GoodHair’s Harebrained Pseudoscience
March 1st, 2008 at 3:43 pm
While most of the attention surrounding Gov. Perry’s new book, On My Honor: Why the American Values of the Boy Scouts Are Worth Fighting For, has been focused on GoodHair’s bizarre - and dare I say homophobic - outlook on homosexuality, he also reveals remarkable hostility towards science and those old-fashioned Enlightenment values of reason and empirical truth. “You can’t have a rational discussion with the left about nature versus nurture, global warming, or the validity of evolution because they claim science has already weighed in,” he writes.
So, has science already “weighed in” on global warming and evolution? Yes - obviously. Does that foreclose a “rational discussion”? No, rational inquiry is the very process by which thinking people reach conclusions. But Perry’s position on scientific matters is thoroughly irrational and unscientific. He unfortunately - for those of us who expect elected leaders to have at least a modicum of scientific literacy - demonstrates a dangerous know-nothingness.
Yet, science reveals new discoveries all the time, and in so doing, for instance, makes the evolutionary explanation less plausible. If, however someone makes an argument for intelligent design, we are told it should be taught in a class on faith. Here we are again at a well-worn crossroads: where the left advocates tolerance while crushing dissenting views.
It’s worth pausing here to really consider what Perry is arguing: Science leads to discovery; discovery challenges received wisdom; therefore, “controversial” theories like evolution would be undermined if only intolerant leftists would allow a real debate. This is a crude parody of the scientific method done in crayon by a dull-witted first-grader. Perry seems to believe science itself is nothing more than a vehicle for liberal ideas. That’s a corrosive notion. As biologist and humanist E.O. Wilson said, “Political ideology can corrupt the mind, and science.” (Ironically, Perry interviewed Wilson for his book. Wilson is an Eagle Scout.)
Though scientists do not operate in a political vacuum, their work is tested not by agendas left or right, but rather by a particular theory’s ability to withstand new evidence and the intense scrutiny of peers. Science is naturally disputatious, but that doesn’t mean junk ideas like intelligent design have a place in the conversation. Creationism is as much of a “dissenting view” to evolutionary biology as the Flat Earth hypothesis is to a spherical Earth. Perry, of course, doesn’t see it that way. To his mind the time-tested theory of evolution is just another bludgeon used by the left in the ceaseless culture wars.
When it comes to global warming, many scientists who once advocated it is caused by human activity have abandoned that theory after closer study. Where are the stories on this growing scientific movement? Alas, many in the news media have already invested too much in a particular storyline, just as some scientists continue to promote It’s-All-Our-Fault theory because their research grants are dependent on it. In twenty-five years, when this theory has been discarded alongside other ideas that didn’t stand the test of time, then perhaps there will be a one-day story announcing its demise. Then the left will be on to its next theory created to advance a particular political agenda.
Perry was last heard making the (thoroughly debunked) claim that scientists were repudiating human-induced climate change last September. As it turned out, Perry based this assertion on the scurrilous research of an aide to Sen. James Inhofe, the Oklahoma Republican who called global warming the “greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people.” The aide, Marc Morano, is at it again in ‘08, this time with a fresh list of 400 alleged climate deniers (400!) with scientific bona fides. Morano’s 400 Club is a hoax. It includes TV weathermen, the editor of a coal industry journal, armchair experts, and real climate experts who aren’t actually climate deniers. Presumably, this list is the basis of Perry’s “growing scientific movement.”
In all the nation is there another high-level politician - Republican or Democrat - as clownish as Perry? He writes off the immense, decades-long global effort to study and understand climate change as little more than a cheap political stunt. Not even George W. Bush has achieved this level of cynicism. And though Perry offers zero proof for his claims, he goes ahead and basically accuses researchers of participating in a vast and fraudulent leftist conspiracy against humanity. For good measure he adds that they’re just doing it for the money. Then, he has the chutzpah to set a date - twenty five years from now! - when he will be proved right. Mark it on your calendar - February 2033.
March 1st, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Gov. Perry has it right…
THERE IS A NEW DISCIPLINE:
The Quest for Right, a series of 7 textbooks created for the public schools, represents the ultimate marriage between an in-depth knowledge of biblical phenomena and natural and physical sciences. The several volumes have accomplished that which, heretofore, was deemed impossible: to level the playing field between those who desire a return to physical science in the classroom and those who embrace the theory of evolution. The Quest for Right turns the tide by providing an authoritative and enlightening scientific explanation of natural phenomena which will ultimately dethrone the unprofitable Darwinian view.
The backbone of Darwinism is not biological evolution per se, but electronic interpretation, the tenet that all physical, chemical, and biological processes result from a change in the electron structure of the atom which, in turn, may be deciphered through the orderly application of mathematics, as outlined in quantum mechanics. A few of the supporting theories are: degrading stars, neutron stars, black holes, extraterrestrial water, antimatter, the absolute dating systems, and the big bang, the explosion of a singularity infinitely smaller than the dot of an “i” from which space, time, and the massive stellar bodies supposedly sprang into being.
The philosophy rejects any divine intervention. Therefore, let the philosophy of Darwinism be judged on these specifics: electron interpretation and quantum mechanics. Conversely, the view that God is both responsible for and rules all the phenomena of the universe will stand or fall when the facts are applied. The view will not hinge on faith alone, but will be tested by the weightier principle of verifiable truths – the new discipline.
The Quest for Right is not only better at explaining natural phenomena, but also may be verified through testing. As a consequence, the material in the several volumes will not violate the so-called constitutional separation of church and state. Physical science, the old science of cause and effect, will have a long-term sustainability, replacing irresponsible doctrines based on whim. Teachers and students will rejoice in the simplicity of earthly phenomena when entertained by the new discipline.
The Quest for Right is not only an academic resource designed for the public schools, but also contains a wealth of information on pertinent subjects that seminarians need to know to be effective: geology, biology, geography, astronomy, chemistry, paleontology, and in-depth Biblical studies. The nuggets from the pages of Biblical history alone will give seminarians literally hundreds of fresh ideas for sermons and teachings. The ministry resources contained in The Quest for Right serve as invaluable aids that will enrich graduates beyond their highest expectations.
You will not want to miss the adventure of a lifetime which awaits you in Volume 1 of The Quest for Right.
Visit the official website for additional information and to purchase a copy: http://questforright.com/
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Ok, why would you say gov perry is right then post the same things that are on the website you provide. Is that not plagiarism? Can you not come up with your own view and not repeat the website word for word. I for one can not stand this gov. He just shows how ignorant he is in this book he has written and how we should vote him out asap. How can you teach biblical science like it is fact when you have no proof to back it up. Science is still in its infancy stage but it is more credible then the crap that is in that book both the one that you are trying to sell and the one that gov perry is trying to sell. Why do some Christians say love thy neighbor then turn around spew hate about that same neighbor if he is gay? Global warming is fact how can you say otherwise when we spew millions of tons of green house gases that are trapped in our atmosphere and it has no where to go. Are we supposed to hope and wish it away sounds like wishful thinking. We humans are trying to conquer our planet and are not thinking about how that affects the planet and YES it does affect the planet. A hole in the ozone means more harmful ultraviolet rays affect our planet. Which means in layman’s terms that when you are out getting sun on your luxury yacht that same gas guzzling suv that you bought to ‘boost our economy’ has created a hole in the ozone that allows solar radiation to turn you pretty skin into burnt toast and probably give you cancer. The thought of you dying a slow and agonizing death should scare you but you depend on the same science that you detest so much to save your scaly hide and give you another fifty year polluting this world.Wake up people! Stop double speaking.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Maybe the Gov is promoting himself as potential Secretary of Education in the McCain administration–or for a comeback run with Huckaby. Hope his expectations are as fruitful as his Giuliani and Romney endorsements!