Many Americans have a deep misunderstanding of the First Amendment to the Constitution, which prevents the government from interfering with citizens’ right to express their beliefs, in the press, the pulpit or the public square. It does not, in any way, confer legitimacy on those beliefs.
This simple precept, that those with political power can’t stifle ideas, has come to be seen by too many as meaning, “All ideas are equally valid.” Case in point:
New Florida law let's any resident challenge what's taught in science classes
The legislation, which was signed by Gov. Rick Scott (R) this week and goes into effect Saturday, requires school boards to hire an “unbiased hearing officer” who will handle complaints about instructional materials, such as movies, textbooks and novels, that are used in local schools. Any parent or county resident can file a complaint, regardless of whether they have a student in the school system. If the hearing officer deems the challenge justified, he or she can require schools to remove the material in question.
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Proponents of the new law say it makes the challenge process easier for parents and gives residents a greater say in their children's education. And state Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Naples), who sponsored the bill, told Nature in Maythat his intent wasn't to target any particular subject.
But Glenn Branch, deputy director of the National Council for Science Education, said that affidavits filed by supporters of the bill suggest that science instruction will be a focus of challenges. One affidavit from a Collier County resident complained that evolution and global warming were taught as “reality.” Another criticized her child's sixth-grade science curriculum, writing that “the two main theories on the origin of man are the theory of evolution and creationism,” and that her daughter had only been taught about evolution.
The statute also appears to provide grounds for removing books thought objectionable from school libraries. These objections may be raised by any resident, whether or not he or she is the parent of a student in the public schools.
Now, I have empathy for these Floridians. There is a great deal I find objectionable about the world, beginning, on many days, with Florida.
But the existence of Florida has been confirmed again and again by qualified geographers. Data from satellites has consistently corroborated claims that a large, populated peninsular mass extends into the Gulf south of Valdosta. I have personally seen postcards and giant mouse ear headwear.
There is, in fact, so much evidence supporting the hypothesis that Florida is a thing that I have been unsuccessful in my efforts to de-Floridize the geography and history curricula in my state’s schools.
I swear, there oughta be a law...