Texas holds fate of textbook references

In the largest state on the mainland, decisions are being made that will impact not just the children in that state, but eventually all schoolchildren in our country. I am talking about the group of people in Texas who are deciding what will and will not be included in primary and secondary school textbooks, including history books.

Now to my way of thinking. history books should contain history. But there is a huge push to remove all references to both the influence of Christianity in our country, as well as all mention of patriotism. If a textbook about American history leaves those topics out it would hardly be American history as any investigation of our founding fathers and the rule of law would make perfectly clear.

Untold numbers of "patriots" have died that we could have the freedoms we have traditionally treasured. The values and truths that are the bedrock of the greatness of this country are those inherent in biblical Christianity. Certainly, we have welcomed people of all faiths because religious freedom was what the original settlers of this great land came here for and what our founders made the first freedom guaranteed by our Constitution.

What Texas decides has traditionally determined the textbooks used throughout the country. Why in the world would anyone even suggest that references to our Christian heritage and patriotism be deleted from school textbooks? This is still the United States of America, isn't it?

P.J. Bertrand

Wood Dale