" i'm stanley tucci," "Your host of independent lens." "Who decides What our kids learn?" "Because, let's face it," "Once they go to school," "Some of that Is taken out of our hands." "For public schoolteachers And administrators," "It's not A theoretical question." "School boards craft The educational standards" "By relying on experts." "But what if they think The experts have it wrong?" " i've been elected By my constituents," "And i've told them What i'm for," "And i'm gonna do The best i can to help," "You know, Forward those ideas." " independent filmmaker Scott thurman" "Followed His state board of education" "Through a series Of controversial decisions." " the high school classroom" "Is no place to fight The culture wars." " it swelled Into a national debate" "Over the separation Of church and state" "And what should be The dividing line" "Between the secular And non-secular worlds." "There's a lesson to be learned By looking at" "How a small, influential Group of people" "Can impact the homework Our children are doing tonight." "the revisionaries, next." " ¶ yeah" "¶" "Female announcer:" "This program is made possible" "By the corporation For public broadcasting," "The national endowment For the arts," "And by contributions To your pbs station" "From viewers like you." "Thank you." "[gavel pounding]" " the senate committee on Nominations will come to order." " mr." "Chair, thank you." "Thank you for the opportunity To question chairman mcleroy." "I think this is one of the most Important jobs in texas." "There are 15 bills Floating around here" "To strip your authority," "To make sure that you have Nothing to do with curriculum" "And nothing to do With selecting textbooks." "You've created a hornet's nest Like i've never seen here." "Now, the perception out there Is that you, as chair," "Have done everything Conceivably possible" "To make sure That intelligent design" "Is what is taught In the state's textbooks." "How would you respond To that?" " the question is:" "Did i try to put Intelligent design in the books?" "I'd say that'd be false." "Absolutely false." " that you've done Everything possible" "As chairman To push that point of view." "Now, what would you say?" "What would you respond to that?" " i would say that's not true." "I would say i did everything I did to bring up the" "Some of the scientific Difficulties of evolution." "I would say that would be Absolutely true." "Yes, sir." " hey, fellas," "It's march." "That means it's time" "For the year's Most exciting television event." "Say it with me." "The texas school board Hearings." "Why didn't you say it With me?" "[laughter]" " i want you to explain," "How can the texas Board of education" "Have the power To change textbooks," "Really, All over the entire country?" "Why does this matter To the rest of us?" " typically, it's been texas And california," "The two biggest textbook Purchasers in the country," "That really dictate The rest of the country." "Whatever textbooks They select" "Then affects The rest of the country," "Because the publishers publish Those kinds of books," "And the rest of the country Follows." " you have been quoted As saying" "That the amount of power You have," "At times, Boggles your mind." " well, i did say that." "I wished I hadn't have said that." "But i did say that," "Because it is Pretty influential." " each step of the way," "Evolution deniers and opponents On the board" "Have thumbed their nose At science" "And made clear" "That their own personal Ideological beliefs" "Are more important" "Than giving texas kids The education they need" "To succeed in college" "And in the jobs Of the 21st century." " okay, okay." "[soft acoustic guitar music]" "¶" "Wait." "Keep your chin down." "Perfect." "Just like that." "[air hissing]" "Open a little wider." " ah." " open a little wider." " ah, ah." "[drill buzzing]" " hey, michael, you ever Thought much about evolution," "The idea that we all share A common ancestor" "With that tree out front?" "You ever thought much About it?" " you know, not really." " yeah, most people haven't Thought much about it." "I think..." "It's quite a big claim That people make," "You know?" "I'm a skeptic myself." "There's no way." "Anyway..." "I think" "What we've done in texas" "Is unbelievably significant." "It has to do With the definition of science." "[air hissing] [tool grinding]" "So now the debate is over, "what's science?"" "The kids are gonna know What science is," "And science Is the use of evidence" "To make testable explanations Of natural phenomena." "Rinse out real good." " i want to know what you guys Know already about evolution." "What have you guys heard About evolution?" "What are your ideas When you" "Yes, joey." " monkeys turn into humans." " monkeys Turn into humans." "You know, Everybody always says that." "I want to clear this up Right now." "Evolution Doesn't necessarily say" "That we evolved from monkeys, All right?" "Especially the monkeys That we see now," "Like an orangutan Or a gorilla, all right?" "It doesn't say that." "What it does say" "Is that A long, long time ago," "We may have had A common ancestor with a monkey." "You guys know what i mean By "common ancestor"?" " that means, like, Your mom, like, maybe..." " this week, the texas State board of education" "Was reviewing the texas Curriculum standards" "For science." "Grades kindergarten Through graduation" "Were being reviewed," "But all conversation, All debate, and all eyes" "Were focused on two words:" "Strengths and weaknesses." "And it was all about Evolution." " evolution is a theory, So it's not really valid." "True or false?" "Some scientists do consider it-- Evolution" "To be scientific fact." "And so the controversy is:" "At what point can we call Evolution a fact?" "And that's where people Get into that heated debate." "Is it a theory, Or is it a fact?" " texas science teachers Were called upon" "To review The curriculum standards." "And they recommended That the words" ""strengths" and "weaknesses"" "That had been In the curriculum" "Be removed," "Because they recognized" "That those words, "strengths" and "weaknesses,"" "No longer had The regular meaning." "They had been drafted" "Into the political arsenal Of creationists" "To promote creationism" "And undermine The teaching of evolution." " hey, miss." " yes, sir." " like, So that means, like," "That charles darwin dude" "Don't believe in god Or something?" " the theory of evolution" "Does not necessarily say That you cannot be religious." "Okay?" "And it should not conflict" "With whatever religious beliefs You have." " okay, So you will keep me posted." "Initially, The texas freedom network" "Was founded to counter" "The efforts Of the religious right in texas," "Not in the hot button issues That you typically see," "Like abortion And gay and lesbian rights." "But instead, the religious right Was promoting policies" "Far outside the mainstream In a number of other areas," "Particularly Public education." "I'm leaving to get caroline In about five minutes," "And then i think I'm coming back here." " okay, thank you." "See you later." " yeah, i'm not out yet." "Every single issue That we deal with" "Has some component" "Of the separation Of church and state" "Or religious freedom in it," "But our mission Is to promote" "Religious freedom, Civil liberties," "And quality public education In texas." "So they're gonna be here About 4:00." "We're gonna go back To the office" "Really quickly." "So how was your day?" " fine." " yeah?" "Tell me about it." "Governor perry Has found a way" "To use the state board Of education" "To keep his base Here in texas happy," "And his base Is really the far right." "And don mcleroy has," "Since being appointed chair Of the state board of education," "Really been a lightning rod." "[bluesy guitar music]" "¶" " when i first held my son In my arms" "And i realized the kind of world That he'd live in," "I started paying attention To politics." "I was never very interested In politics that much." "I always voted," "But when my kids Were very little," "I got really interested In education." "I got interested in politics." "I've been elected By my constituents," "And i've told them What i'm for," "And i'm gonna do The best i can to help," "You know, Forward those ideas," "And frankly, It's because these children" "Are precious little kids." "This is one place where I will mention my religion." "My religion says that we're all Created in the image of god." "And because every little child Is created in the image of god," "I want to see that they have The best opportunity possible." " if you want To control and shape" "The politics of a state," "Controlling and shaping" "What students learn In public schools" "From age 5 through age 18" "Is a really, really smart Strategy." "And we have witnessed An intense focus" "On gaining that control By the far-right faction." "[applause]" " good morning." "My name is steven schafersman." "I'm president Of texas citizens for science," "And i was a member" "Of the earth and space science Standards writing panel." "I have been following This organization" "For 28 years," "And there has been an effort" "Over this entire time," "For three decades," "To oppose science," "Specifically evolution And the origin of life." " this is a healthy debate That's going on." "If you look at The hundreds of people" "That came to this hearing," "A lot of people are interested In this issue." "And there's clearly Big groups on both sides." "And what you're gonna hear Is teachers," "Scientists, professors, Parents," "Concerned citizens Across the state of texas" "That have voiced Their opinion" "That they want the strengths And weaknesses standard" "To remain." " texas is really The first place" "Where that new Political strategy" "Of promoting The weaknesses of evolution" "Is having a test." " i think we should be Teaching evolution" "The way we teach it At the university level." "We should be teaching the Scientific consensus on this." "The high school classroom" "Is no place to fight The culture wars." "If the criticisms of evolution Become established science," "Fine." "That's great." "It'll trickle down Into high school." " are you aware that, In the last 20 years," "There has not-- We have not had a section" "On intelligent design Or creationism?" " that's correct." "What you are discussing now" "Is whether you will teach The denigration of evolution," "Which is a longtime Creationist strategy," "To promote creationism Through the back door." " had there ever been any Evidence of evolutionary fraud?" " of course." " should we be allowed To teach that" "As examples of bad science?" " certainly," "Just like you can Teach examples" "Of political chicanery." " thank you." "[laughter] [crowd murmuring indistinctly] [soft acoustic guitar music]" "¶" " there are a lot of issues That i care about," "But i don't wake up In the morning and think," ""i can't wait to go to t.f.n. Because i love to lobby,"" "Or, "i want to craft Public policy."" "I wake up in the morning" "Because i have two daughters," "And they go to public school," "And they deserve absolutely Everything i can do to ensure" "That they And every other student" "Attending public schools" "Gets the best possible Education." "And the curriculum Is the building blocks." "The schoolhouse Is the place" "Where that incredible benefit Accrues." "And the state board Of education, these days," "Seems to be doing everything They can to mess it up." "[soft acoustic guitar music]" "¶" " you know, Participating in review" "Of the science standards" "Was really A very awakening lesson for me," "Because what i discovered," "Much to my chagrin," "Is that the level Of just plain ignorance" "Of the basic facts Of science," "The basic terminology That science uses" "That the average eighth grader Knows very well," "Those terms, those concepts, Those ideas" "Were not only alien To most of the board members," "But, in fact, Most of the board members" "Had completely faulty Understandings of those," "And we're not talking About interpretations;" "We're talking About the facts." "If we simply have Analyzed and evaluate," "And every sensible person Understands" "Including The textbook writers" "Understands that That includes" "Any weaknesses Where they exist," "They're gonna put it in." "But it has to be on A legitimate scientific basis." " so "legitimate" only means If it's not challenging" "Neo-darwisinem-- Darwinism" "Or what do you mean By that?" "Clarify that." " the alternative to darwinism," "In order to be debatable," "Must be Of equal scientific merit," "Not demonstrated, Not proven," "But of equal scientific merit." "When we ask a student" "When i ask my students" "To evaluate This particular skull" "As to whether or not It belongs to a new species" "Or a preexisting one," "If i make the argument that" "It should belong To a new species," "What's the weakness Of that argument?" "And that's what "evaluate" Means." "But if i ask them," ""show me the weakness In this argument?"" "Perhaps the argument Has no weakness." "And so i'm asking them To do something" "That probably Should not be done" "Because it doesn't need To be done." " but i would argue this:" "That a hearty discourse On any issue," "By asking them To show you the weakness" "When there is none," "Only serves to underscore The fact that it is strong." "There is no fear From asking that" "If there truly is no weakness." " you're absolutely right." "And we're talking here" "Not about what happens In the classrooms" "But what happens When we're selecting textbooks." " i understand that." "But the textbooks Are only going to use areas" "That are going to promote Discussion within the classroom." " that's right, But you remember in 2003," "When that language was there," "There was a large discussion Going on about," ""well, this particular Science textbook" ""does not talk about Any weakness in evolution." "We should reject it."" " textbook publishers were being Leaned upon very heavily" "Back in 2003" "To add a lot Of creationist-inspired nonsense" "To their books" "So that they could meet The standard" "Of the t.e.k.s. Of strengths and weaknesses." "And this is very scary For textbook publishers," "Because none of them Really want to put" "All this so-called weaknesses Of evolution in the books," "But if texas requires them To do it," "They have to do it." " i'm currently A freelance science writer" "Writing textbooks for a national Textbook publishing company." "Science is based on testing And evaluation." "If you can't design An experiment to test something," "You'll have a very hard time Learning anything about it." "Alternative theories That attempt to explain" "The diversity of species On this planet" "And the origin of life" "Are simply not testable" "And, therefore, Not science." "Why would you want students" "To read nonscientific ideas In a science book?" "Thank you." " miss dunbar?" " so would you feel As a textbook author" "That if the language "strengths And weaknesses" was stricken," "That "analyze and evaluate"" "Would give you an onus To present evidence" "That's supportive And nonsupportive?" " [sighs]" "It's hard to find Scientific evidence" "That's not supportive Of that theory." "[people speaking at once] - whoo!" "[gavel pounds]" " we will be silent In the audience." "I want to tell you that It's outbursts like that," "I'll empty the room" "And just have the testifiers Come in to testify." "We are not gonna have Any outbursts like that." "Thank you." " okay, let me simplify The question... [alarm beeping]" " okay, turn this way a bit." "Open wide as you can." "I became a christian When i was 29," "And within that first year of" "After putting my trust In jesus christ," "I was fully convinced that You could fully trust the bible." "And 30 years later, I'm even more convinced." "I'm also convinced about" "It's biblical principles That made this country free." "And as a board member," "It's not my role To force my view on it," "And i have not." "I guarantee you." "I have not." "Well, this filling you've had There about 30, 40 years." "We really need to replace it, Okay?" "[tool buzzing]" "I think the most Orwellian-named group" "In this whole entire Culture war battle" "Is the texas freedom network." "I don't know-- I kind of think" "They're kind of A self-perpetuating" "Liberal organization," "And the only way They can keep going" "Is just to keep attacking us." "But i think, really, one Of the most amazing things is," "I've gotten to know Kathy miller." "Kathy miller's Gotten to know me." "We've talked about things." "And i'm surprised That she still sees" "That the religious Conservatives" "Like me, like gail, Like barbara" "Are such a threat." "I really do not understand" "Her fear Of the conservatives." "I really don't understand it." "I just..." "I don't understand Kathy miller." " if you'd pray with me, Please." "Father, we thank you For an opportunity" "To come together again" "And discuss the business Of the public education" "In our great state." "As we deliberate now," "We ask that you would give us Wisdom and discernment" "As we make important Policy decisions." "Help us to implement Our decisions" "In the best way possible." "We pray in jesus' name, Amen." " it was clear that There were not eight votes" "To force the "strength And weaknesses" language" "Into the curriculum standards." "Unfortunately, Some members of the board," "I believe, Were fearful of the politics" "Of teaching evolution." "And they felt a need" "To engage in a compromise" "With the far-right members Of the board" "So that it couldn't be A clear win or loss for anyone." "That compromise process Began with some" "A language that, Actually, a genuine expert," "Dr. Ron wetherington From smu" "He had introduced Some language" "Talking about "analyze and Evaluate scientific evidence" "For the theory of evolution."" "Cynthia dunbar seized upon "analyze and evaluate"" "Because she saw The political potential" "And capital in that language." " i was not choosing words From a political standpoint." "It was just, "analyze and evaluate"" "That ron wetherington Had put forward," "I knew from my scientific Background" "That that was appropriate Language to use." "And we wanted that pertaining To all scientific theories." " she convinced bob craig," "The republican from lubbock Who's one of the moderates," "To work with her To develop language" "That says, "analyze and evaluate" ""using scientific evidence" "'All sides' of the theory Of evolution."" "And it's the "all sides"" "That will likely Present problems" "When textbook publishers begin Their work drafting textbooks." " the motion is:" "After testing, to insert The words including," ""examining all sides Of scientific evidence."" "Do we have copies?" "We're not gonna discuss it Till we get a copy." "Just take A five-minute break." " one thing That you should understand" "About the state board Of education" "Is that every single time The board takes a break," "A board member is surrounded" "By people lobbying From both sides of this issue." " "analyze and evaluate" "How evolution explains The complexity of the cell."" ""how evolution explains"-  i mean, that's what Y'all don't understand." " you don't understand The pressure that we're under." " there are not many Board members who say," ""i am an expert In string theory." ""i am an expert In gravitational theory." "And i will talk to you About that."" "But they will sure talk to you About evolution." "And that is a mixture Of ignorance and arrogance," "Which is a flammable mixture." " miss miller." " i've got a question, Just" "Would somebody explain to me What stasis is?" " dr." "Mcleroy, you are wonderful At explaining things." " stasis is just" "The equilibrium, Uh, of an organism." "When you see it In the fossil record," "When you first see it As you go up those" "From old rock layers To new ones," "All of a sudden, Something appears." "Stasis is just the term That it's equal." "It just stays the same," "And when it disappears, It's still the same." "And that's just a fact In the fossil record." " okay, the question is-  mr." "Chairman, i-  now, we're taking the vote." "We call--the vote-- I'm sorry." " i'm gonna abstain From this vote." "I--i haven't had A chance to..." " okay, that's fine." "Okay." " i think you need to use Your brain." "You make a decision:" ""yes" or "no" Or you abstain." "We need to do it, Do it thoughtfully," "But the time comes For leadership," "And sometimes That leadership means" "You just have to make A choice." " [quietly] A vote in favor will-  a vote in favor Puts this in the t.e.k." "All those-- We'll take a record vote." "Okay, the motion carries 13 to 2." "Mr. Nunez and mrs." "Berlanga Voted no." " are there any further Amendments?" "And i know mr." "Allen..." " it's really disappointing To see this happen," "Because the standards That the board of education" "Got from the writing committees Were pretty decent" "When it came to evolution," "And they've just amended The dickens out of them," "And now we've got standards" "That are very distinctly Compromised" "In the creationist direction." " thanks for all your work." " you bet." " thank you so much." " what this means is that" "There's gonna be pressure On the publishers" "To put this Into the textbooks." "And that's too bad," "'Cause that doesn't help The science education" "Of kids in texas very much." "[air hissing]" " they were trying to balance" "These two key demands." "They had This pro-evolutionist side" "That said this language Was unscientific." "They had this other side That said," ""we want you to support The strengths and weaknesses,"" "So they came up With a compromise." "They got rid Of the bad language," "And, therefore, they voted To support the new standards." "Frankly, it was great." "It was a failure of strategy" "Of the--of eugenie scotts, What it was." "And kathy miller." "¶ that's along the way" "¶ so faith, hope, And charity ¶" " you've been quoted As saying" "The earth is 6,000 years old." " that's my personal belief." "I disagree with these experts." "Someone has to stand up To them." "Scientific consensus Means nothing." " do you at least get" "That you're a point Of significant controversy" "In the state of texas?" " oh, absolutely." "And i think You need to have a board" "That's willing To take some controversy" "And to make Some controversial decisions." "I'm embarrassed by that." "I'm embarrassed That i said it." "I wished I hadn't said that." " can you perceive how that Might create controversy?" "Can you see?" " i agree." " you said education Is too important" "Not to be politicized." " it came across The wrong way," "But the only reason I got involved in education" "Is because i see all children As created in god's image." "¶ how do i know?" "¶ the bible tells me so" "Isn't that a cool song?" " don has always treated me Very fairly." "I find him very congenial As a person." "And he has always been, I think," "Fair in conducting All the public testimony" "In public hearings." "What i find objectionable" "Is the conflict between His ethical responsibility" "To foster the letter and spirit Of the law" "In t.e.a. Science mandates" "And his personal conviction As a young earth creationist" "That evolution Has never happened" "And that the belief in evolution Is atheistic." " leaders must lead." "And dr." "Mcleroy Has proven conclusively" "That he is less concerned With leading the board" "Than he is With fighting the battle." "Members, let's leave him To his battle," "And let's request the governor Find a true leader" "To chair the texas Board of education." "[radio chattering indistinctly]" " here it is." "Here it is." " we've got a problem." "Don mcleroy, Our representative" "On the texas State board of education," "Believes the earth Is less than 10,000 years old," "That humans Walked with dinosaurs," "And that supernatural Explanations are valid science." "Come on, texans." "On march 2nd, Let's send this guy home." "Keep the state board Of education smart." " yeah, smart..." " vote against don mcleroy In the republican primary." "Paid for by citizens" "For a smart State board of education." " the best thing about that ad, Though, is," "It's told everybody That i'm running." "You know, Even some of my good friends" "Don't even know I was running for reelection." "You just don't walk around Livin' your life" "Telling everybody, "hey, I'm running for reelection."" "You know, That gets kind of boring" "Living your life like that." " all right, Good evening." "My name is michael alvard," "And this is biased transmission." "Our guests tonight Are the two candidates" "In the republican primary" "For the district 9 position" "On the texas State board of education." "We have in our studio Don mcleroy, the incumbent." "He's been on this board For 11 years." "His opponent Is thomas ratliff," "A legislative consultant Living in mount pleasant, texas." "Don." " yes, sir." " there was Some committee meeting," "And i have the date here, July 16th." "You said that education Is too important" "To not be politicized." " the things that we work on," "The big decisions we make," "Have been adopted By political bodies." "They can only be changed By a political body." "Mr. Ratliff and i Are both politicians." "We're both running For a political office." "And in that context, I think that's important." " i agree with that." "I think the difference is, Your local school board" "Is elected In nonpartisan elections," "So you can still have An elected body do it." "You just don't have to have A party label" "Or a donkey or an elephant pin On your lapel" "To run for that." "I think it has a tendency To start becoming more focused" "On political Than it does on educational." " all right." "He says you believe the earth Is just a few thousand years old" "And that dinosaurs and people Lived at the same time." "Is that something That you believe?" " yes, sir, it is." "I am a young earth Creationist." "I would never advocate that In a public school" "Young earth creationism." "But that is my personal view." "And frankly, i don't know We have time to debate it now," "But i'll talk to you about it Afterwards." "I know that." "I know." "I know." " what other force, Other than natural selection," "Do you want them to consider?" " how did it happen?" " yeah, yeah, yeah, But what would that be?" "I mean..." " i don't know." "I want to see what they put In the books." "My question is: how?" "How could a cell that gets Trapped in another cell" "Gradually change To a mitochondria?" " these are all Scientific questions" "That we just don't Have the answers to yet." " of course, and that's what You get a chance to do." "All the scientists In the new textbooks" "Get an opportunity." " you're being disingenuous." " no, i'm not." " you wanted to introduce The hand of god into these-  no, i don't." "No, no, no, no, no, No, no, no, no, no." "I didn't put anything" "If we had put The hand of god in there" "If we'd have put The hand of god in there," "We would have had Those standards" "Challenged immediately." " sure." "Absolutely." " i got what i wanted." "I got exactly what i wanted." "[dramatic instrumental music]" "¶ [cheers and applause]" " welcome back to hardball." "Students in texas will likely Soon have a new angle" "On what they're taught In social studies classes." " they identify conservatives In the past" "Who students should learn about, Which is fine." "And then they-- - absolutely." " right, and then they eliminatt" "Who they don't agree with." " well, But that's how it works." "The winners-- The winners write history." " all those in favor Of the motion?" "All those opposed?" "The amendment fails." "Dr. Mcleroy." " i would like to add:" ""describe the causes And key organizations" ""and individuals Of the conservative resurgence" ""of the 1980s and 1990s," ""including phyllis schlafly," ""the contract with america," ""the heritage foundation, The moral majority," "And the national Rifle association."" " is there a second?" " second." " i came about this Kind of accidentally," "Just started Kind of watching it," "Like most people, You know," "Not really aware Of what it does." "And then you start Reading the paper," "And you think, "good grief." "What's going on?"" "Dr. Mcleroy Is well-intentioned," "But maybe he spends 5% of his time" "On state board Of education stuff," "So he's gonna tell somebody" "That has an undergraduate, Masters, doctorate," "And 20 years Of teaching experience" "How to do their job" "When they've done it 100% of their time." "I..." "I just don't share That philosophy." " the social studies Curriculum adoption" "Was even more political, If that's possible," "Than the science adoption." "And the separation Of church and state" "Is the crux of the battle." "And when mavis knight Introduced her amendment," "She didn't even use the words" ""separation Of church and state."" "She used the words," ""that government Can't promote" "Or denigrate any faith."" "And cynthia dunbar passionately Argued against this." " examine the reasons The founding fathers" "Protected religious freedom In america" "By barring government From promoting or disfavoring" "Any particular religion Over all others." " mavis knight's amendment" "Was too broad And too amorphous." "And talking about barring," "Which speaks of it In a negative light," "When how the founding fathers Viewed it" "Was in terms of jurisdiction," "That the civil government Did not have the jurisdiction" "To impede upon the ability Of religious exercise." "Free exercise came From a sermon by william cooper," "Where he specifically Coined the phrase," ""as to the free exercise Of his holy religion."" "This debate is too broad." "And one of the things That we keep being hounded" "By the other side" "Is that the conservatives Are trying to inject religion" "Into the t.e.k.s." "No, we're not." "But nor do we want Our religious history" "To be tainted And drawn from a viewpoint" "That is not historically Accurate." "So i cannot support This motion." " this will be a recorded vote." "All those in favor Of the amendment" "Of a new 1c as proposed By member knight..." "Should vote "yes."" "Those opposed to the amendment Should vote "no."" " i am stunned" "That this board rejected" "Teaching students About the first amendment" "To the constitution's Protections" "For religious freedom In this country" "And that the government Is barred" "From promoting or disfavoring" "Any religious perspective Over all others." "That's just shocking," "Particularly Since they've been" "Proclaiming American exceptionalism," "And this is one of our nation's Founding principles" "That sets us apart." " father, we thank you And praise you" "That you are a merciful god." "And, god, my heart breaks For our nation" "As i realize the gift That you have given to us, lord," "That we have taken For granted." "And, lord, Pertaining to the education" "Of our children," "Lord, i ask that you would Invade our schools," "Invade our country, Invade our homes," "Invade our churches With your presence," "That we would Truly be hunger" "For righteousness And for truth," "Because truth is not a thing." "It is a person." "And it is the person Of jesus christ." "And your word tells us That if you be lifted up," "You will draw All men unto you." "And so, god, That's what we do right now." "We repent on behalf Of our nation." "We repent on behalf of ourselves And our families, god." "And we lift you up." "And we want To see you exalted, god." "In jesus' name, We pray," "Amen." "[applause]" " amen." " as we're here At the lincoln memorial," "I think it's very fitting." "I think ours Is the greatest nation on earth," "And i think that the framework Of a constitutional republic" "That our founders crafted Is brilliant" "And has preserved for us" "The greatest protection Of our liberties." "And i just want to make sure That that historical effort" "Is documented as it is In these memorials in stone." "I want it to be crafted In stone in our textbooks." "Explain the impact" "Of the writings Of john locke," "Thomas hobbes, Voltaire," "Charles de montesquieu," "Jean-jacques rousseau," "Thomas aquinas, John calvin," "And sir william blackstone" "On political revolutions From 1750 to the present." "It does take out reference To thomas jefferson," "But the reason is not That i don't think" "His ideas were important;" "It's just that This is a list" "Of political philosophers" "From which The founding fathers" "Based their ideologies And their principles." " mr." "Craig." " it appears to me That the work group members" "Had specifically the desire" "To talk about The enlightenment ideas" "And also to mention These particular individuals." "Plus i think thomas jefferson Still needs to be there," "So i will support" "What the work group members Had recommended." " my intent was in no way To strike at jefferson," "To minimalize his impact." "I love jefferson." "I'm a huge fan." "The problem Is that enlightenment," "Current day," "Is understood From the viewpoint" "Of the secular Humanistic ideology." "If you want to see how those Philosophers played out," "Look at the distinction Between the french revolution" "And the american revolution." "One was a secular Humanistic voltaire," "Um, Anti-judeo-christian beliefs." "The other was What jefferson put forward" "In the declaration Of independence:" ""the laws of nature And nature's god."" " when you have added People like thomas aquinas" "And john calvin To the standards," "The standard says, "the student understands" ""how contemporary Political systems have developed" "From earlier systems Of government."" "Where does thomas aquinas Fall in that?" " yeah, uh, sir-- Okay, i'm sorry." " he doesn't." " absolutely thomas aquinas Is the philosopher" "That started The original ideology" "Of the laws of nature," "And it's from that That was developed" "All the political philosophies That brought forward" "The foundations Of civil jurisprudence," "And the same thing With calvin." "No one knows anything Of american liberty" "If they don't know Of the writings of calvin." "The fact that they have not been Included up to this point" "Shows that there's a dearth Of understanding" "Of any kind of philosophy Beyond enlightenment." " well, i think You're stretching it a bit." "Certainly plato In his republic had a lot to say" "About government relationships To citizens" "That could have been added here As well." " why isn't thomas jefferson" "Seen as a leader Of revolutionary thinking" "In the 18th and 19th century?" "He wrote the declaration Of independence." " right, well, and, actually," "I'm really glad That you even put that forward," "Because it's been misrepresented In the media a lot," "That thomas jefferson Was actually stricken" "From the t.e.k.s., Which is not accurate." "He's actually listed In several places within" "Throughout the document," "Including the political Philosophies" "Of the founding fathers." " i'm with don mcleroy." "He's considered the leader Of the conservative bloc." "Mr. Mcleroy, How is the meeting going?" " we're a bunch Of lay citizens" "On the state board Of education," "And we want to make sure That our children" "Are taught good, Solid american history." "And i think we're in step" "With most of the majority Of americans." " most gracious heavenly father," "As we look to our past To guide us," "Let us reflect On the convictions" "Of those who have Gone before us." "I believe no one can read The history of our country" "Without realizing That the good book" "And the spirit of the savior" "Have, from the beginning, Been our guiding geniuses." "Whether we look to The first charter of virginia" "Or the charter of new england" "Or the fundamental orders Of connecticut," "The same objective Is present:" "A christian land governed By christian principles." "I like to believe We are living today" "In the spirit Of the christian religion." "I like, also, to believe That as long as we do so," "No great harm can come To our country." "All this i pray in the name Of my lord and savior," "Jesus christ." "Amen." " mrs." "Cargill." " 18f." "This would also be new." ""formulate generalizations" ""on how economic freedom Improved the human condition" "Compared to communist-command Communities."" " i mean, this is really The last minute." "Today we're gonna vote-- Final vote on this." "Have not been able To consult with anybody," "And then here we are today At the last minute" "Looking at new language." " i've read it." "I am thinking," "And it is highly appropriate For students to learn" "To the value Of the free enterprise system." " is there any further Discussion?" " i hear things like, "this is our privilege."" "And we are changing the intent Of the writers." " i speak to the issue Of the privilege of members" "To make amendments." "I tend to remember This was in my job description." " striking john calvin And inserting thomas jefferson." "The amendment fails." "Mr. Mercer." " after john calvin, I'd like to insert" "Thomas jefferson And james madison." "Thomas jefferson comma James madison." " we're changing everything In this section." " i am proposing That under number 1," "We delete "constitutional republic"" "And insert "democratic society."" " all those opposed." "The amendment fails." " you have to have An objective" "In the standard." "That's how you write Standards." " i guess I just have to say," "You have to trust me on this," "But i actually do teach Political philosophies" "At the doctoral level." " the amendment carries 11 to 3." " i wish to reinsert The name oscar romero." " i would like to offer An amendment," "A motion to insert The name hussein" "In between barack obama." " i feel that i have let down" "The students in our state" "Because all those kids That are in school right now," "And they get to college," "They're gonna learn For the first time" "The real history." " there is no way That we can go forward" "With this document." "It's not representative Of my district." "It's not representative of..." " explain instances Of institutional racism" "In american society." "All those opposed." "The amendment fails." "We don't want to talk About discrimination." "So there." "These books?" "Oh, we don't want To read these." "My gosh." "[book thuds]" " i am ashamed Of what we have done" "To the teachers And to the students" "Of this state." " the board is open For the vote." "We're voting on second reading And final adoption" "Of chapter 113 Subchapter "c"" "High school as amended." "9 to 5." "Motion carries." " at least in science," "We were able to hold A majority of eight" "To not let The far-right faction win" "Every vote Every time" "And win the day." "On history-- Because they attacked it" "From all angles And all sides," "Because every Far-right board member" "Brought amendments To the table" "It was devastating." "I have to say that the folks In my office" "Probably spent two weeks Nursing our wounds," "'Cause it was just" "It was a really brutal fight." " i enjoyed my time On the board." "However, It was a lot of work," "And i did it As public service." "And i'd like To step back and say," "Okay, i did the best That i could" "In the job That i was given" "In the framework That we operate in." "But looking down the road," "Do i think that education," "Which is inherently Religious," "Is something that has to be A primary secular purpose" "When that goes against The religious ideology" "Of the majority of americans?" " their godless Left-wing culture" "Has taken over The mainstream media." "They have taken over Our universities." "Thousands of professors" "Have converted Our universities" "Into left-wing seminaries." "And for the last two years," "With the help Of their young converts," "These so-called experts" "Have taken over Our national government." "Well, i disagree With those experts." "Somebody's got to stand up To experts." "[cheers and applause]" "You are the last best hope." "It is your activism That is the last best hope" "For keeping texas New curriculum standards." "Texas new curriculum standards Are the last best hope" "For american education." "And american education Is the last best hope" "For america," "Which is the last best hope Of earth." "Thank you." "[cheers and applause]" " thank you, don." "[folksy music]" " ¶ i am a man" "¶ with constant sorrow" "¶ i've seen trouble" "¶ all my day" "One of the nice things About being a dentist" "Is when you, uh" "I have an audience every day, Every morn" "You know, all day long," "I have about seven or eight Different people" "That i get to practice on." " [chuckles]" " and they can't do Much talking back." " i know." "It's just wonderful." " [laughs] Yeah, they're cap" "You've got a captive audience, Don't you?" " and most of 'em are Ideologically aligned with me," "And if they're not," "They need to hear it anyway, Right?" "[upbeat country music]" "¶" "How are y'all doing?" " good." "How are you?" " okay." "There you go." "Hey, good." "I'm out here trying to get People to vote for me." "I hope they will." "There's some professors" "That have been Running radio ads," "And i've heard three of 'em Just this morning" "In the little bit of the radio I've listened to," "And they mocked me." "It's amazing." "They say, "hey, texans."" "And it's a real hillbilly voice." ""hey, texans, We have a problem." ""don mcleroy serves On the state board of education." ""he believes the earth's Less than 10,000 years old" "And that men Walked with dinosaurs."" "And guess what they call Themselves." ""the citizens for a smart State board of education."" "Hi." "Appreciate your support For state board education." " thanks for coming out today." " hi." "Appreciate your vote For state board education." "All right, we're going over To the student center" "Over at texas am." "So here's the campus." "Are you voting?" " yes." " oh, vote for don mcleroy" "For state board of education, Okay?" "Thank you." "See, you could see She was a voter." "I mean-  how can you tell?" " 'cause she wasn't going To class." " keep the state board Of education smart." "Vote against don mcleroy In the republican primary." " [laughs]" "But on the fifth day," "He creates The breath of life," "The creatures," "'Cause he makes fish And birds." "All right." "Hey, texans, We have a problem." "Don mcleroy." "58.76, 41.24." "I'll take it." "Let's go eat." "Whew." "I'm behind." "Okay, okay." "See you later." "[solemn piano music]" "¶" "Collin county..." "He's ahead by 300." "Here's mine." "I'm behind." "That's not good." "Ah, i don't know What to do." "[chuckles] Just gonna pace the floor." "[solemn instrumental music]" "¶" "[birds chirping]" "Lord, we thank you For the opportunity we have" "To study your word." "Your word is the truth." "It is the absolute truth." "We know it's the truth." "We got lots of reasons For it." "One of 'em is from the lesson We see today." "We're gonna talk About the flood," "The judgment Of the flood of noah." "The main thing you got To realize about this lesson is," "This is sin." "God's gonna destroy it." "But he's gonna save Eight people" "And a bunch of critters, Okay?" "And what's the purpose of it?" "To judge sin." "They actually show What it could be." "You got storage on the top." "You got the bottom deck-- Would be all the poop, right?" "And the middle deck would be" "Where all the critters live, Right?" "And so then they could shovel All that poop" "Down in there, right?" "And then noah And the grains and" "They could live up there." "And they could go Along the top, maybe," "And just put some food in For the critters, all right?" "Make sense?" "Three decks?" "[together] Yep." " pretty smart to me." "Pretty good design." "People don't think There was enough room" "For all the animals On the ark." "What do y'all think?" " yes." " i think there was." " you think there was?" "Let's go to the park." "We're gonna have some fun." "Come on." " ooh, park." " whoo-hoo!" " we'll have four cones" "For the four corners Of the ark." "And then we'll see How many animals" "You all can think of To see if you can fill it up," "Okay?" "Start thinkin' of critters." "Think of all the critters." " deer!" " a bird!" " deers!" "Oh, deers!" " antelope." " fox!" " antelopes." " monkeys!" " caribou!" " caribous." " zebras." " zebras!" "Aw, man, here we go." "Antelopes." "Mountain goats." "What else?" " rams." " rams?" "Okay." " boars." " boars!" "Ooh, and the pigs, The wild pigs." " beavers." " beavers." "There you go." " platypus!" " platypuses." "Scorpions." "Iguanas." " crickets!" " monkeys!" " i will tell you this:" "It is an absolute fact" "That there is Plenty of room" "For all the creatures To have fit on that ark," "Plenty of room For two of each." " how high?" " ostrich." " one, two, three, four." "[bright acoustic guitar music]" "¶" " to the best of my ability," "Protect, defend, And preserve" "The constitution and laws Of the united states." "[together] The constitution and laws" "Of the united states." " and of this state." "[together] And of this state." " so help me god." "[together] So help me god." "[applause]" " well, don," "You've had sort of A painful experience" "Here at the ballot box." "Tell me what you're gonna do From here on." " well, you win some." "You lose some." "I lost my first key vote, Was last" "A year ago may," "When i didn't get confirmed As chairman." "And at the time, I was really disappointed." "Well, guess what that Opened the door for." "It opened a opportunity To lead" "On making a lot of amendments In the social studies." "And frankly, I can see that it was" "Very kind of maybe Providential" "That i was not The chairman of the board" "For the social studies." " after all of these years Of this political infighting," "What's the answer?" "Can texas ever come Into the 21st century" "With any degree of rationality And any hope" "For reinstituting Decent education" "For our kids?" "That will happen long after" "My grandchildren Have passed away," "I'm afraid." "But i am not An eternal optimist." " lord, we pray for guidance For this meeting." "We pray for wisdom from you." "And, lord, We thank you" "That you have brought us To this place." "In jesus' name, Amen." " i ran a very good campaign." "I lost a very close vote To a very strong opponent." "And it's only a two-year term" "That was up for battle That i lost." "And we're gonna have All seats up for grabs" "At the next election," "Which is less than Two years away." " voters in texas Have to become more aware" "Of what's going into Our classrooms." "This is about the content Of what kids" "In texas public schools learn From age 5 to 18." "It will change The face of our state" "For decades to come;" "It matters." "And texas voters Need to understand the issues," "Know more About these candidates," "And we would have A very different" "State board of education If that were true." "[mellow instrumental music]" "¶" " the evolutionary science," "In which i participate," "Never asks the question Of the origin of life," "Mainly because We simply don't know," "And trying to give the answer" "Is like trying to write A fairy tale." "And so when people ask me," ""how do you explain The origin of life?"" "I simply say," ""i don't know." "How do you explain it?"" "¶" " in the end," "I think he is gradually Gonna have to recognize," "When we focus on the issues Of the origin of life" "And ultimately the inclusion Of the code in life," "That there's no way" "That that could Randomly happen." " well, i mean, The origin of life" "Is an incredible mystery," "But it's also An incredible mystery," "Because we were sitting Under this beautiful tree," "This ancient oak tree That's been here for" "I don't know how many-- Hundreds of years." "And according to the books," "The evolution books," "We share a common ancestor With that tree" "Way back in time." "The first life first appeared, Origin of life," "And then somehow It branched off," "Uh, all goes back To original life." "And they have no explanation." "[upbeat instrumental music]" "¶ [acoustic guitar music]" "¶" "This program is made possible" "By the corporation For public broadcasting," "The national endowment For the arts," "And by contributions To your pbs station" "From viewers like you." "Thank you."