AZ takes another step deeper into the dumb

[BurtWorm]

On the bright side (note the bold), looks like there won't be classes in Teabagger Studies:

http://www.feministing.com/archives/021176.html



Arizona Governor signs law banning ethnic studies programs in public schools

When we thought it couldn't get any worse in Arizona, this happens:

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has signed a bill that will end ethnic studies classes in the state. Her action came one day after UN human rights experts released a statement criticizing the bill on the grounds that all people have the right to learn about their own cultural and linguistic heritage.

The bill bans classes that "promote resentment toward a race or class of people," "are designed primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic group," or "advocate ethnic solidarity instead of treating pupils as individuals

Also prohibited: all those classes that "promote the overthrow of the U.S. government."

The author of the bill, Tom Horne, the state superintendent of public instruction, is running for the Republican nomination for state attorney general. He told local media that his target is the Mexican-American studies curriculum in Tucson public schools. The bill however applies to all public and charter schools from kindergarten through 12th grade.

So wrong, on so many levels.

[EFerrari]

1. I hope the people of AZ get an attorney general on speaking terms

with the First Amendment.

[SargeUNN]

2. Yeah and guess who is running for A.G. here in Arizona

Former County Attorney and Arpaio Lap Dog Andrew Thomas. Let's hope we Democrats can come together to defeat this slime.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

3. This law seems to promote that which it seeks to end

Just sayin'

[polichick]

7. Yeah, but, but, but it's different when it's not white culture that's being celebrated. nt

[EFerrari]

8. Of course. It defends a franchise.

lol

[Juneboarder]

4. I seriously feel as if

the news released from Arizona is straight out of a comic book. Is this for REAL!?!

[SargeUNN]

13. Afraid it is real

The situation here is Arizona is strange politically. Also the lack of real knowledge of the problems of the "illegal immigration" issues and the lack of looking beyond the sensationalism just adds to the problem. There is a real problem and real solutions but sadly just like in the South during Jim Crow nobody wants to get down and identify where the actual problem is. Arpaio, Pearce, and now Brewer just adds to the inciting of the hatred and fail to address the real answers.

I had Dan Saban guest host my radio show while I was on KPHX/Nova M and he went into details on the issues and gave a reasonable solution to it even having an expert on the issue as a guest. This show brought Arpaio Thugs down on me and they tried to get my show sponsor to drop the show since I was so Unamerican. Fortunately after a tough fight we got them to stay on.

The issues will not be addressed properly until people start to settle down and learn what is really happening but with people like the above mentioned and J.D. Hayworth pushing McCain and Kyl even more to the dark side of this issue, it will only get worse.

I fear even we Liberals/Progressives aren't interested enough to learn the problems and just want to yell it is racism. Certainly it is here just looking at who the ones are that pushed this bill, but the sad fact is many who really aren't that racist are falling into support of the law just because they see the problems but don't understand the facts, and when attacked as racist without being given the real facts they turn a deaf ear where they normally would listen. I have changed a few minds on this issue just by explaining the thing in the details Saban laid out. What people don't understand about Arizona is many here haven't been here that long and really don't know nor are they willing or able to get a reasonable look at the issue, so they buy into the fact the problem is bigger than they think and fail to see that people like McCain are lying when they claim the crime committed by these people have increased even though the facts show that it has had a small decrease. They fail to know that Arpaio is lumping all undocumented and Latino in a group, harrassing the most vulnerable and the ones who aren't committing the crimes.

Here is some of the truth on this issue. There are at least 3 groups, the Latinos who are citizens, the undocumented who are here living in the shadows and obeying the law better than many born Americans that pay taxes and Social Security but get none of the benefits, and those who come here to purposely to commit crimes usually Cartel members. Arpaio's sweeps picks up undocuments who might have a tail light broken, or not turning on their headlights soon enough before dark, and they are normally the ones that live in the shadows and follow the law. Meanwhile the real criminals are well financed and are above Arpaio's sweeps which also turn up harrassing Latino Americans. When a crime is committed by these who intend trouble, it is generally reported as an illegal immigrant and not so much as a cartel member or one of those who are here to commit crimes. Meanwhile we have people lumping all together and even people like Fabian who was here legally trying to gain citizenship, decorated by President Clinton for saving his commander in Kosovo gets deported for a bounced check. The cartels really try to recruit these people and sometimes do. So you see not only is this racism but it is also a matter of making our country less secure.

[Juneboarder]

14. Thank you for shedding some light

I agree with you that name calling gets us nowhere. It is a true understanding of the situation that will lead people to the answers; not bickering back and forth. Thank you for sharing your insight; I will try and spread these bits of information on to my fellow friends and family here in SoCal...

[Newest Reality]

5. Well, it looks like there will be some economic

backlash for their decision.

If this ethnocentric dilation keeps up, they may have to change their state motto!

I keep wondering who is going to do the dirty, ultra-low-paying, under the table jobs that will not be filled by the people they are expelling? Well, there are significantly growing numbers of under and unemployed people who will just have to break down and do them in order to survive, now.

[sinkingfeeling]

6. Guess they can't be studying the 'Holy Bible' either since it promotes resentment

toward a race or class of people. In fact, it promotes resentment toward multiple races and classes.

[struggle4progress]

9. The law is wingnut huff-n-puff wedge-driving political theater:

it won't shut down any existing ethnic studies programs, it simply outlaws nonexistent ethnic studies programs that “advocate ethnic solidarity,” “promote resentment of a race or class of people,” or “promote the overthrow of the United States government." There aren't any such programs -- but the law creates the impression that such programs exist.The law is pointless and unnecessary but it will help create a media storm of attention for wingnut politicians who want time in the spotlight for (say) accusing the Tucson schools of violating the law

[alstephenson]

11. Spot on.

It's a sad time for Arizona.

[ZombieHorde]

10. Are they going to teach American history?

Doesn't American history "promote resentment toward" the British?

Doesn't American history "promote resentment toward" those who persecuted the indigenous population in the US?

[rurallib]

12. you had to go and suggest 'tea bagger studies'

here it comes!
field trips to Walmart and all.

[RobertPlant]

15. don't they realize that this could lead to

a lot of weatherman type groups ie "The Mexican Underground"