Would you believe we appear in education to be proceeding backwards? We are returning to seventy-five years ago to the “Scopes” trial mentality? Believe is probably not a proper word to use in this context, since what we are referring to is “beliefs”. The Kansas State School Board on August 11, 1999 ordered deleted from the curriculum the teaching of evolution in their schools. While it does not prevent teaching evolution, it will not be included in the assessment tests that evaluate student’s performance. So local Boards will undoubtedly, says a news release, either force teachers to raise questions about its validity or to introduce creationist ideas. If the latter were taught, wouldn’t that be teaching religion? I suppose not, if as in AA, the Supreme Power remains unnamed and can be one of your own choosing. In one way, we are not going back to 1925 and the “Monkey Trial”, since that involved a law prohibiting the teaching of evolution in the schools. The historic trial had as its two main players, Clarence Darrow for the Defense, and William Jennings Bryan for the Prosecution. Bryan was a two time presidential nominee, an outstanding orator and was one of my Dad’s political heroes. Dad never got to vote for him but still spoke of him in glowing terms. Bryan died a few days after that trial in which Darrow subjected him to a vigorous and scathing cross-examination. He allowed himself to be a witness for the Prosecution as an expert on the Bible. The trial was the first ever brought live to the nation by radio (remember “radio”?). John Scopes was convicted but the State Supreme Court reversed it on a technicality. The issue of a law prohibiting teaching of evolution never reached the U.S. Supreme Court until 1968. In that case the court overturned a similar law from Arkansas.
To me the purpose of education is to explore all ideas. Sure we must limit the curriculum and keep it with certain time limits but excluding, in effect, a major portion of biology is an extreme action and anti-education. I struggle to find a reason for the action, other than plain old fanaticism. The only one that made some sense was presented was by a Mark Looy of “Answers in Genesis” a creationist group. He said, “Students in public school are being taught that evolution is a fact, that they’re just products of survival of the fittest. There’s no meaning in life if we are just animals in a struggle for survival.” Well, if the statement is correct than this teaching error should be removed. But the action suggested is like throwing the baby out with the wash water, or in today’s jargon, “overkill”. It is using a nuclear bomb where a shotgun would destroy the evil. I always felt that knowledge of evolution enhanced our wonders of creation and the Creator. It made even more inspiring His power. A flower from a bud to a bloom and a child from babe to an adult may not fit the purist definition of “evolution” but fits the theory. The proposal prohibits the teaching of what is clearly a theory and demands that the Bible be accepted in toto literally as a fact. This is not educating, nor leading from darkness; it is dictating. Hopefully ‘Reason’ will soon overcome the lopsided action of the Board, and the State of Kansas will open its windows and let in the fresh air of true education.
Sister Rosemary is the subject of some news clippings. One was announcing her as a recipient of a Diocesan award as a caring person. “Selected in the category of service…Sister Rosemary McSorley, of the Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus, a pastoral assistant at Our Lady of Good Counsel parish, in Pompton Plains, and an attorney working in private practice on behalf of the working poor…(Her) long involvement in outreach to the poor as a teacher in Harlem and on the streets of Chile, and (she) has consistently encouraged religious education teachers and students to become more involved with the poor and those in need.” How proud must Mom and Dad be looking down on their youngest being so rightly honored! In another article she is interviewed. It is entitled “Bar Nun”. It speaks of her practice with another sister, Peggy Welch, a sister of Charity. The title gave me a chance to have a play on words, its saying, “she’s the best bar none (nun)!” It was always one of my beliefs so it is pleasant to see it confirmed in print by an unbiased observer.
We seem to be into newsprint in our September ramblings and there is one more I enjoyed. It read, “MET LIFE REACHES EARLY DEAL IN LAW SUIT”. And further, “The Company would pay at least $1.7 Billion to settle allegations of deceptive sales practices.” “Good Grief!” is this what all those billboards with Charlie Brown meant when he says, ‘Get Met It Pays’? Has Charlie been practicing deceptive sales tactics? Seems there’s nothing sacred where the buck is concerned even the honest simple and childlike Charlie Brown is corrupted in the name of “reasonable profit”? I am sure Charlie was without fault and was just another victim of the deceivers!
A major (?) calamity (of sorts) occurred in Manhattan. The Yale Club has decided to have ‘casual dress Friday’. It seems that they wish to attract some of the younger graduates. Now there is evolution in practice, but to some it is retrogression. A Harvard Club member had this to say about the idea, “Even in the late 1990’s there should be a few havens for proper attire and decorum. I wouldn’t expect the rowdies from New Haven to understand”. Boys! Boys! Let us have no public display of bickering, think of your image! Did you ever notice how way a man is dressed helps his decorum after a few drinks? Oh, well if Charlie Brown can suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous capitalistic fortune, why not the stuffy indecorous Yale Club members?
September marks our second full year in the home at 1644. As with most noted events it seems on one hand as if we have been here a good part of our lives and on the other hand, like ‘only yesterday’. September also brings us the favorite Florida bugaboo, the hurricane season. As I type, there is one called “Dennis” moving over the Bahamas and supposedly heading for the Carolinas. There are two more out there trying to decide where they might go. We have only to wait and watch for them to decide. We continue to hope and pray we will be once more be spared of a direct hit and yet, if it appears we may be, it is off to Gainesville, Rita and Jeff’s haven for hurricane displaced persons. It is also their home.
Looking back over the two years I find I am very happy with our decision. It is still, even with all the things we do, a peaceful fret free life. I must agree with my good friend Bill’s appraisal, I am serene. However, I found my father looking over my shoulder the other day, asking for his usual progress report. “Well, you’re not wasting your time, I hope?” No, we aren’t and it caused me to write down a random list of things done or being done. I wrote, “piano, church, paintings, lawncare, housecare, computer, civic association, Jefferson, Latin, weight, reading, writing, etc.” I won’t bore you with any of the details behind this list but I did convince my father (Da!) that I am not wasting my time. (At least he’s convinced for the time being!)
June and I celebrated our anniversary with a cruise. It was a dinner cruise leaving St. Petersburg Beach and travelling most of the intercostals waterways to the Gulf. We left about 6:30 and were out until 11. We had our friends Jerry and Connie with us and we even got to jitterbug to the music. The meal was excellent, the music great, and the views from the deck stimulating. It was bit of a surprise in that we, or I should say ‘I’ went as a bit of a skeptic and left as a fan. The meal particularly since I expected a limited menu, like something thrown together to qualify as “dinner”. It was much more than that with appetizers, good bread, tasty salad and variety of entrees. We even got a good picture of us boarding with our friends taken incidentally by the Captain! He also held court on the bridge in the steering cabin with any of those who wished to come in and chat. The best of all these complements was that the entire event for an evening out with music, a meal, dancing, and fresh air (though the air conditioning was a welcome relief) came to us within our budget. We recommended to all those who have the opportunity to visit our blessed shores.