“We look forward to working with the SBoE to rephrase 3A to encourage critical thinking in all the sciences, without providing a backdoor for scientifically unsound “weaknesses” that are currently being promoted by the Discovery Institute and other creationist organizations.” (emphasis added)

These are actual scientists – actual biologists – they understand what the Discovery Institute is, and what it’s trying to do.

“More than 100 biology faculty members from universities across Texas signed a letter sent Monday to state Education Commissioner Robert Scott saying Texas Education Agency employees should not have to remain neutral on evolution.” – http://www.wacotrib.com/news/content/news/stories/2007/12/12/12122007wacbaylorevolution.html

(As of December 19 2007 there were over 150 signatories – but see below.)

The original letter and a reply to the “official” state response is available at http://www.texscience.org/reviews/biology-professor-letter.htm – I highly recommend that anybody interested in this toic read it. It includes this statement that their letter:

“…is a professional judgment that the claims of “weaknesses” in evolution are based on shoddy scholarship. We wish to assure you that not a single so-called weakness promoted by anti-evolutionists has passed scientific muster. For example, the Discovery Institute’s recent publication Exploring Evolution: The Arguments for and against Neo-Darwinism, which was written to facilitate classroom discussions of “weaknesses,” is demonstrably full of factual errors and logical fallacies. We would be more than happy to help you understand the flaws in any of the “weakness” arguments that you or members of the Board are uncertain about.”

Sadly, there is also this comment in the reply letter:

“You commented on the disclaimer in our original letter, that the letter reflected our own professional opinions. I should point out that this was only added because the ouster of Ms. Comer created an atmosphere of intimidation. A number of faculty expressed concern over possible retribution from their state employers for signing the letter. Some chose not to sign for fear of their jobs, others signed on the condition that the disclaimer be added.”

My prophetic statement in my December 1 comment (above) has almost (and may yet) come true: “But beware: If you are an employee of the State of Texas, you may be fired for reading (or even thinking about) Dr. Forrest’s paper.”

Intelligent design creationism is not science, but religion, which cannot be taught in public schools. This lesson cost the Dover school district a million dollars, and every school board member involved was defeated in the next election. It is beginning to look like the State of Texas is about to make the same stupid mistake, and become another laughingstock in the long losing history of creationists’ attempts to regain ground lost to science, particularly (but not just limited to) evolution.

Forcing the resignation of a science curriculum director for mentioning science instead of religion is a step into the Dark Ages. To see what the theocrats in the Texas Education Agency were so terrified of, see Barbara Forrest’s paper “Understanding the intelligent design creationist movement: Its true nature and goals,” available at http://www.centerforinquiry.net/uploads/attachments/intelligent-design.pdf

But beware: If you are an employee of the State of Texas, you may be fired for reading (or even thinking about) Dr. Forrest’s paper.