Since my last comment on the creationism in Paleonet I have change my opinion: It is a real problem that should be shared in this forum.
The Spanish newspapers give today some remarks on the battle. As an example (in Spanish) see
http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2005/05/06/ciencia/1115365933.html
Patricio Domínguez
----- Mensaje original -----
De: Mike Everhart <mike@oceansofkansas.com>
Fecha: Viernes, Mayo 6, 2005 4:50 pm
Asunto: paleonet The "evolution battle" in Kansas
> All,
> I'm reasonably certain that the so-called battle over the teaching of
> evolution in Kansas schools ("second Scopes monkey trial") has been
> televised around the world by now and that most of you are tired of
> hearing about it. At one point there were as many as 12 TV cameras in
> the hearing room, including ABC's nightline, and even a French station
> .. The French journalists were really having trouble understanding the
> ID testimony and at one point told me that the ID witnesses
> complained a
> lot about evolution but didn't offer evidence for anything else. That
> sort of reaction makes for very damaging stories about Kansas in many
> places around the world. and it was very evident that the world was
> watching.
>
> While you have seen the story presented in the major media
> formats, I
> thought it might be interesting to you to also see the local news
> stories.
>
> Here's the story in the 5/4/2005 Wichita Eagle newspaper that
> describessome of Wednesday's events leading up the hearings:
> http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/11567397.htm
>
> Here are two reports in the 5/5/2005 Wichita Eagle:
>
> News - Josh Funk: At evolution hearing, many read between the lines
> http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/11577480.htm
>
> Opinion - Randy Schofield - ID theory wasn't ready for prime time
> http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/columnists/randy_scholfield/115775
> 08.htm
>
> I attended the hearings yesterday and the Schofield article (above)
> probably best describes the atmosphere. It was difficult for me to sit
> quietly in the audience and listen to the rehearsed and coached
> testimony provided by the less-than-expert witnesses for the so-called
> "minority report" .. And then to hear from members of the Kansas
> SchoolBoard who literally 'gushed' with praise regarding the 'mis-
> information'that they had just been provided. The hearings are a
> farce (dog and pony
> show, kangaroo court, etc) . the majority of the board has already
> madeup their collective "mind". inappropriately being advised by
> ID-er John
> Calvert along the way. and are simply trying to legitimize their
> decision. I found it interesting that the hearings were held in
> the same
> building that houses the Attorney General's office - Mr. Kline has
> already been accused of meeting with and advising the majority of the
> school board in violation of the state's open meetings laws.
>
> The testimony provided by the witnesses was the same old rhetoric that
> the Intelligent Design group is well known for. half-truths,
> mis-representations of factual information, quotations taken out of
> context and outright lies. They concentrated on what they saw as
> faultsin the theory of evolution, but provided absolutely nothing
> in terms of
> facts and data that would support their position as an alternative.
>
> It is very apparent to me that these hearings are not really about
> evolution. or even education. they are politics, pure and simple. They
> are a small part of a very large effort by a conservative minority who
> want to have things their way. However, the forces behind this
> skirmishin Kansas should not be underestimated. they are highly
> motivated, well
> funded and politically adept at pushing their agenda.
>
> So have your bit of amusement over the "monkey business" in
> Kansas. then
> get serious about what is really going on, here . and around the
> world.
>
> Regards,
>
> Mike Everhart
> Adjunct Curator of Paleontology
> Sternberg Museum of Natural History
> Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS
> www.oceansofkansas.com <http://www.oceansofkansas.com/>
>
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