Board of Education should listen skeptically to Barton’s recommendations
David Barton, who sits on the State Board of Education’s expert panel reviewing the Social Studies curriculum, has recently provided additional evidence that he is unqualified to participate as an expert.
In his critique of the review committee’s draft of the Social Studies TEKS, Mr. Barton can't even get relatively recent events straight, such as his claim that Rosa Parks’ civil disobedience was related to sitting at a lunch counter instead of a bus seat.
He also doesn’t seem to understand the difference between civil disobedience and a boycott since he conflates the two when referring to the Montgomery bus boycott. Mr. Barton also strangely considers the Boston Tea Party to be civil disobedience, which it most certainly was not since the tea in question was private property.
Given his inability to grasp this widely understood material it seems prudent to be skeptical of anything else he has to say about less widely known events and persons.
I urge the review committees drafting the Social Studies TEKS and the members of the State Board of Education to ignore any of Mr. Barton’s recommendations given his proven lack of qualifications on these important topics.
JC Dufresne
Cibolo
Mike Fitsko’s column a heart-warming memorial to wonderful woman
I enjoy and take the Herald-Zeitung because of Mike Fitsko’s Sunday columns.
I use to go to the Walgreen’s on Business 35 and Walnut because of Mary Borman.
Thank you, Mike, for the most heart-warming, truthful memorial on our beloved friend, Mary.
She will live in our hearts with examples she left all who came in contact with her.
Margaret Citzler
Canyon Lake
Beware of deer during the seasonal rut
I heard on the morning news that an individual was killed by a deer near Mountain Home.
Every year, during the rut, there are several people who are killed or injured by deer here in Texas. At places like Canyon Lake, where some people feed deer out of their hands and the bucks have little fear of humans, people are playing with fire.
The hormonal change in bucks during the rut is a Jekyll/Hyde happening. Bucks in rut hate everything. Aggressive behavior usually starts with the buck laying back his ears and puffing up his hair to make him look larger and darker. Often (but not always) the deer will lick his lips and paw the ground before he charges.
Bucks are extremely powerful and his horns will easily penetrate your chest or abdominal cavity. This time of year, it’s best to avoid those bad-tempered whitetail bucks, especially if he is a family pet.
Ray Laxson
Spring Branch
Digging through obits new low in politics
Recently, my son, who resided in Georgia, passed away. A memorial service was held in Atlanta and his remains sent to New Braunfels for burial in a local cemetery. A local funeral home posted a notice in the Obituary section of the Herald-Zeitung.
I received several notes of condolence from family members and close friends. Also, a short, two-sentence letter from State Representative Doug Miller saying he was saddened to hear of my son’s passing. My son did not know Doug Miller, nor did Doug Miller know him. I did not know Doug Miller and had only heard of him through coverage in the news media. Doug Miller does not know me personally, but only as a face in the crowd of potential voters.
We have reached a new low when politicians scavenge the obits in quest of votes. This is voter pandering, pure and simple, and also a waste of taxpayer money as the State of Texas paid for the stationary and mailing costs.
L.E. Rapier
New Braunfels
Thank you for touching tribute to Mary
After reading the tribute to Mary Borman in Sunday’s Herald-Zeitung, I wrote Mr. Fitsco a letter. At that time, I thanked him for honoring Mary and sharing what a special person she was.
In part, the letter stated, “I was so touched by the description of Mary’s personality, caring and concern. Sharing, as you did, spoke for many. Mary was such a professional at her job. But, she took it on step further. She took a personal interest in families she served. It just made me feel content to know there were others who felt about Mary as I do. Again, thank you for sharing such a special letter to a special lady.” I will miss my friend. Not only did she help me, have patience with me, but she took a personal interest. Sometimes, that is what is lacking in our world today. Thank you again, Mr. Fitsco, for allowing Mary to shine.
