Comments on: Polk County School Board Backs Off “Intelligent Design”

By: Brandon

Brandon — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 19:37:11 +0000

I know I’m late to this conversation, but I need to point out that Florida is not out of the woods on this issue by a long shot! Polk County was just one hot spot. The real concern is the STATE board of education. Just because one county cried uncle doesn’t mean the fight is over. In reality, the war is still raging!

Here’s what I mean:
http://www.flascience.org/wp/?p=352

By: Billy Townsend

Billy Townsend — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 19:39:42 +0000

Just a note: Dr. Elsberry is correct. He did mention Florida Citizens for Science to me, just as PZ Myers mentioned Panda’s Thumb, who also didn’t get a mention. I was not claiming to put together a complete census of who makes up the network. Just wanted to show the network exists. No ulterior motives I’m consciously aware of in who I picked ot mention. The people I mentioned were the people who were in my head at the time I was writing the story. Just FYI.

I’m flattered you would all take the time to read and discuss. Thanks.

By: Austringer

Austringer — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 16:57:44 +0000

Jonathan, I’m pretty sure that I discussed Florida Citizens for Science with Townsend in the interview. I’m not sure why he chose not to include FLCfS in the article.

Mike, there’s a continuing problem that “stealth” candidates often get no scrutiny in the election process. The Kansas state board of education is an extreme example, with alternations between antievolutionist majorities and moderates leading to alternations between science standards and denial-of-science standards.

Chuck, that’s encouraging news. It would be nice if the Lakeland Public Library would add some titles. They have antievolution books, for sure: two by William Dembski, “The Design Revolution” and “Darwin’s Nemesis”, five of Phillip Johnson, two by Michael Behe, two by Jonathan Wells… I think I’ve had enough of that. On the critical side, the LPL has the 1983 “Scientists Confront Creationism” and a few other titles, but not absolutely critical volumes like Barbara Forrest and Paul Gross’ “Creationism’s Trojan Horse”, and Matt Young and Taner Edis’ “Why Intelligent Design Fails”. I have links to a wider selection of current critical volumes here.

By: Chuck Welch

Chuck Welch — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 15:33:14 +0000

I know for a fact that as soon as the “controversy” started, one Lakeland college library immediately added “Scientists Confront Intelligent Design and Creationism” to their collection.

By: Mike O'Risal

Mike O'Risal — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 15:23:20 +0000

After reading Kay Fields’ contention that she didn’t know that The Ledger would do a front page story on Creationism on the school board, I’m left wondering what would have happened if the paper hadn’t broken the story. There’s nothing like shining the light of day on sneaky Creationists to make them scurry for cover.

By: Jonathan Smith

Jonathan Smith — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 12:59:19 +0000

I also think the efforts of the Florida Citizens for Science (Joe Wolf and myself) had a influence on the
Polk School Board.At the last board meeting we (Joe and I) made it very clear what the ramifications of
trying to place ID in the school system could be.