Monday, September 14, 2009

More on Neurotic America

Talk about running scared! Evangelicals, particularly Biblical Literalists and Intelligent Design proponents have been unsuccessfully claiming that Science is afraid to allow an opposing viewpoint. Yet who is really scared?

Remember little bennie stein's abortion "Expelled:"? Well that seemed to have no trouble being distributed -- even though it wasn't much of a documentary or had much truth in with it's very parochial message. Yet another movie, one on a small portion of the life of Charles Darwin is having trouble finding a USA distributor because Darwin is 'controversial'. What a bunch of BS. It's the conservatives who fawned over bennie stein that are afraid of opposing views.

The movie, a drama not a documentary, is called "Creation" starring Paul Bettany and his real-life wife Jennifer Connelly. These are two amazing actors! I think I really enjoyed Bettany's take on Chaucer in "Knight's Tale" and as Silas in "The DaVinci Code" he was chilling. I have loved Jennifer Connelly since her turn in "A Beautiful Mind" and Kathy in "A House of Sand and Fog". I could have lived without seeing her in "Hulk" but even actors have to work. When I heard they were teaming up for this movie I was excited. Now I learn I may have to wait for the DVD because movie distributors are running scared of the conservatives which haven't much of a clue about reality anyway.

Eugenie Scott and the staff at the NCSE got to see it and her review is here on Panda's Thumb. I liked her points about the difference between a drama and a documentary, something bennie stein should note as well, but he never will. I can see why they are running scared. Anything that tells the truth about Charles Darwin would put a wrench into their tactics of proclaiming him a racist and Nazi. Since their tactic is just that, a tactic with no truth or facts to support it. I can see why they would be afraid.

Funny how the one side that CLAIMS the other is fearful tends to be the one the most afraid. Some serious projection going on.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Intelligent design to take over all studies

While this, "Intelligent design to take over all studies" is tongue in cheek, there is a certain amount of validity to the concept. We have seen the many and varied attacks on the Theory of Evolution. But remember the attacks have branched out many times to other scientific disciplines. The study of Geology has supported Evolution in many ways, and when anti-evolutionists question it, they are in fact attacking Geology. How about how many times has radiological dating, a branch of Physics, been attack for its support of both Evolution and Geology. Astronomy and Cosmology are frequently under attack by people like Guillermo Gonzales and the 'Privileged Planet' crowd. Abiogenesis is frequently used to attack Evolution, even though it is a separate area of study under Chemistry, not Biology.

So read and enjoy, but keep in the back of your mind that we are supporting a quality science education and to allow folks at the Discovery Institute, AIG, ICR, ARN, and the Thomas More Law Center, to name a few, to succeed in replacing science with pseudo-science, how long will it be before other educational disciplines get replaced by pseudo-disciplines? It's a serious matter, but even the most serious deserve the occasional light treatment, and this article is one of them. I loved it!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

And Missouri gets foolish as well

Remember the whole debacle when neighbor Kansas tried to change to basic definition of science so supernatural causation could be included, opening the way for Creationism and Intelligent Design into the science classroom? You might also remember that Kansas concerned citizens restored a level of sanity and voted off the school board members who were busy pushing their personal religions agenda.

Well things aren't perfect in the "The Show-me" State next door. Apparently a cleverly designed Tee-Shirt given to Sedalia's Smith-Cotton High School band members features the old traditional Evolution of Man depiction, only this time each member of the line was holding a brass instrument. the idea was to show the "Evolution of Brass". Very clever, possibly thought provoking, but I guess too much for some parents. The Sedalia-Democrat reported "Band shirts hit wrong note with parents".

One parent really showed her . . . mettle . . . "I was disappointed with the image on the shirt.” Sherry Melby said. “I don’t think evolution should be associated with our school." Can you believe that? I don’t think evolution should be associated with our school! It's much too late for that, Sherry. Missouri currently teaches Evolution in Biology. Your over-reaction to this tee-shirt just shows how closed your own mind is.

I am disappointed that the school took any complaints seriously. Evolution is not a religious topic, haven't you learned anything! Pulling the shirts because of the school policy to remain neutral on the topic of religion DOES NOT apply here.

More free speech goes out the window! I hope some students decided to keep the shirts, and it puts in regular appearances during the school year.