as envisioned & drawn by Jefferson image from wikipedia
Jefferson's sketch of the University of Virginia Rotunda
The rotunda at the University of Virginia was planned by Thomas Jefferson to represent the authority of nature and the power of reason. The classical architecture of Palladio best represented the ideals of Jefferson's vision for the architecture. The University's Library was originally housed in the Rotunda-Jefferson considered the library to be the beacon of enlightenment and wisdom.
Jefferson is the only US President to found a university- and to design one.
Last night I dreamed the Bible was being rewritten- though it has been done with this venerable book time and again- I thought why? Is it possible the next text the Texas Board of Education will "work" on is this one. Though the Bible is subject to vast interpretation-why not narrow that now so it will state Christian Conservative values? Surely the founding fathers of that great book meant it- their way. No? OF course there are always a couple of crackpots in any text where a number of writers exist.
Can these educators undertake such a task? eradicate the Radicals? Problems arise. read Jesus the radical pastor.org here
Christ before Caiaphas by Giotto
image from wikipedia
The Texas Board of Education is rewriting American History. What will be taught in the classroom? The Gospel according to Texas? The powerful influence of this board reverberates through the country- Texas buys lots of TexT books- publishers will look to the Texas standards for guidance in content, vomitously creating a poisonous rippling effect. The board, whose members are elected, has influence beyond Texas because the state is one of the largest buyers of textbooks. In the digital age, however, that influence has diminished as technological advances have made it possible for publishers to tailor books to individual states. the TIMES here
Cynthia Dunbar, a lawyer from Richmond who is a strict constitutionalist and thinks the nation was founded on Christian beliefs, managed to cut Thomas Jefferson from a list of figures whose writings inspired revolutions in the late 18th century and 19th century, replacing him with St. Thomas Aquinas, John Calvin and William Blackstone. (Jefferson is not well liked among conservatives on the board because he coined the term “separation between church and state.”)
Our guys signing the Declarationsurrounded by red curtains
There is a reason for those swags and sweeping gestures of grandeur in the Founding Father's portraits.
“The Enlightenment was not the only philosophy on which these revolutions were based,” Ms. Dunbar said. NYTIMES here
“For happily the government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection, should demean themselves as good citizens . . . while every one shall sit under his own vine and figtree, and there shall be none to make him afraid.” GW
Dr. McLeroy, a dentist by training, pushed through a change to the teaching of the civil rights movement to ensure that students study the violent philosophy of the Black Panthers in addition to the nonviolent approach of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He also made sure that textbooks would mention the votes in Congress on civil rights legislation, which Republicans supported. “Republicans need a little credit for that,” he said. “I think it’s going to surprise some students.” from the NYTIMES here
"Its soul, its climate, its equality, liberty, laws, people, and manners.
My god! how little do my countrymen
know what precious blessings they are in possession of,
and which no other people on earth enjoy!"
image from the Library of Congress
HOW CHRISTIAN WERE THE FOUNDING FATHERS? NYTIMES MAGAZINE HERE , A MUST READ
The Texas Board of Education has removed Thomas Jefferson and the influence of the Enlightenment from the Texas curriculum, "replacing him with religious right icon John Calvin."
from AP reporter April Castro AUSTIN, Texas — A far-right faction of the Texas State Board of Education succeeded Friday in injecting conservative ideals into social studies, history and economics lessons that will be taught to millions of students for the next decade. Teachers in Texas will be required to cover the Judeo-Christian influences of the nation's Founding Fathers, but not highlight the philosophical rationale for the separation of church and state. Curriculum standards also will describe the U.S. government as a "constitutional republic," rather than "democratic," and students will be required to study the decline in value of the U.S. dollar, including the abandonment of the gold standard. Following three days of impassioned and acrimonious debate, the board gave preliminary approval to the new standards with a 10-5 party line vote. A final vote is expected in May, after a public comment period that could produce additional amendments and arguments.- April Castro AP reporter
Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of the body and mind will vanish like the evil spirits at the dawn of the day. Thomas Jefferson
