UPDATE!
Today TN SB893 died a quick death in committee! It is survived by a whole bunch of relieved parents, and will be missed by no one.
FANTASTIC!
I simply wanted to share with you the message I have sent to my state Senators in Tennessee, as they consider Senate Bill 893, the "Anti-Evolution" bill.
Greetings, Senator:
My name is Josh Raby. I live in Montgomery County. I have been following HB368, now TN SB893. As a native Tennessean, I cannot express to you how disheartening it is to see the education of our children become subject to religious and political posturing.
As you probably are aware, SB893 will make the state responsible for providing teachers any assistance they require in the teaching of the "controversy" surrounding several scientific subjects. Chief among these: Evolution and Global Warming.
Quite simply, there is no legitimate scientific controversy surrounding these issues. There is, in fact, broad consensus. To pretend otherwise is not only disingenuous but potentially harmful to young minds. To present ideas of unequal scientific merit as though they were in fact equal could hinder young Tennesseans' eagerness and ability to pursue solutions to the scientific problems of tomorrow.
This is to say nothing of the fact that this leaves the system open to abuse by ideological teachers with religious and political axes to grind. This already occurs. I can attest to as much. The difference: Now the state will be required to support such proselytizing.
I have created a Facebook page devoted to stopping this bill's passage. Regardless of where you may stand on this issue, we would love to have a comment from you on SB93. Any other support you may choose to provide would be welcomed and appreciated.
Thank you for your time.
I am a single father of two young girls. The best I can hope for them is that they receive a world-class education and use that to one day build a better life for themselves.
In my view, steps like this bill's proponents are taking place hurdles in the way of those dreams.
--Josh Raby
Only 2 state senators have responded.
Andy Berke (D-Chattanooga), who said:
Josh
Thanks so much for your message. I am against the bill.
I am a religious person and have strong beliefs. As the parent of two young girls in public school, I take my responsibility to teach them at home the values I cherish.
At school they need to learn science. That's what I expect from my kids' teachers, and that's what my kids need to know if they expect to compete in the 21st Century economy.
I will continue to work to defeat this misguided bill.
Feel free to contact me at any time.
alb
and my senator, Tim Barnes (D-Adams):
Thank you, Josh, for recognizing the potential harm of this Bill were it to become law. This Bill represents a dangerous precedent of legislators dictating curricula for purely political reasons.
We are awaiting more responses.
Please, Tennessean Kossacks, visit our Facebook page, contact your state senators, and let them know that the only thing controversial here is the way they are misusing the public trust by spending a minute of time on this ridiculous bill.
Updated by Josh Raby at Mon Apr 18, 2011 at 02:21 PM PDT
Just received another message from Sen. Andy Berke (for those counting that means Berke has responded TWICE. Outside of Tim Barnes, no one else has responded ONCE.)
"If it passes (committee - WEDNESDAY) it will go directly to a vote in front of the entire Senate. The Republicans control the calendar and can schedule it whenever but I would guess next week."
We are up against the clock. Please help spread the word.