What’s my “Why?” Part 1: I’m the luckiest girl in the world…
I worked a good long while, I saved up some money, and now I am retired. Just about every morning of my life I get up out of my soft bed in my air-conditioned house, I put on my red hi-tops and whatever other comfortable clothes I am going to wear for the day, I…
Read More5 Things to know about our (ugh!) new voucher bill
By Ashley Bean Thornton Governor Greg Abbott signed SB 2 – aka “Education Savings Accounts,” aka School Vouchers — into law on May 3, 2025. I was, and am, against it. Be that as it may, the bill we got is not as bad as it could have been. It could have been basically a…
Read MoreSigns of the times…
I’ve seen a post or two recently about the “Honoring Confederate History” sign that the Sons of Confederate Veterans have put up on I-35. There’s some discussion of what should be done to get it taken down. I don’t like the sign. I don’t like the idea of “Honoring Confederate History.” I don’t know…
Read MoreWhat is Pat Curry saying about the education bills? Part 1: Vouchers
(This is the first in a series of posts I plan to write about what my Texas House Representative, Pat Curry – District 56, is saying about the education bills that are being considered by the Texas Legislature. – ABT) Pat Curry (TX House District 56) was recently interviewed by Duke Machado of the Hispanic…
Read MoreA tale of two posters…
By Ashley Bean Thornton Senate Bill 10 and House Bill 2696 are identical bills that have been filed in the two houses of the Texas Legislature. If passed, they would require a poster of the 10 Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom in Texas. Here is the version of the 10 Commandments…
Read MoreBills I’m Watching: HB 3 – Education Savings Accounts / Vouchers
(“Bills I’m watching…” is a series of blog posts where I summarize in plain language what I think a bill is saying. I am not a lawyer, I’m just a regular person who knows how to read. So, if you see something you think is incorrect about the way I have summarized this bill, please…
Read MoreBills I’m Watching: SB 26 – Teacher Compensation
(“Bills I’m watching…” is a series of blog posts where I summarize in plain language what I think a bill is saying. I am not a lawyer; I’m just a regular person who knows how to read. So, if you see something you think is incorrect about the way I have summarized this bill, please…
Read MoreBills I’m Watching: SB 10 – 10 Commandments in Public School Classrooms
(“Bills I’m watching…” is a series of blog posts where I summarize in plain language what I think a bill is saying. — ABT) SB 10 – relating to the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. Authors: King, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, Hinojosa, Adam, Huffman, Hughes, Kolkhorst, Middleton,…
Read MoreBills I’m Watching: SB 11 – Prayer/Bible Reading in School
(“Bills I’m watching…” is a series of blog posts where I summarize in plain language what I think a bill is saying. — ABT) SB 11: relating to a period of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious text in public schools. Authors: Middleton, Bettencourt, Birdwell, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, Hinojosa,…
Read More“Peace” and “Quiet” are not the same. For true peace we need to start talking!
By Ashley Bean Thornton Do you remember when political conversations, even political disagreements, were more fun than they are now? I do. I miss that. After the frenzy and folderol of the recent election you may be thinking: “Political conversations – no thanks! That’s the last thing I want! I am ready for some peace…
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