80th Legislature: Chisum Appologizes To Jewsh Leaders Over Memo

You will recall earlier this week that we brought you the story of Rep. Warren Chisum (R-Pampa) and the memo [here, .pdf] that he circulated to members of the Texas Legislature from a Georgia lawmaker that intimated that evolution theory was a Kabbalast conspiracy of sorts. (Incidentally, Capitol Annex was the very first blog to have the memo).
Chisum has now apologized for any offense he may have caused to people of the Jewish faith and will meet with Jewish leaders on the subject:

The Pampa Republican sent a letter late today to the North Texas-Oklahoma office of the [Anti-Defamation] league, which works to eradicate hatred of Jews and other minorities.

“I certainly meant no harm or disrespect for the religious views held by any person or group and for having done so, I am truly sorry,” Mr. Chisum wrote.

That’s particularly interesting. Though Chisum made the Texas Freedom Network’s 2007 Watchlist of figures to watch for “carrying water” for the Religious Right and has sparked the ire of progressives and liberals for various actions, and his sending out of the memo was in bad taste, I’d never heard nor thought that Chisum was anti semitic.

And, none other than former State Rep. Steve Wolens (D-Dallas), who also happens to be the husband of Dallas Mayor Laura Miller, is stepping up to vouch for Chisum:

Mr. Chisum said his colleague of 18 years in the Legislature, former Rep. Steve Wolens, D-Dallas, who is Jewish, could confirm that Mr. Chisum is not a bigot.
Mr. Wolens did just that Friday.

“I’ve always found him to be respectful of religions and respectful of my religion,” Mr. Wolens said.

And, predictably, Chisum is now beggining to distance himself from the memo:

The memo by Georgia GOP Rep. Ben Bridges urges state legislatures to ban the teaching of evolution. It claims evolution was the religious doctrine of certain Jews in ancient times, and thus can’t be taught in public schools.

Mr. Chisum said “the document in question does not accurately reflect my views.” He did not elaborate.

Nor did he mention the Atlanta-area Fair Education Foundation. Mr. Bridges’ memo contained links to the foundation’s Web site, which asserts that the universe revolves around the earth. The site also depicts theories on evolution as a plot by “Jewish physicists” and Hollywood moguls to brainwash people.

The league had demanded that Mr. Chisum not only apologize but repudiate the material Mr. Bridges circulated.

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