That's one conclusion one might reach after her extraordinarily nutty and, dare we say it, un-Christian comments about some of our fellow Oklahomans, citizens who have the audacity (How could they?) to be gay.
Here's some Kern paranoia: "The homosexual agenda is destroying this nation; it's just a fact," Kern said in an audiotape posted Friday on YouTube. (We feel so destroyed, don't you?)
Here's some Kern hyperbole: Homosexuals and homosexuality are more of a threat to the United States than terrorism. (We told you she was nutty.)
Here's both, straight from Kern's fevered imagination: Homosexuals are trying to convert our kids, even 2-year-olds. (We are not making this up.)
Kern claims she's not gay-bashing, but her statements belie that claim. In any case, last time we checked gay folks remained actual citizens, even in Oklahoma. Moreover, state legislators, even the nutty ones, have some obligation to represent (and tolerate) all the citizens of their district, even those they don't necessarily like.
If we recall correctly, that was the philosophy of Arizona's Barry Goldwater, a Republican stalwart who, unlike Rep. Kern, believed in personal freedom.
Individual freedom—what a concept! Somebody ought to mention it to Rep. Kern.
5 comments:
Yet another black eye for Oklahoma:
Edmond Sun
"The Oklahoma House of Representatives Education Committee has just approved House Bill 2211...which requires public schools to guarantee students the right to express their religious viewpoints in a public forum, in class, in homework and in other ways without being penalized. If a student’s religious beliefs were in conflict with scientific theory, and the student chose to express those beliefs rather than explain the theory in response to an exam question, the student’s incorrect response would be deemed satisfactory, according to this bill.
"The school would be required to reward the student with a good grade, or be considered in violation of the law. Even simple, factual information such as the age of the earth (4.65 billion years) would be subject to the student’s belief, and if the student answered 6,000 years based on his or her religious belief, the school would have to credit it as correct. Science education becomes absurd under such a situation."
And who is behind this latest absurdity? Sally Kern again:
The Oklahoma Science Teachers Association
For Immediate Release Date: March 10, 2008
Contact: Suzanne Spradling 405-878-5298 sshawsprad at cox.net
THE OKLAHOMA SCIENCE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION URGES THE OKLAHOMA
LEGISLATURE TO REJECT HB 2211, “THE RELIGIOUS VIEWPOINTS ANTIDISCRIMINATION ACT”
The Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Science Teachers Association has issued the following statement concerning HB 2211, “The Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act”, by Representative Sally Kern,
which is under consideration by the Legislature.
“The Oklahoma Science Teachers Association (OSTA) is dedicated to the promotion and development of high quality science education for all students in Oklahoma. The development of a scientifically literate citizenry, conversant in principles and processes of science, is essential for any state or nation to be competitive in a global economy. The effort to grow 21st century industry and agriculture, including Oklahoma’s burgeoning research in nanotechnology and biotechnology, depends on the availability of a scientifically literate workforce that understands the process of posing and testing hypotheses, logically evaluating the results, and expanding our understanding of the natural world.
OSTA believes the provisions of HB 2211 hold great potential for harm to the development of scientifically literate citizens in this state. Teachers will be shackled in their efforts to guide students to explore scientific data and explanation and will be forced to give full credence and course credit to viewpoints that have no scientific data or basis. The damage to the credibility of an Oklahoma high school diploma cannot be overstated.
While some might posit that examination and exploration of alternative viewpoints is appropriate in a classroom, those ideas that are not scientific and cannot be tested have no place in a science classroom.
Under the provisions of this bill, teachers will be required to give full forum to non-scientific viewpoints and will be prevented from explaining that such ideas have no scientific support.
Provisions currently in law and expressed in the Constitution give ample protection for religious expression within schools. The Oklahoma Science Teachers Association believes the late Harvard Paleontologist Steven J. Gould’s concept of “Nonoverlapping Magisteria” accurately reflects the interaction of science and religion; both having important, but non-interacting roles in helping us make sense of our place in the physical and spiritual world. HB 2211 actively violates that concept in a direct effort to inject religious viewpoints into public school classrooms and should not be enacted.”
The only "bright spot" is that Sally Kern represents OKC, not Tulsa. Here's hoping she is recalled or defeated in the near future. We really don't need any more backwoods hicks speaking for Oklahoma---we have that covered.
Gosh first Sally Kern now Oklahoma House Bill 2211. Exactly what era our we living in. I feel like I have been thrown back to 1950.
i am not an anti gay or anything but i do not believed that we have to expose ourselves and parade of who we are. if you are gay that is up to that person but being gay should not have to convince me for being who you are. the only problem i have with homosexual is when a gay person involve innocent people with him. a good example of that is my self. i was married for over ten years and i have 3 children. he not only used me to get ahead of his career but also used me and my children to cover up his secret lives. once i find out everything he told me that i should suck it up, and he is paying me 1,000 dollars for my pain and suffering. my only question for homosexual that are afraid of who they are is who do you think you are? and what gives you the right to play with peoples emotion? i am not judging anyone or criticizing. i just want to know that what about their victim, are we just suppose to accept it and say is okay too.
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