T EXAS History Wiley Post and his Australian navigator landed in New York City on Jul. 1, 1931 completing an epic around-theworld flight in record-breaking time.

C The State Board of Education gave final approval last week to a new required reading list for every grade level and also passed a rewrite of the state’s social studies requirements for kindergarten to eighth grade, the Austin American-Statesman reported. Both plans include Biblical concepts, essentially making the state the first in the nation to mandate the teaching of Christianity in public school classrooms.

I remember the Bicentennial when I was 14, watching the fireworks show around the Statue of Liberty on television while growing up in Corpus Christi. I think it was one of the earliest moments in my life in which I realized the country I live in and its fundamental value of freedom. It wasn’t just a birthday we were celebrating but it was also a value system deeply embedded in my world, my life.

In a country claiming the label of “democracy” but where privately-owned weapons outnumber residents, and where compromise between factions seems wholly out of the question in its legislatures and Congress, can a government where all are supposedly equal be maintained without violence? That, dear fellow Americans, is the single issue that could determine whether we (or perhaps our descendants?) can celebrate a Tricentennial in 2076.

The Fayette Area Swim Team (FAST) wrapped up its regular season schedule by taking 78 swimmers to Columbus to compete against the Columbus Catfish in the final dual meet of the summer. While no team records fell during the meet, the performances in the pool were nothing short of remarkable.