Greater lunacy: Georgia legislator denies writing or sending creationism support letter

February 15, 2007

First they deny science, then all of reality, then they deny that they denied. Or something like that.

Georgia State Rep. Ben Bridges denies having written or sent the memorandum that was circulated in his name to Texas state legislators earlier this week. The Atlanta Constitution provides the incredible details in this morning’s edition:

“I did not put it out nor did I know it was going out,” Bridges said. “I’m not defending it or taking up for it.”

The memo directs supporters to call Marshall Hall, president of the Fair Education Foundation Inc., a Cornelia, Ga.-based organization that seeks to show evolution is a myth. Hall said he showed Bridges the text of the memo and got his permission to distribute it.

“I gave him a copy of it months ago,” said Hall, a retired high school teacher. “I had already written this up as an idea to present to him so he could see what it was and what we were thinking.”

Hall said his wife Bonnie has served as Bridges’ campaign manager since 1996.

Bridges acknowledged that he talked to Hall about filing legislation this year that would end the teaching of evolution in Georgia’s public schools. Bridges said the views in the memo belong to Hall, though Bridges said he doesn’t necessarily disagree with them.

It’s getting so creationists no only can’t do science straight, can’t do religion straight — they can’t even tell whoppers straight. Read the rest of this entry »

1 Comment | Accuracy, Charles Darwin, Creationism, Darwin, Education, Evolution, Freedom - Political, Hoaxes, Public education, Religious Freedom, Science, Voodoo science | Permalink
Posted by Ed Darrell

Texas legislator apologizes for creationism letter, but . . .

February 15, 2007

Texas State Rep. Warren Chisum said he’s sorry if anyone took offense over his circulating a letter from a Georgia legislator, Ben Bridges, railing at science, and promoting creationism.  He’s right to apologize, but the apology stops short of where it needs to go.

This morning’s Dallas Morning News followed up on yesterday’s report of the letter (see preceding post).  The letter referred to a bizarre website that argues that the Earth is fixed in space, and other crazy things, including offensive material about Jewish kabals.  The Anti-Defamation League complained.

The stuff that causes conflicts between religious beliefs, you know, I’d never be a party to that,” Mr. Chisum said. “I’m willing to apologize if I’ve offended anyone.”

Mr. Chisum’s comments came after he learned that the Anti-Defamation League, which works against anti-Semitism and other forms of hate, was demanding “a repudiation and apology” in a letter to his office. He said he hadn’t seen the letter late Wednesday.

The wild rants against science, knowledge, civilization and bizarre twisting of Christianity?  He doesn’t apologize for that stuff.

One might think that Chisum believes stupid and mean is fine, so long as a powerful lobby group does not complain.

The greater danger in the letter is the appeal to ignorance and crank science.  Chisum needs to do a lot more apologizing, starting with several million Texas students, and tens of thousands of science teachers.

As if to answer some of Chisum’s religious questions, there is no comment from Molly Ivins.  Whoever names the successor to Molly needs to do it fast.  The Texas Lege is running wild.

2 Comments | Accuracy, Charles Darwin, Creationism, Darwin, Education, Ethics, Evolution, Intelligent Design, Public education, Texas Lege, Voodoo science | Permalink
Posted by Ed Darrell