Politics // Current TV

Scopes Trial, Dover Trial and now what?

I was listening to NPR and heard a report - wee hours of the morning so I did not get details only the broad story. Have any of you heard this report? Here's the gist of it.

A biology scientist originally from India (lots of good scientist from there - not being sarcastic) was hired to work in some educational institution in the USA. He was there for a while and at some point was having a conversation with the Dean or some other head to whom he reported and let it be known that he did not believe in the theory of Evolution and he considered Intelligent Design (ID) in his research. The Head was shocked and encouraged the scientist to rethink this and asked he do research fully embracing Evolution. The scientist resisted, feeling he was being discriminated against. The scientist was eventually fired with some statement in that process to the effect that having clarified his standing on evolution, the institution had to let him go. Of note, it appears that in the hiring of this same scientist for the post, the position decription did delcare a full understanding and acceptance of the theory of evolution was a requirement.

Now the scientist is suing the institution. He now works to a Christian College and Assistant Biology Professor.

So, here's the deal. Firstly, this man should have heard of the Scopes Trial or the recent trial in Dover on this very topic. In both cases, creationism or ID was not allowed to be taught along side science. Secondly, is he refuting the evidence that has been collected for over one hundred years of scientific research that supports the basic theory. Is this biology scientist aware of current research in micro-biology, current studies of evolving viruses, and of evolving bacteria? And thirdly, ID, is right-wing Christian political manuvering to rename Creationism, in order for it to be taught in science classes even though it is not based in science but in belief. If any one doubts this, please inform yourself by reading the book, Monkey Girl.

One can belief what they will. That is not the point of the institution - although this is what will be the point of the trial. It misses the mark that a scientist must make use of current and historical scientific knowledge in order to progress in any research to the next discoveries. If a scientist declares s/he will not regard this base of critical information, then they are very much less a scientist. A scientist knows that a theory that keeps sustaining critical research is a very sound theory, in deed. Evolution is one of our most solid theories in the history of scientific study.

Lastly, a belief is by its definition not science. If you talk to a friend and then say 'I believe you.' It is not the same as saying 'I believe in you.' One is based on their assessment of the facts presented. The other is blind and no matter the facts, a unalterable devotion. One who believes (not believes in) the scientific evidence of Evolution collected these many years past is not a 'believer' - they are 'informed'. One who believes in something that cannot be proven - such as Creationism, ID or the God Gene - are taking a notion on faith.

This trial will be interesting - if it goes to trial. Perhaps this one will finally put to bed this political-religious bruhaha - one can hope.I was listening to NPR and heard a report - wee hours of the morning so I did not get... more

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Thinking about voting for Giuliani? Think again.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani believes that the United States needs a president who is a "proven leader and a problem solver." How does Giuliani hold up to his own standards? Let's take a look.

Giuliani's failures as a leader date back to the original attack on the World Trade Center on Feb. 26, 2003, when FDNY firefighters inside the WTC discovered that their radios were defective. Giuliani's administration replaced the defective radios with more defective radios on a NO BID contract. These new radios were proven to be ineffective but were never replaced. On 9/11 an evacuation order was given over the radio to firefighters and police, but none of the firefighters in the buildings got the call, resulting in completely unnecessary loss of life. All NYPD officers in the building had working radios. They all got the call and they all escaped alive.

In addition to providing firefighters with faulty radios after the first attack in '93, Giuliani decided to place the emergency communications command center, where else, but at the World Trade Center. Placing the emergency response center at that location left it completely useless on 9/11 - it had to be evacuated before the building collapsed on itself. Police detectives were seen yelling in the streets, saying, "We told him not to put it here!"

After the attack in 2001, Giuliani wandered the streets talking to reporters. rather than isolating himself in a secure location with fire and police officials to orchestrate the rescue and recovery operation. Uniformed officials were left to deal with the chaos themselves.

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