Florida lawmakers to protect teachers from having to teach mandated evolution.

[madfloridian]

They are about to pass a new bill to allow teachers to teach and talk about what they think about evolution, and to explore other views of creation.

One of the driving forces behind the bill which is poised to pass the Senate is Ronda Storms. She is a state senator from District 10. She has been a controversial figure in her area, to say the very least. Just a paragraph to show some of the more outrageous things in which she has been involved.

Ronda R. Storms (born Ronda Rehnell Newcomb on September 5, 1965) is a Republican Party member of the Senate of the U.S. state of Florida, representing the 10th District since 2006.

Storms had an eight-year tenure on the Hillsborough County Commission (1998-2006), for which she is well known, and pushed a number of controversial issues. These issues included a fight against establishing the proposed Florida A&M University School of Law in Tampa, a campaign in favor of the sterilization of men and women convicted of child abuse, eliminating county-appropriated money for Planned Parenthood, and perhaps most publicized, her crusade for the county to officially abstain from recognizing gay and lesbian events held inside county lines, which was passed in June 2005 despite vocal opposition, most notably from openly gay topless dance club proprietor Joe Redner. She is also recognized by her quick tongue and often scathing sarcastic remarks, many of which she does not retract, stating "I am not apologizing for who I am."

Wikipedia, Ronda Storms



Picture courtesy of The Ledger

From The Ledger:

Lawmakers May Dodge Evolution Requirement

TALLAHASSEE | Just months after a controversial decision to mandate the teaching of evolution in Florida schools, lawmakers are closer to dodging the change.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted along party lines Tuesday to allow teachers to "present scientific information relevant to the full range of views on biological and chemical evolution."

Earlier this year, the state's Board of Education approved new science standards including mandated teaching of evolution. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Brandon, said teachers and students around the state are frightened of discussing alternative theories of life's creation such as intelligent design.

"The bill is needed because the new science standards present the theory of evolution in a dogmatic way," she said. "Both teachers and students feel muzzled from expressing their views."

Actually most teachers are not at all frightened of evolution. That is Ronda-speak. It's a shame how the Florida Republican leaders are protected here for anything they want to do.

One of their greatest defenders is the religious community in the form of the state's Southern Baptist newsletter...the Florida Baptist Witness. They take up for Ronda today because there are some who made her cry about this evolution thing.

Storms decries personal attacks in evolution debate

TALLHASSEE (FBW) – Sen. Ronda Storms (R-Brandon) has been surprised by the extremely personal attacks she has been subjected to by those who support evolution and oppose her bill to protect academic freedom for public school teaches and students addressing evolution.

In an April 8 interview with Florida Baptist Witness, while she savored approval of her bill by the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier in the day, clearing the bill for consideration by the full Senate, Storms said her e-mail inbox is full of derogatory messages, some by persons with high academic credentials.

The attacks, however, illustrate the need for her bill.

“By and large most of the people who have contacted me immediately launch into personal attacks, religious attacks – just being offensive about matters of religion – and then making personal attacks,” Storms said.

It's okay, Ronda. The Florida Baptists will protect you as you do their bidding.

Even the Speaker of the House posts at the The Florida Baptist Witness

The Florida Senate has been very busy making sure their Taliban-like laws are passed to keep women in line.

Florida women probably will need an ultrasound to have an abortion..even in the early weeks

What's more, Seafan did a shocking post today about the other things happening here in this state. It needed more attention than it got.
Quite scary stuff.

'Welcome to Florida, home of sun, sand, a delusional governor and a heartless Legislature.'

Florida has literally been sold out to corporations and the religious right. Bottom line.

I have said that Florida is a preview of what would happen if the right wing extremists get their agenda. It would be a preview for the country to watch. I had higher hopes for Crist, but the Rubio/Jeb agenda is just rolling along as Crist gets out of the way.

[Why Syzygy]

1. Are you saying they teach creationism in Florida schools?

For real?

[madfloridian]

2. They have had the choice to do so until the new standards passed this year.

Now the new standards say only evolution may be taught, and they are very upset. So they are fighting back and passing laws. Here is some background.


http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1636

[TlalocW]

3. There are times I just want to quit my regular job(s)

Go back to college, get a biology degree, and start teaching at a high school that is mandated to give time to creationism alongside evolution.

*Ahem* Attention class, today we'll be starting lessons on evolution, and unfortunately, I am mandated by the state government to also discuss creationism. Let's be clear on one thing - creationism is not science. Science relies on taking a hypothesis and gathering evidence to try and support that hypothesis. If by rigorous examination and testing by you and peers, the evidence holds, your hypothesis becomes a theory. Theory does not mean guess so anyone who says, "Evolution is just a theory," is ignorant of what science is, which unfortunately applies to our state legislature. Creationism is not a theory and therefore should not be taught in a science class.

I personally don't care if you believe in evolution or not or if you believe in gravity or that you're attracted to the ground because there's a giant magnet at the center of the Earth. If you expect to get a good grade in this class, you will have to have a good understanding of the theory of evolution.

Unfortunately, you'll also be tested over creationism, which is the belief that the universe has a designer. Which it very well could, however, there is no scientific evidence one way or another for that.

Since the state legislature did not get much more specific than saying teach creationism, we will be studying creationism as believed by the ancient Aztecs of what is now Mexico. Pencils out. Take notes. Now, the ancient Aztecs believed that humankind came from corn that sprouted from ground sprinkled with the blood of the gods...

TlalocW

[madfloridian]

4. Great post.

I taught lower grades before I retired, and I don't think I paid attention to this.

They got the religious right elected to the legislature here, and they are getting their agenda in quickly.

[Occulus]

12. I prefer the two words answer myself:

Prove god.

edit: still a great post. I just prefer dismissal of the concept.

[madfloridian]

5. One more Florida outrage I forgot to include in my OP

We really need to watch this state.

From madrchsod

Florida sells unlimited water-pumping rights in drought-stricken State Park for $230 dollars.

You need to read this stuff. This is state that has sold out to corporations.

[SeattleGirl]

6. Is there something in the water in Florida?

:shrug:

[madfloridian]

8. Yes.

We just don't know what.

[SeattleGirl]

9. Hope you find out.

That stuff is dangerous.

[KaptBunnyPants]

27. I would guess lead, what with the irrational agression and subnormal intellect.

nm

[alarimer]

13. Yes and apparently they have now sold it to Nestle

So we ALL had better watch out.

[slackmaster]

19. Fluoridation

They're even putting it in childrens' ice cream.

[Warren DeMontague]

24. Ouch.

You must be pun-ished, for that one.

[Charlie Brown]

7. I will never understand how these clowns manage to get elected

I know they supposedly represent the views of their constituents, but what sane person honestly believes that a crusade against evolution in science classes is more important than ending the housing crisis or boosting the economy, or ending the FREAKIN' WAR?

People who share this rep's causes as their top priorities really need to have their heads examined.

[madfloridian]

10. One major factor has been the organizing of the churches to GOTV.

It worked so well here with all the Southern Baptists.

[MadHound]

11. If that is the exact wording of the bill,

"present scientific information relevant to the full range of views on biological and chemical evolution.", then this bill is utterly meaningless, since there is no "scientific information" nor scientific evidence to back up ID, creationism, or any other faith based views of how the world was formed.

However setting that aside, if I were a parent with a teacher who was teaching creationism in place of evolution to my child, I would sue the school district for malpractice, since that teacher would be failing to adequately prepare my child for post-secondary education or life in general. Leaving evolution out of science education does a huge disservice to any student.

[Sam Ervin jret]

14. Crist had better speak out for this and for women because next the bell will toll for he and his

[madfloridian]

17. I have looking for a reaction from him.....nothing I can find.

Rubio has so much clout that it diminishes Crist's ability to act.

[hatrack]

15. Jesus Christ, can we just saw it off and be done with it? Please?!?

:eyes:

[riona]

16. How lucky am I to have her representing my district!

What a legislator! Don't you love the the sentiment, there are some who "made her cry" about this evolution thing? People, those tears won't happen. With the copious amount of eyeliner she applies daily, no doubt she is aware she would look like Ronda Raccoon.

[Warren DeMontague]

22. You know, there's a Rodney Dangerfield line in Caddyshack about

"The last time I saw a mouth like that, it had a hook in it."

I could say that here, but that would be mean.

[slackmaster]

18. "mandated evolution" is a common misunderstanding among creationists

As in when they ask "If we descended from monkeys, why are there still monkeys?"

Evolution is NOT compulsory.

:dunce:

[Warren DeMontague]

21. And if these goobers are so infatuated with sexual abstinence, they are free to abstain from sex.

In fact, I suspect many of them are anyway, whether they want to or not.

[Warren DeMontague]

20. Does Ronda get that the "full range" of "alternate theories" includes the Flying Spaghetti Monster?

RAmen.

[Wizard777]

23. Step 1: Say people are afraid to learn about evolution.

Step 2: Brand teachers teaching evolution as terrorists.
Step 3: Remove evolutionary terrorists to Gitmo.

[Demeter]

25. The Economic Crash Can't Come Soon Enough

as long as these devolving idiots get wiped out, it will have done some lasting good.

[skyounkin]

26. It's the

hypocasy that pisses me off the most- if this were a Dem trying to pass a law about evolution they would be eviscerated. If it were a Dem that preached the hate that this woman preached she would be made to apologize on the house floor.

Time to find a good Dem to run against this freak. She can preach her hate from where it belongs- the street corner while she screams about the gubbernet tapping her phone while wearing a tin foil hat.