Miraba's Journal: Lack of Earth logic

So, my cubicle-mate calls me over to his screen and points at a note added to one of the drafts. The chapter's theme is farm life and there's a cartoon cow on one page.

"Why does it say to delete the udder?" There are small horns on the cow, so we wonder if they're trying to make the cow male.

A bit of time later, we come to the conclusion that female cattle definitely can and do have horns, but that the horns are frequently removed. So, what was the reason for deleting the udders?

"We can't show such body parts in the books."

....

..............

This is a book for Texas. There are 14 million cows in the state (Jan 2003, NASS)and 23 million people (US Census Bureau, estimated 2005).

Can anyone explain the logic in this position?

Wow.

[Trillan]

I would guess it's probably the pseudo-Christians, but I can't think of any rational reason for that. It's simply stupid beyond measure.

Re:

[nizo]

Everyone knows it all starts with cow-breasts, and where that leads to showing people nekkididitty. Even if it is an animal husbandry book it will STILL have naked people in the next edition. Talk about a slippery slope.

Re:

[Trillan]

And from there... who knows what next? I have a few thoughts, but I shudder to share them.

Someone's not doing their homework

[smooth wombat]

If the folks you work for have a problem with showing udders on a cow, they might want to check the following books:

Link 1 [amazon.com]
Link 2 [amazon.com]
Link 3 [amazon.com]
Link 4 [amazon.com]

Please note that in all four cases, the cows have both horns and udders. Particularly the first one which looks like it could use a milking.

Re:

[nizo]

So how long have you been collecting cow porn?

Re:

[smooth wombat]

For many a moo.

Re:

[nizo]

Hehe.

I mean, boooo, I hate you!

Re:

[Miraba]

I have a feeling it falls squarely on the Texas Board of Education for being so idiotic.
From my user info: Currently working in the math department of Houghton Mifflin. ;)

Re:

[smooth wombat]

Wait a second. When you say Texas, do you mean the place with herds of cows and steers roaming about? The place where, outside of the major cities, one can see the nasty bits of live cows and steers hanging out for everyone to see?

You mean Texas which has a college football team called The Longhorns, which brings out a steer to every home game and which kids can get up close and personal with?

Something's wrong with this picture.

Re:

[Miraba]

Mmhmm.
I continue to be baffled by the stupidity.

Possible solution

[nizo]

Maybe you could block out the offending parts with big red squares? How can cow udders possibly be banned??? Where exactly do people think milk comes from anyway? Make sure to put a little disclaimer with the pictures too: "This likeness of a cow is not meant to represent any cow or editor, living or dead". Heh or make a caption for the pictures that includes the word "udder" somewhere: "blah blah blah udder [not shown] blah blah blah". Can I ask what kind of book these naked cow pictures will be in?

And yes

Re:

[Miraba]

Math textbook, Texas, grade K. The unit theme is farm animals.