A Creationist Just Became Florida State University’s New President

[FLPanhandle]

Last week, we learned that Republican State Senator John Thrasher was one of the finalists to become Florida State University’s next president.

The research-focused school held forums for the final four candidates and Thrasher couldn’t even answer simple questions about evolution and climate change. Those answers alone should have doomed his candidacy (not to mention the fact that he had no experience in academia). Instead, last night, the Board of Trustees voted 11-2 to install him as the school’s next president:



As a University of Florida alumnus, I find this both hilarious that our instate rival chose such a president (the jokes will write themselves), but also pissed that our state is such a laughingstock.

[shenmue]

1. See, I told you

This state sucks.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

2. No.

Its elected officials suck.

The state itself most definitely does not suck.

[FLPanhandle]

8. I love this state

The weather, the swamps, the rivers, the bayous, the beaches of the panhandle, the Florida Keys, the pine forests, the orange groves, etc.

It'd depressing what a string of crappy politicians we've been stuck with though.

[Lochloosa]

10. Don't forget Fried mullet. Yummy

[Xyzse]

13. Fried Mullet?

I am adventurous in food, but eating back hair is just not my idea of a good time.

---
I think you must elaborate, since I think I may be getting the wrong idea.

[KamaAina]

21. Accidental DUzy!!

Mullet is also a fish.

[Lochloosa]

24. Lol

[Xyzse]

30. LOL

[Lochloosa]

26. North Florida is famous for its fish fries.

It's almost always mullet or catfish. With hush puppies and cheese grits. Oh, and don't forget the cold beer.

[Xyzse]

31. Thanks!

[KamaAina]

35. Ugh! Cheese grits again!

I had it out with an FB friend the other day about the merits (or lack thereof) of adulterating perfectly good grits with cheese.

[Lochloosa]

36. Only at a fish fry. Now, mixing your yolks in them. Oh yeah.

[Eleanors38]

51. Yep. Break up your sausage & eggs and mix into grits.

My Mom remembers going to political fish fries where grits were served. Collard greens, too. The earliest such event was the Katz camp. for governor in the 20s.

During the Depression a party was boiled peanuts, followed later by home-made icecream. The only real expense was a block of ice. Our family continued using block ice from a house by the old ACL tracks in G'ville, up into the 60s. That house is still there, used for other purposes. Tracks are long-gone.

[FLPanhandle]

47. I'm with you except when combining the grits with seafood

Shrimp on top of grits with Gouda cheese. Amazing.

[FLPanhandle]

27. I guess you'll just have to come down to the Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival this year.

You'll see plenty of both kinds of mullets.

[Xyzse]

32. Nice... Perhaps I will one day.

[Eleanors38]

52. Back when it was legal, my Dad "snatched" mullet

from S. Fla. canals using a #64 treble hook. Got 60 one time, put 'em on ice fir the trip back to G'ville, where we had the privilege of cleaning them. Ate half of them in one night!

Ah! The days when we were amazed when the population went over 4 million, and wild hogs were mysterious creatures in the palmetto flats.

[RKP5637]

53. It is! It's amazing the creatures that get elected into office. It's amazing Scott isn't sitting

in jail, for example. For such a beautiful place, there are certainly some super ugly politicians in office.

[AngryAmish]

44. My friend, have you been to Florida?

There is a reason why it is the laughingstock of the civilized world.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

50. I've lived here for over a decade and a half.

Before that, I've visited regularly since I was an infant.

I've been all over the state--North, Central, South. Loved just about all of it (Disney World and all the mess around it being the main exception.)

Besides maybe Hawaii, there's no other state in this country where I'd rather live.

All of Florida's many flaws cannot detract from its many attributes. Not even close.

The associated craziness with Florida only makes for good writing fodder for Carl Hiaasen and Tim Dorsey novels. It only adds to the charm.

[Eleanors38]

54. Let 'em laugh. I grew up there, graduated from U of F,

moved, but visit family twice a year.

Get your jollies keeping up regional steteotypes. I for one will continue to appeal to millions of people who some here prefer to laugh at.

Obama. Twice.

[snooper2]

56. What is that smell every time I fly into Miami International?

Walk outside that airport and the nasty just hits you in the face LOL-

Luckily I never stay, just a smoke break then back to the terminal

[FLPanhandle]

4. Ever read "Finding Florida" by TD Allman?

Excellent and entertaining book but, oh so accurate, about this state.

*sigh* I do love the water and boating though and, at least we aren't Texas.

[shenmue]

12. Okay

I sorry.

[Louisiana1976]

3. He'll probably throw out all science textbooks and replace them with the Bible.

[FLPanhandle]

5. So, on the upside, there will be cost savings for the students

One KJV Bible is the only text book they need regardless of course or major.

LOL.

[BuckIA]

6. Students can pick one up for free from any hotel room.

[CanonRay]

11. How about a new Department of Religious Science?

How many angels can fit on the head of a pin, etc.

[rurallib]

7. I thought Florida State was just a pro football team

amazing what you learn on DU.

[FLPanhandle]

9. Now, the only university in the country where the QB is smarter than the university president.

LOL

[rurallib]

37. !

[FSogol]

15. +1 LOL. n/t

[madville]

14. How's the U of F president doing these days?

Publicly endorsing among other things, John McCain for President, pro-Israel policies, doubling tuition costs over a five year period, etc, winners all around

[FLPanhandle]

16. Ol' Bernie isn't perfect that's for sure.

However, he has done a good job on the academic front.

The hope is Rick Scott is gone before Machen retires or we could end up with a similar right wing nut-job as FSU.

[HereSince1628]

17. As the university didn't evolve from an amoeba, I don't see this as a problem.

Presidents 'glad hand' to raise money, and they are the ultimate back-stop of institutional fiscal incompetence.

I am pretty sure the staff can run the place until it crashes, and it all falls on his head.

[ladjf]

18. How could that be possible? A major University, run by a profoundly ignorant person. nt

[HereSince1628]

19. University presidents need to be able to fake smiles and beg for money

it really has very very little to do with believing in evolution.

When he jumps up and bans 100 level Zoology or Botany courses that include evolution, we would have license to worry. But even then it would mostly be about imposition of an administrator into curricular issues the AAUP suggests be deferred to faculty.

[ladjf]

23. I've taught at the University level for 30 years and I respectfully

disagree with some points in your post.

A good University needs to have a vast amount of knowledge that includes far more than begging skills.

I don't disagree that many college presidents fit description you used. But not many who are as public ally ignorant as this guy.
Anyone who could possibly believe that the Earth is only 10,000 years old has worked hard trying to stay ignorant.
My guess is that most politicians claiming to be creationists are pandering for votes.

[HereSince1628]

25. In my 30 years at college and university teaching my experience has varied with yours

[ladjf]

28. Sounds like you have had some bad experiences with your Presidents. I've only taught at two

Universities under five Presidents. They were all different but with one exception, they were very bright, highly educated people who were outstanding scholars and were a joy to work with.

[Eleanors38]

55. Columbia U. isn't known by its presidential track record...

Think Ike.

[FLPanhandle]

29. A president is also the face of the university.

How can your president be soliciting funds for science research when he is famous for rejecting science?

[KamaAina]

20. He's also pRick Scott's campaign chair

I'm sure that had not a thing to do with his selection.

In a way, it's almost just as well that playahata never lived to see this.

[KamaAina]

22. Booby Jindal is throwing a hissy fit

because he didn't think of saddling LSU with one first.

[yeoman6987]

33. Can he do the job? Yes! 11-2 is an incredible vote of confidence

Good for him! Yep a Florida State Alumnus here. I am so proud of my school today! Funny how they just sent a campaign for donation and I am going to double my usual donation.

[phil89]

38. Way to support ignorance

and a horrible decision.

[yeoman6987]

39. Whatever! FSU all the way! Best university in the country!

[FLPanhandle]

40. Proud?

Well, FSU will always be the fall back school with that attitude.

[yeoman6987]

41. Love it! The jealousy oozes!

[FLPanhandle]

42. LOL

Well played.

[yeoman6987]

43. Just having fun.

I am actually disappointed in this decision. The students will protest this most likely.

[valerief]

34. Vote tampering (like jury tampering)? How could 11 people be so stupid otherwise? nt

[LittleBlue]

45. Apparently if you believe in the magic man in the sky

that's fine. But you've crossed the line at creationism.

I don't believe in any of this stuff. As long as he performs his job and doesn't try to use the university to force his views on others, meh.

[Terra Alta]

46. a creationist running a public university?

It's outrageous. Wouldn't he be a better fit at Bob Jones University or Hyles-Anderson or some other fundie school, where they teach crap more in line with his beliefs?

[Ilsa]

48. I wonder how many other universities have

Closed-minded creationists for their presidents? Most probably haven't made their position (or beliefs) public unless they are employed at private religious colleges or are former politicians.

[genwah]

49. Say, isn't this the school where Charles Koch approves of Econ. faculty hires?

Why, yes, it IS!

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/billionaires-role-in-hiring-decisions-at-florida-state-university-raises/1168680