Enough is Enough, Theologically Correct Dogma Belongs in Church Not Schools

The New York Times is reporting a new, theologically-influenced, social-engineering experiment for the poor [and the rest of us].

Evolutionary biology has vanished from the list of acceptable fields of study for recipients of a federal education grant for low-income college students.

Yeah. It seems how this happened is a bigger mystery than certain Bible stories but there you have it. I've said this before but just to clear my infuriation with this let's say it together, "This government administration has gone too far!"

My suspicion is that I'm preaching to the choir but everyone and anyone who cares about the integrity of schools has got to get involved in changing the political nonsense and witchcraft that is dominating our institutional framework.

Many people say it is out of control but we all know that's a lie. It is all too in control of fanatics, lunatics, and political operatives who don't give a damn about the consequences of their actions for this country - every single one of us will pay dearly for the insipid stupidity of our elected officials.

Work to change it.

From Evolution Major Vanishes From Approved Federal List by CORNELIA DEAN, New York Times

Scientists who knew about the omission also said they found the clerical explanation unconvincing, given the furor over challenges by the religious right to the teaching of evolution in public schools. “It’s just awfully coincidental,” said Steven W. Rissing, an evolutionary biologist at Ohio State University.

Jeremy Gunn, who directs the Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief at the American Civil Liberties Union, said that if the change was not immediately reversed “we will certainly pursue this.”

Dr. Rissing said removing evolutionary biology from the list of acceptable majors would discourage students who needed the grants from pursuing the field, at a time when studies of how genes act and evolve are producing valuable insights into human health.

“This is not just some kind of nicety,” he said. “We are doing a terrible disservice to our students if this is yet another example of making sure science doesn’t offend anyone.”

Dr. Krauss of Case Western said he did not know what practical issues would arise from the omission of evolutionary biology from the list, given that students would still be eligible for grants if they declared a major in something else — biology, say.

“I am sure an enterprising student or program director could find a way to put themselves in another slot,” he said. “But why should they have to do that?”

Mr. Nassirian said he was not so sure. “Candidly, I don’t think most administrators know enough about this program” to help students overcome the apparent objection to evolutionary biology, he said. Undergraduates would be even less knowledgeable about the issue, he added.

Dr. Krauss said: “Removing that one major is not going to make the nation stupid, but if this really was removed, specifically removed, then I see it as part of a pattern to put ideology over knowledge. And, especially in the Department of Education, that should be abhorred.”

Thank God for the ACLU but in my opinion the Federal Department of Education needs a housecleaning starting at the top.