Petition: Thank Politicians Who Say "No" to Creationists

by Clay Burell · 2009-02-18 14:00:00 UTC
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Tx Sen Ellis and Rep Rose

We count our injuries far more closely than our blessings, the old saying goes. That might be especially true in our dealings with politicians. They surely hear far more complaints than thank you's. Let's change that for once.

Let's say thanks to these two in Texas:

It takes courage for a politician in Texas to speak out against religious fundamentalism.  Texas state Senator Rodney Ellis and Representative Patrick Rose deserve the thanks of all Americans - or those who value real science, anyway - for showing that courage.

Whether you're a Texan or not, if you want creationism out of high school science textbooks - and evolution in them - please take a moment to thank Sen. Ellis and Rep. Rose for fighting the Discovery Institute/creationist-dominated Texas State Board of Education (SBOE).

As I reported last week, Rose and Ellis proposed legislation "to place the board under periodic review by the Sunset Advisory Commission and hold them accountable for their performance, just as we do the Texas Education Agency and other state agencies."

Why? In their own words:

The decisions of the SBOE not only impact millions of young lives on a daily basis, but impact the economic progress of our state as well.

For these reasons and many others, the public has a right to full disclosure and oversight.

The board has escaped such scrutiny for far too long. The disregard for educators, instructional experts and scientists can’t continue. It’s time to take a closer look at the operations and policies of the State Board of Education.

Our state, and especially our kids, deserve better.

Again, please take a moment to send them your thanks in this petition. *It will also be cc'd to your own state and federal representatives, asking they show the same courage in your state.*

Clay Burell
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