Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Despite his professed reservations on a Republican-backed bill that will introduce creationism into Tennessee’s public schools, Gov. Bill Haslam (R) has said he will allow H.B 368/S.B 893 to become law today. The measure, which passed by a 3-1 margin in the legislature, protects public school teachers who choose to teach creationism alongside evolution, and opens the door for other anti-science curricula like climate change denialism. Haslam will not sign the bill, instead relying on a state provision that says a bill will become law if no action is taken within 10 days. Link87 years after the Scopes Trial and these morons are still at it.
2 comments:
At least the bill doesn't appear to require teachers to teach creationism. I'm sure some will but, even in Tennessee, most won't. Of course, there may be pressure from parents to teach it. Frankly, I would rather they not teach evolution at all if they would have to also teach creationism.
Growing up in Tennessee, I can certainly attest to the silliness there but I also think bills like this reflect a hot minority rather than majority will. In other words, if most people are neutral or opposed but don't base their vote on this, it makes sense (from a political perspective)for a legislator to satisfy those voters that care. I really believe that's much of what goes on in all these votes. For example, these stand your ground bills are primarily supported by the NRA. There's no great groundswell of public support for the bills but the minority that support these bills care more than most people, who may not even know about it. It doesn't make me feel any better about them,
It doesn't appear to require teaching creationism, but it allows it without penalty. It's clearly unconstitutional.
I agree that it's a hot minority that gets things like this passed. You would hope to have legislators with some brains and integrity to prevent this, but alas.
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