Docu-watch: The Revisionaries

What happens when 15 people control what 5 million pupils are taught in public schools? 2010 was the year that saw the rise of the Tea Party. It was also the year that a small panel making up the Texas State Board of Education, literally edited out historical figures, events, places and science itself to suit an ideological agenda. The Revisionaries, a new film by Scott Thurman, reveals the politics at play during this period.

Release Year: 2012 Running Time: 83 Color Type: Color Country: U.S. Language: English

In Austin, Texas, fifteen people influence what is taught to the next generation of American children. Once every decade, the highly politicized Texas State Board of Education rewrites the teaching and textbook standards for its nearly 5 million schoolchildren. And when it comes to textbooks, what happens in Texas affects the nation as a whole.

Don McLeroy, a dentist, Sunday school teacher, and avowed young-earth creationist, leads the Religious Right charge. After briefly serving on his local school board, McLeroy was elected to the Texas State Board of Education and later appointed chairman. During his time on the board, McLeroy has overseen the adoption of new science and history curriculum standards, drawing national attention and placing Texas on the front line of the so-called "culture wars."

In his last term, McLeroy, aided by Cynthia Dunbar, an attorney from Houston and professor of Law at Jerry Falwell's Liberty University, finds himself not only fighting to change what Americans are taught, but also fighting to retain his seat on the board. Challenged by Kathy Miller, president of the Texas Freedom Network, and Ron Wetherington, an anthropology professor from Southern Methodist University in Texas, McLeroy faces his toughest term yet.

THE REVISIONARIES follows the rise and fall of some of the most controversial figures in American education through some of their most tumultuous intellectual battles.

New fracking docu reveals extense of operations: Meet the Frackers

Meet the Frackers is a new short documentary by Journeyman Pictures. Fracking is in your back yard and the effects of fracking are becoming more clear by the day. Fracking operations are exempt from regulations under the Clean Water Act and are exempt from other regulations concerning groundwater protection. What makes this documentary interesting is that there are several interviews from employees in the fracking industry. You really come to understand what a boom it is to these workers. But once again the question must be asked, at what cost?

Fracking is under way in 34 states.

NOW on PBS highlights fracking dangers

Josh Fox discovered that there's a profound problem with hydraulic fracturing for natural gas.



In Gasland, Fox documents the various health issues and environmental issues associated with fracking operations. NOW on PBS talked with Fox about his work and what he uncovered about widespread fracking practices in his award winning documentary on the subject. The biggest concern with fracking is what it does to local reservoirs and water supplies. There are a great deal of wells popping up in my running grounds back home in America, and in the areas my Cajun family transplanted to decades ago in some of the most beautiful country you have ever seen in Arkansas. Like other parts of the country where fracking occurs, no one really knows how some of the natural springs and aquifers work. Heck, in my corner of the Ozark Mountains in Missouri, there are springs where no one has figured out where the water comes from and where it goes. Considering the risks with fracking, is it worth more than likely contaminating your and everyone else's clean water?

A documentary to keep your eye out for: Spoil

I recently came upon the trailer for Spoil, a documentary that shows the Keystone XL Pipeline project is bigger than what is going on in America.

In Alberta, Canada, activists have been trying to prevent a massive pipeline from being built, which would carry oil from the Alberta tar sands and through the pristine Great Bear Rainforest on the coast of British Columbia. The film focuses upon the Spirit Bear, a rare bear than only inhabits the Great Bear Rainforest. Spoil has won quite a few awards this year, including the Best Environmental Film in the Vancouver Film Festival and 'Best Environmental Film', 'Best Photography' & Merit Award for Musical Selection (CINE International Film Festival).
 
Check out the trailer.