Seriously, I tend to agree with Jim, we're debating philosophy and it won't necessarily end well... but I do like an element of this argument no one is bringing up.. what the heck is actually being taught in HS?
I think there is a good science argument that the way evolution is taught at the HS level is ridiculous, which most kids get by the time they get to college, as concepts like macro-evolution and the like start being discussed and a lot more current research is applied to the problem.. this is NOT ID, and has nothing to do with it. Macro-evolution and other thoughts have been published in the top journals (Science, etc.) and exist in most collegiate text books.. hell, they worked on it when I did sciences in college years ago, I don't understand why it isn't addressed at all at the HS level. I think it's a much more influential and understandable means to address evolution then the terrible way HS learn. Then again, I think most HS's at this point are pretty crap. The fact that you've got numerous states that spend more per student in athletic budgets then all academic coursework in your HS tells you something. I'm always amazed at local schools asking for more tax $$ while at the same time cutting back on some classes but keeping alive things like "8 man football". I'm sorry, but I could solve 100% the HS funding issue and improve science, math, and all other educational standards in most states by doing what other countries do. Make sports, etc. an afterschool activity and leave my tax dollars out of it. Kids play babe ruth league in the summer without schools backing it, as much as I love watching HS Football, I don't understand why 36% of every education dollar locally goes to it, or almost 42% statewide. What a rip-off. How many of those kids will use "football" as their primary career? I attended an 8-man game recently, in which the school was on their way to the playoffs, and I'm sure it was great for the kids, who loved the activity, etc. etc. etc. But then again, I'm sure the cost of it was good for their school, which has at it's highest math class Alegebra I and teaches Spanish I as their only language course, after having dropped all speech/etc. Those kids are getting real prepared to go into the real world *rolls eyes* CW
