Don McLeroy is the chairman of the Texas State Board of Education. And a Texas Freedom Network press release, claims Mr. McLeroy is a strong proponent of the "intelligent design" theory, i.e., creationism.
Here's what purports to be a transcript of a talk Don McLeroy gave at a church in 2005 while he was a TSBOE board member but prior to his 2007 appointment to the chairmanship. Read the whole thing, but Mr. McLeroy's talk appears to be a part of a continuing program designed to teach members of his church congregation how to argue in favor of intelligent design against adherents of Darwinism.
Here's an excerpt in which he complained about the 2003 biology book selection process:
Back in November 2003, we finished about four or five months of adoption process for the high school biology textbooks in Texas. I was there for all the public testimony.
But I want to tell you all the arguments made by all the intelligent design group, all the creationist intelligent design people, I can guarantee the other side heard exactly nothing. They did not hear one single fact, they were not swayed by one argument. It was just amazing. I mean all the, my fellow board members who were really not even the scientists in the group, they were not impressed by any of this. They said, “Oh well, it’s just two opinions. And there were only the four really conservative, orthodox Christians on the board were the only ones who were willing to stand up to the textbooks and say that they don’t present the weaknesses of evolution. Amazing. ...
Mr. McLeroy was a TSBOE board member at the time that talk was supposed to have been given. And we should be grateful that it was recorded and posted so that Texas parents can get a glimpse of what he would have their children learn in Texas schools. Texas voters should certainly take note.
But now it appears there's a gag on public expressions about creationism and Darwinism by board members. Former board member Chris Comer, aka Chris Castillo-Comer, has made the news with her very public resignation. "The Texas Education Agency put Chris Comer on 30 days paid administrative leave in late October, resulting in what she described as a forced resignation." Via USA Today. And the Austin American Statesman says this:
Agency officials declined to comment, saying it was a personnel issue.
Comer was put on 30 days paid administrative leave shortly after she forwarded an e-mail in late October announcing a presentation being given by Barbara Forrest, author of "Inside Creationism's Trojan Horse," a book that says creationist politics are behind the movement to get intelligent design theory taught in public schools. Forrest was also a key witness in the Kitzmiller v. Dover case concerning the introduction of intelligent design in a Pennsylvania school district. Comer sent the e-mail to several individuals and a few online communities, saying, "FYI."
Agency officials cited the e-mail in a memo recommending her termination. They said forwarding the e-mail not only violated a directive for her not to communicate in writing or otherwise with anyone outside the agency regarding an upcoming science curriculum review, "it directly conflicts with her responsibilities as the Director of Science."
The memo adds, "Ms. Comer's e-mail implies endorsement of the speaker and implies that TEA endorses the speaker's position on a subject on which the agency must remain neutral."
And here we thought creationism and intelligent design were no longer going to be taught in school. See Kitzmiller v. Dover -- the intelligent design case, infra. Surely the state of Texas will follow the law. And as for the gag on board members, wouldn't it be better for the public if we knew what beliefs they brought with them to the table?
But one has to wonder about the tactics. Ms. Comer has made a splash with her noisy resignation. However, if Governor Perry is inclined to appoint creationists to education board chairmanships and vacant board positions, then she has just handed a board seat to creationists.
In any event, there are enough Sunday schools around to take care of any religious education parents think their children need. Let's let the Texas kids learn real science in school.
Finally, here's a sobering chart, which if accurate, says the U.S. ranks 33rd on a ranking of 34 countries on public acceptance of evolution. Hey, we beat Turkey!
Upcoming, Moreno vs. Ector County Independent School District.
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