OTOH, some good news for a change (one of a...series?)

[the_archfiend]

Despite my most pessimistic assessments, the creationist assault on biology and science education actually suffered an epic fail in Texas:

Pop the champagne corks. The Texas Board of Education has unanimously come down on the side of evolution. In a 14-0 vote, the board today approved scientifically accurate high school biology textbook supplements from established mainstream publishers — and did not approve the creationist-backed supplements from International Databases, LLC.

"This is a huge victory for Texas students and teachers," said Josh Rosenau, NCSE programs and policy director, who testified at the hearings this week. In his testimony, Rosenau urged the board to approve the supplements — recommended by a review panel largely composed of scientists and science educators — without amendments, and to reject International Databases' creationist submission. The board did just that, and asked for only minimal changes to the approved supplements.

See? Sometimes things do work out for the better, and in places you'd hardly expect it to. 

Next: a sack of hundreds equivalent to $1,000,000 US falls in my lap. Unfortunately, knowing my luck, it won't stop a polar bear suddenly materializing out of nowhere and eating me 5 minutes later. Still...