Open Science Thread

Fundamentalist zealotry and creationist ideology may have conspired to leave at least one and possibly more public school students with permanent physical and mental scars at the hands of what can only be described as a dangerous, rogue teacher::

Ed Brayton -- A science teacher used a high voltage device to burn that cross into an 8th grader's arm, for crying out loud. Not only should he have been fired on the spot, the case should have been referred to the prosecutor's office. ... The complaint also alleges that Freshwater has "code words" that he uses to let his students know when he thinks something in the textbook is false and contrary to the Bible. It further alleges that he offered extra credit to students for homework related to intelligent design.

[Update 9:40 AM EDT] Sounds like the guy has admited to the branding, his 'explanation' is bewildering too say the least and more than a little creepy. Again it sure looks some school adminstrators may be culpable here:

Columbus Dispatch -- The report confirms that Freshwater burned crosses onto students’ arms, using an electrostatic device, in December. Freshwater told investigators the marks were Xs, not crosses. But all of the students interviewed in the investigation reported being branded with crosses.

Ed has an update on the fate of the teacher and lots more along with a link to the complaint. And egad, speaking purely for myself, if even a portion of it is true, more heads should roll. Because as the teacher likely heads for the unemployment line, no doubt along with right-wing Martyrdom, it sure sounds to me like someone had to have covered for this lunatic for years.

• I hope to have more on this in the next few days, but if you think that wingnut teacher is scary, consider that a new Bill in Louisiana would make some of his extraordinarily unorthodox lessons legal in the Bayou State -- right up until taxpayers are suckered into the Dover Trap or worse.
• I've posted a couple of videos in comments from the mysterious and talented cdk007 who has gained a measure of YouTube cult science fame for his/her wonderful science & evolution series. Take a minute to tell him/her thanks if you're so inclined.
• Space.com reports on evidence for a mysterious Planet X well beyond the orbit of Neptune and, maybe, several times larger than the KBO formerly known as the planet Pluto.
• Ice, ice baby! Phoenix has confirmed the existence of water ice just below the Martian surface, and considering the evidence for frost heaving the ice is probably present in large quantities.

• A top U.S. health official says the threat of a flu pandemic remains high. And while the world has made great strides to prepare, it's not enough.

  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Julie Gerberding says bird flu fatigue among countries and the public is a growing concern.

  (DemFromCT)