Texas textbook controversy

Texas school district in hot water after 2nd Amendment misinterpreted in high school textbook

A parent in Denton has taken to the Internet to voice his discontent over an Advanced Placement U.S. history textbook that summarizes the Second Amendment as when "the people have the right to keep and bear arms in a state militia." This is, of course, a loose, perhaps even incorrect, interpretation of the Second Amendment, which reads, in full:

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Blogs like The Blaze and Daily Paul were quick to begin organizing protests at the Denton ISD school board meeting, even going so far as outline a call to action. Ted Cruz even got in on the action, tweeting:

Something is VERY not right here. Can you spot it? #ConstitutionDay #SecondAmendment https://t.co/yP4k5ccaeH

— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) September 17, 2013

Except for one thing: It isn't actually the AP history textbook.

"We don't teach from that book; it's just a supplemental aid," says Denton ISD director of communications Sharon Cox. According to Cox, AP history teachers use the textbook American Pageant in the classroom, and that book has the full text of each amendment.

"The book in question, U.S. History: Preparing for Advanced Placement Exams, is a supplement instructional aid and not the official textbook for any history classes," says Cox. "In this supplement, it states that the following is a 'summary statement.'"

This supplemental aid, however, is not regulated to Texas alone. It's used in AP U.S. history classes around the country.

Back in Denton, however, Cox says, "Please be assured that Denton ISD history teachers are disseminating the correct information on the Second Amendment."

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Car-munity

Austin speeds into top spot on list of world's biggest car communities

Cars and Coffee Austin/Facebook

Events like Cars and Coffee at Circuit of the Americas draw in Austinites and visitors alike.

Austin's car-centric culture doesn't just extend to its highways: The city was recently dubbed the No. 1 destination with the biggest car-loving community in the world, according to a new study by Auto Trader.

The study ranked 411 cities from across the globe based on the number of car meets and auto shows in each city, the number of past Cars and Coffee events, and the share of "car meet" social media posts tagged in each city.

Austin earned a 98.1 percent "Car-munity" score to claim the No. 1 spot, and was the only U.S. city to make it in the top 20.

With the increasing popularity of Formula 1, MotoGP, NASCAR, and other racing events in Austin, it was only a matter of time before the city started to gain recognition for its auto enthusiast community. But it's Austin's local car clubs, events, and meets that push it to the No. 1 city.

A few notable events Auto Trader mentioned include the long-running Lonestar Rod & Kustom Round Up – a massive outdoor car show hosted at the Travis County Expo Center featuring vintage hot rods and custom cars – as well casual meet ups like Cars & Coffee at Circuit of the Americas.

"The presence of these diverse events highlights Austin's appreciation for both new and classic vehicles, including Porsches, Audis, Ferraris, and even vintage military vehicles," the study said. "But, undeniably so, it's the classic Americana vehicles that most often feature in the social media posts from Austin car events."

Vintage racecar sports car at Circuit of the Americas Austin car enthusiasts love a vintage sports car. Photo courtesy of Circuit of the Americas Facebook

Local racing events are another a great opportunity to meet fellow car enthusiasts. Autocross club Texas Spokes hosts monthly events in Austin and around Central Texas, while those who want to get some track time can visit Harris Hill Raceway, a 1.82-mile, 11-turn asphalt road course in San Marcos.

CultureMap even covered two weddings this year that prominently featured collector cars: One couple made a mini car show out of their wedding, and one bride wanted to represent her late father.

Austinites who want to learn more about the city's rich car culture can check out the Bob Bullock Museum's Carros y Cultura exhibit, which showcases unique lowrider cars and bikes while exploring how Texas lowrider culture is tied with the Mexican American community. The museum described lowriders as "a canvas for celebrating identity through artistic expression."

The top 10 cities with the biggest car-loving communities worldwide are:

No. 1 – Austin, Texas
No. 2 – Toronto, Canada
No. 3 – Cape Town, South Africa
No. 4 – Turin, Italy
No. 5 – Munich, Germany
No. 6 – London, United Kingrom
No. 7 – Warsaw, Poland
No. 8 – Frankfurt, Germany and Sydney, Australia (tied)
No. 10 – Christchurch, New Zealand

austin circuit of the americas cars events racing