Bible Courses / DeLay / Burning Ballots

The Texas Freedom Network has just released the findings of a survey it did on Bible courses being taught in Texas public schools. They surveyed more than 1000 school districts that taught elective Bible courses during the 2005-2006 school year. The results of the survey are disheartening to say the least. Most of these courses are violating Texas law.

State law says these courses must teach the Bible in a historical or literary context. However, TFN found that the courses are much more sectarian and devotional in nature. Most of the courses promote a single faith or sect above all others. The courses also did not meet minimum standards for curriculum and for teacher qualifications.

TFN President Kathy Miller says, "We stand with parents who believe that the Bible is a great way to teach students about the importance of religion in history and literature. But we think pressure groups have hijacked a good idea and the end result is that these courses can betray families' faith in our public schools by teaching courses with a narrow religious perspective above all others."

I can't say I'm surprised. The people trying to push religion on Texas students are not interested in the historical or literary effects of religion. They are interested only in pushing their own narrow views onto the rest of us. But as pathetic and illegal as it is, the offending schools have little to worry about. A spokesman for the Texas Education Agency says the agency doesn't know which schools teach Bible courses and doesn't monitor these courses for content or compliance. Seems kind of silly to have a law if nobody checks for compliance.


Looks like Tom DeLay's problems may be multiplying again. Last year, a state district judge threw out a conspiracy charge that had been lodged against DeLay. At the time, it was hailed as a victory for DeLay and the Republicans. It now seems that they might have celebrated just a bit too soon. Today, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals said it will consider the prosecutor's request to reinstate the conspiracy charge that was dismissed.

This also has the effect of further delaying the trial. The trial judge has said he will not start the trial until the appeal process has been completed.


It looks like Mexico's Federal Elections Institute is still going crazy. Last week, they denied a request for access to the ballots by scores of scholars and journalists. They said the ballots weren't covered by Mexico's freedom of information laws. Now they have done something even dumber.

They announced yesterday, that they would burn the presidential ballots soon after December 1st, when the new president is sworn in. They are doing this even though both sides want the ballots to be saved. It makes me wonder what they are trying to hide - a stolen election perhaps?