*Updated 12:24 p.m.*
I cannot believe that the first thing I read when I wake up and kick someone out of my bed is that this kind of bullshit is not over and done with by now? I thought we had all quietly moved on regarding this "creationism" and "intelligent design" being taught in schools. But No...here we are again.
Comer was put on 30 days paid administrative leave shortly after she forwarded an e-mail in late October announcing a presentation being given by Barbara Forrest, author of "Inside Creationism's Trojan Horse," a book that says creationist politics are behind the movement to get intelligent design theory taught in public schools. Forrest was also a key witness in the Kitzmiller v. Dover case concerning the introduction of intelligent design in a Pennsylvania school district. Comer sent the e-mail to several individuals and a few online communities, saying, "FYI."
The call to fire Comer came from Lizzette Reynolds, who previously worked in the U.S. Department of Education. She also served as deputy legislative director for Gov. George W. Bush. She joined the Texas Education Agency as the senior adviser on statewide initiatives in January.
"Creationism" is not science. You can call it whatever you want to call it, but trying to insert the religious...excuse me, Christian teachings, into science education is not science. The mere fact that I have to continually point this out to people that are supposed to be educated and educators is, quite frankly, pissing me off.
Quit putting politics ahead of education goals. As an employer, I would not hire some retard that believes it to be an indisputable fact that God created the Heavens and the Earth in seven days. You are ruining our children's future with your partisan politics and false claims of a war against Christianity. This is not about religion or Faith, it's about destroying science and the pursuit of learning and value of a good education.
Who the hell is behind this? Who the hell thinks it is ok to fire the state's science education leader because she strongly believes in science? Was this the result of the new head of the TEA's loyalty to the governor and his constant pandering to the far right?
Cause, I'll tell you it kind of has the stink of that all over it to me.
The science blogs are all abuzz. Abuzz? They are just at outraged as I was. I feel so validated. I'm about to move from outrage to Righteous Indignation. Watch out!!
ScienceBlogs: Pharyngula (That's so science-y I don't even know what it is)
ScienceBlogs: Traveling From Kansas
Bad Astronomy Blog
The Austringer
So now we need to confirm. Is Robert Scott merely carrying out the Perry Agenda for creationism in public schools?
Hooray for Texas. I think I'll go crawl under a rock now...
my guess is, having worked in a state agency, that this chick was fired for other reasons as stated in the article rather than this on incident you discuss. the incident was probably the final straw of a large haystack. Sometimes you get these state employees who become entrenched bureaucrats that believe they make better decisions for themselves and the agency. they get ownership problems and goof up and get fired.
Precisely why we'll do an open records request on her employment history with the state. Thanks for the idea!
PD - that ought to tell the tale
PD - also I think the article already pointed out some other infractions, didn't it?
Also, isn't Texas an "at will" employer? Do they need a big reason to fire a person?
Ahhh, Lizette sure knows how to make friends.
my friend Lizette may be correct in her actions if the employee has a record of bad actions at TEA that finally culminated in the dismissal. Sounds like Lizette is just doing her job, man.
If you know Lizette then you know she doesn't take this stuff lightly. she had to have a good reason.
Lizzette is the most hated person at TEA, also for good reason.
Anon - you're a bomb-thrower.
Then let me deliver a message, plain spoken.
1701 Congress is FULL of bomb throwers right now.
Plain spoken, do you work for Robert Scott? Noel
since she's in education, let's use this analogy: lizette does not work or play well with others.
Oh please, this was a political firing. The only way I'll believe different is seeing who Scott hires to replace her. Hold your breath!
Bnon - I don't know. Is Plain Spoken blonde and perky? I hear there's an opening in Education Initiatives, too! If you have 4 years of experience, you can be making $90K at TEA. That's got to be driving the rest of the agency crazy!!!
Yes, I am blonde, but I got a breast reduction, so I guess I'm out of Ed. Initiatives! 90K a year? Screw driving the agency crazy, Keller must be having a coronary!
HK is moving on to greener pastures.
But did you get a load of this interim House charge?
"Review the functions of the agencies and boards under the committee's jurisdiction. Evaluate the capacities of these agencies and boards versus their appropriate roles in supporting instruction in public schools."
As PD would say, "let me kiss you on the mouth and give you some tongue, baby!!!"
All - I'm neither blond nor perky so quit fantasizing; don't work for Robert Scott so don't be envious that you thought I did; 1701 Congress is only half-full of bomb throwers.
I'm am gleeful that I got such a rise from you guys. Geez, you're easily baited. this is fun.
ahh, the easy cop out: i was only trying to get a rise out of you people! and it worked! so i win the internet!
Nor am I a cop, Anonymous
It apparently did work well getting arise out of you becuz you replied, you goof.
Can you really win the internet?
haha. cop out. or cop-out. look it up. i wasn't calling you a cop.
oy, interweb users these days.
I heard Rick Perry invented the internet. He's going to use that one when he runs for VP, along with the claim to be the first state to introduce creationism into the classroom. Too bad it doesn't quite match up with that HPV vaccine mandate.
Anonymous at 11:30am - I know you were not calling me a cop, it is called humor and sarcasm and "a play on words". Oy, Lie down before you hurt yourself.
All this talk about cops reminds me of the SAO report.
Three guesses who had oversight of all the problem projects... and the first two guesses don't count!
TEA's leadership of Reynolds and Scott is completely and totally consumed with the political bottom line which has nothing to with a child's education and more to do with neutralizing a once powerful and respected institution. Texas should weep that two of the most powerful people at their agency dedicated to education have neither served nor wanted to serve in a school in any capacity thus have don't even a janitor's perspective of what it takes to actually run a school.
Comer's documented insubordination is a telltale sign of the significant change from pre-Perry where individuals were expected to actually work in collaboration with the field, and post-Perry where smart, passionate, educated individuals were supposed to accept their new radically reduced and meaningless position.
If he really cares about the education institution that he sends his kids to, RS needs to hire some adults with education experience and send the political hacks back to where they belong.
Interesting point, Hickorette.
Here's a riddle that should only make sense to a few...
What's tall and blonde and had a social event in DC on Friday night? Amazing how important it is to rush to DC.
Anon - Frickin A! Your assessment of Scott, Reynolds & Co. is dead on. Believe me, I know all too well. TEA is soul-destroying for anyone outside the right-wing, politically-driven inner circle. Politics are always a fact of life at state agencies, but TEA is becoming like the DOJ under Gonzales, complete with a gaggle of Monica Goodlings running around doing the boss's bidding. Blech.
This is absurd.
And frankly a risk to our national security. Pseudoscience does not an effevtive fighting force make.
Why can't we have reality-based education?
The universe does not revolve around FBC Dallas.