The earth, and all life on it, wasn’t created in 6 days or 6 billion years for that matter. After the first 6 billion years of the universe, our third generation sun didn’t exist yet. The birds came after the things that creep, not before. The story of Genesis was written by men trying to figure out the order of events. Not surprisingly, they got things wrong. But since these ignorant men thousands of years ago claimed to be speaking for god, somehow this is still a debate in present times.

When a child believes in Santa, it’s cute. But at a certain age, it becomes sad. It becomes sadder still at a certain age and position of government. Every other week, some misguided Republican it trying to force creationism into science. Could you imagine if Mother Goose claimed to speak for god? Republicans would be demanding that the cow jumping over the moon be taught as a competing theory to gravity.

In South Carolina, a third grader named Olivia McConnell wrote to her state representatives asking that the Wooly Mammoth be the official state fossil. Being that South Carolina didn’t have an official state fossil while most other states did, why not?

What’s wrong with the following?

Whereas, giant mammoths used to roam South Carolina; and

Whereas, scientists have identified the fossils of about six hundred and fifty species of vertebrates in South Carolina to date; and

Whereas, it has been recognized that fossilized mammoth teeth were discovered in a swamp in South Carolina in 1725; and

Whereas, this discovery has been credited as the first scientific identification of a North American vertebrate fossil. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Article 9, Chapter 1, Title 1 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

“Section 1-1-712A. The Columbian Mammoth is designated as the official State Fossil of South Carolina.”

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Who could possibly have an issue with this? Enter Republican creationist, Senator Kevin Bryant, who instead of growing up, became born again and is currently back in preschool. He has a problem with the bill. Then enter another scientifically impaired Republican named Mike Fair who also has a problem. There’s no Bible in it!

So then there was a back in forth with Bryant trying to shove the Bible into the bill and other representatives saying no. But now it appears a ridicules compromise has been made. Some of the Bible will be shoved into the bill. Why? Because Kevin Bryant is shamelessly ignorant and Senate majority leader Harvey Peeler was apparently too tired to argue anymore.

So this is what South Carolinians are likely to be saddled with:

SECTION 1. Article 9, Chapter 1, Title 1 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

“Section 1-1-712A. The Columbian Mammoth, which was created on the Sixth Day with the other beasts of the field, is designated as the official State Fossil of South Carolina and must be officially referred to as the ‘Columbian Mammoth’, which was created on the Sixth Day with the other beasts of the field.”

So now instead of a symbol that would tie South Carolina with history and science, the symbol will be soiled with childish delusions making all South Carolinians look stupid. Thank you Senator Kevin Bryant and other Republican creationists for making the United States a laughing stock to the rest of the world, except for the Islamic theocracies who applaud your efforts.

-James Kirk Wall

References:

H 4482 General Bill, By Ridgeway – South Carolina Legislature

South Carolina’s Official State Fossil Represents an Animal ‘Created on the Sixth Day,’ Says Amendment to the Bill – Patheos – Hemant Mehta

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