# Finally, a victory for people who aren't complete fucking retards **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 13, 2005, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-a-victory-for-people-who-arent-complete-fucking-retards/284569 "2005-01-13T17:07:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-a-victory-for-people-who-arent-complete-fucking-retards/284569/1 "2005-01-13T17:07:07Z")
> [@](#): > > ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) – A U.S. District Court judge has ruled that a school district in suburban Atlanta, Georgia, must remove an evolution disclaimer inside textbooks. > > The stickers inside the Cobb County School District’s science books said “Evolution is a theory not a fact.” [And happy times were had by all](http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/01/13/evolution.textbooks.ruling/index.html). Next up: Heliocentricity! ---
**Author:** ![Testy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@Testy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Testy)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-a-victory-for-people-who-arent-complete-fucking-retards/284569/2 "2005-01-13T17:09:12Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > [And happy times were had by all](http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/01/13/evolution.textbooks.ruling/index.html). > > Next up: Heliocentricity! Glad to see there’s at least one judge with the nuts to stand up to this crap. Regards Test ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-a-victory-for-people-who-arent-complete-fucking-retards/284569/3 "2005-01-13T18:40:10Z")
[Nelson] Ha HA! [/Nelson] ---
**Author:** ![Exgineer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Exgineer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exgineer)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-a-victory-for-people-who-arent-complete-fucking-retards/284569/4 "2005-01-13T18:59:51Z")
“Evolution is a theory not a fact.” It continues to piss me off that these idiots don’t know what the word “theory” means. They seem to equate it with “hypothesis” or, worse yet, “wild assed guess”. I blame television. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-a-victory-for-people-who-arent-complete-fucking-retards/284569/5 "2005-01-13T19:01:02Z")
I applaud this decision. However, I must point out that, to my mind, people who actually use the phrase “complete fucking retards” shouldn’t opine about the perceived ignorance of anyone else. ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-a-victory-for-people-who-arent-complete-fucking-retards/284569/6 "2005-01-13T19:05:04Z")
> [@Exgineer](#): > > It continues to piss me off that these idiots don’t know what the word “theory” means. They seem to equate it with “hypothesis” or, worse yet, “wild assed guess”. Coincidentally, that seems to be the crux of this decision: > [@](#): > > In ruling that the stickers violate the constitutionally mandated separation between church and state, U.S. District Judge Clarence Cooper ruled that labeling evolution a “theory” played on the popular definition of the word as a “hunch” and could confuse students. > … > “Rather, the distinction of evolution as a theory rather than a fact is the distinction that religiously motivated individuals have specifically asked school boards to make in the most recent anti-evolution movement, and that was exactly what parents in Cobb County did in this case,” he wrote. > > “By adopting this specific language, even if at the direction of counsel, the Cobb County School Board appears to have sided with these religiously motivated individuals.” > > The sticker, he said, sends “a message that the school board agrees with the beliefs of Christian fundamentalists and creationists.” ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-a-victory-for-people-who-arent-complete-fucking-retards/284569/7 "2005-01-13T20:11:39Z")
> [@Mr. Moto](#): > > I applaud this decision. > > However, I must point out that, to my mind, people who actually use the phrase “complete fucking retards” shouldn’t opine about the perceived ignorance of anyone else. Oh, blow it out your sanctimonious ass, chowderhead. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-a-victory-for-people-who-arent-complete-fucking-retards/284569/8 "2005-01-13T20:31:56Z")
Yes, this is a victory. But why, in the 21st century, did it even have to be fought? ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-a-victory-for-people-who-arent-complete-fucking-retards/284569/9 "2005-01-13T20:40:07Z")
While I don’t think this label should be on the book, I think we have to seriously consider whether this is the way we want these sorts of battles to be won. The idea that the courts are going to protect us from abuses like this for long is just not viable. People don’t see the rulings of single judges as legitimate, even if they are based on solid legal principles, and if we don’t actually make some real headway in convincing people in the legislature and the population in general, they are just going to resent us more and revolt with even worse attacks. They will replace the damn judge with someone who will give them the decisions they want. So again, I think we should be very careful here. > [@friedo](#): > > Oh, blow it out your sanctimonious ass, chowderhead. Careful. After a good cry, he might go and start a thread about the injustice of demeaning real chowderheads, who are not to blame for their condition. And of course starting that thread will have nothing to do with his pissy baby feelings or any hip political jibe, and you’d be an asshole to suggest it. ---
**Author:** ![GrizzRich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@GrizzRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrizzRich)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-a-victory-for-people-who-arent-complete-fucking-retards/284569/10 "2005-01-13T21:20:22Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Yes, this is a victory. But why, in the 21st century, did it even have to be fought? Umm… You DID see who this country just elected to the White House… right? 'Nuff said! ---
**Author:** ![rorty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@rorty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rorty)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-a-victory-for-people-who-arent-complete-fucking-retards/284569/11 "2005-01-13T21:20:36Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Yes, this is a victory. But why, in the 21st century, did it even have to be fought? The south has yet to join us in the 21st century. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-a-victory-for-people-who-arent-complete-fucking-retards/284569/12 "2005-01-13T21:25:57Z")
> [@rorty](#): > > The south has yet to join us in the 21st century. Or 20th for that matter. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-a-victory-for-people-who-arent-complete-fucking-retards/284569/13 "2005-01-13T21:29:02Z")
> [@rorty](#): > > The south has yet to join us in the 21st century. Oh, blow it out your sanctimonious ass, you chowderhead. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![rorty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@rorty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rorty)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-a-victory-for-people-who-arent-complete-fucking-retards/284569/14 "2005-01-13T21:41:05Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > Oh, blow it out your sanctimonious ass, you chowderhead. > > Daniel Eww, chowder and ass blowing. Could you rephrase that in a way that doesn’t sound completely nasty, Good Old boy? ---
**Author:** ![5que](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/3bc359/32.png) [@5que](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5que)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-a-victory-for-people-who-arent-complete-fucking-retards/284569/15 "2005-01-13T22:02:44Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > Oh, blow it out your sanctimonious ass, you chowderhead. _Chowder?_ **Chowder?** And you call yourself a southerner? The correct phrase would be: Oh, blow it out your sanctimonious ass, you hominyhead. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-a-victory-for-people-who-arent-complete-fucking-retards/284569/16 "2005-01-13T22:10:11Z")
> [@5que](#): > > The correct phrase would be: Oh, blow it out your sanctimonious ass, you hominyhead. Aw, kiss mah grits. (Better?) Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-a-victory-for-people-who-arent-complete-fucking-retards/284569/17 "2005-01-13T22:10:59Z")
It’s chowdah! _ **Chowdah!** _ ---
**Author:** ![butter\_pie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aca169/32.png) [@butter\_pie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butter_pie)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-a-victory-for-people-who-arent-complete-fucking-retards/284569/18 "2005-01-13T22:11:57Z")
_Grits-for-brains…_ > [@](#): > > The stickers read, “This textbook contains material on evolution. Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered.” Since they are obviously so concerned with truth and accuracy and making sure they don’t fill people’s heads with inncorrect ideas, they should voluntarily include stickers next to the beginning of Genesis in their Bibles, as well. > [@](#): > > The stickers read, “This Bible contains material on creation. Creation is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered.” ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-a-victory-for-people-who-arent-complete-fucking-retards/284569/19 "2005-01-13T22:15:10Z")
**rorty** and **NurseCarmen** , you are both hereby invited to kiss my educated, intelligent, talented, polyglot, cultured, progressive, Southern ass. As for the Cobb County school district: What about the Jesus-horses? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-a-victory-for-people-who-arent-complete-fucking-retards/284569/20 "2005-01-13T22:18:15Z")
> [@jinwicked](#): > > The stickers read, “This Bible contains material on creation. Creation is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered.” Actually, Biblical creation isn’t a theory. It’s a hypothesis. And one that is contradicted by physical evidence. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-a-victory-for-people-who-arent-complete-fucking-retards/284569.md?page=2)