Alabama's disclaimer in regard to Evolution (posted for P. Robinson)

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Date: Wed, 24 Jan 1996 18:20:21 -0700 (MST)
From: Robinson Peter <robinsp@stripe.Colorado.EDU>
To: paleonet-owner@nhm.ac.uk
Subject: Alabama's disclaimer in regard to Evolution
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Status: O

The most recent issue of SCIENCE has a letter worthy of circulation
considering the comments made about the Alabama textbook disclaimer.
SCIENCE, v. 271, p. 275, 19 Jan 1996
With respect to the Random Samples item "Alabama schools disclaim
evolution" (24 Nov, p. 1305) concerning the actions of Alabama's governor
in response to the State Board of Education's adoption of a biology text
insert, we submit that an important aspect of the issue was missed.
        The Alabama Board of Education, over the objections of the Eagle
Forum and other religious fundamentalist groups, has adopted one of the
most progressive kindergarten through 12th-grade science curricula in the
country and the appropriate texts with which to implement it. The
controversial insert was an ill-advised political attempt to placate such
groups. Their actions are not representative of the people of Alabama.
Requests have been made to have this offensive insert rescinded.
Scientists throughout Alabama are working to achieve this goal.
Sheldon F. Gottlieb
Sidney Fox
University of South Alabama.

Peter ROBINSON
Geology Section
University of Colorado Museum
Boulder, Colorado 80309-0315
(303) 492-5211
Fax: (303) 492-5105