by Robyn Blumner
Columbus Dispatch (Ohio), page A11
December 11, 2007
Christine Comer was forced to resign as director of science at the Texas Education Agency because she for warded an e- mail about a lecture on the fallacy of intelligent design and creationism as a scientifically grounded alternative to evolution. Comer, who spent 27 years as a science teacher and had been in her post at the agency for nine years, was told that the agency must remain “ neutral” on the subject.
Are they kidding? On one hand you have a theory that has been successfully tested using the scientific method for more than 100 years and whose accuracy repeatedly has been affirmed by the vast fields of biology and genetics. On the other hand you have a hypothesis that relies on supernatural intervention for which there has been no legitimate scientific testing or objective proof.
Florida is also in a dust- up because the teaching of evolution has been included in its proposed science standards. Donna Callaway, a member of the state Board of Education — appointed by former Gov. Jeb Bush — said she’ll oppose the new standards because of it.
Really, folks, when scientific innovation is the key to our nation’s future, we don’t have the time to be mucking around in this tired debate. You don’t produce doctors and scientists by teaching science from the Bible.
