Science Curriculum Administrator Resignation

[mpbrockman]

The Texas Science Curriculum Director has resigned under questionable circumstances allegedly relating to her "bias against intelligent design". See story and related stories here:

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/n ... ience.html

This is particularly disturbing given that the science curriculum is up to be reviewed shortly.

For those who think a "bias against intelligent design" is a perfectly reasonable bias to have given the mountains of evidence available, I will post back here later in the week with an appropriate address to fire off letters and e-mails to. A good start would be with the Statesman and the Chronicle, both of which appear to be on the side of reason as of this writing.

Even the normally conservative Statesman seems nervous about the possibility of a Texan re-enactment of the national jokes aka Kitzmiller v. Dover and the Kansas Board of Education.

[Asaf]

So, are you saying Intelligent Design should be taught in the schools?

[Jeff]

So, are you saying Intelligent Design should be taught in the schools?

No, he's not. He's saying that firing somebody for "bias against intelligent design" is bullshit.

[mpbrockman]

So, are you saying Intelligent Design should be taught in the schools?

No, he's not. He's saying that firing somebody for "bias against intelligent design" is bullshit.

Correct, Brig. I am saying that having a "bias against intelligent design" is a more than perfectly reasonable "bias" to have. The "mountains of evidence" I refer to are those which support evolution through natural selection. I apologize if that wasn't clear.

"Teaching the controversy" (to borrow GWB's terminology) is nonsense. The level of controversy approaches that of the great debate over the existence of leprechauns or whether the earth is flat. To support ID requires not only the (willful?) ignorance of scientific evidence but also a deeply seated paranoia as one must also believe that several generations of scientists, natural philosophers and even clergymen have been lying to us (without any discernible reason). I am perpetually stunned that this attitude is so widespread in this country.

That a scientific educator could be forced into resigning her post for not expressing enough "respect" for ID is a disgrace. If anything I think that she showed restraint in not heaping unbridled public scorn upon the notion.

[Asaf]

Thanks for clearing that up.

Are teachers being required to teach intelligent design here in Texas?

[mpbrockman]

No. My understanding is that Texas teaches evolution. However, Rick Perry is quoted as saying he "supports the teaching of the theory of intelligent design. Intelligent design is a valid scientific theory, and (he believes) it should be taught as well."

"Intelligent design" and "valid scientific theory" don't belong in the same sentence (quite possibly, neither do "Rick Perry" and "intelligent", but that's another argument entirely).

This would be less worrisome were the state science curriculum not to be reviewed in a few months and proponents of ID doubtlessly gearing up to make a push to have ID included.

Another good background story here:

http://www.sci-tech-today.com/story.xht ... 2000OF6GZ0

Also good for background:

-Google Kitzmiller v. Dover. A case in which ID was essentially laughed out of court as ridiculous and AnswersinGenesis.org's Michael Behe was discredited.
-Google up Kansas School Board and read about the controversies and negative publicity involved in their ID/evolution debates.
-For fun, Google up Flying Spaghetti Monster and read about Bobby Henderson's little stunt that got wonderfully out of hand (see also Majcher's avatar).

My aim is simply that creationists not gain the upper hand by being more vocal. As I mentioned in another Stump thread some time back - now is a good time to point and shout, before this turns into another shining example of America's will to ignorance.

Hmm... I'm sounding a bit militant. Sorry, I feel strongly about this. I don't want voices of reason assuming this will all just take care of itself, so I'm asking those of you so inclined to take a few moments to speak up in one form or another. Thanks for your indulgence.