As I've mentioned previously, I'm an Ohioan, born and bred. I was living in the state when all the Discovery Institute shenanigans were ongoing, resulting in the addition of a "critical analysis of evolution" lesson plan (which was removed this past February). Of course, that hasn't stopped the anti-evolution folks in the state. RBH reports on the latest attack on science education in Ohio--and you may (or, may not) be surprised at what they're going after now:
Now, consistent with the creationist tradition of repackaging old trash, we learn that the creationists on the Achievement Committee of the Ohio State BOE are pushing yet another load of of the same odoriferous garbage, this time extending it to include global warming as well as evolution. This is the Disco Institute's replacement for its failed "teach the controversy about evolution" tactic, broadening it to include still more pseudoscience.
And, like Dover, it appears they're employing underhanded--and potentially illegal--tactics in their dealings:
We have learned that at the Board's June retreat, shielded from the scrutiny of the public and the press, a subset of the Achievement Committee discussed a proposal to implement the Discovery Institute's latest strategy. Watchdog groups did not attend because this meeting was not scheduled on the OBE agenda. Thus, the meeting appears to violate sunshine laws.
RBH has a nice elaboration on the question of "why global warming?" over at Panda's Thumb that I'll leave you to read there (it's continued in the comments section), but for those of you in Ohio, I wanted to be sure to paste some information on what you can do over here as well:
We urge our friends in Ohio to attend the July Ohio State Board of Education meeting, and to contact their representative on the board. The July meeting is July 10th and 11th at the Ohio School for the Deaf, 500 Morse Road, Columbus. The meeting agenda is here. The Achievement Committee meets at 9:00 a.m. Monday, July 10, in the Delaware Room. The President of the Board has apparently set aside time on the agenda of the full board to discuss the matter, but our current information is that there's no concrete proposal ready for Board action yet.
You can also get involved with Ohio Citizens for Science, which has been on the frontlines fighting against attacks on science such as these.
Update: Patricia Princehouse has posted contact information and suggestions over at Panda's Thumb. Even for those of you who aren't in Ohio, your thoughts on the matter are important--so send off an email or make a phone call if you have a chance.
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Um...I guess I thought this would be about something important, like Ohio sports, particularly Cleveland. Yes, the Indians are struggling and the Browns are the Browns, but the big news is that LeBron James is showing no intention of signing his contract extension. Should he not sign, the sad day in 2008 when his contract expires would be perhaps the darkest in Ohio history. That or the day Ken Blackwell is elected governor.
Ack.
I grew up in southeast Michigan. My wife was born and raised in Ohio in a small town west of Toledo. Her entire family lives there still, and we plan on going back that way to visit near the end of August. I spent eight years in Cleveland doing my residency and graduate school.
It truly disgusts me to see what's happening in a state that I considered my second home. I should see if I can get my wife's family to contact their representatives. I'm no longer a resident or (more importantly for elected representatives) a registered voter.
Shawn,
Well, Janet has some news on Case; is that close enough? :)
Orac,
It's my first home--I feel your pain! I still own a house in Toledo. Maybe I can emphasize my role as a property owner in the state and just neglect to mention the fact that I live 500 miles away currently...
Please write the Board of Ed!
You don't need to be an Ohio resident to comment on the proposal. Certainly, all through this, the creationists have relied heavily on out-of-state input (eg the Discovery Institute, Kansas IDnet, requests for letters broadcast on Dobson's Focus on the Family).
Input from scientists is especially appreciated by the pro-science Board members & is of interest to those on the fence.
Next they will want to "teach the controversy" about astrology vs. astronomy, or UFO abductions vs. shared delusional experiences. It's obvious that the DI was never serious about ID at all, just about infiltrating public schools with their own faith-based agendae.
I'm next door in Kentucky. I hope the pressures on Ohio's educational system does not creep across the Ohio River into the Commonwealth. We have likeminded people here, too. (Like our governor ...)
` GLOBAL WARMING!??! OH MY ... wow. What is it with fanatics?
` Ironically, I grew up in NE Ohio, hated the blizzards, tornadoes and jungly weather caused by the lake. There were also some crazy people who hated gays and some even believed the earth was flat, who I badly wanted to escape. (!)
` Now I live near Seattle, where both the physical and cultural climate is a little easier on me. My only complaint is the fact that the DI is over here!
` ...That and the glaciers are shrinking! I wonder if we'll run out of water someday?
Quine: you live in the Pacific Northwest and you're worried about running out of water? I'm about 100 miles north of you, and let me tell you, we have the highest concentration of rain magnets in the entire world. Just hold a bucket out the window, you'll be fine.
Dear Dr. Snuffleupagus,
:)
I've read this post several times, and I've composed several comments to put here, but none of them really got my point across just right.
The simple version:
I just graduated from an Ohio High School, and let me just say that the Science classes need all the help they can get. Desperately. Now. There is no way I should have been able to graduate (straight A's, no less) without understanding what I spent four years studying.
I think that's about as well as I can say it.
JanieBelle.