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Monroe Pulls Ill-Conceived Measures on Teaching Fetal Personhood and Creationism

I told you that Senate Bills 101 and 112, Senator Jeff Monroe's silly proposals to let teachers spout off whatever random commentary they wish in their classrooms (or anyone else's) about fetuses and creationism, were poorly written legislation.

Even Senator Monroe himself agrees. On Thursday, he put his legislative tail between his legs and withdrew SB 101 and SB 112. From KCCR (which doesn't archive stories for permanent linkage, dang it!):

Saying there was too much confusion about the intent of the legislation, state Senator Jeff Monroe of Pierre Thursday withdrew bills dealing with the instruction of intelligent design and allowing teachers to provide instruction on "personhood before birth."

Both bills were withdrawn Thursday morning before being heard by the Senate Education Committee ["Monroe Pulls Bills on Intelligent Design, Personhood," KCCR Radio, 2014.02.06].

Chet Brokaw get a little more detail from Senator Monroe admitting that the Madville Times was right:

The measure's main sponsor, Sen. Jeff Monroe, R- Pierre, said he had to scrap the bill because it was badly written but didn't elaborate. He said supporters from across the nation have said there are far better ways to address the issue, but he declined to say what he might do in the future.

"I don't mind a good fight, but the amount of good that would have come from the bill would have been outweighed by all the misconceptions people have had," Monroe said. "I didn't want to put the people in that committee in a tight sport. Some agreed with the bill, but they would have had to vote against it, based on the fact it was written poorly" [Chet Brokaw, "South Dakota Bill Allowing Teachers to Discuss Intelligent Design Killed at Sponsor's Request," AP, 2014.02.06].

Senator Monroe tells KCCR that he talked to "think tanks" around the country. It doesn't take a think tank to recognize a bad idea, Senator.

Senator Monroe tells KCCR he won't bring these topics up again in this year's session, but he will look for other forums in which to promote his anti-woman, anti-science agenda. Looks like this blog will stay in business for quiet some time....

6 Comments

  1. Donald Pay 2014.02.08

    These sorts of bills have been introduced elsewhere over the last several years. Mostly, these bills are just for show, and meant to fool the "Christian" right sheep. The bills are so badly written that no one takes them seriously, except the folks who want to be fooled.

    There is a pattern with these folks that they try to find one state dumb enough to pass this or that bill, and then use that as a precedent to goad other states to act. A similar bill has been turned down in Texas and other states over the last several years. Even the "oops" state could figure this out, and now South Dakota has.

    http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/02/01/1183849/-The-Persistence-of-Republican-Attacks-on-Evolution-Support-for-Intelligent-Design

  2. mike from iowa 2014.02.08

    Apparently Senator represents folks all across 'murrica. I'm betting they all just happen to be overtly religious. I'm sure glad your gubmint doesn't want outside influence in their affairs.

  3. Jana 2014.02.08

    Did he write the bill? If not who did he outsource the governance of South Dakota to? ALEC? Some wingnut group out of Alabama? The boys from Duck Dynasty?

    Monroe should be asked who wrote this for him and made him their bagman in this shadowy attempt to add more laws.

    Please Piere, next time elect someone smart enough to govern for YOU...not someone who is so slow of thought that he is a toady for outside ideological interests. Or at the very least is smart enough to know a bad bill when he sees one and not embarrass your district.

  4. Jessie 2014.02.08

    Ah Jana, you're preachin' to the choir. If the Hughes/Stanley County dems could field a candidate they would. Everyone willing to take a drubbing has already done so and no new victims have stepped up.

    Embarrass the district? Just a way of life here in Pierre.

  5. interested party 2014.02.08

    Teaching legislators to draw attention from the failures of the Republican Party is ALEC's mission. DD can find solace in having a bunch of yachos wielding smoke and mirrors as the feds crawl through Pierre's bowels.

  6. grudznick 2014.02.08

    This Monroe fellow is a Howitte of nearly Gordantic proportions.

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