# I pit the Houston Independent School District **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 25, 2016, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-houston-independent-school-district/755624 "2016-05-25T03:29:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-houston-independent-school-district/755624/121 "2016-05-30T09:20:45Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Who said anything about honoring it? Sweeping it under the rug is not the way to go, either. It’s history, people. These folks have a place in it, whether you like it or not. Please, I hope the schools teach as much history as possible. But quite a few in HISD feel the “place” for these characters should no longer be a place of honor. ---
**Author:** ![inscrutable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a88e4f/32.png) [@inscrutable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inscrutable)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-houston-independent-school-district/755624/122 "2016-05-30T11:28:47Z")
Are the schools in question predominately White? ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-houston-independent-school-district/755624/123 "2016-05-30T12:56:43Z")
As a whole, Houston ISD is about 8% white, so it seem unlikely. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-houston-independent-school-district/755624/124 "2016-05-30T13:58:25Z")
Assuming the name changes last for a century 1,750,000.00 cost of 7 name changes 100 duration of name change 17500 cost per year 2,246,977,244 2016 budget 0.0008 percentage of 2016 budget = eight ten-thousandths of one percent 0.000008 percentage of budget over duration = eight millionths of one percent 0 rounded to closest penny, a.k.a. sweet fuck all 215,000.00 number of students per year 21,500,000.00 number of students over duration 0.0008139535 cost per student over time 0 rounded to closest penny, a.k.a. sweet fuck all [General Information / Facts and Figures](http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/41879) [HISD votes to rename 3 more schools named with Confederate ties - ABC13 Houston](http://abc13.com/education/hisd-to-rename-3-more-schools-with-confederate-ties/1197316/) Value to Clothahump of students being protected from systemic racism? Homework time for you, Clothahump. What is your share of the eight ten-thousandths of one percent of the combined federal, state and local costs that you will pay in your taxes? Of course I don’t expect you to do the math, for you are not capable. I’ll give you a hint: the answer rounded to the nearest penny is sweet fuck all. Instead, I expect that you will whinge on about the principle of it all, but turn a blind eye to your principles being racist. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-houston-independent-school-district/755624/125 "2016-05-30T14:05:27Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > No, actually, I’ve only gotten rational responses from a very few people. The rest of you are posting at a level of annoying rectal itch, with about as much intelligence as the pinworms involved. Oh, bullshit; you’re not looking for rational discussion here. If you were, and if you wanted to avoid insults, you could easily have posted to GD or MPSIMS. Or are you now claiming, despite being a long-time member of this board, and having started dozens of equally train-wreckish threads (most of in the Pit), you are shocked, totally shocked that there might be objections to your premise, and that some might be less than polite? As far as I can see, the reaction you’re getting is what you actually _want_, isn’t it? I mean, the above (and all the repetitive "Fuck off"s) seem to strongly support what I said previously: > [@](#): > > People are clearly giving Clothahump exactly what he is looking for: yet another chance to yell at the damn liberals that bedevil him so. ---
**Author:** ![Subterraneanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Subterraneanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subterraneanus)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-houston-independent-school-district/755624/126 "2016-05-30T16:26:59Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > …I know it’s the Pit, but even with the freedoms in it, I can’t properly respond to your level of dickheadedness without getting a warning… That’s because you’re fucking stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-houston-independent-school-district/755624/127 "2016-05-30T17:29:44Z")
But I can use this thread to load up my ignore list. And frankly, once I get all you mouth-breathing, drooling cretins on it, reading this board might become fun again. So I will say with all sincerity, to all of you: fuck off. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-houston-independent-school-district/755624/128 "2016-05-30T17:40:48Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > As far as I can see, the reaction you’re getting is what you actually _want_, isn’t it? Are you saying he isn’t here for the huntin’ 😉 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-houston-independent-school-district/755624/129 "2016-05-30T17:42:11Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > But I can use this thread to load up my ignore list. And frankly, once I get all you mouth-breathing, drooling cretins on it, reading this board might become fun again. > > So I will say with all sincerity, to all of you: fuck off. I would be far more efficient if you shut up. Now go prove your manhood by breaking a styrofoam brick. ---
**Author:** ![Stringbean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Stringbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringbean)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-houston-independent-school-district/755624/130 "2016-05-30T18:14:28Z")
Has it now been determined by the Peanut Gallery that defense of a 19-year-old poet who later disavowed slavery and the Civil War is the hallmark of a racist? How far into the liberal black hole of ignorance shall we wade, cap’n? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-houston-independent-school-district/755624/131 "2016-05-30T18:27:19Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Are you saying he isn’t here for the huntin’ 😉 Hah, yes, that’s exactly the punch line I was thinking of. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-houston-independent-school-district/755624/132 "2016-05-30T18:32:29Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > But I can use this thread to load up my ignore list. And frankly, once I get all you mouth-breathing, drooling cretins on it, reading this board might become fun again. > > So I will say with all sincerity, to all of you: fuck off. Speaking as a person with a generally positive outlook on life, I much prefer to fuck on, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-houston-independent-school-district/755624/133 "2016-05-30T18:50:46Z")
> [@Stringbean](#): > > Has it now been determined by the Peanut Gallery that defense of a 19-year-old poet who later disavowed slavery and the Civil War is the hallmark of a racist? :checks thread: :checks thread again: Nope. > [@](#): > > How far into the liberal black hole of ignorance shall we wade, cap’n? The one that’s all full of straw? As far as you wish, I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-houston-independent-school-district/755624/134 "2016-05-30T18:53:28Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Speaking as a person with a generally positive outlook on life, I much prefer to fuck on, thanks. So your glass is half fuck? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-houston-independent-school-district/755624/135 "2016-05-30T18:53:54Z")
> [@Stringbean](#): > > Has it now been determined by the Peanut Gallery that defense of a 19-year-old poet who later disavowed slavery and the Civil War is the hallmark of a racist? > > How far into the liberal black hole of ignorance shall we wade, cap’n? I agree there’s a good argument to be made for keeping Sidney Lanier’s name. He was being honored for his artistic work not for his role in the Civil War. I might even consider the same argument for John Reagan. Yes, he was a major Confederate political leader. But he was also a major figure in Texan politics for decades before and after the war. You could argue he deserves the honor for his role in Texan history while putting aside his role in the Civil War. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-houston-independent-school-district/755624/136 "2016-05-30T19:07:31Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I agree there’s a good argument to be made for keeping Sidney Lanier’s name. He was being honored for his artistic work not for his role in the Civil War. > > I might even consider the same argument for John Reagan. Yes, he was a major Confederate political leader. But he was also a major figure in Texan politics for decades before and after the war. You could argue he deserves the honor for his role in Texan history while putting aside his role in the Civil War. Honestly, it shouldn’t be a matter of there being “a good argument to be made for keeping” either Lanier’s or Reagan’s names. The argument in those cases, since the schools have long since been named for them, ought to be the reverse- is there a _good_ reason at all to rename the schools? I mean, just about ANY luminary from the Southern US up through about 1890-1900 would likely be tarred with the Confederate brush or the slavery brush in one way or another, and it’s a little absurd to expect those areas to not name anything after anyone associated with either one. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-houston-independent-school-district/755624/137 "2016-05-30T19:17:28Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Honestly, it shouldn’t be a matter of there being “a good argument to be made for keeping” either Lanier’s or Reagan’s names. > > The argument in those cases, since the schools have long since been named for them, ought to be the reverse- is there a _good_ reason at all to rename the schools? > > I mean, just about ANY luminary from the Southern US up through about 1890-1900 would likely be tarred with the Confederate brush or the slavery brush in one way or another, and it’s a little absurd to expect those areas to not name anything after anyone associated with either one. Any reason to think the people making these decisions did not consider these arguments in reaching their conclusions? I’m sure reasonable minds can differ about particular school names, but I’m content to let the good people in charge hash it out as best they can. Whether they err on the side of keeping a few, or err on the side of rejecting a few, no real harm will come of it. In fact, the conversation stemming from all this is probably healthy. The general principle (let’s not continue to honor people who did bad things) would seem beyond dispute. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-houston-independent-school-district/755624/138 "2016-05-30T20:54:24Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Honestly, it shouldn’t be a matter of there being “a good argument to be made for keeping” either Lanier’s or Reagan’s names. > > The argument in those cases, since the schools have long since been named for them, ought to be the reverse- is there a _good_ reason at all to rename the schools? > > I mean, just about ANY luminary from the Southern US up through about 1890-1900 would likely be tarred with the Confederate brush or the slavery brush in one way or another, and it’s a little absurd to expect those areas to not name anything after anyone associated with either one. I see a distinction between people who happened to be Confederates, like Lanier and arguably Reagan, and people whose claim to fame is being a Confederate, like Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee. Davis, for example, has no particular connection to Houston. He was born in Kentucky and lived in Louisiana and Mississippi. He served in the Mexican War but so did a lot of other people. He was a cabinet official but you don’t see Houston schools being named after William Marcy or Caleb Cushing. No, the only reason why somebody would name a Houston school after Jefferson Davis is because he was the Confederate President. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2016, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-houston-independent-school-district/755624/139 "2016-05-31T00:29:59Z")
[Here’s a rather good idea on how to memorialize the Confederates](http://http://www.burnandbury.org/introduction/): > [@](#): > > To remember the horrific legacy of American Slavery and to honor all of the soldiers of justice who have fought against slavery, Jim Crow segregation and contemporary white supremacy, there is a call to Burn and Bury the Confederate flag, all across the United States of America every year on Memorial Day. Tell you what…screw waiting for Memorial Day each year to do this. Do it as often as the mood strikes you. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2016, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-houston-independent-school-district/755624/140 "2016-05-31T01:01:50Z")
It’s bad enough that a Texas school’s highest purpose is to have a winning football program, but it would still be nice to acknowledge the point of education, as well. And even football coaches know the meaning of having good role models in life, something which would not include traitors and slavers and those whose lives were devoted to them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-houston-independent-school-district/755624.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-houston-independent-school-district/755624.md?page=8)