Kansas BOE member fears the Flying Spaghetti Monster

Dedicated to Mrs Connie Morris:


The FSM was created by Bobby Henderson of Oregon to spoof Kansans' recent debates about "intelligent design" versus evolution (a false dichotomy if ever there was one--what we're really talking about is fundamentalists' attempts to ban the teaching of evolution entirely). "Mrs" Connie Booth, member of the State Board of Education, has infringed on academic freedom by insisting that teacher Randy Mousley must remove an image of the FSM from his office door. Herewith a response:

Dear Mrs Morris:

I am appalled at the recent report in the Wichita Eagle that you requested of Randy Mousley's principal that Mr Mousley be forced to remove an image from his office door. This is no part of your mandate as a member of the Board of Education and you have no right to make such intrusion. This smacks of the worst kind of paranoid repression. If you are concerned about others' response to Mr Mousley's artwork, you have a responsibility to make that concern known in a public and appropriate forum. You further have a responsibility to stand by your actions and return telephone calls by reporters seeking elaboration. Your action was repressive and your response since then has been cowardly.

You should be ashamed of yourself.

Sincerely

Dr Coyote