tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post3174831092082894490..comments2024-03-29T03:40:00.298-04:00Comments on Progressive Eruptions: GOP Anti-Science State Legislators Are At It Again!Shaw Kenawehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08637273000409613497noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-89331893918366793672013-02-03T17:02:21.718-05:002013-02-03T17:02:21.718-05:00Isaac Asimov addresses that, S.W.A. with this quot...Isaac Asimov addresses that, S.W.A. with this quote:<br /><br />“There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that "my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.” ― Isaac AsimovShaw Kenawehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08637273000409613497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-26259963716231890872013-02-03T16:42:55.741-05:002013-02-03T16:42:55.741-05:00Same ol', same ol': "Hey, everyone ha...Same ol', same ol': <i>"Hey, everyone has a right to their own opinion, and my opinion is just as valid as what you claim to be fact. So there."</i>S.W. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02388361660919375835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-60451798336251845562013-02-03T15:34:55.706-05:002013-02-03T15:34:55.706-05:00There is nothing but insulting discussion going on...There is nothing but insulting discussion going on at Western Hero, where all your new commentators come from. Insults are the way they treat any ideas different than their own. That's not fostering understanding, just anger and stupidity. Shaw has been the main recipient of their insults.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-22115575290871225942013-02-03T14:20:27.101-05:002013-02-03T14:20:27.101-05:00Can't disagree with that at all.Can't disagree with that at all.<br /><br />Shaw Kenawehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08637273000409613497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-8590381019378053932013-02-03T12:29:30.985-05:002013-02-03T12:29:30.985-05:00Shaw,
I don't know what has happened to make i...Shaw,<br /><i>I don't know what has happened to make it so that legislation has to be introduced to allow Bible passages to be seen as an alternate view of science.</i><br /><br />The increased polarization and Balkanization of America?<br /><br />All sides are screeching, screeching, screeching.<br /><br />Yes, I do screech too. And I complain. But not all the time. <br /><br />We have, overall, become a nation of moanin' and whinin'. Sheesh.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-33482863505708576622013-02-03T11:56:45.568-05:002013-02-03T11:56:45.568-05:00"Instead, he said it aims to foster a culture..."Instead, he said it aims to foster a culture of tolerance for students and teachers to express beliefs that could be viewed as outside the mainstream."<br /><br />Does he mean things like homosexuality, beastiality, devil worship, benefits of various recreational drugs,....all of which can be considered outside of the mainstream? How progressive of him!Jerry Critterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01870618647449723147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-65597580685391894912013-02-03T10:45:25.100-05:002013-02-03T10:45:25.100-05:00"What's the point of that language?'
...<i>"What's the point of that language?'</i><br /><br />Like most legislation churned out in this country, it is pointless nanny-state meddling.<br /><br />Silverfiddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13541652236676260219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-23916421390680568512013-02-03T10:36:13.798-05:002013-02-03T10:36:13.798-05:00I know a number of devout Christians [family membe...I know a number of devout Christians [family members included] who managed to get through public school and its science classes and still retain their faith. There was never any "young earth" questions raised in class because I think these folks understood what belonged in religious class and what belonged in science class. Somehow, they were able to keep each separate, and never did their parents insist on equal time for their religious teachings in science class.<br /><br />I don't know what has happened to make it so that legislation has to be introduced to allow Bible passages to be seen as an alternate view of science.<br /><br />Shaw Kenawehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08637273000409613497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-91750350339668135972013-02-03T09:12:16.550-05:002013-02-03T09:12:16.550-05:00I dunno.
I attended high school at what most woul...I dunno.<br /><br />I attended high school at what most would consider a fundie school. We did study about evolution and principles of genetics. The teaching wasn't from the apologetics approach either.<br /><br />Of course, I went to high school a long time ago (1964-1968).Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-86353441749263350652013-02-02T23:19:35.537-05:002013-02-02T23:19:35.537-05:00First Shaw I agree with what you argue here. But t...First Shaw I agree with what you argue here. But this is becoming so very tedious, at least for me.<br /><br />I attended public schools during the 50's and 60's and at the same time visited, and to varying degrees frequented many different denominations of Christian Churches. Ultimately, after weighing all I had learned in school and from churciih, as well as reading the entire Bible I choose my path as a non believer, although I do believe in the concept of spirituality. I leave it to each individual to decide exactly what spirituality means to them.<br /><br />Having said the preceeding, does it not make sense to allow each child to decide for themselves their own path to follow? Schools need to teach science and churches and parents have the responsibility for the religious aspect of a child's life. Guide, and encourage child to question, then trust they will make the appropriate choice for themselves. I thank my parents for doing exactly that. They were both believers.Les Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01120280762698472496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-47848998754676525852013-02-02T20:27:51.564-05:002013-02-02T20:27:51.564-05:00Here's the money quote:
But Humphrey says the...Here's the money quote:<br /><br />But Humphrey says the bill is not an attack on instruction of evolution. Instead, he said <b>it aims to foster a culture of tolerance for students and teachers to express beliefs that could be viewed as outside the mainstream.</b><br /><br />So when teacher is talking about the Jurassic period in geology and Johnny raises his hand to say that he believes cavemen rode on dinosaurs, the teacher has to tolerate it? IOW, she can't tell Johnny he wrong? <br /><br />Or if Johnny says there couldn't be any Mesozoic period that existed from 250 to 65 million years ago because he was taught in Bible school that the world is only 6,000 years old, the teacher has to respect that? And discuss and encourage discussion on it?<br /><br />It's B.S., a waste of time and a disservice to the other students.<br /><br />“I imagine there will be some students who come to testify at the committee hearing who will be able to talk about how they weren’t able to express views on this, that or the other thing,” he said."<br /><br />I imagine students have been able to express their views, and what they and their parents don't like is being told it's wrong; that the earth is not 6,000 years old; and that cavemen and dinosaurs didn't coexist, despite what Bibleland theme parks promote.<br /><br />Shaw Kenawehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08637273000409613497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-66430666535358590932013-02-02T20:13:56.283-05:002013-02-02T20:13:56.283-05:00"...protect “the teaching of scientific infor..."...protect “the teaching of scientific information ... and <b>must not be construed to promote any religious or nonreligious doctrine.”</b><br /><br /><br />What is a "nonreligious doctrine?" That could encompass a scientific principle or set of scientific principles--which would constitute a "nonreligious doctrine."<br /><br />This seems to cancel out being able to teach anything that encompasses a set of accepted principles.<br /><br />What's the point of that language?<br /><br />"The Academic Freedom Act, House Bill 1089, would direct teachers in public schools and colleges to create an environment that encourages students to intelligently and respectfully explore scientific questions and learn about scientific evidence related to biological and chemical evolution, global warming and human cloning. <br /><br />[...]<br /><br />“Public school authorities and administrators must permit teachers to help students understand, analyze, critique and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of existing scientific theories covered in a given course,” the bill reads."<br /><br />Why on earth is a piece of legislation needed for this? When I was in school and took science courses, nothing of the sort was needed. We learned the scientific method and we learned what a scientific theory is. We also learned that science, unlike religious doctrine, is always open to new data and always ready to revisit or build upon new evidence.<br /><br />I find it suspicious that these legislators would waste time in writing up unnecessary bills on how teachers should teach science.<br /><br /><br />Shaw Kenawehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08637273000409613497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-41256584076003200972013-02-02T17:18:22.141-05:002013-02-02T17:18:22.141-05:00Here's an excerpt on the threatening language ...Here's an excerpt on the threatening language in the Colorado bill...<br /><br />It would...<br /><br /><i>...protect “the teaching of scientific information ... and must not be construed to promote any religious or nonreligious doctrine.”<br /><br />The Academic Freedom Act, House Bill 1089, would direct teachers in public schools and colleges to create an environment that encourages students to intelligently and respectfully explore scientific questions and learn about scientific evidence related to biological and chemical evolution, global warming and human cloning. <br /><br />[...]<br /><br />“Public school authorities and administrators must permit teachers to help students understand, analyze, critique and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of existing scientific theories covered in a given course,” the bill reads."</i><br /><br />In a particularly ominous development, the conservatives pushing the bill invoked "tolerance."<br /><br />Careful lefties! The righties are learning and adopting your tactics.<br /><br />Never fear though. It's going nowhere in the democrat controlled statehouse.<br /><br />And Shaw, I am saddened that you've had to turn moderation back on, but I understand, but I understand and sympathize.<br />Silverfiddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13541652236676260219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-11069958230128743382013-02-02T14:42:40.160-05:002013-02-02T14:42:40.160-05:00Comment moderation is on again.
Comment moderation is on again.<br /><br /><br /><br />Shaw Kenawehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08637273000409613497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-69507474401801384952013-02-02T12:40:46.425-05:002013-02-02T12:40:46.425-05:00How many times has the House proposed legislation ...How many times has the House proposed legislation to overturn the ACA?<br /><br />40? I can't remember. <br /><br />A total waste of tax payers' time and money.<br /><br />Shaw Kenawehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08637273000409613497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-5026340553661041992013-02-02T12:28:15.241-05:002013-02-02T12:28:15.241-05:00F you want to look for wasteful legislation, look ...F you want to look for wasteful legislation, look no farther than the House of Represenatives. They are continually passing legislation that they know has no chance of passing the Senate or getting signed by the president. They are a big waste of time.Jerry Critterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01870618647449723147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-8913151399919774072013-02-02T11:13:24.718-05:002013-02-02T11:13:24.718-05:00I've tried to explain that to our friends on t...I've tried to explain that to our friends on the right who believe liberals like to use government for their purposes, but howl when conservatives do it. That's not why we call them out. We call them out because it is THEY who remind us daily that government is too big and does too much. And then lawmakers like the ones in Missouri, Colorado, Montana, etc., introduce wasteful legislation that everyone knows will never pass the test of constitutionality. The party that doesn't believe in government imposing ANYTHING on them continually tries to impose their ideology on the rest of us all the time.<br /><br /> Shaw Kenawehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08637273000409613497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-27021629267186215972013-02-02T10:45:26.945-05:002013-02-02T10:45:26.945-05:00I find it rather ironic that there is a conservati...I find it rather ironic that there is a conservative base that pushes 'less government' and then passes more needless and ridiculous rules. Of course, though, if you can change the text books....someone is making money selling those books.okjimmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11013002335848390765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-17677299257166791982013-02-02T09:55:49.147-05:002013-02-02T09:55:49.147-05:00PZ Myers over at Pharyngula covers the story in Mi...<a href="http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2013/02/01/whoa-missouriyoure-not-going-to-let-this-one-pass-are-you/" rel="nofollow">PZ Myers over at Pharyngula covers the story in Missouri.</a>Shaw Kenawehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08637273000409613497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-14846234650464760632013-02-02T01:31:13.399-05:002013-02-02T01:31:13.399-05:00Ducky, yes it is... GOP leaders routinely try and ...Ducky, yes it is... GOP leaders routinely try and move to legislate this type of stuff.<br /><br />Finn... any comments?<br /><br />Dave Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16777087329254991970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-89834749105406209882013-02-01T22:09:14.592-05:002013-02-01T22:09:14.592-05:00@Infidel753 --- Stupidity about science is not co...@Infidel753 --- Stupidity about science is not confined to Republicans, but political efforts to teach stupidity in science classes are pretty much confined to Republican politicians. I've never heard of Democratic politicians making such efforts.<br />----------<br />Can we get an amen from the congregation?<br />This is the crux of the matter, no?Ducky's herehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14608115001116619877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-88277610987150490002013-02-01T21:27:20.222-05:002013-02-01T21:27:20.222-05:00There is one thing that I agree with Paul Broun ab...There is one thing that I agree with Paul Broun about. Republicans do need a savior. At the rate they are going, the republicans will be politically extinct within a few years.Jerry Critterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01870618647449723147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-73935683027367892962013-02-01T20:07:09.207-05:002013-02-01T20:07:09.207-05:00As Forest Gump's mother (Sally Fields) would s...As Forest Gump's mother (Sally Fields) would say... "Stupid is as stupid does."<br /><br />May the Great White Buffalo help us all.Les Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01120280762698472496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-34706758425709424672013-02-01T19:46:15.213-05:002013-02-01T19:46:15.213-05:00Shaw. Yes, apparently 58% of Republican voters be...Shaw. Yes, apparently 58% of Republican voters believe that the universe was created 3,000 years after the development of agriculture. Explains a lot, doesn't it?Infidel753https://www.blogger.com/profile/10965786814334886696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883838569462983439.post-13331576905260783992013-02-01T19:44:21.135-05:002013-02-01T19:44:21.135-05:00Finntann: Stupidity about science is not confined...Finntann: Stupidity about science is not confined to Republicans, but political efforts to teach stupidity in science classes <i>are</i> pretty much confined to Republican politicians. I've never heard of Democratic politicians making such efforts.<br /><br />Actually I reserve a lot of scorn for those 42% of Republicans who know evolution is a reality but continue to vote for a party which wants our schools to teach otherwise. They, at least, should know better.<br /><br />The first commenter makes the point we need to hammer away at again and again. The kids in Missouri, Oklahoma, and the rest of these states will grow up to compete with their Russian, German, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, etc. contemporaries who went to schools that taught <i>real science</i>. Even <i>Iran</i> teaches evolution in its schools.<br /><br />In the name of "academic freedom" and "teaching the controversy", one might just as well teach "flat Earth science" in geography classes, or the stork theory in sex education. This is a hideous embarrassment to our country.Infidel753https://www.blogger.com/profile/10965786814334886696noreply@blogger.com