More Recent Comments

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Texas Wants to Protect the IDiots in Universities

As most of you know, there's a reason why we call them IDiots. There's a reason why faculty members in a biology department might not get tenure if they believe most of the things you read on Evolution News & Views (sic). There's a reason why a student might get a low grade for questioning the existence of natural selection or for thinking that skin cells don't accumulate mutations.

The elected members of the Texas legislature are well aware of this discrimination against stupidity so they've taken steps to stop it. Bill HB285 "Relating to prohibiting discrimination by public institutions of higher education against faculty members and students based on their conduct of research relating to intelligent design" should do the trick, if it becomes law.

Here's the key provision,
An institution of higher education may not discriminate against or penalize in any manner, especially with regard to employment or academic support, a faculty member or student based on the faculty member’s or student’s conduct of research relating to the theory of intelligent design or other alternate theories of the origination and development of organisms.
I suppose it was inevitable that politicians in Texas would finally recognize that their children might flunk out of university.


7 comments :

Matt G said...

Intelligent design research? Do tell!

Mikkel Rumraket Rasmussen said...

"Man, this thing here looks really complex... I wonder how, no.. wait, I don't. Goddidit!"

That's how.

Terry said...

Now all they have to do is legislate that the rest of the world has to accept their kids's degrees in science as legitimate.

invivoMark said...

I don't see how this bill can possibly apply to anyone, since there is only one scientific theory regarding the origination and development of organisms.

I am curious, however, about what the Texas legislators believe that the concept of intelligent design says about organismal development. Is there literature on "intelligent Hox transcription" of which I am unaware?

Robert Byers said...

Don't mess with Texas.
this is a great step forward for freedom of thought and discussion and against the unique case of censorship in subjects held in historic and popular contention.
Its really a censorship of God and Genesis.
The truth must be the objective for origin subjects and so for what is taught students in science class.
Science class really is conclusions class in origin subjects and no science goes on.
Canada should follow, or lead, in the fight for freedom and truth on mutual common heritage in the great originals of the universe.
As the sinfgers sing GOD BLESS TEXAS

Ed said...

Robert says:
The truth must be the objective

Which truth are we talking about? My muslim neighbour clearly has his truth in mind when it comes to allah creating the universe and the diversity of life.
The aboriginee tribe I met last year while on a trip to Australia, also know they are right: the world is carried by god in a bag on his back.
And I bet there's probably a tribe of people out there who know the truth: god created the universe after a violent sneeze.

So, which truth are we looking for? And for that matter, do explain why only your truth is true?

Anonymous said...

Wow - is about all I can say. ID isn't a theory, it's faith - plain and simple. The wording of the Bill relegates evolutionary theory as being merely an alternative choice - as if ID is the default choice, roll eyes.