ZooCreation

We generally avoid commenting on quasi-political issues in our native state, but this is too dumb to ignore. It was only a matter of time until Oklahoma took up small arms (small minds, too) in the culture wars. But did it really have to come to creationism at the Tulsa Zoo?

That's right. Kowtowing to pressure from a local rabble-rouser, the Tulsa Park and Recreation Board voted June 7 to present several cultural exhibits of creation.

The Daily Oklahoman's Chip Previch reports that the vote came after years of complaints from Dan Hicks, a Tulsa resident, that the zoo features an elephant statue called "Ganesha," the Hindu god of success.

“ 'I think this decision by the Park and Recreation Board is a victory for the citizens of Tulsa, because the majority view of creation is now going to be represented at the Tulsa Zoo,' Hicks said. 'To present both sides of the story, that’s education. We certainly hope the Tulsa Zoo is interested in education.' "

Huh? Both sides of the story? Are there only two tales of creation now? Does Hicks think that Hinduism, which offers a number of stories of creation, embraces Darwinian theory? And if he does think that, why on earth (which really is flat, by the way) is Tulsa taking its educational cues from this guy?

"Hicks proposed that the Bible verse of Genesis — the Christian story of creationism — should be told at the zoo through a story board, said Ross Weller, acting park and recreation director.

"Instead, an amended motion, which will include other cultural explanations, passed, 3-1, after 27 speakers and 2½ hours."

Not that we needed any reminders, but the level of political discourse in our country continues to hit even more asinine depths. We suspect it's only a matter of time until monkeys are verboten at the Tulsa zoo. After all, they do kinda resemble us, especially when hurling their feces at each other.