Well, that's that. Reality-based Louisianans, it's time to move out of the state. The State Senate has approved a bill that will allow the teaching of creationism in the classroom. It's been sent on to the House, where it is expected to pass. The bill will have to go back to the Senate for approval due to an amendment that was added, but again that's expected to sail through. Bobby Jindal, the creationist/exorcist/cancer-curing governor of the state (and potential McCain VP pick), is expected to heartily pass it, since he is in the pocket of at least one far-right religious group. And that's basically that. Louisiana will have passed an unconstitutional law to allow teaching fundamentalist religion in the classroom. You may hear all kinds of arguments that this is not the case -- we're sponsoring academic freedom, we're teaching the controversy, blah blah blah -- but those are lies, plain and simple. Louisiana is screwed. Of course, this doesn't mean all hope is lost. We still have heroes like Barbara Forrest living there. Barbara was crucial in Dover, Pennsylvania, in showing that ID is simply creationism with a red rubber nose on it as a disguise. She is part of the Louisiana Coalition for Science which, like so many other groups, have fought courageously against this sort of antiscientific garbage. Sadly, it's too late for this bill. It'll pass, making Louisiana the laughing stock of the world. But it's not too late to let your voice be heard! If you live in that state, contact the Coalition and tell them you want to help. Barbara, and everyone else who lives in reality, could use it. Creationists are trying -- and succeeding -- in kidnapping the minds of other peoples' children. This type of legislation must be stopped.
You know, I've run this image several times on this blog, but it was always in the subjunctive, always a what-if. But now it's a reality, and it's up to us to turn this around and bring Louisiana, kicking and screaming, into the 21st century.
