2 Science Groups Say Kansas Can't Use Their Evolution Papers

[MsAnthropy]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/27/national/27cnd-kansas.html?hp&ex=1130472000&en=8207d57fc0db8eca&ei=5094&partner=homepage

CHICAGO, Oct. 27 - Two leading science organizations have denied the Kansas board of education permission to use their copyrighted materials in the state's proposed new science standards because of the standards' critical approach to evolution.

The National Academy of Sciences and the National Science Teachers Association said the much-disputed new standards "will put the students of Kansas at a competitive disadvantage as they take their place in the world."

The stinging rebuke came less than two weeks before the state school board is expected to put the science standards into effect. The new standards have also received a lukewarm review from an external education company.

While the copyright denial could cause delay in their adoption, as the standards are rewritten, it is unlikely to derail the board's conservative majority in its mission to require that challenges to Darwin's theories be taught in the state's classrooms.

more at link

[ixion]

1. those poor kids

it's like teaching your child the wrong words for things as they grow up. :crazy:

[Zenlitened]

5. "May I mambo dogface to the banana patch?"

[ixion]

7. lol... that's the skit I had in mind when I posted that

thanks for bringing it on home. :-) :rofl:

[Ian David]

15. Yes, that's why I hate the British with their "Boot" and "Bonnets" on cars

How do they expect their kids to grow-up normal?


Sorry, I agree with you, actually.

[Zenlitened]

2. I think it's a good decision. Why collaborate with the American Taliban?

Some might say that it only penalizes the students. But the fact is they'l be penalized anyway, as long as fundies are running the show.

[MsAnthropy]

9. Agreed! The kids will grow up and realize they were screwed

out of an education and be REALLY PISSED.

[ClintonTyree]

3. Can't we just give the fundie morans Kansas or Oklahoma....

so they can have their very own theocracy and leave the rest of us alone. I know, this would mean our Kansas and Oklahoma DUers would have to move, but we promise to make it worth your while! Think of the peace and quiet (not to mention the sanity) you'll enjoy.
Make them go away, please? Please, please make them go away!

[MuseRider]

6. I am not fucking moving.

Not going to give my beautiful state (yes I am serious) over to these assholes. Sorry, you can't make it worth my while.

[NorCalDem]

4. Great idea NAS and NSTA!

I'm all for their decision. Don't let Kansas have access to copyrighted scientific papers/journals/standards/etc. and they'll quickly realize how much of the world they live in is based on science, and how little is based on faith.

Take the science outta class, and you'll be able to graduate kids in 5 years or less, no sweat. Kansans will quickly figure out that they've been duped by the Religious Right, and they won't be happy about it!

[MsAnthropy]

8. I agree. It's nice to see "science" taking a stand for truth

SOMEBODY is taking a stand against the morans.

[MuseRider]

11. This is exactly

the right thing to do. Can they even be accredited without solid science programs? We have to do something equally radical to confront this because twice is twice too much for this state.

Of course I say this because my sons are now in college thankfully. I feel so sorry for the kids.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

10. Good job! I applaud the scientists taking a stand against theocracy

:applause:

[Robert Cooper]

12. It's a start...

All they've done is required the board to change the wording of the standards to ensure they don't use anything the groups have copyrighted. That's not terribly difficult. It was done the last time the board voted creationism and it wasn't until the next election that the fools were tossed and policies changed.

Now if the text book companies refused to sell them text books and the universities officially advised the board that their 'graduates' need not apply ...

I've a couple of essays on this issue for those interested:
http://www.opinioneditorials.com/freedomwriters/rcooper_20051024.html
http://www.opinioneditorials.com/freedomwriters/rcooper_20051005.html

I've another in mind about the role of the gatekeepers: "tea leaf readers need not apply".

[Gronk Groks]

13. If the universities inform the people of Kansas...

...that they need not apply if the new standards are adopted it might get their attention.

To the members of DU in Kansas...I am sorry that you have such a significant Fundy population. How? Why? I suppose they have to be somewhere but why Kansas?

[politicaholic]

14. Welcome to the year 1005! Lets all do the Pox Trot...

I met a gal from rural Kansas that grew up believing that if you touched a Jew's head you could feel little horns growing out of their skull. True story!

She of course has since debunked that of which she was taught. She's now a Bi-sexual Buddist yoga instructor/therapist living in Seattle.

By not teaching evolution correctly, Kansas is just delegitimizing themselves in the eyes of a whole generation creating disillusioned liberals instead. You never know. The backlash could be so severe that Kansas could be the agricultural model for the new American hemp industry.