To The Stars Through Difficulties

They are going to have to come up with another state motto. How about "To The Heavens Through Rapture?

Kansas School Board Casts Doubts on Evolution: "The new standards say high school students must understand major evolutionary concepts. But they also declare that the basic Darwinian theory that all life had a common origin and that natural chemical processes created the building blocks of life have been challenged in recent years by fossil evidence and molecular biology.

In addition, the board rewrote the definition of science, so that it is no longer limited to the search for natural explanations of phenomena.

The new standards will be used to develop student tests measuring how well schools teach science.

Decisions about what is taught in classrooms will remain with 300 local school boards, but some educators fear pressure will increase in some communities to teach less about evolution or more about creationism or intelligent design.

The vote marked the third time in six years that the Kansas board has rewritten standards with evolution as the central issue.

In 1999, the board eliminated most references to evolution. Harvard paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould said that was akin to teaching 'American history without Lincoln.' Bill Nye, the 'Science Guy' of children's television, called it 'harebrained' and 'nutty.' And a Washington Post columnist imagined God saying to the Kansas board members: 'Man, I gave you a brain. Use it, OK?'"

Doesn't look good so far. Wack jobs. Do they plan on resorting to faith healing instead of medicine?

Any word from the Flying Spaghetti Monster? He wasn't mentioned in the article but his word must be taught. Being touched by his noodly appendage has enabled me to see the world as it really is. Pasta al forno for everyone!

Ramen.