Here are some of the week’s most notable quotes culled from news reports from across Texas, and beyond.
The opening line in a workbook used by a charter school system — Responsive Ed — operating publicly funded schools in three states, including in Texas.
In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth.
————————————
TFN President Kathy Miller, calling for an investigation into the allegations raised against Responsive Ed.
If these allegations are true, they represent a shocking betrayal of the trust that parents and taxpayers put into our charter schools. It’s imperative that the education commissioner investigate whether this charter school operator is undermining the education of thousands of students and putting the state and taxpayers at risk of expensive lawsuits.
————————————
Texas state Sen. John Carona, R-Carona, on Elizabeth Graham, the director of the anti-choice group Texas Right to Life. The group has been targeted for criticism after it distributed a legislative scorecard that downgraded several dozen Republicans who were former allies.
This woman is evil, and I really believe that. This is all about enriching herself personally and attempting to control members of the Legislature. It’s time that people speak up and put an end to it.
————————————
Texas attorney general candidate Barry Smitherman, when asked about Common Core, the federally backed education curriculum currently the subject of innumerable tea party conspiracy theories.
I was not following this issue previously until a mom down in Corpus Christi showed me a a lesson plan that said ‘Fossil fuels are bad because …’ and then you filled in the blank. And the child filled in ‘because they pollute and are not renewable’ and that was the right answer! And as I delved into this more and more, I began to see a curriculum on energy that was completely biased against fossil fuels — this is in Texas! In Texas public schools, talking about the fact that oil and coal and gas pollute!
————————————
Former Alaska governor and one-time vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, moving on from the War on Christmas to declare a war on selfies.
I want to see more young women holding a fish than holding their camera in front of a bathroom mirror doing a selfie.
————————————
Texas state Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball, explaining what she says was her role in passing castle doctrine legislation in 2007.
God wrote the 1st Castle Doctrine in Exodus 22:2. It says if a thief breaks into your home & you kill him you are not guilty. In 2007 we passed the Castle Doctrine (I was a Joint Author). Last Session I added you car so that ALL that applies to your home applies in your car too. This was the topic of my “God & Government Moment” in our Sunday School class. Next Sunday we will have another “God & Government” moment!
————————————
A Twitter reaction to a federal judge’s ruling Tuesday that struck down an Oklahoma law banning same-sex marriage.
It’s O.K. to be gay!
————————————
U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, on federal judges who have ruled in favor of marriage equality.
They need some basic plumbing lessons.
————————————
Dallas megachurch pastor Robert Jeffress, expanding on his claim that President Obama is paving the way for the Antichrist.
I want to be clear: I’m not at all saying Barack Obama is the Antichrist. In fact, I’m sure he’s not – and one reason I know that is the Bible teaches the Antichrist will have higher poll numbers than Barack Obama.
————————————
Lady Theresa Thombs, a Republican candidate in the District 11 race for the Texas State Board of Education.
Every Christian needs to show up to the polls this primary season and vote your faith. The State Board of Education primary I am involved in has become an attack against believers that became national news. They believe we have no right to seek public office because we are Christians. “We are to ignorant or stupid”, “nut job”, etc.. For those in Texas, that day is March 4th. It is time to make a stand and stop taking a back seat in the name of political correctness.
————————————
Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, saying that if he re-elected to another term this year, it will be his last.
People advise ‘never say never,’ but I’m leaner today than when I started in politics. I need to go back and earn some money.
————————————
Ernest T. Jones, a coach in charge of player engagement for the University of Connecticut’s football team.
We’re going to make sure they understand that Jesus Christ should be in the center of our huddle, that that’s something that is important. If you want to be successful and you want to win, get championships, then you better understand that this didn’t happen because of you. This happened because of our Lord and Savior. That’s going to be something said by Bob Diaco. That’s something that’s going to be said by Ernest Jones. That’s who we are.
————————————
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, saying he’s tired of Republicans using the term RINO simply because they don’t agree with each other.
Many of you used a term that I’d like to see outlawed from the vernacular of the party: RINO.
————————————
BONUS: No means no, but not if you’ve said “I do,” according to Virginia state Sen. Dick Black. Black is running for Congress, and he has a lot to say about a whole bunch of other things, too.