OK legislator to Richard Dawkins: Not OK around these parts

[Synnical]

http://www.examiner.com/x-4275-DC-Secularism-Examiner~y2009m3d6-Oklahoma-legislator-to-Richard-Dawkins-We-dont-like-your-kind-round-these-parts

State Rep. Todd Thomsen has filed a resolution to keep Richard Dawkins out of Oklahoma. Well, not the whole state. Presumably they would not try to arrest the good professor if he wandered across, say, the Arkansas border. But he does want to keep Dawkins off the grounds of the big university there. From House Resolution 1015 (RTF file):


. . . the Oklahoma House of Representative strongly opposes the invitation to speak on the campus of the University of Oklahoma to Richard Dawkins of Oxford University, whose published statements on the theory of evolution and opinion about those who do not believe in the theory are contrary and offensive to the views and opinions of most citizens of Oklahoma.

Well, since most Americans don't accept the fact of evolution, it surprises me not one iota that the majority of Oklahomans do not either. But what on Earth could be Thomsen's reasoning here? What is the basis upon which he objects to hearing from someone who thinks differently than he? Perhaps there is a clue in the language of the resolution:


WHEREAS, the University of Oklahoma is a publicly funded institution which should be open to all ideas and should train students in all disciplines of study and research and to use independent thinking and free inquiry; and . . .

...um...


WHEREAS, the University of Oklahoma has planned a year-long celebration of the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of Darwin’s theory of evolution, called the “Darwin 2009 Project”, which includes a series of lectures, public speakers, and a course on the history of evolution; and . . .





. . . THAT the Oklahoma House of Representatives encourages the University of Oklahoma to engage in an open, dignified, and fair discussion of the Darwinian theory of evolution and all other scientific theories which is the approach that a public institution should be engaged in and which represents the desire and interest of the citizens of Oklahoma.

So in the name of tolerance, free inquiry, and open debate we want to...prevent...free...inquiry...and...open...debate. Got it.

According to the resolution, Dawkins demonstrates "intolerance for cultural diversity and diversity of thinking," so the solution for Rep. Thomsen is to rub out an example of diversity of thought. Nothing could be more representative of diversity of thought in Oklahoma than atheism!

I'm going to guess that Mr. Thomsen is not grasping the irony of this. Thomsen, a football playing alumnus of the university in question, was responsible for another resolution that would undercut the authority of the State Textbook Committee, allowing for the infamous stickers that would "disclaim" about evolution's "controversy." (If anyone has a link to the actual language of that resolution -- HB 3375 -- I'd appreciate it.) He is also a local coordinator of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which touts on its website:


Influence...

FCA uses athletes and coaches to reach youth and adults with the adventure of following Christ.

[and-justice-for-all]

1. Todd Thomsen = ignorant fundi asshat...nt

[Yavapai]

2. Our Daughter lives in Tulsa.

When we went to visit her a few years ago, our pick-up sported a "Blasphemy is a victim-less crime" bumper sticker on one side and "get right with cheeses" on the other. Even though I am a ham radio enthusiast, I hooked up a citizens band radio to hear any trucker's comments. The truckers were downright funny, and, by their gestures, we found that a lot of Okie's thought we were number one.

After our Daughter read the bumper stickers, she and her husband managed to block our truck into the driveway and would just throw me their keys if we wanted to go somewhere (all the while mumbling something about living to see our great-grandchildren). :evilgrin:

[and-justice-for-all]

3. "Blasphemy is a victim-less crime"

which I also have, I think I will add "Get right with Cheese" to my plethora of other stickers I have. You really should put your bumper stickers on magnetic strips. That way you can change them based on your mood and environment.

My relentless and do not give a fuck, I have "Jesus Christ Super Fraud" and "God is just pretend" that I display proudly and without remorse. I also have several others, all on magnetic backing to adjust with my mood.

Good for you, take no shit from no one!