From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Intelligent design (ID) is a controversial set of arguments which assert that empirical evidence supports the conclusion that life on Earth was deliberately designed by one or more intelligent agents.
ID advocates argue that the standard scientific model of evolution by natural selection is insufficient to explain the origin, complexity, and diversity of life. More specifically, ID adherents believe that there exist instances of irreducible complexity, which in their view are impossible to evolve and therefore must have been created by an intelligent designer.
While characterized by its advocates as a scientific argument, critics regard ID as a form of creationism supported by pseudoscience.
••••
The Kansas Board of Education is at it again. Members of the 1999 Kansas Board of Education voted to play down evolution and allowed local boards to decide what students would learn. A board elected in 2001 overturned that decision, but a new gaggle of wacko conservatives came on board during the last election and are hell-bent on making "intelligent design" a top priority for teaching in Kansas science classrooms.
This movement gained momentum after President George W. Bush declared that the jury was still out on evolution. The rah-rah right hopped on board that train to lah-lah land. Scientists and educators everywhere uttered a collective gasp, alarmed at what they believe is a thinly veiled attempt to replace science with theology. According to a recent Washington Post story, policymakers in 19 states are considering proposals that question the long-accepted science of evolution.
By all means, let's jump on this Bush-ie bandwagon. Let's follow the leader. Let's praise the ideals of a man who said the following:
"It's in our country's interests to find those who would do harm to us and get them out of harm's way."—Washington, D.C., April 28, 2005
"Part of the facts is understanding we have a problem, and part of the facts is what you're going to do about it."—Kirtland, Ohio, April 15, 2005
"In terms of timetables, as quickly as possible—whatever that means."—On the president's time frame for shoring up Social Security, Washington D.C., March 16, 2005
"After all, Europe is America's closest ally."—Mainz, Germany, Feb. 23, 2005
"This notion that the United States is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous. And having said that, all options are on the table."—Brussels, Belgium, Feb. 22, 2005
"And that's why I'm here at the community college system today."—Jacksonville, Fla., Jan. 14, 2005
"Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB/GYN's aren't able to practice their love with women all across the country."—Sept. 6, 2004, Poplar Bluff, Mo.
"I want to thank my friend, Sen. Bill Frist, for joining us today. … He married a Texas girl, I want you to know. (Laughter.) Karyn is with us. A West Texas girl, just like me."—Nashville, Tenn., May 27, 2004
"I'm honored to shake the hand of a brave Iraqi citizen who had his hand cut off by Saddam Hussein."—Washington, D.C., May 25, 2004
"My views are one that speaks to freedom."—Washington, D.C., Jan. 29, 2004
"[A]s you know, these are open forums, you're able to come and listen to what I have to say."—Washington, D.C., Oct. 28, 2003
"You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.''—Townsend, Tenn., Feb. 21, 2001
"And if he continues that, I'm going to tell the nation what I think about him as a human being and a person."—President George H.W. Bush, on the Today show, Aug. 1, 2000
•••
I could go on. Really. There are whole books out there filled with these. He writes his own punch lines for the late-night talk show hosts. I guess when he and his band of scary men just say no to evolution, we all ought to just laugh a hearty laugh and move on. When people make the joke, "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore, Toto," I'll respond with, "Hallelujah."
Lord forgive 'em. They know not what they do.
They know not much of anything, in fact.
Intelligent design (ID) is a controversial set of arguments which assert that empirical evidence supports the conclusion that life on Earth was deliberately designed by one or more intelligent agents.
ID advocates argue that the standard scientific model of evolution by natural selection is insufficient to explain the origin, complexity, and diversity of life. More specifically, ID adherents believe that there exist instances of irreducible complexity, which in their view are impossible to evolve and therefore must have been created by an intelligent designer.
While characterized by its advocates as a scientific argument, critics regard ID as a form of creationism supported by pseudoscience.
••••
The Kansas Board of Education is at it again. Members of the 1999 Kansas Board of Education voted to play down evolution and allowed local boards to decide what students would learn. A board elected in 2001 overturned that decision, but a new gaggle of wacko conservatives came on board during the last election and are hell-bent on making "intelligent design" a top priority for teaching in Kansas science classrooms.
This movement gained momentum after President George W. Bush declared that the jury was still out on evolution. The rah-rah right hopped on board that train to lah-lah land. Scientists and educators everywhere uttered a collective gasp, alarmed at what they believe is a thinly veiled attempt to replace science with theology. According to a recent Washington Post story, policymakers in 19 states are considering proposals that question the long-accepted science of evolution.
By all means, let's jump on this Bush-ie bandwagon. Let's follow the leader. Let's praise the ideals of a man who said the following:
"It's in our country's interests to find those who would do harm to us and get them out of harm's way."—Washington, D.C., April 28, 2005
"Part of the facts is understanding we have a problem, and part of the facts is what you're going to do about it."—Kirtland, Ohio, April 15, 2005
"In terms of timetables, as quickly as possible—whatever that means."—On the president's time frame for shoring up Social Security, Washington D.C., March 16, 2005
"After all, Europe is America's closest ally."—Mainz, Germany, Feb. 23, 2005
"This notion that the United States is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous. And having said that, all options are on the table."—Brussels, Belgium, Feb. 22, 2005
"And that's why I'm here at the community college system today."—Jacksonville, Fla., Jan. 14, 2005
"Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB/GYN's aren't able to practice their love with women all across the country."—Sept. 6, 2004, Poplar Bluff, Mo.
"I want to thank my friend, Sen. Bill Frist, for joining us today. … He married a Texas girl, I want you to know. (Laughter.) Karyn is with us. A West Texas girl, just like me."—Nashville, Tenn., May 27, 2004
"I'm honored to shake the hand of a brave Iraqi citizen who had his hand cut off by Saddam Hussein."—Washington, D.C., May 25, 2004
"My views are one that speaks to freedom."—Washington, D.C., Jan. 29, 2004
"[A]s you know, these are open forums, you're able to come and listen to what I have to say."—Washington, D.C., Oct. 28, 2003
"You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.''—Townsend, Tenn., Feb. 21, 2001
"And if he continues that, I'm going to tell the nation what I think about him as a human being and a person."—President George H.W. Bush, on the Today show, Aug. 1, 2000
•••
I could go on. Really. There are whole books out there filled with these. He writes his own punch lines for the late-night talk show hosts. I guess when he and his band of scary men just say no to evolution, we all ought to just laugh a hearty laugh and move on. When people make the joke, "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore, Toto," I'll respond with, "Hallelujah."
Lord forgive 'em. They know not what they do.
They know not much of anything, in fact.
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