What a tangled web they weave . . . and anti-evolutionists in Kansas are practiced in deceiving the voting public. They pretend to support science, but work to change its very essence. They claim to be standard bearers for academic freedom, but they want to force public school science teachers to cast undeserved doubt on well-supported science. And most glaringly, they claim they're not motivated by religion.
Here's a brief bit of history:
Just before the 2006 Kansas primary, anti-evolution activist Celtie Johnson made it clear in an email why she supported anti-evolution candidates for the state school board:
"However, if we don't win . . . . This effectively ABANDONS all students--world-wide--who have godless parents."
Johnson's concern for the faith of everyone else's kids might be viewed as touching by some, but most parents would prefer that Johnson keep her hands off their own kids' religious education.
A few days before the 2006 primary, pastor Kyle Ermoian of Hays sent a message to his congregation's Daily Devotional email list that didn't just urge folks to get out and vote; it endorsed specific anti-evolution candidates for the Kansas state school board:
I'm asking you to vote for one of the following conservative candidates if he or she is in your district: *Jesse Hall--District #1 *John Bacon--District #3 *Connie Morris--District #5 *Ken Willard--District #7 *Brad Patzer--District #9
Ermoian later apologized in the Hays Daily News, claiming that he was merely forwarding a message from Lawrence anti-evolution activist Dave Penny.
Although it's now 2008, it seems that the more things change, the more they remain the same.
F.A.I.R. (Free Academic Inquiry and Research, although the group's actions could more accurately described as Fundamentally Against Intellect and Reason) is a PAC affiliated with the Kansas Republican Assembly. Earlier, Pat Hayes at Red State Rabble documented the incestuous relationships between various Republican PACs in Kansas; he noted how they share a common treasurer and post office box, as well as how donations slush back and forth between the funds and the 2006 KRA-endorsed state board of education candidates:
On July 8 of this year, F.A.I.R. alerted its right-wing fans,
As you know, the battle for control over our schools has played out most publicly in contests for seats on the Kansas State Board of Education. And, of course, the issue that has received the most attention is the controversy over what to teach students about the origin of life. The liberal, secular humanists on the Board and in schools want your children and mine to be force-fed one narrow view: Charles Darwin's theory that all living plants and creatures on this earth just happened to spring forth into life out of primordial muck. That theory, of course, neither addresses how the primordial muck came into existence nor how life, in all of its variety and complexity, turned out the way it did so that all functions and interacts beautifully.
On the other side of the argument, we have had many good Board members, a number of professional educators, and hundreds of thousands of parents and grandparents who believe that Darwinian evolution is, at best, a flimsy theory and, at worst, is nothing more than a fairy tale concocted and perpetuated by secular humanists who are hell-bent to deny the existence of an Intelligent Designer or Creator.
On the other side of the argument, we have had many good Board members, a number of professional educators, and hundreds of thousands of parents and grandparents who believe that Darwinian evolution is, at best, a flimsy theory and, at worst, is nothing more than a fairy tale concocted and perpetuated by secular humanists who are hell-bent to deny the existence of an Intelligent Designer or Creator.
Worth noting: First, any who disagree with F.A.I.R.'s vision of education in Kansas are "liberal, secular humanists." In other words, they're pulling the old evolution = atheism shuffle which Jeremy has addressed previously in masterful detail. Second, the message deliberately uses a distorted talk-radio version of evolution instead of a truthful science-based description of the theory. Third, yes, it's true, many believe that evolution is a fairy tale, thanks to the efforts of some ministers who (knowingly or not) spread lies from the pulpit, and because of the well-funded propaganda put forth by the Discovery Institute and its avid Kansas followers. And isn't it a pity how students are "force-fed one narrow view" of how 2.0 + 2.0 = 4.0?
Remember Brandon Kenig, the candidate who we first reported as anti-evolution because of information from his website (archived)?
"The theory of evolution should be taught in classrooms, but not forced upon students. Holes in the current evolution theory and alternative theories (such as intelligent design) should be mentioned."
In response, Kenig said we'd "completed distorted" his position on evolution. A flurry of emails later, I was still squeamish about him because his 2008 campaign site (under the "Issues" tab, "Accountability" section) showed that he wanted to establish "Guidelines to encourage objectivity and 'open-forum' classrooms."
Apparently Kenig hadn't done his homework. The 2007 Kansas science standards included the following passage (pdf, p. xi), which had been eliminated in the previous ID-supporting standards put in place by the creationist board majority:
Science studies natural phenomena by formulating explanations that can be tested against the natural world. Some scientific concepts and theories (e.g., blood transfusion, human sexuality, nervous system role in consciousness, cosmological and biological evolution, etc.) may differ from the teachings of a student's religious community or their cultural beliefs. Compelling student belief is inconsistent with the goal of education. Nothing in science or in any other field of knowledge shall be taught as absolute knowledge. A teacher is an important role model for demonstrating respect, sensitivity, and civility. Science teachers should not ridicule, belittle or embarrass a student for expressing an alternative view or belief. Teachers have the opportunity to display and demand tolerance and respect for the diverse ideas, skills, and experiences of all students.
In the same vein, the Kansas NEA's statement of ethics notes that a teacher:
1)Shall not unreasonably restrain the student from independent action in the pursuit of learning
2)Shall not unreasonably deny the student access to varying points of view.
3)Shall not deliberately suppress or distort subject matter relevant to the student's progress.
4)Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning or to health and safety.
5)Shall not intentionally expose the student to embarrassment or disparagement.
6)Shall not on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, marital status, political or religious beliefs, family, social or cultural background, or sexual orientation, unfairly:
*Exclude any student from participation in any program.
*Deny benefits to any student.
*Grant any advantage to any student.
2)Shall not unreasonably deny the student access to varying points of view.
3)Shall not deliberately suppress or distort subject matter relevant to the student's progress.
4)Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning or to health and safety.
5)Shall not intentionally expose the student to embarrassment or disparagement.
6)Shall not on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, marital status, political or religious beliefs, family, social or cultural background, or sexual orientation, unfairly:
*Exclude any student from participation in any program.
*Deny benefits to any student.
*Grant any advantage to any student.
Given that Kenig waffled so much on the science education issue, and that he doesn't recognize the guidelines already in place for "open-forum classrooms," it shouldn't come as a great surprise that F.A.I.R. endorsed Kenig for the state board of education:
A solid candidate, Brandon Kenig, is facing opponents in both the primary and general elections. He needs our help to be able to face the liberal machine that is particularly vicious in Johnson County.
The rest of F.A.I.R.'s letter contains so many half-truths that unwary readers should refer to a concordance authored by Orwell. For example, "censors in the liberal education establishment" is how F.A.I.R. refers to professional scientists and educators who don't think it's right to teach nonsensical non-science as science. "Open-mindedness" according to F.A.I.R. is the willingness to close one's mind to science. After all, real academic freedom is the freedom of scientists to ask questions. F.A.I.R. wants schools and students to ignore the answers.
Note: Kenig was defeated by Mary Ca Ralstin in the August primary. Don't write off the 22-year-old yet, though; anyone of that age who was endorsed by the Kansas Republican Assembly is probably being groomed for other opportunities.
Some scientists seem to have a tendency to dismiss anti-evolutionists as semi-literate inbred hicks. If that characterization was accurate, the anti-evolution movement would be much easier to defeat. However, many in the anti-evolution movement have gifts of rhetoric and personal charm, resulting in the unfortunate effect of otherwise rational folks believing folksy lies instead of hard truths. (See Dodos, Flock of)
Kansans aren't immune from those effects.
Kathy Martin is a charming, pretty lady who unfortunately lacks the humility to recognize that the world's scientists know a lot more about evolution than she does. Spiderwebs can be beautiful to behold, but don't forget their purpose is to entrap and ensnare. The radical right has made their goal very clear: elect Robert Meissner, Dennis Hedke, and Kathy Martin, who said in May 2005
"We are not going to give up until the standards say what we want them to say."
posted by Cheryl Shepherd-Adams
