Thursday, May 08, 2008

Last night I had an opportunity to see Ben Stein's "Expelled." I brought business cards to distribute printed with the Expelled Exposed web address but I did not end up giving any out at the film. I'm a little disappointed that I was not able to educate anyone about the lies perpetuated by the movie, however, my excuse is strong: I'm glad to report that zero tickets were purchased for last night's screening.

Before "Expelled" was released I was concerned that it would inspire a push from the scientifically illiterate, but politically active, religious people. Fortunately, it appears, the film has been largely ignored. The only exception has been an (apparantly) coordinated effort to introduce "academic freedom" bills in states across America including my own. Here in Michigan house representative John Moolenaar has introduced House Bill 6027, a bill designed to undermine academic standards and allow legal protection for science teachers to teach scientifically unsupported positions like intelligent design and global climate change denialism. This bill is the third in a series of attempts Moolenaar has made to get Darwin out of the science classroom. ANYONE LIVING IN MICHIGAN: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE write to the Michigan House Education Committee and ask them to dismiss this bill. And be prepared to write to your representative should this bill return to the floor.