Palin and real science

[andysocial]

Originally published at BunkBlog. You can comment here or there.

[T]he head of the marine mammals program for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and two other staff biologists agreed with the conclusions of nine polar bear studies that the federal government was citing to justify a threatened-species listing for the bears. The state’s in-house dispute seems to refute later statements by Gov. Sarah Palin that a “comprehensive review” of the federal science by state wildlife officials found no reason to support an endangered-species listing for the northern bears.

and…

What is your take on global warming and how is it affecting our country?

A changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state, because of our location. I’m not one though who would attribute it to being man-made.

Newsmax.com – Palin Speaks to Newsmax About McCain, Abortion, Climate Change.

In my opinion, that says volumes.  Someone who doesn’t believe the people who actually study something, preferring to believe people with vested interests in the status quo…yeah, great choice there, Senator McCain.

She would be the hottest VP ever, just barely edging out Dan Quayle.

Oh, and she’s also a proponent of teaching “the controversy” (which exists only in the minds of deluded people) surrounding evolution:

Republican Sarah Palin said she thinks creationism should be taught alongside evolution in the state’s public classrooms.

Palin was answering a question from the moderator near the conclusion of Wednesday night’s televised debate on KAKM Channel 7 when she said, ‘Teach both. You know, don’t be afraid of information. Healthy debate is so important, and it’s so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both.’

Comments

[theonides.livejournal.com]

If healthy debate is so important, why don't we teach kids critical thinking and rational argumentation in school and instead fill their heads with ''cause I said so'?

[andysocial]

You imply that the industrial-era factory setting that we emulate for modern schools is in some way deficient? Shocking.

How's the new school year going for you? It's still too early to start laughing at the Woman's students, but I can't wait!

[theonides.livejournal.com]

Two of the schools I teach at are on quarters and still have two weeks left in the summer term. The other school starts next week, so I can't really answer that yet. Hell, I don't even know what classes I'll be teaching for fall quarter!

[combat-taco.livejournal.com]

Anyone who claims they supported Hillary and will vote McCain because of this pick is beyond reprehensible.

[andysocial]

A pathetically large number of voters make their decisions based on virtually no factual information about the candidates. Did you see the "Clinton for McCain" contingent in Denver this week?

Palin

[grassrose.livejournal.com]

While the global warming comment is from 2008, the evolution comment is from 2006. So... has she dragged the state of Alaska, kicking and screaming, into offering creationism in science class? Personally, I think the only way it belongs in school is in a study of world religions. But she doesn't seem to be part of some massive conspiracy to unite Church and State. I get the impression that this just isn't really one of her preferred platforms, so she's trying to offend the fewest number of people.

For a fiscal and social conservative who needs the solid backing of the Republican party, to even admit the existence of global warming is a plus. Frankly, as I've said before, I don't care how much of it is man-made; I just care how much of it we can UN-make. Squabbling over whether the iceberg popped up out of nowhere or whether the captain was drunk doesn't help keep the Titanic afloat.

So far, I disagree with some of her views, but I like her.

Re: Palin

[andysocial]

It may be something where she's trying not to offend, but it just screams "pandering" to me if that's the case. So she's either someone who believes the First Amendment should be deleted, or she lies (more blatantly than is sadly expected from politicians) to get votes. Eh.

And, how can McCain possibly say anything about Obama's lack of experience now? He just picked a trophy VP.

Re: Palin

[grassrose.livejournal.com]

To me it doesn't scream anything but possibly, "Could we talk about the issues I find more important, please?" Agree or disagree (and here, I place more importance on the issue than she does), I don't find her response that offensive. I don't think she's pandering any more than the average politician of either stripe, and less than some. Her views in general place her solidly in the Republican camp. If she skates over the issues she finds less important, oh well.

I'm just going to wait and see.