What Happens When Pseudo-Science Runs a School Board?

This, From the LA Times:

"I came here thinking that I understood evolution, that I understood the facts," Christine said. "But now, I don't know what to think. Who's right? Is the science that I'm learning really true?"

Way to go, Kansas. Creating a definition of science that must include a study of the 'non-natural,' way to go. There should be a law, then, that in Sunday School, teachers must present Evolutionary Theory alongside Genesis. Equal time and all that...or are these creationists afraid to defend their faith?

Let He Who Is Without Sin...

Through Democratic Underground by way of Atrios and Kos, we learn that a Baptist church in North Carolina has excommunicated all members that did not vote for George W. Bush and/or are not Republicans. I am unable to access the DU thread (blocked at work), but here is a bit of what is on Kos and Atrios:

For those that thought that there has not been a full scale war lanched against liberals; for those who didn't take the radical right's promise to "eradicate liberals" seriously, I present to you, Exhibit A: East Waynesville Baptist Church has just kicked out all its Democratic members.
"One of the local women who got excommunicated said on TV that it was like a cult. Another man who got excommunicated said that the rest of the congregation stood up and applauded as the Democrats were told to leave."

Granted, DU is not the most reliable source, but apparently it has been on the local news in Carolina. I would like to see a news article soon.
I wonder when this was appear on Fox News and how it will be spun. Somehow, it will be an example of a secular attack on religion, I'm sure.

Academics or Athletics? Which is More Important?

The answer to the above question at my school seems to be the latter. Once again, they are looking to hire a coach, and guess what department they want to stuck him in? If you said Social Studies, you win the prize. The past two years, they have had a coach teaching Social Studies, and they HAVE SUCKED. My god, the current denizen just showed Spanglish to his students? Why? Because he just didnt feel like teaching. Why the hell must there be another dead weight around the department. Stick him in PE, or English, or Math. Jesus. I am so damn mad. Why do they always end up in Social Studies?
Sorry for ranting. I am so worked up. Now, back to my planning period.

Another Semester Down!

So far so good. Two semesters of God knows how many done, and so far all A's. Here are the results of my efforts in the Spring Semester. :)

You have received grades for 6 credits

Section Course Credit Grade
4971X EDF 6544 03 A
4974X EDF 6812 03 A

Yay!

Cranky Speaks, We Listen

The Cranky Yankee has a good post up on those still serving in 'democratic' Iraq. As a ground pounding veteran, he has, I think, quite a passion for the men and women over there. Here's a taste:

"Anyway, I'm trying to come to grips with being able to honor and celebrate the people who are serving there and at the same time knowing that a smirking chimp of a liar sent these men to do this. I understand many of them are supportive of the cause and I appreciate that and won't argue with war veterans over this. To a certain extent I do out of respect. I know what those guys are going through. I also know what they are going through after they get home. To have someone try to convince them that they did something wrong just isn't appropriate. There is probably enough cognitive dissonance already."

He makes a good point about convincing those that served over there about the 'illegality' of the war. These veterans do not want to hear that, and we shouldn't be telling them that. Rather, I wish the Democratic Party would start focusing with more passion and more voice on the needs and concerns of veterans. Show that Democrats care for vets for longer than just a soundbite. Just as with the planning for Iraq, the Administration seems to have paid little attention to the impact on the veterans of the aftermath of the war.

Moral Relativism and Dennis Prager

Amanda Marcotte over at Pandagon (now new and improved!) rips apart Dennis Prager's column on moral absolutism and how secular governments inevitably turn to the dark side without the power of God. It's a great read, but I would like to share the comments (within Amanda's post) of Ol' Cranky in full, if I may, because Ol' Cranky (as opposed to the Cranky Yankee!) is dead on:

Shame on Prager for insinuating that the Judeo part of Judeo-Christian accepts a belief in doing something purely because we are concerned about how G-d will judge us and that determination is somehow limited to certain specifc "laws" contained in scripture. G-d gave us some guidance, the rest we must figure out for ourselves to do what's right (based on a given situation) because it is right. There are things in the Talmud that do not come from G-d, they are (admittedly) man's interpretation and, Jews being Jews, dissenting opinions are included.

Judaism is, and has always been, a living religion - this means you do question, you do explore nuance and there are caveats (we do not believe in the completeness or inerrancy of the bible). Most importnantly, G-d gave us brains and free will, and damn well expects us to use it to determine what is right/moral and act accordingly. Additionally non-Jews are not held to the same requirements of Jews to be moral and the 10 commandments may be [part of] our religious moral code but, as we are not an evangelical religion, our religion is not to be imposed on others. If we were to follow Prager's lead we'd be subjected to those who claim G-d says we're supposed to follow their religion, something G-d has specifically proscribed - so how, praytell, does Prager suggest we address the inconsistencies between what different factions claim G-d demands when he undermines our abilities to maintain our own beliefs when he implies G-d doesn't give a fiddler's fart about the facts?

Evangelicals and Jews are an alliance I simply don't understand. Doesn't one expect the total conversion or elimination of the other during the End Times?

How much of a Republican Am I?

So, I took a little quiz. I guess I'm not suprised at the results. I think I'm a little more to the right than some of my friends (though farther left than a couple of others!). How much of a Republican are YOU? (And do you really want to know?)

I am: 38% Republican.

"You're probably one of those chicken-littles who thinks maybe we should worry a little bit, occasionally, about the fate of the planet that our lives all depend on."

Are You A Republican?