United Press International, September 23, 1999, Thursday,
HEADLINE: Kan. denied right to science documents
DATELINE: WASHINGTON, Sept. 23
''The majority of the scientific and educational communities support the
teaching of evolution because of its importance as a unifying concept of
science and its power to explain the natural world,'' said Gerry Wheeler,
executive director of the National Science Teachers Association.
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INCULCATING THE GREAT POWER OF EVOLUTIONARY THEORY
Johnny: "Why are some animals so small?"
Teacher: "That's simple, Johnny. Random mutation and natural selection."
Johnny: "Then why are some animals so large?"
Teacher: "Another easy one, Johnny. They're the result of random mutation
and natural selection."
Johnny: "Well, why are some birds so colorful while others aren't?"
Teacher: "You're lucky you don't live in Kansas, Johnny, or you would never
know the answer to that excellent question. Their differences result from
random mutation and natural selection."
Johnny: "And that's why some animals fly and some don't and some have four
legs and some don't?"
Teacher: "Now you're getting it, Johnny."
Johnny: "Wow! All I have to do is say 'random mutation and natural
selection' and I can explain anything?"
Teacher: "Isn't science wonderful? Now you can appreciate why the majority
of the scientific and educational communities support the teaching of
evolution: because of its importance as a unifying concept of science and
its power to explain the natural world."
Johnny: "How do scientists know that all mutations have been random?"
Teacher: "Now, Johnny, you know the answer to that."
Johnny: "Let me guess. It's because their brains arrived by random mutation
and somehow survived natural selection. Could I be excused now? I have a
doctor's appointment to have my vestigial organs removed."