Texas: on Education (Meh) on Same-Sex Marriage (No) on Guns (Hell, yes!)

what eye thynk:  Three recent news stories out of Texas have me wondering: Just what is going on in that state?

1.  Education
I know that Republicans don't seem to have much respect for education or the educated, but GOP-dominated Texas has taken steps to make a high school diploma worth less than the paper it is printed on. Governor Greg Abbot has signed a bill that will allow high school seniors who fail their final exams to graduate anyway.  Each school will form a committee made up of teachers, parents, and the principal to decide whether those who failed to pass their exams will receive a high school diploma.  One of the criteria that will be taken into consideration is attendance.

I can't help but think how unfair this is to those who study and pass their finals.  Will these "graduates" be eligible for college admittance?  And how will an employer be able to judge an potential employee if a high school diploma can be had simply for showing up? 

This is taking the everybody-gets-a-trophy-so-no-one-goes-home-with-hurt-feelings idea, so prevalent in pee-wee sports leagues, to a ridiculous new level.


2.  Same-Sex Marriage
The Texas House has a bill pending that would circumvent the same-sex marriage issue in the event that the Supreme Court rules in its favor.  The Preservation of Sovereignty and Marriage Act would prohibit state and local government employees from recognizing, granting or enforcing same-sex marriages.  It would also prohibit government funds from being used to license or support such marriages.

When the President makes a move the right doesn't like, he's a dictator and a tyrant, who should be impeached or at least sued.  Can the entire Texas legislature be blind to the irony in writing and seriously considering legislation that would prohibit government employees from following a Supreme Court decision?


3.  Guns
The state legislature has passed, and Governor Abbot is expected to sign, a bill allowing concealed weapons to be carried on college campuses, even in classrooms and dorms.

Considering the number of school shootings, including those on college campuses, how can anyone think this is a good idea?