posted on August 17th, 2009 by Lawrence Miller
The Alamogordo Daily News posted an op-ed in favor of teaching “both of the scientific theories” of human origin. A day later, the comments are dominated by polite, well-reasoned rebuttles to the argument. At least, for the first, like, half-dozen or so. And then someone attempts to defend the article, as someone always does, essentially arguing that willful ignorance is a valid point of view (”I am a Christian… I refused to participate in that kind of ’science’…”). And then the comments, as they always do, go a bit downhill. Good times.
Permalink | Trackback | No Comments
Fundies Say The Darndest Things
posted on March 31st, 2009 by Lawrence Miller
A dramatic reading of a number of Christian Fundamentalist Forum posts, in whacky Canadian accents that make them sound even more absurd (via BoingBoing): The rant continues…
Permalink | Trackback | No Comments
Roger Ebert’s Unofficial Review of “Expelled”
posted on December 28th, 2008 by Lawrence Miller
…Can be found here. I’m referring to it as “unofficial” because Mr. Ebert posted it on his blog, not the more usual site for his reviews. I have written previously about evolution, Intelligent Design, and the movie “Expelled”.
Mr. Ebert posted this particular blog entry on December 3rd; there are now over 1000 comments. It’s a very good read.
Permalink | Trackback | No Comments
posted on September 24th, 2008 by Lawrence Miller
The Dallas Morning News is reporting that proposed changes to Texas’s curriculum standards would get rid of a current requirement that students be exposed to “the strengths and weaknesses” of the Theory of Evolution. The current standards require teachers to cover the strengths and weaknesses of “major scientific theories” in science classes. Those opposed to the changes are calling the new proposal “censorship.”
Permalink | Trackback | No Comments
Still Fighting School Board by School Board
posted on September 18th, 2008 by Lawrence Miller
According to The Wilmington Star, state of North Carolina has instructed Brunswick County that creationism doesn’t belong in science class, even in the form of intelligent design.
Permalink | Trackback | No Comments
Oh, to Live in Jolly Olde England
posted on September 13th, 2008 by Lawrence Miller
The Register is reporting a new scandalous recommendation from the Royal Society that creationism be addressed in science class. This is causing an uproar in a nation where only 10% of kids come from creationist backgrounds, and ID or creationism are currently verbotten in school. The kicker: The Royal Society isn’t suggesting that creationism is good science; they’re merely suggesting that teachers, rather than ignoring those 10% of kids, be prepared to discuss why evolution is good science, and creationism is not. Wow.
Permalink | Trackback | No Comments
7 Problems with Ben Stein’s New Movie “Expelled”
posted on April 10th, 2008 by Lawrence Miller
This is by no means an exhaustive list.
I’ll note that the movie has not yet been released, and unless they care to send me a free pass so I can review it in more detail, I don’t intend to pay money to see it. These things are wrong presumably in the movie, but definitely on the website and in the trailer found therein.
Permalink | Trackback | No Comments
The Evolution of Florida: 1 Step Forward, 2 Steps Back
posted on March 26th, 2008 by Lawrence Miller
The Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun-Sentinel are reporting that Republican lawmakers in the Florida State Senate are attempting to undo, or at least roll back, the progress made last month when Florida’s science education standards were amended to include Evolution for the first time ever. The new “academic freedom” bills, SB 2962and HB 1483, would allow teachers to discuss the “glaring weakness” of evolution, claims proponent and noted dumbfuck John Stemberger.
Here we go again.
Evolution is a “Theory” in the same way that Gravity is a “Theory.” To scientists, the word “Theory” means “something that can be tested and verified with experiments.” Evolution has a mountain of experimental and observational data supporting it. College students all over the world have repeatedly observed micro-evolution in fruit flies. Human DNA shows that different traits evolved in different regions of the world throughout human history. Motherfucking Dinosaurs. There is no evidence at all in favor of Intelligent Design, and science class should be about evidence. Any assertion that evolution isn’t true is simply ignorance.
I grew up in Florida. I am a product of 12 years of Florida public school education, and proud of it. Not even the rampant election shenanigans of the last 8 years has been sufficient to stop defending my home state. But things like this just make us look stupid. As the holder of a Florida State High School Diploma, I demand that the house and senate of Florida not devalue my diploma with this unforgivable ignorance.
