asheris

Some idiot in Washington state has convinced the local school board to put a moratorium on showing An Inconvenient Truth in their schools, unless a "credible opposing viewpoint" is given equal time. (Which pretty much comes out as a ban, since there IS no credible opposing viewpoint.)

Why? Because according to the parent (emphasis mine):

"Condoms don't belong in school, and neither does Al Gore. He's not a schoolteacher," said Frosty Hardison, a parent of seven who also said that he believes the Earth is 14,000 years old. "The information that's being presented is a very cockeyed view of what the truth is. ... The Bible says that in the end times everything will burn up, but that perspective isn't in the DVD."

1. Where did he come up with 14,000 years, anyway? Creationists say 6-8,000 years; scientists say billions of years. 14,000 is a new one to me.


2. What is with this push to force the use of "opposing viewpoints" to FACTS? First they wanted Creationism taught alongside evolution-based science, now they want to claim scientifically documented changes aren't happening. Are we going to start seeing math teachers forced to offer "opposing viewpoints" to 2+2=4?


3. "I do not feel obliged to believe that the same god who has given us sense, reason, and intellect has intended for us to forego their use." - Galileo

I'm stealing this from someone I'm sure, but take your freakin' hat off and SHUT UP, Frosty!


References:

• Federal Way schools restrict Gore film 'Inconvenient Truth' called too controversial (Seattle Post-Intelligencer) Comments section


• School district bans An Inconvenient Truth after one right wing parent complains (NW Progressive Institute)


• ACTION: School Dist bans An Inconvenient Truth after wingnut parent complains (repost of the NWPI piece, with added action items and contact info for the school board)