1. Louisiana's Latest Assault on Darwin

Comment #197133 by Todd Berkebile on June 21, 2008 at 7:48 am

If you haven't already, you should tell Governor Jindal what you think. I had this say:

Governor Jindal,

I urge you to veto the LSEA.

Our strong lead in science in the US, driven by good science education, has helped the economy of our great nation tremendously. Our past scientific achievements have put our nation into the history books on many occasions. Perhaps you don't recognize this particular wolf due to its wooly sheep costume, but the LSEA is nothing more than the continued efforts of creationists to push their anti-science political agenda. Unfortunately, these so-called academic freedom bills are sure to back fire against the very creationists who support them. These bills open the door not only to preaching "Intelligent Design" but also to preaching all sorts of non-scientific beliefs. For example, this bill could protect promoters of racist eugenics ideas from claiming their bigoted theories are just another take on genetics. It could protect followers of all sorts of crazy cults by allowing them to claim any theory they want is "scientific." Do you really want to be the governor who provides protection so that racists and cultist can influence our children?

You might claim my concerns of a hidden agenda in this bill are unfounded, but if this bill is taken merely at face value then it has no value. It claims to promote critical thinking, but that is already the heart of the scientific process. This concept is already taught in science classes across the country. Taken at face value this bill is like passing a law that requires math teachers to use numbers. You cannot do math without numbers just as you cannot do science without critical thinking. While adding nothing to existing science education this bill will require the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to expend time and money reviewing any and all material that any teacher in your state might choose to present as scientific evidence. It also exposes your schools to expensive lawsuits should any of those materials be found to promote a state sponsored religion.

Please do the right thing and veto this potentially costly and unwarranted legislation.

Sincerely,
Todd Berkebile