Stop the creationist wingnuts

THE SHORT VERSION:
The Creationists are trying again. Louisiana Legislature HB 580 takes AWAY from BESE their purview over textbook selection and hands it to local school boards. Contact your legislators ASAP.
The effort to repeal “Louisiana Science Education Act” failed, but science advocates will continue their efforts.
THE LONGer VERSION:
The first thing you notice about Zach Kopplin is how normal he looks. But he is nothing like an ordinary recent high school graduate. He has accomplished more in a few months than many adults can claim to accomplish in a lifetime. Hyperbole, perhaps. But appropriate in this case. Zach has taken on the mission of battling the anti-science wingnuts in Louisiana. He spoke June 18 at NOSHA. In 2008 the “Louisiana Science Education Act” passed the Louisiana legislature http://www.evolutionnews.org/2011/05/scientists_issue_letter_suppor046881.html. Couched in language about “critical thinking skills,” the bill allows the teaching of religion, specifically creationism and pro-life stances, in the classroom. To my mind, this is directly prohibited in the constitution. Apparently, not just my mind. However, apparently opponents of the bill, such as Zach, feel that a legal challenge would be slower and more expensive than “simply” repealing the act.
Louisiana is the only state that has a law like this, although apparently Texas is close—they have abolished teaching standards.
Ironically, Mitch Landrieu has been actively touting the new University Medical Center. But if Louisiana science is killed, there will be no students or scientists to work there. Louisiana is a laughing stock over this. Conventions will be cancelled.
Zach was involved in the recent (May 2011) unsuccessful attempt to repeal the act. http://www.evolutionnews.org/2011/05/scientists_issue_letter_suppor046881.html . At the NOSHA meeting (I am paraphrasing, I am not a reporter) he said that although they failed this year, they will keep trying and will eventually succeed. He felt it would succeed faster than a legal challenge to the bill.
Now, HB 580 is before the legislature. Louisiana Legislature HB 580 takes AWAY from BESE their purview over textbook selection and hands it to local school boards. You’d think that a political body would not willingly yield power, but apparently the political appointees do not want to make waves.
On his own initiative, Zack contacted a Nobel Laureate, who then got other Nobel Laureates to sign on to their opposition.
GOOD GUYS:
James Gill is great on this subject:
http://karencarterpeterson.com/2011/06/01/gill-louisianas-science-education-act-lacking-in-science/
http://www.nola.com/opinions/index.ssf/2011/06/louisiana_legislature_deserves.html
Barbara Forrest.
Louisiana Coalition for Science