SocraticGadfly: Oh, geez, science history gets further sacrificed by the National Park Service

December 29, 2006

Oh, geez, science history gets further sacrificed by the National Park Service

The Bush Administration is unwilling to put “creation science” to an actual scientific test at Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is not permitted to give an official estimate of the geologic age of its principal feature, due to pressure from Bush administration appointees. Despite promising a prompt review of its approval for a book claiming the Grand Canyon was created by Noah's flood rather than by geologic forces, more than three years later no review has ever been done and the book remains on sale at the park, according to documents released today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER).

“In order to avoid offending religious fundamentalists, our National Park Service is under orders to suspend its belief in geology,” stated PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch. “It is disconcerting that the official position of a national park as to the geologic age of the Grand Canyon is ‘no comment.’”

Is it any wonder that international comparisons of high school students’ scores on standardized tests show us falling further and further behind in the natural sciences.

No comments: