TULSA ZOO - IMPORTANT - LISTEN UP OKIES!

[TlalocW]

I just got off the phone with the exhibits curator of the Tulsa Zoo. She called me back after I had emailed her asking her what's going to happen now that the Tulsa Parks Commission has bowed to some fundy nutjob to put up a creationist viewpoint exhibit.

She said that what we need to do is flood the mayor's office and the Parks Commission with emails and phone calls about this. This was pretty much a one-sided argument due to the AM radio stations, fundy churches, and Mayor Bill LaFortune blind-siding everyone (LaFortune told the zoo staff not to show up at the meeting last night that "discussed" the proposed exhibit).

Right now they're in limbo because they're not sure exactly how they're supposed to do it. One plan calls for just the Genesis version, and if Hicks, the fundy nutjob, who started all this is given carte blanche to create it himself, that's all it will be. The other one is to have approximately a dozen creation myths in some kind of display talking about how culture influences belief and vice-versa. That would be fine with the zoo, and I suspect with most of us.

The zoo people are very upset about this. They don't want to put in references to scripture, etc. into whatever display they're coming up with. So don't be coming down on them. We - especially Okies and especially Tulsa-ites - need to flood the offices I mentioned about this to let them know there are other voices in Tulsa that don't appreciate the wool being pulled over their eyes.

http://www.cityoftulsa.org/Contact+Us/

That's a good jumping off point. Personally I'm taking the tact that if we're going to display Christianity then we need ALL creation myths, and I want to be the one to handle the Aztec one.

TlalocW

[okieinpain]

1. thanks. I wonder if the muslims, native americans, jews, etc.

are going to get to put their own litte display too.

[Behind the Aegis]

2. Good job!!!

I am up in Bartlesville and I go to the Tulsa zoo a few times a year. I was upset when I heard they were under attack (and right after winning some national awards and grants). Thanks for the info!!!

[bertha katzenengel]

3. "just the Genesis version" -- the earth is 6,000 years old and there was

never a dinosaur.

[TahitiNut]

4. What part of the word "ZOOlogy" don't these morans understand?

Zoological Parks are just that: about zoology. They're not churches, temples, or synagogues ... they're dedicated to the SCIENCE of zoology.

[ninkasi]

5. Don't give our idiot politicians ideas...

TlalocW, I'm in neighboring Texas, so you have my deepest sympathy about the fundies. I'm just north of Houston, and don't know if Houston's mayor would try something equally moronic.

I do agree, though, that any display of the Genesis myth should also show other culture's point of view. I'm not familiar with the Aztec myth, I'll bet it's interesting. To only show the Genesis version, though, is clearly presenting it as the accepted one, especially if it's done at a Zoo. What part of separation of church and state do they not understand?

Pretty underhanded, to exclude the zoo staff from the meeting, but that's just another example of how the Republican party feels free to trample on our rights. I'll be over here, keeping my fingers crossed for you, and all the others who visit your city.

[Mojorabbit]

6. I don't live

in Oklahoma but I wrote in anyway. The message goes through without the telephone number.

[TlalocW]

7. One other thing

Get your friends in on this - unfortunately, my friends are of the not caring variety so I decided to post this here. :)

TlalocW

[OKNancy]

8. Thanks for the idea

and the call. I'll be right on it....and send out e-mails to my family, so they can respond as well.

[4_TN_TITANS]

9. How is this possible?

Is the zoo not funded with taxpayer money? This would seem in stark violation of church and state....

[OKNancy]

10. Kick

So you DUers can get into action.

When writing, be calm and reasoned. Mention taxpayer money, scientific approach, etc.