Dear Senator,

I woke up early this morning and went out for a walk before the doves broke the still of the night with their calling. That was nice and it was a special treat for me to catch sight of a crescent moon in the Eastern sky along with a good view of Venus,  just a little to the right of the moon.

Of course Venus wasn't labeled; some knowledge of the detailed observations of celestial objects is necessary to know what we are seeing when we gaze into the sky and why we are seeing it.  Otherwise we might think that all the celestial objects, save the sun and the moon, circle daily around our planet as is stated in Genesis.  People then didn't have the knowledge that we have now.

But Venus never reaches the zenith. It appears only as 'the morning star' or  the 'evening star'  depending on where it is in terms of it's own orbit around the sun.  It was partly his careful observation of Venus that led Galileo to support the Copernican model of the universe.  Still, people ignorant of his observations (as well as the observations of many others) might  subscribe to a geocentric view based on casual observation or 'teaching',  but it's only a stubborn resistance to knowledge that enables one to do so for a prolonged period of time.

Which brings me to the point of this message. While every district selects a representative of their choice to serve on the State Board of Education, the appointment of one to serve as Chairman of the State Board of Education is a decision that affects all of us and reflects on the character of our state.  You will be called upon in the vote on the confirmation of Don McLeroy, an avowed and arrogant geocentrist, as chairman of the SBOE. I'm urging you to resist and to stand up for knowledge and education but the choice is yours.You also have your political interests to protect.

Let me close with an excerpt from a note to a friend:
"We've discussed these things before, Gene, and I wonder if you simply don't bother with the sources I send you or if you simply forget.  Here's another: GOP's "Christian Nation"  New excuses for a bad idea.

The good news is that not all Republicans support the GOP platform here in Texas, especially since it's been dictated in an effort to appeal to the extremists on the right who contend that the earth is standing still.  This may be coming to a vote in the state senate next week.  Hold your breath. It may be an 'earth stopping moment' in history."
http://blogs.realtime.net/blogs/church&state/

Please feel free to call upon me for clarification or for additional information or resources if desired.  I stand firmly in support of public education and am happy to serve.

Very Sincerely,

Ian E. Reid, Ph. D.
12802 Modena Trail
Austin, Texas 78729
(512) 394-8994