Now it has painted on a new face and emerged on the arm of state Sen. Ben Nevers, D-Bogalusa, who is pushing what he humorously terms the "The Louisiana Academic Freedom Act" in the upcoming session.
Nevers has filed Senate Bill 561 with the spurious premise that evolution is a matter of serious scientific debate and that both sides are entitled to a hearing. A lot of people have fallen for that line, including Gov. Bobby Jindal, although, of course, scientists, save a few stray zealots, regard the evidence for evolution as overwhelming.
Nevers' concept of academic freedom requires that "any writing, document, record or other content" on the subject be allowed in science class. It is a license for crackpots.
This story suggests that the creation/evolution debate does not fall along party lines as much as I thought. This is reassuring in once sense, because, as a Republican, I am frequently associated with the creationism arm of the party. On the other hand, it is disturbing because it means that these views are more deeply held than party loyalty.
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James,
ReplyDeleteIn Bogalusa any Democrat would be considered a Republican. Probably even in Utah. I have yet to look into it but I believe his party affiliation is about party money and the opponent he ran against. Remember, Ronald Regan strategy never say anything negative about another member of the GOP? Well how do you run against one then. Sign up with the opposition.
Huh. Now there's something to think about. I will confess I know next to nothing about Louisiana politics.
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