A letter delivered to Gov. Bill Haslam's office yesterday urges him to veto recently passed legislation that ensures teachers will be permitted to teach the "scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses" of theories like evolution. Along with the letter came a petition bearing 3,200 signatures, according to Mina Johnson, one of three individuals who delivered the message.
Haslam also recently received a letter from the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, urging him to reject the measure critics are calling the "Monkey Bill."
After exchanging the documents, and pleasantries, with Haslam spokesman Dave Smith, the petition messengers spoke to reporters, who outnumbered them by about 3 to 1.
"We believe this bill will send the wrong message to children," said Johnson. "And also, as if, this bill will disguise denying otherwise scientifically proven fact. Kind of promoting other ideas. So we think this bill sets dangerous precedent."
