Louisiana passes landmark academic freedom Act.  Governor Jindal signs into law.

Texas GOP 2008 Platform supports teachers rights and obligations to teach weaknesses.  Texas Democrats remain silent on the issue.

July Newsletter is out, focusing on American freedoms and truth.  A copy is located here.

Texas Democrats Conclude Meeting in Austin.  Governor's Mansion in Austin torched by arsonist.  No known connection.

June Newsletter is "in the mail".  We are trying a new system--let us know what you think.  Copy here.

Texas State Convention Delegates (Democratic and Republican):  Please email texasconventions@strengthsandweaknesses.org to see how you can help out.

Beware of the sound of "one hand clapping":  We just got word that, without contacting us for comment at all, the New York Times has included TBSE in an article today.  Read it here.  They are afraid that both "strengths and weaknesses" might be taught.  We've noted an interesting evolution of arguments by the Darwinists.  In 2003, they said weaknesses were too complicated to be taught to high school students and had to wait until college.  Later this morphed to having to wait until grad school and later to post doc work only.  Now the true colors come out--they can't tolerate ANY criticism of Darwinian theories at any level, even if it does NOT include creationism or intelligent design but is merely a robust discussion of strengths and weaknesses of evolution!  Note that even Charles Darwin said,

"A fair result can be obtained only by fully stating and balancing the facts and arguments on both sides of each question." [from The Origin of Species, emphasis added] 

Please write the NYTimes AND your local papers who will undoubtedly run this story, and help where you can.

Censorship EXpelled from Federal Court:  The attempt to shut down Ben Stein's movie by using the federal courts did not survive the court hearing.  Federal Judge Sidney Stein dismissed the complaint, indicating in part that the defendants (Expelled producer Premise Media) "are likely to prevail on their affirmative defense of fair use."  In other words, don't bother this court with such frivolous legal drivel.  

ICR Appeals Raw Censorship of their Graduate School program:  The Institute for Creation Research has filed an administrative appeal to the THECB (see below), openly accusing the board of "bigotry" and "viewpoint discrimination".  Question:  If evidence for evolution is so powerful and overwhelming, why is the State of Texas amassing its power against a relatively tiny college that better prepares mostly home-school and private-school teachers to teach science to their students?  None of their students are compelled to attend their college.  We find it ironic that more and more, as new discoveries are made, that Darwin's cherished notion cannot survive in the marketplace of ideas, but rather must be bolstered by levers of government and academia.  We say teach more evolution, not less--strengths and weaknesses--and let the fittest theories survive!

EXpelled: No Intelligence Allowed:  ICR's graduate school was denied authorization to operate in Texas.  To those watching the so-called deliberations it was clear that "the fix was in".  Just who is behind this attack on free speech, academic freedom, and freedom of religion is unclear, but it was apparent that the strings were being pulled from somewhere.  The mis-named "Texas Freedom Network", one of the most liberal lobbying groups in Texas, appears to be celebrating this censorship, as is at least one card carrying member of the ACLU that we are aware of.  The word hypocrites somehow comes to mind.

EXpelled:  No sharing allowed:  In spite of the lyrics in the song "imagine" including "Imagine no possessions...sharing all the world", John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono is not willing to do so.  She has filed a lawsuit to stop the film Expelled as it uses two lines from Imagine in a revealing way as part of its documentary focus.  Premise Media is fighting back, citing longstanding "fair use doctrine" that permits usage in such situations.

The Institute for Creation Research's application to operate in Texas will be ruled on by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) this week (Wednesday). Will they, too, be Expelled?

Ben Stein's Expelled:  No Intelligence Allowed opens.  The long awaited and Darwinist-pilloried movie opened this weekend on over 1000 screens nationwide.  It has received almost universally positive reviews, is in the "Top Ten" of all current movies in revenue, and is in the top three of all documentaries of all time for the opening weekend.  Only devout Darwinists and their willing accomplices in the media seem to be negative. 

Incumbents win in Texas primaries -- disappointing results for challengers.  November general election races are shown below.
 

Incumbent Pat Hardy (SBOE 11) is accused of being a "RINO" by GOP conservatives.  Denies charge by saying she has an elephant pin. [TBSE note:  Mrs. Hardy was not charged as being a RINO for not having a pin, but rather for her consistent votes against conservative values.]  Her opponent, Dr. Barney Maddox, has many conservatives supporting his challenge to her poor voting record.

The DALLAS MORNING NEWS weighs in on evolution in a page one article that quotes a TBSE member.  Read it here.

Stem Cell Breakthrough ELIMINATES any need for ethical compromise--is said to be better than embryonic stem cells AND can use ordinary cells (not just stem cells)--numerous articles--some here:
http://creationsafaris.com/crev200711.htm#20071120a

Texas Education Agency to get a new science curriculum director--prior one resigns after violating rules--Austin American Statesman article at link below.
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/11/29/1129science.html

"Fuzzy Math" book REJECTED by the Texas State Board of Education.  National Columnist Michelle Malkin comments here...here... http://michellemalkin.com/2007/11/28/fuzzy-math-a-nationwide-epidemic/

Establishment Darwinists prove the point of the "coming soon" movie "Expelled" and attack it on several fronts.  Movie website and view the promotional movie trailers at http://www.expelledthemovie.com/.

Baylor Geology department cites militant Darwinists as "recommended reading"--yet censorship of distinguished instructor continues.  Waco Tribune 9-24-2007

Documentary filmmaker to visit Baylor regarding academic freedom.  The Baylor Lariat 9-19-2007

Does Baylor believe in God? The Baylor Lariat 9-18-2007 op/ed

Baylor takes step backward--Censors Distinguished Professor Robert Marks' findings on information and evolution.  Articles at the Waco Tribune (front page, 9-9-2007) and the campus Lariat (9-11-2007).  The Uncommon Descent blog has several posts here and here and here and elsewhere.

Long-time SBOE member Dr. Don McLeroy of Bryan-College Station is appointed by Governor Rick Perry to head the Texas State Board of Education!  Congratulations to Dr. McLeroy on a well-deserved honor.

Supporters of embryonic stem-cell research (ESCR) have been dealt blows as private investors bail out.  It seems the investors are growing impatient with the distinct lack of progress and are putting their money in more productive endeavors.  Meanwhile, adult stem cell research continues to find therapies and produces fruitful research.

Global warming supporters are rethinking the link between CO2 and warming, after researchers find that in past earth history, the warming periods precede slight increases in CO2 by 800 years!  It seem the chicken little crowd has it "exactly backwards" as one researcher put it--the warming causes CO2 to rise, not the other way around.

Dr. Michael Behe's new book, The Edge of Evolution, posits what Darwinist mechanisms can and cannot accomplish!  (hint: random evolution can't do much!)  (Dr. Behe of Lehigh University is the author of "Darwin's Black Box", which is largely credited with igniting the modern "Intelligent Design" movement about 11 years ago.)

Answer's in Genesis' "Creation Museum" opens near Cinncinati.  Reports from many camps, including some evolutionary ones who disagree with AiG on neary all issues, are complimentary and crowds have been far greater than expected this summer.  See www.answersingenesis.org for more information.

A new "Explore Evolution" book has been released.  This book gives a more balanced treatment of evolution theory, including both scientific strengths and weaknesses to the theory.  See www.exploreevolution.com for more information or ordering.

"Texas Pledge" modified to include "one state underGod"!  The new pledge reads:  "Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible."

New Texas SBOE members sworn in, including new members Ken Mercer, Cynthia Dunbar, and Rick Agosto.  Congratulations and Welcome!

The Ouachita Parish School System has adopted a resolution on teacher academic freedom. In dealing with controversial issues such as global warming, human cloning, biological evolution, and others, teachers are expressly "permitted to help students understand, analyze, critique, and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and weaknesses of existing scientific theories..."  More information and the policy itself are located at:
http://opsb.net/downloads/forms/Ouachita_Parish_Science_Curriculum_Policy.pdf

Darwin vs. Design Conference in Dallas Texas April 13-14...Don't miss this one if you can possibly attend!  Info here.

Science vs. Scientism on display in California (Chuck Colson article here and podcast here)--EXCELLENT!

Judge Jones (of Dover PA Intelligent Design case) copied the ACLU!

Back-to-school, with more resources than ever focused on the appalling, growing weaknesses of 19th century evolutionary theory.  News details here.

Kansas State Board of Education vote August 1-newsletter with voters' guide here.

Stand Up for Science!  New petition drive to support teachers rights to teach the controversy in Kansas and elsewhere.  To sign the petition, go to www.standupforscience.org. Audio streams of related commercials airing on Kansas radio:
Click here to hear commercial #1
Click here to hear commercial #2

Fight dogmatic Darwinism in Kansas:  The "Stand Up for Science" initiative launches to support teaching weaknesses of evolution in Kansas to combat the atheist-Darwinist dogma there.  The site ( www.standupforscience.org ) includes a petition drive (not limited to Kansans) and other resources to set the record straight regarding the updated science standards in Kansas.  The Darwinists are outraged, and are launching a nationwide (perhaps international) campaign to control Kansas elections August 1, 2006.  The militant Darwin-only opposition cites well-known atheist/skeptical/agnostic anti-Christian websites supporting them.  Please help Kansas where you can, including signing their online petition here.

Texas State Board of Education election update:  The primary season included two "wins" for the side of truth and conservative values.  Both Cynthia Dunbar (running for an open seat) and Ken Mercer (running against an entrenched incumbent) won their seats!  Thanks for your help!

Opponent of teaching weaknesses of evolution admits to plagiarism on campaign website.  In a radio program broadcast March 1, 2006 on the Adam McManus show, incumbent Texas SBOE member Dan Montgomery admitted to putting his byline on several articles written by others.  However, he said it was no big deal and he's now corrected it.  TBSE found that while he has now removed his byline, at least one article still contains an introductory paragraph claiming authorship.  Other misrepresentations and outright deceptions in the radio broadcast were also noted by TBSE--full story here.

Hundreds of Doctoral Scientists Question Evolution Dogma:   The number of scientists who publicly question Darwinism and encourage critical thinking on the issue has now topped 500.  Given that these fully credentialed PhD scientists risk retributions at work for going public against the established dogma, this is particularly newsworthy.  The list includes PhDs from MIT, Cambridge, The Smithsonian, UC Berkeley, Princeton, Columbia, Ohio State, and members of both the United States and Russian National Academy of Sciences.  Download or view the list yourself at:
http://www.discovery.org/scripts/viewDB/filesDB-download.php?command=download&id=660

A member of the National Academy of Science (NAS), Dr. Phil Skell, has issued an "Open Letter" to the Kansas State Board of Education encouraging them to permit teaching critical evaluation of evolution.  This is noteworthy not merely because membership to the NAS is one of the highest honors bestowed on scientists, but because the other side in the past has tauted that no one in the NAS agreed with criticizing evolution.  Note that the NAS is, unlike either the general population or the general scientific community, over 90% atheist/agnostic in their worldview.  Text of Dr. Skell's letter is located here or here.

Kansas, on the eve of improving its science curriculum standards to permit critical thinking about evolution, is hit with a boycott of evolutionists refusing to participate in a public hearing specifically to hear the pros and cons of critical thinking about evolution.  It is unclear why the evolutionists, whose mantra is that 'there are no weaknesses', do not think they can defend their cherished 19th century notion of Darwin.

TBSE's Dr. Ide Trotter served as moderator of a debate held at Texas A&M University in College Station on Irreducible Complexity.  Dr. Michael Behe of Lehigh University and Dr. Vincent Cassone of TAMU were the two primary speakers.  An estimated 1500-2000 people attended the Veritas Forum event, sponsored in part by a grant from the Templeton Foundation.  Read the campus newspaper report of the debate here.

The New York Times runs an opinion editorial on intelligent design by Dr. Behe, biochemist at Lehigh University.  Article here or reprint here (NYT may require free registration).

Time and Newsweek run articles on schools wanting to teach weaknesses of evolution and alternatives.  Only the ACLU and the NCSE seem to object, as usual.

Kansas State Board of Education considers making biology more intelligent by encouraging students to actually follow the evidence "wherever it leads", (without advocating formal study of intelligent design theory).  Report in the Kansas City Star here. (may require free registration to access.)

The Branding of a Heretic - The Wall Street Journal reports in their Friday, January 28, 2005 edition (print p. W11) that Richard Sternberg of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, who has two Ph.D.'s in biology, is being subjected to severe discrimination at work, since he dared to allow publication in a peer reviewed journal an article by Dr. Stephen Meyer on intelligent design.  Such bigotry at a government funded institution, on purely religious grounds, should not be tolerated.  While our troops and President Bush are doing all they can to spread freedom throughout the world, it seems that the militant Darwinian - Orwellian "thought police" are alive and well not just in America, but in Washington, D.C. itself!
WSJ Article here.
Stephen Meyer's article here.

An internet "blog" devoted to exposing media bias in the way evolution and intelligent design articles are presented, and more importantly, to getting the TRUTH out on issues of origins, is located at:  www.evolutionnews.org 

Close Minded PBS station KNME in Albuquerque, NM censors the scheduled and advertised broadcast of the documentary "Unlocking the Mystery of Life", which is for sale on the PBS website and has been shown in virtually all major markets of the U.S. on PBS affiliates nationwide.  details here.  (If you haven't seen it or it's companion video "Where Does the Evidence Lead" that is specifically edited for classroom use, please check it out here.)

Opened Mind of Former Atheist:  Prominent atheist philosopher made the revolutionary decision to become a theist.  Now-former atheist believes in a God due to the apparent irreducible complexity and origin of the information in DNA.  World Magazine report here.

RIchland, Michigan censors "Of Pandas and People" from classroom.  Orders reference books removed.  Will they go to the school library or be burned?

Grantsburg, Wisconsin adopts policy modeled after Texas TEKS 3A - specifies teaching "strengths and weaknesses"!

ACLU challenges Pennsylvania school district for allowing questioning evolution dogma.

ACLU is afraid of a sticker saying evolution is a theory.

Plano, Texas school district is sued by conservative legal group for censoring a whole host of free speech items, many related to Christmas.