Conservatives Confronting Creationism, continued.
June 20th, 2008 RWA Posted in News |
One of the most disheartening developments for us pro-science types has been the passage of the grossly misnamed “Academic Freedom” Bill in Louisiana, awaiting only the signature of its governor to become law. Sure, we’ve seen a similar flurry of such state legislation lately, but most of them mercifully were either DOA or, as in the case of Oklahoma’s recent bill, but few have sailed through with such ease, or are in such danger of becoming law of the land. Worse yet is what it will to do for the already currently funked-out state of American conservatism. Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal has been hailed as the next great leader of the Republican party, but with his sympathies to teaching ID already well known, he is danger of not only shouldering responsibility for depriving a generation of Lousianans the science education they need, but becoming the straw that broke conservatism’s back. If he signs the law, he will confirm in the eyes of many that the future of the Republican party remains in the hands of theocrats for whom Biblical idolatry takes precedence over the defence of the Constitution.
Maybe that’s why we are (finally!) starting to see conservatives shout louder, following the spirit, if the not the letter of Bill Buckley in yelling STOP! to what is perceived as an inexorable path towards a certain direction. Of course, the indefatigable John Derbyshire is among them, with a post title meant to invoke Reagan’s greatest quote. AllahPundit of HotAir is also on the case, offering video of and commentary on Jindal’s dodge on the issue, and LGF offers the full text of the LA Coalition for Science’s letter to Jindal, as well as choice comments from his former genetics teacher. Lately, LGF head Charles Johnson has been blogging more on science issues, including evolution. I particulary enjoy his running “OOPS” gag, as used here and here. For some reason, it never gets old…probably because its targets never give up.
It pays to say it again: creationism is not conservative. As Milton Friedman said of economics, there is no left-wing or right-wing science, just good or bad science, and people across the political spectrum should stand united for good science, as much as they do for common decency.
June 22nd, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Republicans, Democrats Differ on Creationism
http://www.gallup.com/poll/108226/Republicans-Democrats-Differ-Creationism.aspx
Speaking as a liberal deomocrat, I am glad that the profiles of the Dems and independents are much closer to each other (at least this year). McCain is going to need the religious right more this year than ever, and I don’t think he will get them. I think they will stay home.
However, there is plenty of lefty antiscience woo to go around. Also, I have not seen any real science support anywhere from either party in Louisiana.
The gallup poll I linked also has a longitudinal graph that is very interesting. Note that the only real shift has been from “I don’t know” toward “Evolution only.” This was only a 5% shift at that. So, with 44% of Americans holding to the creationist line that humans were directly created by God in the last 10,000 years or less- we are truly and deeply screwed.
Unless you are an optimist.
Then, in spite of a right-wing dominated political landscape for the last 20+ years, and the highly publisized pro-creationist events such as the AiG creation museum opening, etc. most Americans have not shifted toward creationism in any significant numbers.
June 22nd, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Link much?
Minor housekeeping details: two of the above links don’t work - the Derby link has an extra “http//” and the ‘including evolution’ link is nothing more than “http///”. Since those were the first two I clicked on, my perception of your internet skills has been lowered.
June 22nd, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Chasm, do you have anything intelligent to say? If not, get lost.
June 26th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Links work fine here.
June 28th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Link works for for me, too, chasm.
June 29th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
The links work _now_.