We have our fair share of problems in Oklahoma. Here are a few of them:
“¢ Poor Roads and Bridges
“¢ Poverty
“¢ Revenue shortfall
“¢ High teenage pregnancy rate
“¢ Lots and lots of people without health insurance
Knowing all that, I find it odd that the agenda of our Republican controlled legislature seems to be making sure that college students can bring guns to class and that corporations and insurance companies can get off the hook with some form of Corporate Immunity (aka “tort reform”). I also find it odd that they spend so much time trying to pass resolutions like this one that opposes a respected scientist from speaking about evolution:
STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 52nd Legislature (2009)
HOUSE RESOLUTION 1015
By: Thomsen todd.thomsen@okhouse.gov
AS INTRODUCED
< StartFT >A Resolution opposing the invitation to Richard Dawkins to speak on campus; encouraging the University of Oklahoma to engage in a certain discussion of certain scientific theories; and directing distribution.< EndFT >
WHEREAS, the University of Oklahoma is a publicly funded institution which should be open to all ideas and should train students in all disciplines of study and research and to use independent thinking and free inquiry; and
WHEREAS, the University of Oklahoma has planned a year-long celebration of the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of Darwin’s theory of evolution, called the “Darwin 2009 Project”, which includes a series of lectures, public speakers, and a course on the history of evolution; and
WHEREAS, the University of Oklahoma, as a part of the Darwin 2009 Project, has invited as a public speaker on campus, Richard Dawkins of Oxford University, whose published opinions, as represented in his 2006 book “The God Delusion”, and public statements on the theory of evolution demonstrate an intolerance for cultural diversity and diversity of thinking and are views that are not shared and are not representative of the thinking of a majority of the citizens of Oklahoma; and
WHEREAS, the invitation for Richard Dawkins to speak on the campus of the University of Oklahoma on Friday, March 6, 2009, will only serve to present a biased philosophy on the theory of evolution to the exclusion of all other divergent considerations rather than teaching a scientific concept.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 52ND OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:
THAT the Oklahoma House of Representative strongly opposes the invitation to speak on the campus of the University of Oklahoma to Richard Dawkins of Oxford University, whose published statements on the theory of evolution and opinion about those who do not believe in the theory are contrary and offensive to the views and opinions of most citizens of Oklahoma.
THAT the Oklahoma House of Representatives encourages the University of Oklahoma to engage in an open, dignified, and fair discussion of the Darwinian theory of evolution and all other scientific theories which is the approach that a public institution should be engaged in and which represents the desire and interest of the citizens of Oklahoma.
THAT a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the University of Oklahoma, the Dean of the College of Arts and Science at the University of Oklahoma, and the Chair of the Department of Zoology at the University of Oklahoma.
52-1-7275 < KB > < 03/03/09 >
Maybe I’m not the average Oklahoman, but I kind of like science. I like that science has led to things like air conditioning, telescopes and even the internet. I also like, and accept, that science has provided us insight into the origins of species and life through the theory of evolution. I like it because it’s good and fun to know about our history, and the biological history, of the world around us. I also like how it’s led to advancements in medical science, and protecting life around us.
What I don’t like is that we live in a state where people only choose to accept or believe the parts of science that is convenient for them. For example, they’ll believe in the flu vaccine or sentencing someone to death based upon DNA evidence, but something like the theory of evolution, which is the basis of those and so many other scientific advancements, is considered irrelevant. I also don’t like it when they pass (or attempt to pass) resolutions condemning that science…especially when there are so many other things wrong with our state that they could be fixing.
Anyway, they guy who I guess lead the resolution above is Todd Thomsen, some fool from Ada. If you want, send him an email (todd.thomsen@okhouse.gov) about his resolution. Unless, of course, you don’t believe in evolution because you lack opposable thumbs.
(Via RichardDawkins.net)
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While I hate Dawkins’s opinions on people who have a belief in religion and disagree with his assertion that “evolution disproves the existence of God” (paraphrase) I see no problem with him speaking at OU.
What annoys me is that it appears that the mere fact that ONE of the lectures at OU is Dawkins that Mr. Thomsen apparently assumed that ALL of the Darwin anniversary events are purely evolution. There was an ID vs Evolution debate on campus which is something this guy is wanting. There’s also a class on how Creationism vs Evolution impacts society. Because these things do exist this guy’s compliant as stands is moot. It just shows that he only dislikes that OU invited Dawkins to speak by himself.
(Before someone makes an assumption I am a Christian that accepts evolution. Someone earlier seemed to think I was ‘debunking’ global warming when I wasn’t.)
Our new state motto:
Oklahoma, where we hate science and the gays.
I believe Todd Thomsen was the kicker for the Nat’l Champ Sooners way back in ’85.
Then we can assume he didn’t use physics to make the ball go through the uprights.
are you effing kidding me? i try so hard to love this state, but it doesn’t make it easy.
On a brighter note, at least we’re not in Texas:
http://bsalert.com/news/1990/Bill_Nye_Bood_In_Texas_For_Saying_The_Moon_Reflects_The_Sun.html
Why are my comments under moderation?
I’m not sure.
This resolution is wrong on so many levels. I dont even know where to begin. Its amazing that some people wont even allow themselves to hear new and thought-provoking information. Do these people never ask any questions, or do they just blindly follow what they were told in Sunday school when they were 6 years old.
Why are we all acting so damn surprised??
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Boomer Sooner baby!
I totally agree with Kyle Creasey. He said pretty much what I was going to say. I also think Dawkins is a jerk. We do need open dialogue about the subject, but surely there are equally qualified people who can speak about it — ones that aren’t hostile toward people of faith. A moderate-minded person would make the subject more palatable. An abrasive figure like Dawkins will only make people angrier and more resistant to scientific theories.
Speaking of silly proposals, did you guys see what Rep. Shane Jett is up to? Please tell me you guys have something snarky in the works for this one.
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20090306_16_A1_Tecret965044
Oh my goodness no — this is exactly the kind of thing we want them doing. The only thing on your list they can fix is the first, and attempts to fix nos. 2, 4 and 5 have caused no. 3. Resolutions like this take up their time, distract them and prevent them from doing any real damage. Had we more resolutions like Rep. Thomsen’s, we might not have enacted the incredibly regressive income tax we call a lottery, and it may be that this very resolution can soak up enough calendar that legislators don’t get around to killing one of the remaining functional revenue streams we have by removing the sales tax from groceries.
My God, it’s like these guys think their jobs as public servants are to write letters to the editor. They’re using their elected offices as a bullhorn to broadcast their opinions on things that have nothing to do with lawmaking or the business of running a state. We really ought to fire them simply for not doing their jobs.
And Brett does make an excellent point.
The resolution is a waste of legislative time and, like Blythe, I want to love this place but things like this make it really damned hard.
Brett
Mar 6th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Oh my goodness no “” this is exactly the kind of thing we want them doing. The only thing on your list they can fix is the first, and attempts to fix nos. 2, 4 and 5 have caused no. 3. Resolutions like this take up their time, distract them and prevent them from doing any real damage. Had we more resolutions like Rep. Thomsen’s, we might not have enacted the incredibly regressive income tax we call a lottery, and it may be that this very resolution can soak up enough calendar that legislators don’t get around to killing one of the remaining functional revenue streams we have by removing the sales tax from groceries.
Brett is EXACTLY right. I want someone to go up there and lead them in Bollywood musical numbers until the session is over and all their bullshit bills have expired!!!!!
If you see what they have actually proposed this time…Please, Please let them spend their time on this.
A resolution that begins with an appeal toward having an institution that is “open to all ideas and should train students in all disciplines of study and research and to use independent thinking and free inquiry,” calling for the restriction of one of the most prominent Darwinian theorists from giving a lecture.
Ahhh, the unintended irony of the insidious far right…
Whether it’s fundamentalist God fearin Sooner legislators, or geology professors being silenced for political/scientific views, you Gooners never disappoint!
What’s next, passing a law that any Poke fans attending the game today wear crimson and cream?
Hey, you missed HR 1014 that’s against OU:
http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/2009-10bills/HB/HR1014_int.rtf
To be fair, Flow, OSU is so conservative that they would never consider inviting the guy in the first place.
Actually Boone would just buy Dawkins a new soul, and then he’d believe in God.
I went to Dawkins’ lecture and he opened up his speech by talking about this ridiculous attempt at political attention. Luckily he made a point to say that he knows this is not something the student body at OU see as valid.
Typical of our great state reps. Yes, they do keep the thought of what whas taught in Sunday School when they were 6 years old. Please, please remove your heads from the sand and listen to what others have to say, they have a very valid point.
I’m curious about how he gathered the thoughts and opinions of “most Oklahomans.”
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How many Oklahomans know that Darwin is buried in a church?
I think I’m starting to get it. You’re a good ol’ boy who has never had an offensive thought in his life. You get elected. Now, now is your chance to pass that big law for God and all to see…
We can make fun of them all we want, but they are the winners of elections. Until smarter, more forward thinking people begin running for these offices they won’t be elected. But I doubt we’ll ever get Kelly Ogle out of his Channel 9 slot.
Is that Lake Thunderbird in the picture?