Submitted by Gene Howington, Guest Blogger
Last Thursday, July 21, the Texas Board of Education in an 8-0 unanimous vote opted to keep teaching evolution in high school biology classes using approved scientifically accurate textbook supplements from established mainstream publishers. They did not approve of the creationist-backed supplements from International Databases, LLC. Four times as many people showed up to testify in favor of the scientifically accurate texts as showed up to oppose them.
Although a creationist member of the Board objected to the supplement from textbook publisher Holt McDougal by releasing a list of Holt’s supposed errors involving evolution and common descent, the Board responded by noting that the list had not been signed off on by the Board of Education’s review panel in full. The Board went on to approve the Hold McDougal supplement, but submitted it for review by Commissioner of Education Robert Scott to look at the supposed errors and suggest changes to the Holt McDougal supplement. Local educators and the National Center for Science Education are confident any of Director Scott’s revisions will show the current state of evolutionary biology. In a statement released by the NCSE, NSCE Director Dr. Eugenie Scott praised the Texas Board of Education, saying “These supplements reflect the overwhelming scientific consensus that evolution is the core of modern biology, and is a central and vital concept in any biology class. That these supplements were adopted unanimously reflects a long overdue change in the board. I commend the board for its refusal to politicize science education.” This is squarely a victory in the battle to keep public education educational over the forces that would make public education into religious and/or political indoctrination.
Source: NCSE
~Submitted by Gene Howington, Guest Blogger
kderosa,
If I were going to do anything to discourage your persistent paranoid attempts to derail threads, I’d simply set up a filter that disallowed posts with your name and the word Buddha. If you want to continue to disrupt threads though, I’ll gladly discuss that option with Jonathan upon his return from vacation. It’s a conversation I have no problem having given that your paranoid rants amount to little other than personal attacks in pursuit of some need of yours. I address you by name. If you want to talk about courtesy, you should really do the same in return.
*****************
bdaman,
In addition to having Otteray Scribe’s e-mail, I have mespo’s, Elaine’s, Mike S., Mike A., nal’s, JT’s, and hundreds of others. Otteray Scribe got my e-mail from another Regular. He sent me a very nice e-mail concerning my first post. We’ve talked a couple of times since then. I suspect some others have my e-mail too by now. Who I’m in contact with outside of this blog is frankly none of your business.
@OS
Same thread.
See my post at 1, “July 25, 2011 at 12:05 pm”‘
He, or someone else, removed all the “Gene(H)/Buddha” and replaced them with “Gene(H).”
I noticed the edits and then saw the comment was still in the comment box after I posted the comment and it clearly had “Gene(H)/Buddha.”
So someone, most likely old Howington, is up to some hanky panky.
“In order for anyone to believe in Darwins theory, you have to believe that (1) there was some sort of a “Big Bang” in a Universe which created itself.”
No you don’t.
“The smallest possible piece which matter can be broken down into is an Atom.”
No it’s not.
@OS
“And BTW, understanding the origin of the universe leads directly to when it was first possible for life to be sustained in the primordial soup on Earth, which led to multicelled life, and thence to the critter called Cro Magnon man.”
Interesting but somewhat tenuous. Also, your “primordial soup” theory is no longer the scientific consensus. But it does highlight the problem with assuming the scientific concensus is science.
“Whether the mixture of gases used in the Miller–Urey experiment truly reflects the atmospheric content of early Earth is a controversial topic. Other less reducing gases produce a lower yield and variety. It was once thought that appreciable amounts of molecular oxygen were present in the prebiotic atmosphere, which would have essentially prevented the formation of organic molecules; however, the current scientific consensus is that such was not the case.”
What we had was not enough science to form a consensus. The consensus was formed anyway. And has now had to be abandoned. It should have never been formed at all.
In that instance he did tell the commenter he was doing it and why. He should offer you the same courtesy.
I saw you post that but you didn’t provide any evidence. I did see where he is exercising this option with another poster. Can’t remember which thread it was on.
Bdaman, Howlington has been editing my posts on his inaugural guest post to remove any mention of his connection to Buddha. It’d be funny if it weren’t so sad.
I think you just outed GeneH.
It was bound to happen sooner or later. I seriously don’t know why Buddha just doesn’t come out and admit it. It’s not a big deal.
Debates like this are interesting. Whatever the outcome I am glad that people have freedom to speak.
OS, All The Best. In each breath exists a blessing.
@OS, sympathies of course. Also, I think you just outed GeneH.
OS,
Here’s hoping for the best outcome possible.
OS plus everyone else,
Good on ya Texas? Hmmm,that just seems wrong.
Slart,
Need an employee in Colorado? I’m marginally more competent than you’d think.
Thanks Gene. If things change I will give you a backchannel shout.
Am still working on that project thingee.
OS,
My sincerest sympathy on your daughter’s health problems. Having a sick loved one is never easy and doubly so when that loved one is a child (no matter their age). Hang in there.
Thanks, Bdaman, raff and Mespo. It has been a hard four years, but we are still trudging on. It makes it easier when you know you are getting support from afar.
Yes OS, You will be greatly missed…
Innuendo? Sounds like deer abuse. And that silly reply of course is the appropriate response to kdeorsa’s silly assertions.
OS:
PLease know you are in my thoughts.
OS,
It is time for a break for you and your family! Hang in there and our prayers and thoughts are with you and your daughter. When she pulls through, you should have one hell of a party!
I don’t need no stinkin’ job! Two weeks ago I was unemployed, today I am the head of a (proto-)company with 3 employees…
WUUUU HOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!!
the Buddha left you
no according to Buddha and Gene H, Buddha has taken an extended leave of absence.
Which could mean he’s been placed in a locked up facility. 🙂