What the hell is Florida's problem?

[hyphenate]

Poll question: What the hell is Florida's problem?

Fla. reopens evolution debat
e
Theory to be included in curriculum
By: Meghan Cooke, Staff

A recent state school board decision in Florida has reopened the evolution versus creationism debate, a controversy that has resurfaced in curriculum discussions nationwide.

Despite opposition from more than a dozen school boards, the Florida State Board of Education decided last week to officially include evolution in the science curriculum.

As a compromise, the curriculum now refers to evolution as a "scientific theory," a phrase that leaves the validity of the concept debatable.

Joe Wolf, president of Florida Citizens for Science, said the curriculum did not specifically mention evolution, leaving teachers to approach the subject at their own discretion - some skipping it altogether.

more:
http://media.www.dailytarheel.com/media/storage/paper885/news/2008/02/25/StateNational/Fla-Reopens.Evolution.Debate-3230978.shtml



Florida Schools Will Teach Evolution, but with 'Theory' Caveat

The Florida Board of Education has approved new science standards that explicitly include the word 'evolution' for the first time, but last-minute revisions kindled controversy over religious and political tinkering in the science classroom.

The board voted 4-3 Tuesday to approve a broad set of changes to Florida's 1996 science standards, including new goals for student learning in a variety of subjects. But a debate emerged on one of the 18 "big ideas" in the new standards: evolution.

In a last-minute wording change to standards that had met the approval of authorities such as the National Academy of Science and the American Institute of Biological Sciences, the board affixed a qualifier, "the scientific theory of," to evolution and other scientific phenomena.

Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection says that life on Earth, including humans, rose from common ancestry. It's widely accepted in the scientific community, but the idea can conflict with the religious version of human history, which seeks to incorporate theological beliefs into the teachings of human development.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/science/jan-june08/evolution_02-22.html



These are only two headlines on the topic of Florida and the teaching of evolution--there are many, many more.

So what the fuck is Florida's problem? Are they owned by the RRR? I really feel sorry for any kids in the state getting a proper scientific background, and the ability of critical thinking. This kind of complete ignorance will stunt the educational growth of any child brainwashed into thinking that precludes evolution.

So tell me if Florida needs a good bitchslap the side of its "head."

[hobbit709]

1. It's the combination of swamp gas and orange fumes

Reduces your thinking abilities by 50%.

[SteppingRazor]

3. Dude, Texans are in no place to bitchslap the stupidity of Floridians.

:P

[hobbit709]

10. I lived in Florida once

Back in 1973 after I got out of the Air Farce. Then I moved to Austin and been here ever since.

[SteppingRazor]

2. I think there's a big silver lining here:

"The Florida Board of Education has approved new science standards that explicitly include the word 'evolution' for the first time..."

The fact that "the scientific theory of" was attached to the word doesn't change the fact that teaching evolution is now mandatory, and that's a good thing.


As for the rest, hate Florida all you want, but I'm heading home now on Feb. 25, and it's 76 degrees at 5:30 p.m. -- in late February.

I think maybe I'll stop off on the way home, sit outside, and have a mojito or three. Maybe watch the sunset.

As for the rest of it, if Florida wasn't such a freak show, it wouldn't be nearly as much fun. :P

[Mythsaje]

4. Heaven's Waiting Room.

'nuff said.

[NC_Nurse]

5. Ever been to Florida? Read some Carl Hiassen. He's great

at describing what a circus it is. :-)

[Chovexani]

6. Heat kills brain cells

Living in Arizona for nearly two years has proven that in spades.

Hell, *I* feel dumber just living out here.

[Warpy]

7. FLORIDA is full of nutcases!

They've pretty much taken over the panhandle, it's where Dogherty is building his Catholic paradise on earth, and there were a couple of towns that even spooked my dad, who'd warn me not to make eye contact with anybody as we drove through them.

There are more religious lunatics in Florida than there are in SC, which makes me wonder why the "move to SC and take it over" people got any traction at all.

It's why we get so many bizarre news stories about bizarre murders and heartless treatment of children from that state. It's full of nutcases.

[SteppingRazor]

8. I agree we're a nutty state, but I celebrate that fact.

:party:

Wouldn't want to live anywhere else. No place else is weird enough for me.

[Warpy]

9. I like a different kind of weirdness

and the stewpot of clashing cultures here in New Mexico seems to fit well.

I hated Florida. Too hot, humid, buggy, and politically oppressive.

[angrycarpenter]

11. Nutcase here

It is a thrilling roller coaster ride here. Take a bunch of the reddest of the rednecks, add a bunch of jerks who were run out of their hometowns up north, a few escaped fugitives, and a herd of blind elderly drivers and you have your self an interesting time.

For every religious nut you have 10 regular nuts who only want to drink and party.

[SteppingRazor]

12. "For every religious nut you have 10 regular nuts who only want to drink and party."

Exactly. Florida freakin' rules. If it wasn't so strange, I wouldn't want to live here.