Posted on 09/29/2005 11:51:48 AM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
Oral arguments began this week on a lawsuit by 11 parents in Dover, Pa., seeking to reverse the local school board’s decision to teach “intelligent design” in the system’s biology classes. The school board argues that its decision is an issue of “academic freedom.”
But the 11 parents reply that the “intelligent design” curriculum is a strategy by the Christian right to repackage “creationism” in order to smuggle it into the public schools in violation of the First Amendment requirement for separation of church and state.
The trial in a Harrisburg, Pa., court is being called “Scopes II,” referring to the famous trial of classroom teacher John Scopes in Dayton, Tenn., in 1925. Scopes had dared to teach his students Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection. Scopes’ case was brilliantly argued by civil liberties lawyer Clarence Darrow and the teaching of evolution as the pillar of modern biology was upheld.
Today, the ultra-right has launched a renewed war against science. George W. Bush claims that global warming is “unproven” even as hurricanes like Katrina and Rita are linked to rising temperatures in the Caribbean. He blocks funding of stem cell research, which could lead to cures to Parkinsons and other diseases.
In the nation’s schools, intimidation is so serious that a survey by the National Science Foundation found that a majority of high school biology teachers fear reprisal if they teach evolution.
Meanwhile, proponents of “intelligent design” plead that they simply want their “science” taught on an equal basis. They are lying. If they get their foot in the door, their next step will be to outlaw the teaching of evolution.
Even more is at stake here than science itself. The ultra-right has seized on the teaching of evolution as a wedge issue to advance their overall ideological agenda.
In defending science, these 11 parents in Dover are defending democracy.
They deserve all the solidarity we can give them.
I'd like to see a list of names of the plaintiffs. I wonder if they're the Usual Suspects?
From People's Weekly World webside. "They enjoy a special relationship with the Communist Party USA". Which explains their take on the ID matter.
About Us
The People’s Weekly World / Nuestro Mundo is a national, grassroots weekly newspaper and the direct descendant of the Daily Worker. Published by Long View Publishing Co., the PWW reports on and analyzes the pressing issues and struggles of the day: for workers’ rights, peace, equality, social and economic justice, democracy, civil liberties, women’s rights, protection of the environment, and more.
The PWW is known for its partisan coverage. We take sides — for truth and justice. We are partisan to the working class, racially and nationally oppressed peoples, women, youth, seniors, international solidarity, Marxism and socialism. We enjoy a special relationship with the Communist Party USA, founded in 1919, and publish its news and views.
Since the first issue of the Daily Worker came off the press in 1924, our press has been in the battles of the U.S. working class and people’s movements. From the battles of the unemployed and the campaigns to organize the CIO, through the civil rights and peace movements of the 1960s and ‘70s to the struggles that have given us the "new" labor movement, and now the growing movement for peace and defeating the ultra-right and Bush agenda — we’ve been there.
The PWW is part of the independent and free press tradition in the U.S. We are funded exclusively by our subscribers and supporters — no corporate money. With a small staff and a network of volunteers, we are proud to put out what many call “the best labor newspaper in the country.”
Say it often enough...
They are represented by the ACLU.
People's Weekly World also expressed their "solidarity" with the "Kill Terri" nazis. Gee I wonder why those so dedicated to the philosophy of "survival of the fittest" are so intent on exterminating "useless eaters" like defenseless handicapped women.
It does make one wonder, doesn't it? Wouldn't want them on my side.
George Bush is "ultra-right"??? I'm going to need to get my prescription for my glasses checked.
They must have high school kids writing this.
Science vs. Creationism - "For Marxists, a historical (thus, a dialectical) and materialist approach to all questions is the foundation of scientific thought. Like all scientific disciplines, Marxism itself must stand up to the test of experience in a universe in which all matter is constantly changing. Evolution takes this principle and applies it to natural law and all forms of life." - Socialist Action
Ping to ignore later
Bush, Darwin, and Shades of the Scopes Trial - "Along with its general anti-environmental policies, the Bush administration and rightwing media generally produce a great deal of intellectual "pollution" which functions like the air pollution of the 1950s, when people drove cars with unleaded gasoline and, in my neighborhood at least, breathed in coal dust every day without realizing how bad it was. If the pollution gets worse and worse and isn’t challenged (as it wasn’t in the U.S until the 1960s) people accept it as normal, cough a lot and eventually get sicker and sicker. The same is true with the Bush administration’s and mass media’s attacks on both science and the separation of Church and State. The more the intellectual pollution permeates the society, the less healthy the Bill of Rights and all civil rights and liberties become." - Political Affairs, Marxist Thought Online
So this whole evolution thing is mainly driven by communists. Why am I not surprised?
A semi-famous heavy metal singer (Barney Green, of Napalm Death) said something to this effect too, like: "George Bush is the most far-right president we've seen in America in decades (said from the UK)."
It just re-affirmed my distaste for listening to liberals these days. They're not even on the same planet.
Sadly, Darwin is gone now.
Luckily, while he may be gone, Darwin's work lives on. :)
And after all these years, so many still aren't buying it. Gives me great hope.
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