Holy mother of God.
That 'We Dont Take Kindly to Yer Types Round Here, Dawkins Resolution' that got posted yesterday?
That was a 'compromise' resolution, HR1015, March 3, 2009.
This is HR1014, March 2, 2009:
1st Session of the 52nd Legislature (2009)HOUSE
RESOLUTION 1014By:ThomsenAS INTRODUCED
A Resolution expressing disapproval of the actions of the University of Oklahoma to indoctrinate students in the theory of evolution; opposing the invitation to Richard Dawkins to speak on campus; and directing distribution.
WHEREAS, the University of Oklahoma is a publicly funded institution which should be open to all ideas and should train students in all disciplines of study and research and to use independent thinking and free inquiry, not indoctrinate students in one-sided study and thinking; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Zoology at the University of Oklahoma has, as evidenced on the departmental homepage, been framing the Darwinian theory of evolution as doctrinal dogmatism rather than a hypothetical construction within the disciplines of the sciences; and
WHEREAS, not only has the Department of Zoology at the University of Oklahoma been engaged in one-sided indoctrination of an unproven and unpopular theory but has made an effort to brand all thinking in dissent of this theory as anti-intellectual and backward rather than nurturing such free thinking and allowing a free discussion of all ideas which is the primary purpose of a university; and
WHEREAS, the University of Oklahoma has planned a year-long celebration of the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of Darwin's controversial theory of evolution, called the "Darwin 2009 Project", which includes a series of lectures, public speakers, and a course on the history of evolution; and
WHEREAS, the University of Oklahoma, as a part of the Darwin 2009 Project, has invited as a public speaker on campus, Richard Dawkins of Oxford University, whose published opinions, as represented in his 2006 book "The God Delusion", and public statements on the theory of evolution demonstrate an intolerance for cultural diversity and diversity of thinking and are views that are not shared and are not representative of the thinking of a majority of the citizens of Oklahoma; and
WHEREAS, the invitation for Richard Dawkins to speak on the campus of the University of Oklahoma on Friday, March 6, 2009, will only serve to further the indoctrination engaged in by the Department of Zoology at the University of Oklahoma by presenting a biased philosophy on the theory of evolution to the exclusion of all other divergent considerations rather than teaching a scientific concept.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 52ND OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:
THAT the Oklahoma House of Representatives hereby expresses its disapproval of the current indoctrination of the Darwinian theory of evolution at the University of Oklahoma and further requests that an open, dignified, and fair discussion of this idea and all other ideas be engaged in on campus which is the approach that a public institution should be engaged in and which represents the desire and interest of the citizens of Oklahoma.
THAT the Oklahoma House of Representative strongly opposes the invitation to speak on the campus of the University of Oklahoma to Richard Dawkins of Oxford University, whose published statements on the theory of evolution and opinion about those who do not believe in the theory are contrary and offensive to the views and opinions of most citizens of Oklahoma.
THAT a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the University of Oklahoma, the Dean of the College of Arts and Science at the University of Oklahoma, and the Chair of the Department of Zoology at the University of Oklahoma.
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU..........
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When they find out that the physics department think the earth orbits the sun, the shit will really hit the fan.
Henry Drummond: Can't you understand? That if you take a law like evolution and you make it a crime to teach it in the public schools, tomorrow you can make it a crime to teach it in the private schools? And tomorrow you may make it a crime to read about it. And soon you may ban books and newspapers. And then you may turn Catholic against Protestant, and Protestant against Protestant, and try to foist your own religion upon the mind of man. If you can do one, you can do the other. Because fanaticism and ignorance is forever busy, and needs feeding. And soon, your Honor, with banners flying and with drums beating we'll be marching backward, BACKWARD, through the glorious ages of that Sixteenth Century when bigots burned the man who dared bring enlightenment and intelligence to the human mind!
Sit down. Take a deep breath. Close your eyes. Relax.
Now don't you feel better?
Never mind that Todd Thomsen is still out there. Oops!
Sit down. Take a deep ...
I smell the stench of incompetence.
Here is Mr. Thomsen's bio from votesmart.org -
Background Information
Gender: Male
Family: Wife: Melanie: 5 Children: Menee, Aneli, Tyde, Towan, Tal (deceased).
Birth Date: 06/24/1967
Birthplace:
Home City: Ada, OK
Religion:
Education:
Bachelor's, University of Oklahoma, 1989.
Professional Experience:
Political Experience:
Representative, Oklahoma State House of Representatives, 2006-present.
Organizations:(This was his job before joining the legislature)
Coordinator, Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Committees:
Higher Education and Career Technology, Chair
International Relations and Tourism, Member
Public Safety, Member
Subcommittee on Education, Member
I'm noting in this case and in other recent threads on sciBlogs, the extremely high infant mortality rate among ignorant fuckwits.
This is the most backwards, idiotic state in the country. I hope your uni gives them the big ole' finger.
I need something stronger than *facepalm*....
I am speechless...
He was a place kicker at O.U. in the late 80's.
I wonder who wrote it for him because I talked to him once and I don't think he could spell cat.
A resolution to counter being portrayed as "anti-intellectual and backward rather than nurturing such free thinking and allowing a free discussion of all ideas" is not a bad idea. Censuring (or even censoring) university faculty and guest lecturers is not be the best way to nurture a free thinking exchange of ideas, eh?
OU has previously hosted Phillip Johnson, Bill Dembski, Casey Luskin, etc. but now that an unabashed unbeliever takes the podium, well, that is just beyond the pale.
I'm trying to conceive of more transparently anti-intellectual pro-cosmogony faith-based bit of backwards thinking. Alas, a few come to mind.
I'm off to see Dawkins. See you guys around.
Looking at those strange names of his kids- where are Tekel and Upharsin?
That may be the funniest thing I have ever read. I'm sorry you have to deal with that.
Man, 1014 is just replete with butt-holery.
As usual, Oklahoma has to try to one up us here in Texas.
Stephen Wells got it in one:
Send emails to this dork Thomsen. If he can read, it would be fun. His e-mail address: todd.thomsen@okhouse.gov
Keep the words easy. No big sciency stuff. It might scare him.
I think I ran out of vitriol for stupid people in office a long time ago. I'm simply not surprised in the least.
I don't know why you, our fine American friends, don't abandon this separation of church-and-state and adopt our (UK) way and have a state religion. That way you could do what we do and ignore and/or ridicule it!!
On a serious note; I would have thought that anyone holding high office would have had to taken an oath to uphold the constitution? Wouldn't this be a breach of that oath?
Nice resolution. Thanks for brining it to my attention.
That is staggering. Simply staggering. What is it that keeps you in OK, Abbie?
Oh, and Stephen Wells wins the thread with the very first comment.
That is staggering. Simply staggering. What is it that keeps you in OK, Abbie?
Well, from Thomsen's description above, OK University (at least the biology department) sounds like a pretty decent sort of place to me.
... uuck
The best part was when Dawkings brought up intelligent falling vs the theory of gravity.
Well there you go, the Dept. Zoology has been framing. Since Nisbutt does framing, I know it's a bad thing, and therefore worthy of condemnation.
Sorry fundies, reality isn't a multiple choice question. The evidence supports the theory of evolution and only the theory of evolution. What's next? Astrology in astronomy classes? Alchemy in the chemistry labs? Flat Earth as balance in geography classes?
Thank you very much for this blog, idiocy like this needs to be shown for what it is.
#7, #15, and others: I should point out that all attempts to pass anti-evolution bills in Oklahoma for the past 10 years have been defeated, due in large part to organizations like Oklahomans for Excellence in Science Education (OESE) (htp://www.oklascience.org) to which Dawkins' Foundation just donated $5000. Together with other groups such as the Oklahoma Academy of Science, Oklahoma Science Teachers Association, Interfaith Alliances, Oklahoma Mainstream Baptists and assistance from national organizations such as AU, AAAS, AIBS, NCSE, etc., no creationist legislation has been successful so far. Thus, unlike Kansas, Texas, Louisiana and other states, this VERY red state has escaped. But the fight goes on. The very stupid resolutions of Rep.Thomsen have not been voted upon and can not become law as a resolution. Hopefully, they will not be heard, if the leadership in the Legislature does it job.
For those who wish to weigh in, especially Oklahoma citizens, messages to the Speaker of the House, Rep. Chris Benge (Republican, Tulsa) at chrisbenge@okhouse.gov urging him NOT to allow HR 1014 and HR 1015 to be heard might be a big help. Also membership (only $10/year) or donations to OESE can help us continue to fight similar stupid attempts to reduce science teaching or the imposition of religion into public schools. A form for memberships/donations is on the OESE web site.
The celebrations of Darwin Year at the University of Oklahoma are one of the most extensive of any university. Schedules of speakers, courses, etc., are listed in the right column of the OESE web site. The exhibits that portray evolution at the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History in Norman are extensive and impressive, as Dawkins and other speakers have mentioned. Thus, all is not bad here, but the fight will not end in the near future!
Abbie â it was good to see you again last night. Thanks for the posts. Nick Matzke, who joined us for the post-lecture get together, last night may be posting something on Pandas Thumb about his visit here and Dawkins lecture.
FFFFUUUU ..., indeed.
Suffice it to say that, as annoying as some features of OK, and its legislature, might be, the existence of people like Abbie make the place more sensible. I'd consider moving there for a job, as long as I had a reasonable work environment, and the possibility to visit home (in Germany) every year or so.
In other words: if you feel it, vent your anger, Abbie, 'cause that makes OK even nicer.
Irony meter: Pegged
Stupid meter: Sublimating in its entirety at approximately 2378°C ...
waldteufel suggested:
"Send emails to this dork Thomsen. If he can read, it would be fun. His e-mail address: todd.thomsen@okhouse.gov
Keep the words easy. No big sciency stuff. It might scare him."
Remember he was an O.U. kicker in the late 80s. His reaction to a computer probably looks like this except at some point he would hump it or pee on it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2ZeIoLz8FE