Mind you, compared to FISA, this is nothing, but still in principle this is upsetting.  So what is it that's got me all angry?  Apparently, in Ohio, according to an AP news story about a so-called science teacher is really no teacher at all.  For almost a decade, a Ohio man has been violating his obligation to teach what he was certified for.

Instead, for almost a decade, this cretin has been teaching creationism, and turning his science class into a pseudo bible study!  This, ladies and gentlemen is wrong...so so wrong.  And wait, no it gets worse, folks.  Oh yes, to "prove his point" this bastard has been known at times to burn a cross on his student's arms.  Yes, you heard me, he burned a cross on a students' arms!  

Freshwater used a science tool known as a high-frequency generator to burn images of a cross on students' arms in December, the report said. Freshwater told investigators he simply was trying to demonstrate the device on several students and described the images as an "X," not a cross. But pictures show the images depict a cross, the report said.

- excerpt from Ohio Teacher burned a cross on a kid's arm

Now I cannot say if this was a branding or something not permanent, but dammit how could a community tolerate this?!  Why was this man not fired on the spot?  Actually, at this point, I think even the superintendent should go.

This is negligence...no a crime of the highest order because what we have here is the corruption of minds of children.  Now I'm not an Athiest, I believe in God, but frankly there is a time and place for things.  We must have a secular society, for any religion to take precedence would open up a Pandora's box!  Separation of Church and State should be a top priority.  So, saying all this, a science class should not be a place to teach the bible!

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - A public school teacher preached his Christian beliefs despite complaints by other teachers and administrators and used a device to burn the image of a cross on students' arms, according to a report by independent investigators.

Mount Vernon Middle School teacher John Freshwater also taught creationism in his science class and was insubordinate in failing to remove a Bible and other religious materials from his classroom, the report said.

- excerpt from Ohio teacher burned cross on kids' arms

Look, I have a personal reason why this burns me so.  When I went to grammar school at Everett McKinley Dirksen, we had three teachers who was like this men.  Spending time in their class, they tried to throw the bible in my face, and if not one of these religious ghouls would say how our actions (even chewing gum) would send us to hell.  But there was one incident in particular that really got me.  There was a young girl who, in an assignment about talking about birth and family, talked about how her father had died and that she was born before her mother and stepfather were born.  At the end of her speech, the vile middle-aged crone who taught the class said "so you're a bastard."  A shock at come over the class of, this teacher then went on to say how in the bible she was not exactly pure or something along those lines.  By the time she was done, this young girl had a river of tears flowing down her face.  Now this teacher later received a complaint, but the fact remains this should have never happened.  I can only assume that similar incidents have occurred in other schools over the decades.

I could go into the hipocracy that was my Catholic upbringing, but you've all heard similar stories.  Children are impressionable creatures who should be nurtured with knowledge that will help them in life.  Yes, you could impart some lessons from the bible or the Koran or the Torah, but "thou shall not kill" isn't just a religious believe, it's also a humanist one.  Secondly, we must not take away from what is needed in their education.  We already have cut backs in the arts and such, and in some cases even science and math.  In no absolute case must we replace Evolution with Creationism or that new bastardize version known as Intelligent Design.

The board in that Ohio school district knew of this man.  They were aware he wasn't teaching his job. Why didn't even the local teachers' union step in?  This has been going on for a decade, so the local could have been made aware.  So today they have to have a consulting firm to help out?  You don't need some private firm to handle this public education issue.  

FIRE THE MAN!

He violated the rules and was openly subordinate, surely even the local would back this man's removal.  For crying out loud, this cannot continue!  Creationism?  Cross burnings!?!  Really, do we need anything else to remove this pathetic excuse for a teacher?

FIRE HIM NOW!

UPDATE: Here is another story on this from the Columbus Dispatch (thanks to onanyes for pointing out the link on the Dawkins site!)

UPDATE: This guy has been fired!