Cause and Effect in Louisiana

All bills in the Louisiana legislature are approaching that witching hour when, if they are not sent up for a vote, they die on the table. One of these is the Louisiana Science Education Act which would bring religion into the classroom disguised as intelligent design. From The Towntalk.com,

The Louisiana Science Education Act also is coming before the House for final approval.

The bill says BESE, upon request by a school board, "shall allow and assist" teachers and administrators to "create and foster an environment within public elementary and secondary schools that promotes critical thinking skills, logical analysis, and open and objective discussion of scientific theories being studied including, but not limited to, evolution, the origins of life, global warming, and human cloning."

The bill says teachers must present what's in textbooks before expanding with other materials.

Opponents say it sets the state up for another lengthy and expensive battle over teaching creationism in schools. Proponents say it encourages discussion of different theories.

So, that's the woo part of this post. Nothing really new here, other than the time is drawing nigh...and I'm sure it will pass unless the legislature turns tricksy like Florida.

Now for the fun part of the post - Two Great Bills That Go Great Together. First there's this one that makes it easier to raise college tuition:

Trahan also is handling a controversial measure that would allow colleges and universities to increase tuition up to 5 percent in each of the next four years. State law says only the Legislature can increase tuition but Trahan's bill, which will be considered by the House Monday, waives that authority, on a limited basis, for four years.

The increases could be imposed only if a college or university is below the average of its peers in the Southern Regional Education Board area, which stretches across the South and up the east coast to Delaware.

And then, like a fine red wine with Filet Mignon, we have

House members will vote Monday on legislation that would allow anyone who qualifies for a permit to carry concealed weapons to carry guns on college campuses. The proposal has been scheduled twice before but was never brought to a vote.

Hey...hey fellas? Yeah, I don't mind if you get your chocolate in my peanut butter, but in this case, I don't think we have a match made in heaven. So, not to stick my nose in your business, but if I had to name these bills, I think I would call them CAUSE and EFFECT.