Thursday, January 19, 2006

Why Kenneth Blackwell should not be governor

This week, The Other Paper has a cover story about Republican Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell. Blackwell has announced that he is a Republican candidate for Ohio governor. However, Blackwell reveals enough in his interview that should scare the living daylights out of most Ohioans. Here are a few excerpts from the cover story:

If Roe v. Wade were to be overturned, would you sign a law that would outlaw abortions in the case of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother?

Yes.

Including the life of the mother?

Yes.

Would you sign a law that would allow public schools to teach Biblical creationism, as defined by the book of Genesis, in science classrooms?

I would be inclined not to sign it with the information that I know now. It hasn't met that threshold as a science. Based on what I know now, I am a strong advocate of the academic study of the Bible, including Genesis, in primary and secondary schools—offered in literature and history, and offered as an elective.

Do think creationism could eventually meet that scientific threshold?

Oh yeah. Absolutely.

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Blackwell has been closely associated with right wing minister, Rod Parsley, who has been criticized for campaining for candidates, despite his church's tax exempt status.