If you can't argue with the facts, legislate against them

I Eat Gravel found this lovely little tidbit, courtesy the Oklahoma legislature and Representative Todd Thomsen: bills to ban Richard Dawkins from speaking on the University of Oklahoma campus AND to contest the validity of the theory of evolution. The bits that get me are these (emphasis mine):

WHEREAS, the Department of Zoology at the University of Oklahoma has, as evidenced on the departmental homepage, been framing the Darwinian theory of evolution as doctrinal dogmatism rather than a hypothetical construction within the disciplines of the sciences; and

WHEREAS, not only has the Department of Zoology at the University of Oklahoma been engaged in one-sided indoctrination of an unproven and unpopular theory but has made an effort to brand all thinking in dissent of this theory as anti-intellectual and backward rather than nurturing such free thinking and allowing a free discussion of all ideas which is the primary purpose of a university;...

Americans United for Separation of Church and State describes Thomsen as "stark raving mad," and adds,

As several critics have pointed out, the resolution contradicts itself. Thomsen wants an open debate on Darwinism – but doesn’t want Dawkins to speak on campus.

I think the only folks faming evolution as doctrinal dogmatism have been the religious folks who want their religious beliefs foisted on the rest of us through legislation.