More Evolution in Schools

[Southern Dem 2005]

Kansas thinking about adding evolution "disclaimer" stickers.

"Attorney General Phill Kline has told Kansas Board of Education members he would defend them in court if they place stickers on textbooks saying, “evolution is a theory, not a fact.”

...Kline said he told board members that scientific theories carry some weight, but “evolution, I think everyone would agree, is not a proven fact.”"

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/10860264.htm?1c

You know, I'm all for freedom of religion, but the efforts to discredit evolution are really getting annoying. I kind of wish that local officials would spend more time worrying about more pressing issues. These type of stories act a reminder of how important it is for Dems to become more involved in local politics, like the school board.

[ladjf]

1. The absurd aspect of the evolution theory arguments is that

all existence is an array of events that are continually evolving. There is no entity conceivable that is anything other than an evolved event. The so-call Theory of Evolution is but one very small example of the eventualism in progress.

I am saying that people are attempting to deny the validity of Evolution while at the same time, it is so evident in everyday experiences that the connections aren't being made. I think Darwin received far more credit than he was due for his work in pointing out the obvious.

The anti-Evolutionist are right down there with the "flat-Earth" advocates, except even dumber. At least the Earth somewhat appears to be flat in casual observation. While there are NO examples of anything in existence that have achieved their state in any way other than evolution. I don't bother to give examples because they are everywhere.

[atommom]

2. Phill Kline is a piece of work.

In Georgia, the Cobb County School District two years ago began putting stickers on textbooks that said evolution is a theory, not a fact. A judge last month said the stickers were unconstitutional because they sent a message that the school board agreed with the beliefs of Christian fundamentalists and creationists.

If the American Civil Liberties Union sued in Georgia, it might well sue in Kansas — if the state board decides on stickers — and “I will probably be engaged in that litigation,” Kline said.

He said he expected that the judge's ruling there would be overturned.

Conservative board member John Bacon of Olathe said the board members had not asked Kline for his thoughts on stickers. In fact, he said, he didn't think board members had talked about adopting stickers.

The Kansas press is hot under the collar because Kline ignored the Open Meetings Law to hold meetings with only the conservative members of the BOE. He insists, of course, that it wasn't a violation and that the meetings "weren't secret." They didn't tell the other members of the BOE the meetings were going to occur, but they didn't keep them secret. That would have been wrong. :eyes:
http://www.ljworld.com/section/stateregional/story/196000

The anti-evolution members of the Kansas BOE are being very aggressive in their push to de-emphasize evolution. Kline shouldn't even be part of this debate, but he's encouraging them in a very public and inappropriate way.

[Jackie97]

3. All a biology book is about is evolution!

Seriously, read the damn books! Everything in Biology is about evolution, not just Darwin.

It only makes sense to say that if we have microevolution, that it will turn into macroevolution over time.

Are these religious people really claiming that they can't read?

And they wonder why they're being considered to be stupid. They're acting stupid.

[Moderator]

4. locking, Not Latest Breaking News

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1225308