This is really disturbing. These anti-science morons here in Florida just won’t give up, and with the legislative session starting this week in Tallahassee, they’re at it again.

Batshit crazy state Sen. Ronda Storms (R-Valrico) (right … FAR right) has introduced a bill that theoretically would allow K-12 teachers in Florida to teach the faux “theory” of intelligent design in public schools. To wit:

(2) The Legislature finds that current law does not expressly protect the right of teachers to objectively present scientific information relevant to the full range of scientific views regarding chemical and biological evolution. The Legislature finds that in many instances educators have experienced or feared discipline, discrimination, or other adverse consequences as a result of presenting the full range of scientific views regarding chemical and biological evolution. The Legislature further finds that existing law does not expressly protect students from discrimination due to their positions or views regarding biological or chemical evolution. The Legislature finds that the topic of biological and chemical evolution has generated intense controversy about the rights of teachers and students to hold differing views on those subjects. It is therefore the intent of the Legislature that this section expressly protects those rights.

(3) Every public school teacher in the state’s K-12 school system shall have the affirmative right and freedom to objectively present scientific information relevant to the full range of scientific views regarding biological and chemical evolution in connection with teaching any prescribed curriculum regarding chemical or biological origins.

In yet another classic neocon oxymoronic misnomer (à la “Clean Water Act” or “President Bush”), Sen. Storms has called this piece of garbage the “Academic Freedom Act.” You know, because we want to give teachers in our state the “freedom” to teach fantasy as fact. Even the language of the bill is ironic, since there is absolutely no scientific information supporting “intelligent design” or creation. There’s plenty of “faith-based” information on it, but in terms of satisfying the scientific method, intelligent design won’t cut it.

For a while this really flew under the radar, but I see the Tampa Tribune‘s political blog “March on Politics” has picked this up. Good. I want this idiocy to see the full light of day in a reality-based world — with which Sen. Storms has absolutely no experience.

I didn’t even realize Storms had been elected to the state Senate. After all, her performance as a Hillsborough County commissioner was notorious as best, where she was known for her crusades against dirty, dirty gays and pr0n and, you know, pretty much anything that didn’t jibe with her efforts to interfere in the private lives of every Floridian for her own satisfaction. So thanks, eastern Hillsborough County, for inflicting Ronda on the rest of the state.

You’d think that the Legislature would be smart enough to laugh (figuratively … oh, what the hell, make it literally) in Ronda’s smug little face on this. But don’t be too sure:

Asked after the ed board’s vote last month about the prospect of wading into the issue of evolution during the session, several GOP lawmakers expressed reluctance at best, if not outright opposition. As Rep. Kevin Ambler, R-Tampa, quipped at the time, “I thought we had evolved beyond that.”

But House Speaker Marco Rubio told the Florida Baptist Witness last month that the House “may have sufficient votes” for “academic freedom”-styled legislation. “And for me, personally,” Rubio told the FBW, according to its Feb. 21 article, “I don’t want a school system that teaches kids that what they’re learning at home is wrong.”

Marco and Ronda … birds of a feather. Cuckoo birds, that is …

Sticks of Fire has a different (and funnier) take on this …

(h/t Interrobang)

(cross-posted at Blast Off!)

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