Kansas board to vote on science standards (ID vs Evolution)

[brooklynite]

After nearly a year of debate, the Kansas Board of Education is expected to approve new science standards at its meeting today in Topeka.

The standards cast doubt on evolution and redefine science to allow for non-natural explanations.

Scientists and educators have decried the changes, which they say are motivated by religious beliefs that threaten to weaken public understanding of science. Two national groups - the National Academy of Sciences and the National Science Teachers Association - withdrew their material from the standards in protest.

...snip...

The standards serve as the basis for state assessment tests and as templates for lesson plans and local school district curricula. The vote is set for 2:55 p.m.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/13108126.htm

[truebrit71]

1. If this passes it will be time to officially name Kansas..

..as THE dumbest, most backward ass state in the union...

If you are a democrat it may be time to move, because you are obviously far too smart for your fellow citizens...

I simply cannot believe that this is even an issue in the 21st century...Un-f*cking-believable...

[MuseRider]

3. NOT moving

Give this lovely state up to them? No fucking way.

Want to help? Go here http://www.ksalliance.org/

[jsamuel]

2. Even the Pope says this is stupid...

[MuseRider]

4. If you want to help us fight this

go here.

http://www.ksalliance.org/

[endarkenment]

5. One Flying Spaghetti Monster coming up!

Great for kansas. Finally the Flying Spaghetti Monster gets the respect it deserves for all that intelligent design work.

[Voltaire99]

12. Our heaven has a beer volcano!

His noodly appendage is there for ALL of you. Rejoice!

[DURHAM D]

6. My family lives in Kansas. I grew up in Kansas.

They are Repubs but don't really think about anything political for more than 2 minutes a year. They leave Fox on the tv all of the time.

Last year I told my siblings that when people ask me where I am from I will no longer answer Kansas because I am embarrassed. That got their attention. They had no idea how Kansas was being viewed beyond the borders. They have started paying attention and talking to me about the nut cases that have taken over the education system. Frankly, its a little late but at least they have clicked in. Now, if I could only get them to turn off FOX but I don't know a really good alternative.

[krkaufman]

8. Start them with ANYTHING else.

Now, if I could only get them to turn off FOX but I don't know a really good alternative.

Start them w/ any less harmful alternative. Even CNN and MSNBC are better than FOX.

[Timmy5835]

10. I got my freeper parents to watch.......

BBC World. It's a start.

[maximovich]

7. These People Are Soooo Brainwashed

Sad...

[Yavin4]

9. In The Age of Globalization, This Is The Dumbest Move Ever

Going backwards in time when the next generation of jobs will be in the science industries like biotech.

Enjoy your poverty Kansas.

[jody]

11. Toto, I've a feeling we're back in Kansas. n/t

[atommom]

13. UPDATE: The wingnuts get their way.

:banghead:

TOPEKA — A sharply divided State Board of Education today approved science standards that critics say will promote religion in school, hurt the state’s economy and make Kansas a national joke.

“This is a sad day for the state of Kansas,” said board member Carol Rupe, R-Wichita.

But Board Chairman Steve Abrams, a Republican from Arkansas City, defended the new standards as giving students an opportunity to learn about the controversy surrounding evolution. “This is one of the best things we can do,” he said.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius criticized the board’s action. “If we’re going to continue to bring high-tech jobs to Kansas and move our state forward, we need to strengthen science standards, not weaken them,” she said.

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2005/nov/08/boe_hears_final_comments_todays_evolution_vote/?breaking