littlestranger

This article ran on the front page of today's Austin American Statesman. The publisher I work for is a sister company of HRW and we deal with legal compliance issues on a regular basis, this however is beyond belief. The adoption of these middle school textbooks is in the final approval stages and this idiot wants to remove all references to same sex relationships because of a state law on same sex unions in Texas. Now when did this law go into effect? It sure wasn't on the ballot I used Tuesday. I have never really had an opinion on the same-sex marriage issue, but after talking to my friend, Cathy who is in a committed same sex relationship, I understand the reason they want the right is because they want to be recognized as a viable union in the eyes of society. It's kind of sappy and sweet and I sure don't have a problem with that. It's funny how you can just avoid an issue for so long and then one day it matters. Many of these changes that are being suggested are semantic and petty, i.e.: Student Edition, grade eight Currently reads: 'Another part of adolescence is the beginning of romantic attraction to others.' Proposed change: 'Another part of adolescence may be romantic attraction to the opposite sex.' Other's are downright scary: Teacher' edition, grades six through eight Currently read: 'If you discuss the issue of homosexuality in class, discuss it respectfully. Be aware that someone in your class may be homosexual or related to someone who is homosexual, or have a friend who is homosexual.' Proposed change: 'If you discuss homosexuality in class, be aware that Texas law rejects homosexual "marriage." Students can therefore maintain that homosexuality and heterosexuality are not moral equivalents, without being charged with "hate speech."' OMG Suggested changes on marriage being eyed before final vote State board member wants texts to clarify marriage, condemn homosexuality. Advertisement By Jason Embry AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF Friday, November 05, 2004 A State Board of Education member stalled a vote to approve middle school health textbooks Thursday by saying the books should condemn homosexuality and make clear that marriage exists only between men and women. Board member Terri Leo, R-Spring, called for about 30 changes to teachers' and students' editions of proposed health books in grades six through eight. The board skipped a preliminary vote on the books after a representative for the books' publisher, Holt Rinehart and Winston, said the company would consider Leo's changes and report back before today's final vote. The board also delayed a vote on high school health textbooks that emphasize abstinence as virtually the only way to prevent pregnancy and disease. Some board members questioned Leo's suggestion but are reserving final judgment until they hear the publisher's presentation today. Leo said that three of the 10 middle school books up for approval would not conform to a state law banning the recognition of same-sex unions as marriages. She said they endorse same-sex marriage by referring to the heads of families as couples or adults instead of husbands and wives or fathers and mothers. "We're considered a state agency, and we need public acts and records recognizing that marriage is between a man and a woman," she said. Some of her suggestions, however, go beyond the marriage issue. One passage in a teachers' edition says that "surveys indicate that 3 to 10 percent of the population is gay. No one knows for sure why some people are straight, some are bisexual and others are gay." Leo wanted to replace those sentences with: "Opinions vary on why homosexuals, lesbians and bisexuals as a group are more prone to self-destructive behaviors like depression, illegal drug use and suicide." "This is an effort that is both ridiculous and hateful, to essentially try to eliminate homosexuality from health textbooks," said Samantha Smoot, president of the Texas Freedom Network, an Austin group that monitors social conservatism in government. State law says the board can judge textbooks for their factual accuracy and compliance with state curriculum guidelines. George Rislov of the Texas Education Agency's curriculum division said the guidelines for middle school health classes do not define marriage. Agency lawyer David Anderson said the law does not prevent textbooks from mentioning illegal acts, such as drug use. "If you are concerned that your curriculum does not comply with some other state law, you need to address that through amending the curriculum," Anderson said. Other board members noted that photos of families in the health books showed men and women with children. Board member Dan Montgomery, R-Fredericksburg, asked whether the board also would have to purge references to bank robbers in other textbooks because robbery is illegal. "We might be getting into one of these language-police situations here in which we're going to have to take just about everything out of the books," Montgomery said. Leo, a former teacher who has been active in Republican politics for at least 20 years, won her Houston-area board seat in 2002. She said she does not expect the publishers to follow her suggestions word for word. "As long as the content of the books shows that marriage is between a man and a woman, I'm OK with it," she said. Some of the education board's most colorful debates have centered on textbook content. In 1994, the board removed from health textbooks discussions of homosexuality and contraception, as well as drawings of breast and testicular examinations. Lawmakers restricted the board's powers to shape the content of textbooks the following year. Much of the public debate leading up to Thursday's meeting centered on contraception in high school health books. The board also skipped a preliminary vote on the high school books after a couple of members asked publishers to make changes and present them today. Gail Lowe, R-Lampasas, asked that the books not stress the effectiveness of condoms in fighting sexually transmitted diseases. Patricia Hardy, R-Fort Worth, asked for a teachers' edition to include a chart about contraceptives. Books that the board approves can go on the state's "conforming" list and are more likely to be used in schools.***

Ok, that answers my question on how they were going to spin this into a martyrdom...

Josh you're too fuckin funny! Kim, you look absolutely gorgeous! Can I borrow those shoes?

That's incredible...I have such a long way to go before I have that much control flying my body. Thanks for the link, I'll be watching this and the other videos repeatedly.

Geez, I don't care who Eminem votes for! LOL!

Yeah, I found it. Saying I didn't find anything was a bit of an exageration on my part. Glad you still like yours freekflyguy, cause that's the kind of input I need, tried and true. Also found a post from Mike Zban about the titanium wide angle lens which I was also considering and have now decided against. Appreciate the info.

Couldn't find anything in this forum on Sony's DCR-HC30. I really like it's analog to digital capabilities, otherwise it seems to be very similar to the DCR-HC20...except for price. Anyone flying this camera, what do you think?

A good freefly coach is creative and fun. They want to jump with you even if you suck and never make you feel like it was a waste of their time. The're not afraid to suggest you try something new, even if it scares you; someone you trust to never ask you to try something beyond your ability. They make every jump the best time you ever had.

Got a little coaching this weekend from Gravity Rats, Robert and Bryan, on going from a sit to a track. It kind of starts out as a cartwheel except I pull my knees up at the same time my arm goes down and once I'm 180 punch it into a track, when I flatten it out I'm already on my belly and feel I have alot more control than I do on my back. I spent an entire skydive doing this and didn't feel I was loosing too much vertical speed. Need to jump with someone to be sure though.

Thanks! I posted a link to this thread on the Honest Ape forum. They're pretty excited about the response here. I'm hoping I can get them to produce a skydiving video, but they don't know that yet! LOL! ...guess they do now.

I am his sole inspiration...oh wait, I'm his mother. Nevermind. Seriously, you should ask him, his website has a forum, signing up gives you access to the films bloopers. I would ask him for you but I'd probably get a different answer. LOL!

Thanks Douva, he's at Austin Community College taking some basic classes. I'm not sure what ACC has in the way of a film program, but it's at the same level as their art program...I'm transferring him.

Well?

That happened to me several times when they first put it up. Best I can figure is they may have been uploading something to the site. It's available now, hurry!

My son Arlo, wrote and directed a short film called Metal Gear Solid: Office Politics, it's freakin hilarious! I'm not being biased at all, it really is funny...really. Check it out and let me know what you think. http://www.djhoyt.com/honestape/

I've just started FF in larger groups (4) and have questions about breaking off safely. I've practiced backtracking away on solo jumps but have a tendency to go almost vertical and loose alot of altitude w/o enough horizontal separation. Sometimes find myself veering off to the left, but can correct that. Would like some tips on transitioning smoothly before I try this in public. Read a few posts that mention doing a 180 cartwheel and tracking away. I've unsuccessfully tried to picture this in my head...am I facing the group, do a half cartwheel headdown, while at the same time transitioning to belly and then track away? Seems like I would loose alot of speed. I'd appreciate any input and suggestions on these and alternative break off methods, in the meantime I'll keep my distance.

The Master and Margarita Mikhail Bulagov (unabridged translation by Michael Glenny) Naked David Sedaris

Cry. But seriously, suck it up for 4 years, and thank God Hilary won't be on the ticket for 2008.

I don't understand the statement that you will regret the relationship for the rest of your life. Don't you see some merit in making a difference in his children's lives (assuming that you did).

Yes she is, and you are. She's a real sweetie too. Glad I got to meet her!

For a white rapper, Eminem is a marketing phenomenon. Like Marilyn Manson, you can't help but appreciate that.

Jane.

He's so cute, I wanna put him in an aquarium! OK and I lied, I do have a few more pictures...and I'll do anything now to avoid my ECON homework...

Dave, look at the bright side, now you can drink even more of it!

Meltdown and I will be there. Hopefully you can find someone to jump with me..."I'm pretty unsafe".