Sunday, February 2, 2014

What's going on in South Dakota?

I just got wind that a bill has been introduced in the current session of the SD legislature (read it here) which would allow public school teachers to teach creationism if they so choose.  Seriously...what the hell is happening in the state I still consider home?

I don't respect the concept of intelligent design (that's actually putting it mildly) but don't begrudge anyone who chooses to believe it or even teach it -- in a CHURCH.  Knock yourselves out.  But there are so many red flags about this, almost too many to count.  But two are particularly glaring.

1. There must be some sort of brain drain going on in SD - why are there not more smart people running for political office there these days?  Who are these people: Senators Monroe, Jensen, Lederman, Otten (Ernie), Rampelberg, and Van Gerpen and Representatives Greenfield, Craig, Haggar (Don), Haggar (Jenna), Schoenfish, Steele, and Wick?  Is this the best we can do?  When did it become okay to allow religion be legislated into law?  

2. Please don't ever wonder why the U.S. is seriously lagging in terms of math and science.  If this bill becomes law (and I'd love to think it doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell) it will say this: knowing less is a good thing.  I don't even want to think about what this could mean going forward.  The ramifications are staggering.

My high school biology teacher (may his gentle soul rest in peace) would have had much to say about this.  What I wouldn't give to hear his thoughts.  Oh, and that brain drain I mentioned earlier?  Yeah...that.

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