David Zucchino at the Los Angeles Times has graciously given permission to post the messages he and I exchanged on theTimes coverage of that new Academic Freedom law in Tennessee, and why the Times will not print a correction to their article. Please keep in mind that Mr. Zucchino’s comments, which are reproduced below, were sent to me in direct response to my query. So please read them charitably. For completeness, the three messages are reproduced below, in their original sequence. Read more
2 Replies to “Here is the Response From the Los Angeles Times Explaining Their Reporting on That New Academic Freedom Law”
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Folks:
We have a verdict, a verdict by confession.
LA Times: guilty of willful distortion and scapegoating, spin-laced, false accusation based yellow journalism, as charged.
I have commented at Dr Hunter’s blog, here.
KF
Zucchino appears unaware of the Santorum “Sense of the Senate” resolution (or Amendment) that was passed by the Senate in 2001 during the debate over the No Child Left Behind Act:
Congressional Record, June 13, 2001, p. S6147-S6148.
There being no corresponding House language, the resolution committee incorporated Santorum’s resolution into Congress’ Conference Report for the No Child Left Behind Act which states:
2001-107th Congress-1st Session-House of Representatives Report-107 334 No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 Conference Report to accompany H.R. 1.
See Rick Santorum, the Santorum Amendment and Intelligent Design
See “The ‘Teach the Controversy’ Controversy”: David DeWolf Tells the True Story of the Santorum Amendment
The Tennessee law upholding academic freedom appears to draw directly on these principles underlying The No Child Left Behind Act as stated in the Conference Report.
When courts rule on lawsuits, they look to Congress’ Conference Reports to understand the legislature’s purpose for laws. David DeWolfe explains:
THE “TEACH THE CONTROVERSY” CONTROVERSY DAVID K. DEWOLF
For context, see:
THE CONSTITUTIONALITY AND PEDAGOGICAL BENEFITS OF TEACHING EVOLUTION SCIENTIFICALLY BY CASEY LUSKIN*