American Federation of Teachers: Statement on Bush & Intelligent Design

American Federation of Teachers via WebWire ^ | 05 August 2005 | Antonia Cortese

[PatrickHenry]

The following is a statement by Antonia Cortese, executive vice president, American Federation of Teachers, on President Bush’s Comments that ’Intelligent Design’ should be taught in the nation’s science classrooms:

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President Bush’s misinformed comments on "intelligent design" signal a huge step backward for science education in the United States. The president’s endorsement of such a discredited, nonscientific view is akin to suggesting that students be taught the "alternative theory" that the earth is flat or that the sun revolves around the earth. Intelligent design does not belong in the science classroom because it is not science.

By backing concepts that lack scientific merit, President Bush is undermining his own pledge to "leave no child behind." If students are to reach higher standards, and if they are to compete effectively with their international peers, they must be exposed to high-quality curricula that are research based and that reflect the best available knowledge in any given field. In the science classroom, that necessitates the study of evolution, one of the most important, powerful, and well-substantiated concepts in science.

Intelligent design has been repudiated by every respected scientific organization in the nation, including the National Academies, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the National Science Teachers Association. Even President Bush’s top science adviser, John H. Marburger III, has acknowledged that "evolution is the cornerstone of modern biology" and that "intelligent design is not a scientific concept." To preserve the integrity of science education, President Bush should heed this advice.

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The AFT represents 1.3 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; nurses and healthcare workers; and federal, state and local government employees.

[Dimensio]

You must have meant creationists. Because most of the evos on this site know that the Theory of Evolution has nothing to do with the origin of life, or Abiogenesis.

Hard as it is for me to believe, but I didn't see microgood speaking of evolution. His question started with single-cell organisms.

[Dimensio]

well you kinda missed the point, substitute perfection with anything else, or take it away for all i care, and there's the gist of what i meant.

Okay. I substituted "perfection" with "purple". It made even less sense. So you meant nonsense?

i dont think it matters if i work in a biology field or not,

Actually, yes it does. If you're an auto mechanic, the theory of evolution is probably not that important to your job. If, on the other hand, you research antibiotics then the theory of evolution is something to be considered in nearly every aspect of your research.

Cell structure and things like that were always more important to me.

Then maybe you're an MD, but most people whose jobs deal with biological systems have to consider more than just the structure of the cell.

[DirtyHarryY2K]

All of science is subject to change without notice.

For example?

[ml1954]

The certainty of spriritual death for non-believers is written into the ....

Koran.

[bobdsmith]

no PhD in Condemnation hmm?

[Dimensio]

The certainty of spriritual death for non-believers is written into the Bible.

And you arrogantly assume that 1) it's correct and 2) "non-believers" specifically refers to anyone who accepts that the theory of evolution is valid science.

I didn't author that book and I don't specialize in condemnation.

And yet your first post here was exactly that.

[The Red Zone]

Don't shoot the messenger

[bobdsmith]

For example?

In a more extreme example imagine tommorow gravity suddenly stopped working at 3:27pm

[Dimensio]

For example?

Gravity (in which a major revolution occured around the middle of the 20th century). Atomics (which is still being refined). Electromagnetism.

[ml1954]

Don't shoot the messenger

????? What was the message ????

[bobdsmith]

Well I don't actually plan on hell. Admitedly I haven't thought much about it but I have always fancied the mediterranean.

[k2blader]

Whew. Harsh. But true. Very true..

[Servant of the 9]

What do we expect from someone who can't even pronounce "nuclear" correctly?

Actually, he can. Nu-kler and ath-a-lete are afectations he has picked up tp sound semi-rural, sorta like Molly Ivins.

So9

[microgood]

In science, there is no question at all regarding the theory of evolution.

You mean that all scientists without question accept that the larger changes that have occurred since we were single celled animals can be explained by mutation and natural selection? Even Gould was at least troubled by the lack of transitionals (even though he bought off on the overall theory) and that is why he brought up punctuated equilibrium as a possible explanation. And being a possible explanation does not eliminate all possible doubt.

If there is noone even questioning parts of the theory, that is kind of scary.

[ml1954]

Well I don't actually plan on hell. Admitedly I haven't thought much about it but I have always fancied the mediterranean.

I've heard purgatory has some good features. Too bad people that lived 3000 years ago didn't know they had that option.

[JennMack]

" Okay. I substituted "perfection" with "purple". It made even less sense. So you meant nonsense?"
you know what i meant, i would assume most people did too

"Actually, yes it does. If you're an auto mechanic, the theory of evolution is probably not that important to your job. If, on the other hand, you research antibiotics then the theory of evolution is something to be considered in nearly every aspect of your research."

so we should keep it out of the public schools then? Teach it in college? Even if it was part of my research, am i going to keep the handy "evolutionary theory for dummies" book on me at all times to glance at it, lest i go about my business without it? Who cares, it's just a theory.

"Then maybe you're an MD, but most people whose jobs deal with biological systems have to consider more than just the structure of the cell."

no im not an MD, but i would gladly trade 23535 pseudo-scientists who dingle around researching who-knows-what all day for 1 qualified MD. More MD's and less scientists please.

[DirtyHarryY2K]

In the context of evolutionary science. Gravity,Atomics,Electromagnetism, etc are irrelevant in that context.

[bobdsmith]

Why teach chemistry in high schools? How many people really need to know chemistry? Physics?