In Other News This Week: Science (or not), Mountaintop mining (or not), and (no 'ors' here) Flournoy takes Afghan point, and Sebelius confirmation hearing and HHS Conscience Rule recension moving forward

In other news you may have missed this week:

• Texas narrowly avoids a quick trip to the dark ages when three Republican and four Democrat members of the Texas State Board of Education barely defeated seven socially conservative Republicans attempt to require science classes to teach evolution "weaknesses"
• Two Senators introduced legislation to ban mountaintop mining in their Appalachia Restoration Act
• NPR's Morning Edition reported that, "The point person for the new Afghanistan strategy at the Pentagon is Michele Flournoy, a well-respected analyst who worked in the Clinton administration and is now undersecretary for policy."
• Daily Women's Health Policy report says to watch for HHS Secretary-Designate Sebelius' confirmation hearing next week and read the Christian Science Monitor examination of Obama's plan to rescind HHS Provider 'Conscience' Rule

Read on for more details!

...when what they really want is a wide-open door to introduce creationism as science in classrooms.

The very best discussion I've heard about the so-called science debate in Texas was a thirty second blip on the BBC yesterday afternoon. The newscaster noted to a guest that evolution wasn't really about the origin of life, which seemed to be what proponents for curriculum amendments that would require teachers to teach about the "weaknesses" of evolution were discussing.

Momentarily flustered, the guest recovered to defend his position by saying that evolution presupposed chemical origin. In other words, the newscaster forced the guest to admit that the entire "teach weaknesses of evolution" was really---really---about religious faith idea of intelligent design (which is is a nice euphemism for God created the Earth in Seven Days, Literally).

That's the truth. The rest of their argument is a red herring, largely because current curriculum encourages critical thinking and scientific reasoning.

As CNN wrote, "The board in January voted to remove language that called on science teachers to focus on the "strengths and weaknesses" in all scientific theories. It was replaced by language urging students to use "empirical evidence, logical reasoning, and experimental and observational testing" to "analyze and evaluate scientific explanations."

At least half of the Texas State Board of Education is openly skeptical of evolution---a well-established and accepted scientific theory that continues to evolve with additional evidence and research---for religious reasons.

Luckily their attempt to overthrow sound science and toss Texas students back into the dark ages has---barely---failed, according to the Dallas Morning News, "In a decision watched by science educators across the nation, the State Board of Education on Thursday narrowly turned aside a last-ditch effort by social conservatives to require that "weaknesses" in the theory of evolution be taught in science classes in Texas."

...the most amazing piece of news was two members of Congress who were---no, not expressing (disingenuous) outrage over AIG or bonuses, nor trying to impede solid science education---but who, instead, were working for the good of nature, and a community and culture.

According to Waste & Recycling News (one of my favorite news sources), on March 26:

Sens. Benjamin L. Cardin, D-Md., and Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., have introduced legislation that could essentially ban mountaintop mining.

Their bill, dubbed the Appalachia Restoration Act, would prohibit the dumping of mining waste into stream and river beds. Mountaintop mining involves removing the summit of a mountain to expose the coal underneath. Waste rock, dirt and vegetation ends up in nearby stream and river valleys.

My only commentary is: Thank you very much, Senators, and wow, it's about damn time.

...apparently Flournoy is so well-liked you can't find a person in DC who will say anything bad about her, which is either a major testament to her character or a sign of the impending rapture (only in Texas, and maybe Kansas---the states that have elected officials who believe that is science)

This morning President Obama gave a brief press conference to announce his new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. He mentioned appointing Ambassador Richard Holbrooke to serve as Special Representative for both countries. He also mentioned General David Petraeus who, along with Holbrooke, would work to integrate our civilian and military efforts. He stated that this Spring 4000 U.S. troops would eb deployed to train Afghan Security Forces. 

He called upon Congress to pass these two bi-partisan bills:

1.  a bill "co-sponsored by John Kerry and Richard Lugar that authorizes $1.5 billion in direct support to the Pakistani people every year over the next five years – resources that will build schools, roads, and hospitals, and strengthen Pakistan’s democracy."

2. a bill "co-sponsored by Maria Cantwell, Chris Van Hollen and Peter Hoekstra that creates opportunity zones in the border region to develop the economy and bring hope to places plagued by violence. And we will ask our friends and allies to do their part – including at the donors conference in Tokyo next month."

But he did not mention Michele Flournoy, who was just appointed point person for the Afghanistan strategy.

According to an NPR story, Flournoy is well-respected, well-liked, and will, "focus on making sure Afghanistan is not a training ground for terrorists, rather than the notion of spreading democracy." Buzz is that she'll do a fantastic job. Bravo and best of luck to her!

You can listen to the NPR story here.