Acceptance of Science Bill [Failed]

[Јas]

Aye

[Јas]

Nay

Abstinence only education does nothing more than lead to more unwanted pregnancies and more transmission of STDs. You can't stop kids from having sex but you can show them a way to do it safely. I have nothing wrong with teaching abstinence alongside safe sex measures but not abstinence-only.

Agreed

Nay

[Јas]

Nay

[Јas]

Voting is now open on each of Ernest's amendments:

Amendment 1:
To rename section 1 "Section 1: Human sexuality".

Amendment 2:
To strike clause 1 of section 1.

Amendment 3:
To strike clause 2 of section 1.

Amendment 4
To strike "sinful, wrong, or unnatural" in clause 3 of section 1 and replace with "an unnatural act observed only in humans" and to strike clause 7 of section 2.

Amendment 5
To strike clause 5 of section 1.

Amendment 6
To rename section 2 "Section 2: Origins".

Amendment 6
To strike "valid within" in clause 8 of section 2 and replace with "testable by".

Amendment 7
To strike "disproves" in clause 9 of section 2 and replace with "contradicts".

[Јas]

Amendment 1:
To rename section 1 "Section 1: Human sexuality".

Abstain

Amendment 2:
To strike clause 1 of section 1.

Aye

Not happy with the wording here. I understand the point behind the clause, and am sympathetic towards it, but I think it's too broad.

It's entirely possible that a reasonable educative process could lead one to believe that abortion is 'wrong'. persons should be presented with facts and allowed make up their own mind on questions of morality such as this. I don't think the state should take an objective stance and declare abortion to be either 'wrong', or by implication, 'right'.

Amendment 3:
To strike clause 2 of section 1.

Nay

Amendment 4
To strike "sinful, wrong, or unnatural" in clause 3 of section 1 and replace with "an unnatural act observed only in humans" and to strike clause 7 of section 2.

Abstain

Amendment 5
To strike clause 5 of section 1.

Nay

Amendment 6
To rename section 2 "Section 2: Origins".

Aye

Amendment 6
To strike "valid within" in clause 8 of section 2 and replace with "testable by".

Aye

Amendment 7
To strike "disproves" in clause 9 of section 2 and replace with "contradicts".

Aye

[Јas]

Nay to both

[Јas]

Nay (Based on Ernest's argument)
Nay
Nay

[Јas]

I agree entirely with the sentiments expressed by Senator Ernest and will support his amendment.

[Јas]

Aye

[Јas]

Can someone explain why these schools should be exempted?

[Јas]

Nay

[Јas]

Nay

[Јas]

Nay

[Јas]

Having sought and received legal advice from two very respected sources, which came to divergent conclusions, I have decided to take the cautious option and will not cast a vote on this matter until the President returns and I am no longer Acting President.

[Јas]

I suppose the timeframe for me to change Jas' vote (not that I'd intend to) would be expired by now?

Yes, I think so. The time for changing of votes (I think) has expired.

[Јas]

Or Jas casts the tie-breaking vote.  I'm personally not beholden one way or another, although I would like to see a conclusion to this whole process, so that I can go about voting against cloture on the legislation.

As I say, I won't be casting such a vote (if it indeed needs to be cast at all) until I'm no longer Acting President. I don't imagine my vote will cause any shocks either.

To my knowledge, Colin should be back on Sunday.

[Јas]

Being now Vice President proper, I cast my vote against the amendment.
Under either interpretation of the law, the amendment thus fails.

[Јas]

Voting is now open on a motion for cloture.

[Јas]

By a vote of 6-0, the motion of cloture receieving two-thirds of the votes available given 9 Senators, the motion is carried.


Given that, we immediately move to a final vote.
Please vote aye, nay or abstain on the below bill:

Acceptance of Science Bill

Section 1: Human Sexuality
No funds from the federal government shall go towards any sex education curriculum that promotes any of the following beliefs as based on scientific evidence:
1.) the trait of homosexuality or bisexuality is an entirely conscious choice and/or is strange or unnatural.
2.) the participation in homosexual sex acts is an unnatural act observed only in humans.
3.) the proper use of contraceptive devices including but not limited to condoms is grossly ineffective in preventing pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections.
4.) engaging in sexual activity before marriage with proper precautions is dangerous.
5.) males and females should limit themselves to careers which have historically been associated with masculine and feminine roles, respectively.

Section 2: Origins
No funds from the federal government shall go towards any scientific education curriculum that promotes any of the following beliefs as based on scientific evidence:
1.) the status of biological evolution as a scientific theory is somehow different or set apart from that of other scientific theories such as gravity or relativity.
2.) fossil evidence for biological macroevolution is largely inaccurate or misinterpreted by mainstream scientists, or presents a picture that contradicts with biological evolutionary theory.
3.) radioactive carbon dating is always inaccurate or scientifically unreliable.
4.) the age of the earth is less than ten thousand years.
5.) the origins of the universe and of life on earth are scientifically explained by religious texts or creeds.
6.) the complexity of certain types of life on earth are of such a magnitude that they present valid evidence for that of a higher power or "intelligent designer."
7.) creation theories are testable by the scientific method.
8.) the Second Law of Thermodynamics contradicts the Big Bang.

Section 3: Cannabis
No federal funds shall be directed toward any drug prevention program that disseminates any of the following beliefs, and/or presents them as being established on scientific evidence.
1. Marijuana use fails to alleviate symptoms associated with terminal illness (e.g. cancer).
2. Recreational use of marijuana invariably leads to use of "hard" drugs (the so-called "gateway effect").

[Јas]

Current Tally on Final Vote

Aye: 2 (Ebowed; Rob)
Nay: 4 (Sam; BrandonH; DWTL; PBrunsel)
Yet to Vote: 3 (Al; Lewis; Phil)

[Јas]

Current Tally on Final Vote
Aye: 4 (Ebowed; Rob; Lewis; Al)
Nay: 5 (Sam; BrandonH; DWTL; PBrunsel; Phil)
Yet to Vote: 0

The bill having garnered enough votes to fail, Senators have 24 hours from now within which they may change their votes.

[Јas]

Final Vote
Aye: 4 (Ebowed; Rob; Lewis; Al)
Nay: 5 (Sam; BrandonH; DWTL; PBrunsel; Phil)
Yet to Vote: 0

The Acceptance of Science Bill fails the final vote 4-5-0 and is removed from the Senate floor.