Libertarian than Republican and are more likely to deal equitably with GLBT people than Southern Democrats.

Agreed. I'm not here to bash on republicans. Dems can be just as ridiculous at times.

And to be fair, when it comes to mainstream politicians, there are BARELY two parties. We have the party that openly shills for big business and warmongering, and we have the party that tries to pretend that they aren't shilling for big business and warmongering.

[JamesSavik]

And to be fair, when it comes to mainstream politicians, there are BARELY two parties. We have the party that openly shills for big business and warmongering, and we have the party that tries to pretend that they aren't shilling for big business and warmongering.

You noticed that too I see.

[colinian]

Do keep in mind that republicans are, like democrats, a spectrum of ideologies.

As there are only two parties, to chose one, everybody has to make many compromises.

Many republicans are pro-science and progress. They simply aren't part of the religious fanatic wing of the party.

Most of this sort are more Libertarian than Republican and are more likely to deal equitably with GLBT people than Southern Democrats.

And the more Libertarian than Republican menbers are a small minority in the Republican Party. If you don't believe that, listen to the rhetoric in the House of Representatives where the religious fanatic wing of the party is in firm control.

Colin