The Harm

Thanks to John C. Devorac at devorak Uncenserd I bring you thus.

A local state lawmaker who is pushing Florida to adopt an “academic freedom” law — one that would protect teachers who are critical of evolution — has invited members of the Florida House to a private screening of the movie Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.

The controversial documentary, staring Ben Stein, is supported by the Discovery Institute, which advocates for Intelligent Design and has been pushing for academic freedom laws to protect those who share its views.

The invitation to see Expelled on Wednesday was sent to all members of the House by Rep. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, according to his legislative aide.

Hays filed a bill very similar to a sample one posted on the institute’s website. It would give teachers the right to present “the full range of views on biological and chemical origins.” That bill, plus a companion one in the Senate filed by Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Brandon, were filed after the State Board of Education last month adopted new science standards (ones lauded by many scientists) that required the teaching of evolution.

Whats the harm? It allows ignorant teachers to bash the scientific theory with the same old pseudo-scientific propaganda and thus diminish already bad Florida schools and make it harder for any student that wants to become a scientists or biologist and make our country look even more stupid.