Dump Scott Garrett!
That's my new mantra. NorthJersey.com reports that MY representative in congress, Mr. Scott Garrett, has urged school boards across New Jersey to include lessons on intelligent design alongside evolution.
Mr. Garrett is quoted as saying "Evolution is the predominant theory right now, [But] intelligent design is one that is apparently growing in some scientific communities, in academia. ... It seems that a school board should at least consider being tolerant and open to discussing both theories."
Now I have a few observations.
1) Intelligent Design IS NOT a theory, or at least not a scientific theory. Throwing your hands up in the air and saying GOD DID IT is not a theory. More science illiteracy!
2) With the Dover case currently in the courts, isn't this kind of statement a little inappropriate?
3) "Apparently" Mr. Garrett does not know his butt from his elbow or "some scientific communities" means the Discovery Institute only. I'm certainly not aware of any gains in academia.
4) Why does Mr. Garrett think he knows better than the National Academy of Sciences, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the National Science Teachers’ Association, the American Geophysical Union, the American Chemical Society, the American Association of Physics Teachers, the American Astronomical Society, AND 60 signatories of the National Congress of Science Education, including the New Jersey Science Teachers Association, all of whom have said that intelligent design is not science and should NOT be taught alongside evolution.
Regardless of whether one thinks ID is science or not, it's not the place of a politician to give advice to educational professionals.
I have never been able to understand how someone this far to the right represents northern New Jersey! Were we all napping when this guy got elected?
I sent Scott an irate e-mail and got back the standard form thank you in response (which I can add to my collection) which said not to hesitate to call him. Maybe I should? I've never called a congressman before. Nah, I'd probably just get voice mail.
Mr. Garrett is quoted as saying "Evolution is the predominant theory right now, [But] intelligent design is one that is apparently growing in some scientific communities, in academia. ... It seems that a school board should at least consider being tolerant and open to discussing both theories."
Now I have a few observations.
1) Intelligent Design IS NOT a theory, or at least not a scientific theory. Throwing your hands up in the air and saying GOD DID IT is not a theory. More science illiteracy!
2) With the Dover case currently in the courts, isn't this kind of statement a little inappropriate?
3) "Apparently" Mr. Garrett does not know his butt from his elbow or "some scientific communities" means the Discovery Institute only. I'm certainly not aware of any gains in academia.
4) Why does Mr. Garrett think he knows better than the National Academy of Sciences, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the National Science Teachers’ Association, the American Geophysical Union, the American Chemical Society, the American Association of Physics Teachers, the American Astronomical Society, AND 60 signatories of the National Congress of Science Education, including the New Jersey Science Teachers Association, all of whom have said that intelligent design is not science and should NOT be taught alongside evolution.
Regardless of whether one thinks ID is science or not, it's not the place of a politician to give advice to educational professionals.
I have never been able to understand how someone this far to the right represents northern New Jersey! Were we all napping when this guy got elected?
I sent Scott an irate e-mail and got back the standard form thank you in response (which I can add to my collection) which said not to hesitate to call him. Maybe I should? I've never called a congressman before. Nah, I'd probably just get voice mail.
posted by Alencon at 9:36 AM
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