Just saw
this in Salon.
Hey, kids! Want to know how to avoid contracting a sexually transmitted disease?
"Get plenty of rest."
That's one of the eight STD-prevention steps listed in one of the four high-school and middle-school health textbooks approved for state adoption last week by the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE). "When you're tired, it's hard to think clearly," the text continues. "Don't put yourself in a situation in which you have to make a tough choice when you're tired." The other steps include: "Respect yourself" and "Go out as a group" ("You can also take the pressure off by double-dating"). No mention is made of the barrier methods of contraception, such as condoms, that help prevent STDs. One almost expects to see, in its stead, something about "an apple a day."
Why this matters and what can be done about it...
Things like this are possible because right-wingers have long adopted the strategy of running candidates for every conceiveable elected position. As a result, they've been able to achieve dominance in thnogs like school boards, and in this case, the Texas State Board of Education, which typically attract few voters. In such cases, a small number of well organized activists can achieve a lot of power, and do a lot of damage.
This isn't just a Texas story for two reasons. First, Texas is the second largest market for schoolbooks in the country. Decisions made by the TSBOE limit what students all across the country will have available, since they affect what the book publishers will be willing to do.
Second, it's an example of the kind of grass roots activism that has allowed conservatives to grab a share of power far out of proportion to their actual strength. If Dems and liberals want to take back power in this country, they need to sart doing the same, e.g by running candidates for every single elective office that is out there.