Recent News:

• Evolution simulator "Mendel's Accountant" released.  A team of scientists have released this sophisticated model for public and classroom use.  It simulates mutations followed by natural selection, to evaluate how "Fitness" or survival is affected.  Full story in latest newsletter here.

• Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board refuses request for information in ICR-GS case--cites loophole in Texas Public Information Act.

• John West article on Louisiana Academic Freedom Act at National Review Online here.

• Take and view our polls here

• 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.

click for more

+++