More Texas Wackiness

The Texas public schools have completed week one in 2003-2004. Thanks to the Texas Legislature, grades K-12 begin each school day with:

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

followed by,

Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one and indivisible.

followed by,

a moment of silence following the two pledges (60 seconds in duration) to be used for meditation, reflection, prayer, or any other silent, non-disruptive activity.

Texas is going to hell in a handbasket, but the Legislature — in time honored kneejerk, grandstanding fashion — passed this pledge/moment of silence mandate in 2003. I teach a pair of required survey courses. Required by whom? The State of Texas! Why?

The pledge/silence nonsense was passed in reaction to the uproar over the federal court ruling in a California case that under God violated separation of church and state. In 1955, the Texas Legislature, responding to the public uproar over the U. S. POWs who refused repatriation back home after the Korean Armistice was signed in 1954. Because 3 of the 21 turncoats (?) were from Texas, the Legislature instituted the U. S. history requirement in State-supported (UT-Austin, for example) and State-assisted (Amarillo College, for example) colleges and universities. Some Texas wag called it the Full Employment for Historians Act.

Now, Texas schoolchildren must recite 13 words (without reference to God!) and proclaim Texas indivisible! Utter nonsense! Texas — thanks to the Treaty of Annexation (1845) that made Texas the 28th state — may be divided into as many as five (5) states at ANY TIME! If that ain't divisible, I don't know what the word means. For years, I have advocated the separation of the Texas Panhandle from the rest of Texas. One former state senator advocated dividing Texas in half: North Texas filled with the Protestant Right zealots and South Texas where its residents could have fun (drinking and gambling). I want the State of Panhandle. West Texas A&M (25 miles south of Amarillo) would become Panhandle UNIVERSITY (the flagship institution). Go, PU! The capital of Panhandle could be Panhandle (30 miles east of Amarillo). Panhandle, Panhandle. Eat your heart out, New York, New York!

Texas is nothing, if not nutty! If this be (fair & balanced) treason, make the most of it!

[x Amarillo Globe-News]

Pledges, silence added to school day

By BETH WILSON

Texas schoolchildren are adding two pledges and a minute of silence to the school day. Recently passed legislation requires all students to recite the pledges to the American and Texas flags and hold a minute of silence.

Amarillo students are handling new requirements smoothly, said school officials.

"We start with the flag on TV," said Amarillo High Principal Doug Loomis. "Then we switch to the Texas flag and then a moment of silence. It's been a little rocky start and it's taken some explanation, but kids are respectful. I think they understand the importance of those things."

Loomis said he's watched those minutes through the first week of school and seen students in various activities.

"Some are being reverent. Some are in deep thought. Some are obviously in prayer. Kids are doing whatever they chose to do. We made it real clear that its for them to do whatever, whether to pray or clear their minds or think about the day," Loomis said.

Many high schools didn't know the Texas pledge, and teachers have written it on the boards to aid in the recitation.

At Rolling Hills Elementary in River Road, students start the day with two pledges and a silent minute, said Principal Andy Nies.

But only the silent minute is new.

"We've always done the pledge of the Texas and the American flags," he said.

The pledges come across the public address system, right after the thought of the day and the listing of the lunch menu.

"And then I say, 'Would you please join me in a moment of silence,"' Nies said. "It's the last thing I say and I shut off the PA. Teachers keep track and do it for a minute and then start their day."

At Glenwood Elementary, students sit at their desks for the silent minute, said Principal Saul Guillen.

"We tell them it's just a time for yourself to reflect on others or their families," he said. "Then after that it's announcements."

Canyon Superintendent James Veitenheimer said schools have put the pledges and the minute at different times of the day, from the morning to homeroom to activity periods.

"A minute is a long time, but I think principals and assistant principals and teachers have done a good job describing the activities they can participate in during that time. The bottom line is be quiet and be respectful of other people," he said.

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