Why Science Matters

It is important that American citizens have at least some background in science because some moronic politicians will say the most foolish things and expect people to believe them. People ought to be able to have some sense of what the scientific community thinks about such things and, if they are not sure of the actual science, they should at least have an idea where the answers can be found.

Case in point: wingnut politician Todd Akin, Missouri Congressman now running for the U.S. Senate, is virulently anti-abortion. Now, some people think that perhaps an exception should be made in the case of rape; not so Mr. Akin. According to Mr. Akin, there is no need--after all, "in cases of legitimate rape" the "female body has a way of shutting that down."

One can only hope that the people of Missouri are not all as mind-numbingly ignorant as the twit that would like to represent them in the U.S. Senate.


Sorry, I cannot recall the source of the illustration, which is several years old.

Unclear on the Concept--Richard Mourdock

Politics is the art of coming to agreement in order to manage the affairs of groups of people. Since some people have different ideas about the best course of action or the best policies, successful politics requires compromise. Richard Mourdock, who defeated long-time Indiana conservative Richard Lugar in his bid for reelection to the Senate, does not understand this. In an interview with MSNBC's Chuck Todd (see here or here), Mourdock was asked about bipartisanship, something that Lugar warned was severely lacking and the lack would lead to even worse legislative gridlock than currently prevails.

Mourdock responded: 

Well, what I've said is that I certainly think bipartisanship ought to consist of Democrats coming to the Republicans point of view.

Is that really what you want to teach young Hoosiers in history class, Mr. Mourdock?

Bipartisanship means they have to come our way, and if we're successful in getting the numbers, we'll work towards that.

No, that's called "bullying."

Even though there were many issues on which I disagreed with Senator Lugar's position, I thought he was well respected. Clearly, Mourdock will not enjoy such respect, if elected. And there is hope that what such a fool will share may be the embarassing loss experienced by other extremists who sought to replace their party's strong contenders for the Senate in 2010--wackaloons Sharon Angle (Utah) and Christine (I-Am-Not-A-Witch) O'Donnell (Delaware).

Illustration is "Congress Voting Independence" begun by Robert Edge Pine in 1784 and completed by Edward Savage ca. 1801.

Free Will?

It is astounding how some folks cannot recognize irony even when they are neck deep in it. I came across the following example at Crooks and Liars.

A church in Kentucky banned interracial couples from all church activities except funerals, in order to "promote greater unity among the church body and the community we serve." I think this congregation is unclear on the concept.

The name of the church? The Gulnare Free Will Baptist Church. I wonder if part of their worship service is the ignition of the cross.

UPDATE: The Church has reconsidered its decision, and has passed a new resolution welcoming "believers into our fellowship regardless of race, creed or color."