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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 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…
Read MoreReligion in Schools…Where do you pitch your tent?
By Ashley Bean Thornton I have been thinking quite a bit about the different ways people approach the issue of religion in public schools. Here are a few of those different ways that occur to me… Camp 1: We are a Christian Nation. – The founders intended the United States to be a Christian Nation,…
Read MoreWhat next? For me at least…
By Ashley Bean Thornton The following is a presentation I made at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Waco on November 17, 2024. I think I’m a better writer than a speaker, but if you prefer listening to reading…The video is posted at the end. – ABT Good morning! First of all – let me say…
Read MoreWould School Vouchers work for Waco?
By Ashley Bean Thornton School Vouchers (aka Education Savings Accounts, School Choice, Parent Choice…) are often touted as a way to help low-income students “escape failing public schools.” We know from existing voucher programs in other states that it is not working out that way. A recent study by the Brookings Institute, for example, found…
Read MoreIt’s been a year – Plus a little …
Hello Dillos – It’s been a little over a year since my political “re-birth” that led to the re-birth of the Dead Armadillo blog. I’ve done a lot of things I have never done before. I served as an election clerk. I went to a convention for a political party. I watched legislative hearings and…
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