Hi y'all - action needed. Oppose HB 25: Sample Letter to State Representatives
Posted: 09 Jan 2009 01:43 PM CST The letter below concerning HB 25 was written by our very own Mims H. Carter. You can find another great one at Sappari, Zenzen. I will add mine as soon as I finish it. My next task will involve drafting a letter to the editor of my local newspaper, but one thing at a time. This is simply too important to stay on the sidelines. Dear Representative Peranich, I just heard that Representative Chism has introduced H.B. 25, requiring that all textbooks in the state that discuss evolution contain a disclaimer that evolution is a controversial theory and that it can't explain certain observable facts about the history of life on our planet. I can't begin to tell you how wrong the whole text of the bill is. The last paragraph detailing the Cambrian explosion, the lack of transitional species, and the lack of 'instructions' to create complex life - all of this is wrong. I don't know where these ideas comes from, but current evolutionary theory has very cogent explanations for all of these things. Evolution is not a controversial theory except in the minds of a scientifically ignorant cadre of anti- science extremists, who unfortunately wield influence far beyond their intellectual capacities and scientific understanding. The fact that it hasn't answered all questions about the history of life on our planet does not mean that evolution is not the best current theoretical framework we have, and 150 years of research, study and constant criticism has only proved how powerful this theory is. Coming on a day when we just found out we lead the nation in teen-age pregnancy, a tragedy which we can also lay at the feet of extremist s who won't allow a rational sex education curriculum in our schools, I fear for our young people, including my own daughter and her schoolmates. Shall we put caveats on our geology textbooks that the theory that the earth is round is only a theory? Shall we caution that the germ theory of disease can't explain every illness and so therefore we should not trust it? Should we add astrology to our astronomy curriculum? We need to provide the best education we can to our children in all subjects and at all levels. To paraphrase the great mathematician and philosopher of science Bertrand Russell, yes, we should study hard and keep and open mind, but not so open that our brains fall out. Sincerely yours, Mims H. Carter Pass Christian Tags: HB 25, Mississippi, science education, science, education, evolution Contact the Education Committee About HB 25 Posted: 09 Jan 2009 11:28 AM CST Image via WikipediaSince posting about HB 25, a bill before the Mississippi State Legislature designed to misinform students about evolution by slapping ridiculous stickers on science textbooks, I've been busy. My first task involved determining exactly who we need to contact with regard to HB 25. It ended up taking quite a bit longer than it should have, but I think I now have an answer. The bill has been referred to the House Education Committee. The members of this committee include the following state representatives: Cecil Brown, Chairman Sara R. Thomas, Vice-Chairman Noal Akins Toby Barker Billy Broomfield Kelvin Buck Kimberly Campbell Buck Clara Burnett Bryant W. Clark Alyce G. Clarke Linda F. Coleman Reecy L. Dickson Bob Evans Herb Frierson Joe C. Gardner Esther Harrison Gregory Holloway Wanda Jennings Brandon Jones Sherra Hillman Lane John Mayo Kevin McGee David W. Myers Russ Nowell Jimmy Puckett Rufus Straughter J. Shaun Walley Greg Ward Joseph L. Warren Tom Weathersby Linda Whittington I realize that this is a large committee. Fortunately, they all have e- mail addresses so contacting them may be a simple cut-and-paste job. If you'd like to focus on the representative(s) of your district, you can find out who represents you by entering your zip code. My particular representative is not on this committee, so I will contact other members as well. Once again, thanks to Pharyngula and Tony's curricublog for breaking this one. Tags: Mississippi, House Bill 25, evolution, education, science, science education HB 25 Threatens Science Education in Mississippi Posted: 09 Jan 2009 06:24 AM CST Image via WikipediaOkay gang, we have a dire need for some activism to oppose House Bill 25. If passed, this bill would require an anti- evolution sticker on every science textbook in which evolution was discussed. I have already contacted the National Center for Science Education to make sure they are aware of this bill. The next step probably involve contacting our representatives in the House. It may also be worthwhile to consider writing letters to the editors of our local papers (although I often wonder whether that could do more harm than good in a state like ours). This is an important issue, and we at Mississippi Atheists will certainly do what we can to defend science education in our state. H/Ts to Pharyngula and Tony’s curricublog Tags: Mississippi, HB 25, science education, science, education, evolution, atheists Sorry the graphics didn't C&P. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Memphis Freethought Alliance" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/memphisfreethoughtalliance?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
