Kansas....

[JAMES BASS]

Hugh Wilson wrote [25 August 1999] :
---snip---
"Also, I don't think any of this is 'overblown'.  The creationists
pulled off a major victory in Kansas and, given the feeble nature of
the opposition, I would guess that this approach will be used
elsewhere (but surely not in Texas)."
[...yes, Hugh, I saw the smiley face...]

And the letters by Leonard Krishtalka and Gregory Zolnerowich are
very much to the point of how broadly based this political effort is by 
bringing in the nature of the high school publishing business and how
'officials' take office.

Actually, the two target states of the creationists are Texas and California 
but at a different level and for a different reason.  Public school texts for the 
two states are selected at statewide level by a single commission in each 
state.  Obviously, the publishers are very responsive to whatever 'common' 
demand the two states might have as their combined orders overwhelm any 
other orders in the U.S.  And, that, can well determine the 'bent' if not the full 
content of the texts written and published.

Thus, the creationists have been trying to get control of the boards selecting 
the texts in the two states.  It is my understanding that recently the tilt in Texas 
went (or nearly went) in that direction and that both states' textbook commissions 
are still a focus of efforts by the creationists.

The cost considerations (and, specifically, economies of scale) of the publishers 
may will be the critical factor that determines how many children in the U.S.
are ultimately to get which content.                                     Jim