Greg Abbott and the Texas Taliban, a.k.a. the TX GOP, are abusing our public schools, and therefore... abusing TX schoolchildren
Caution, short, mini rant.
TAT readers,
Don’t worry, this is a short Saturday, mini rant, about one of my personal, deeply held grievances against the Texas Republican party, a.k.a., the Texas Taliban. As I have often written, I’m a bit of a black sheep on my mom’s side of the family, because the bulk of the rest, are teachers, parents of teachers, sons and daughters of teachers and in many cases, grandsons and granddaughters of educators or other critically important facets of public education. I have heard the history of public education, my entire life. My father, a lifelong education professional at many levels, my wife, my daughter and two daughters in laws, are also professional educators.
Yes, I give presentations and teach occasionally regarding my professional expertise, but no experience in a public-school classroom. I am horrified at the intentional destruction of the Texas Public School systems by selfish, ideologically addicted, far-right TX Republicans. They are neither conservatives nor Christians. They are far-right extremist, Christian Nationalists. To be perfectly clear, the TX Republican Party has had exclusive control over Texas for over thirty years, but ironically and embarrassingly for their voters, they still blame all others for the woes of our flailing state infrastructure, including public education.
Yes, thirty years ago the TX GOP did make some progress, but since Rick Perry’s time, we’ve slid so far down in taking care of Texans and giving them a fighting chance in today’s world, we’ve handicapped them.
The article in the headline is but the latest assault and intimidation tactic levied against every public school district, it’s staff and even the parents of our schoolchildren and why, to suit their Christian Nationalist ideology, which is not Christianity. That their so-called religious beliefs even play a role in public education, is unconstitutional, so says the Establishment Clause of our First Amendment, in our Bill of Rights. I fully understand that facts don’t matter to these Talibanic type legislators because if they did, they would not act like fascists.
Surely, they realize that their book and content bans were all already approved by schools through the processes ordained by their districts and the state. Now, Abbott and his henchmen, are in a race with other red state politicians to the very bottom of morality and constitutionality. If Texas’ truly principled conservatives don’t stand up and take back their party from the far-right extremists dominating the party, the Abbott era will go down in history as blood red stain on Texas’ legacy and even darker than the one of seceding from the Union during the Civil War.
From the Article:
LUFKIN — A heated debate on the Texas House floor erupted Friday morning over a bill poised to become law that critics say criminalizes educators and parents. Senate Bill 412, authored by Sen. Mayes Middleton, a Galveston Republican, removes legal protections for adults who provide material to children that could be considered harmful. It is now on its way to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk after a final 92-39 vote. Under current law, educators, doctors and parents are protected from criminal charges by a legal rule called “affirmative defense,” which allows them to say materials were used to teach children. The bill removes this protection. “It makes it easier to prosecute not just educators or librarians, but also parents and medical professionals, while simultaneously adding vagueness to the definition of what is prohibited,” said Caro Achar, the engagement coordinator for free speech for the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, a civil rights organization. - Texas strips protections for teachers, parents who share “obscene” material with children - Texas Tribune - Jess Huff and Sofia Sorochinskaia - May 2, 2025
I will summarize with the following. First and foremost, I am grateful that you folks are willing to hear me on these topics. I never write for a political “side.” My politics revolve exclusively around our constitution and the brilliance built into it by our founders, venturing out on a revolutionary new system of governance, inspired by the Scottish Enlightenment.
Secondly, it is not just Texas. Every other red state is in the process of enacting similarly unconstitutional laws, focused on religious extremism, much like I went to war against in the Middle East, Afghanistan and some other less than hospitable places on the planet. Theocracy is as un-American as it gets, yet Greg Abbott and his GOP henchmen, worship it as dearly as they do their oligarchical, White Chrisitan Nationalism. Censorship by the government the same. If we tolerate this as citizens, it dramatically tarnishes our own rights to the label, “patriot.”
Due to my upbringing and my military oath to, “protect and defend the constitution against all enemies, both foreign and domestic”, I can assure you that I will continue to protest in the streets, as well as with my pen. I do hope that regardless of your political affiliation, that you will be among the “principled” and vote to remain within our constitutional guardrails, not run over them with a tank.
Thank you again for tolerating this beautiful Spring day’s, mini rant.
Paul
For those who wish to read more on my condemnation of today’s GOP assault on public education, please see the links below.
