Carl Zimmer writes about the real awkwardness you get when you try to merge high-tech bioscience with low-tech, fundamentalist stupidity. You have to think that, sooner or later, there's going to be a showdown.
VAGUE RECOLLECTIONS: From memory, I recall reading from one of my old science and creationism books (possibly "Science and Creationism," ed. Laurie Godfrey) of the 1982 Arkansas creationism trial, and how the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce was worried that promoting an image of their state as a bunch of anti-intellectual wanks was going to make it harder to attract just the sort of young, upwardly-mobile, educated workers they were after. But that wasn't the real issue.
As I recall, one wag suggested that, if the state's embrace of fundamentalist stupidity somehow interfered with the Arkansas Razorbacks' football recruiting program, only God himself would be able to save Governor Frank White from the eventual shitstorm.
Priorities, folks. It's always a matter of priorities.
UNINTENTIONAL HUMOUR, I'M SURE: Does this sound vaguely familiar?
In August, [Florida governor Jeb] Bush appointed Cheryl Yecke as his state chancellor of K-12 education. In her previous job, Yecke had served as Minnesota's state education commissioner. A self-proclaimed creationist, she had said she wanted to get science classes to discuss “a higher power creating life alongside evolution.” Major science organizations, such as the American Institute of Biological Sciences were appalled. Yecke lost the post after a year, but Bush decided she was the right woman for the job in Florida
It's genetic, isn't it? A Bush appointing the most hideously-unqualified human being to an important government position. Coming soon -- Weasel Boy as the new federal co-ordinator of the interfaith alliance.
1 comment:
For (oops, almost said God's) Zeus's sake, can't these bozos get it straight? Evolution has nothing to do with creating life or the origins of life. Now that I've said this, we'll never have to hear that claim again, right?
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