Letters to the Editor

 

LettersToTheEditorDear Sir:

The article by Kathy Koches in the November, 2014 issue of El Ojo del Lago, under the title of "Independence," may be one of the most important El Ojo del Lago has ever published. Critical thinking skills almost don’t exist among the public today, and that is by design. The Texas State Republican Party is officially opposed to the teaching of critical thinking skills in Texas public schools. It’s in their party platform. Their expressed reason is that children may begin to challenge the authority of parents, teachers, and preachers.

There is no greater danger to the human soul than attempts at thought control. George Orwell wrote about the Thought Police in his 1984. A memorable line of conversation in the movie The Hinderburg was between a couple of intelligent Germans aboard the great airship. One said to the other, "What’s to become of Germans like us?" The context was that those two had remained independent from Hitler’s propaganda and could still think for themselves.  

Ms. Koches’s article should be required reading for educators. Much of the public needs to take stock of what she says. As a retired teacher, I thank you for making her article accessible to the public.

Fred Mittag

San Pablo

 

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