ChrisM

I didn't know von Braun was an evolution denier, but virtually all I know about him is that little ditty, "The rockets go up/But where they come down/Is not my concern/said Werner von Braun." At least he died in this century, unlike Kepler.

KeithHarwood

Re Kepler as a creationist.

He was also tried for witchcraft.

Today being a creationist means you are laughed at by anyone with any real appreciation of the issues. In those days not being a creationist meant being burned at the stake. That's a really powerful argument in favour of creationism.

Grumpy

The topic line for this thread should read "GA evolution battle," since Thomas addresses the controversy in Cobb County, Georgia.

I read the column in my newspaper this morning. I was amazed that one article could cram into it so many distortions, irrelevancies, and idiotic statements (especially the "What do they have to fear?" line).

To an extent, I'm sure Thomas was writing as an entertainer. Give the man credit enough to know that "Godzilla" insults have no place in a serious discussion. The problem with Cal Thomas is that he has a perverse sense of humor.

Also, while he is a committed evagelical Christian, he sometimes pours it on extra-thick -- probably to atone for comforting non-evangelicals and irreligious types with his <a href="http://www.christianethicstoday.com/Issue/026/Blinded%20by%20Might%20By%20Cal%20Thomas%20and%20E d%20Dobson%20Book%20Review%20by%20By%20Daroid%20H. %20Morgan_026_22_.htm" target="_blank">criticism of religion in politics</a>.

Gregg

I just got through sending Mr. Thomas a long letter, which was a futile exercise of course since he'll never read it and it would never make so much as a chip in his dense brick wall of a brain even if he did, but I guess I must do my part in the noble but hopeless battle to prevent America from sliding back in to the Dark Ages...

What is so disheartening is that Mr. Thomas has, over his many years as a columnist, surely been exposed over and over to the counterarguments people are making here. Yet they have not made even the slightest impression on him. He just closes his eyes, covers his ears, and keeps on relentlessly parroting the same old tired, illogical tripe as if by sheer force of repetition he can make it true. Just like all of them.

And what's more disheartening is that with the decline in science education and education in general, and the "dumbing down" of society via the mass media, Americans no longer seem to be possessed of the rationality and common sense that used to allow most of them to see through this nonsense. They don't know how science works. They have no idea what a coherent, structured, well-reasoned argument looks like. All you have to do is deliver a disconnected jumble of statements that confirm your audience's beliefs and prejudices--it doesn't matter if half of them contradict the other half--and you're all set.

Anyone who's not concerned about this sad state of affairs, I'd like to know what antidepressant you're on.

Gregg

[ August 28, 2002: Message edited by: Gregg ]</p>

Richiyaado

Who's Mr. Calvin? Do you mean Cal Thomas?

Gregg

Oh, good grief. This is what you get for being on the Internet past midnight. Thanks, I've corrected the error. In my defense, I'm pretty sure his full FIRST name is Calvin.

Gregg

[ August 28, 2002: Message edited by: Gregg ]</p>

Kevin

Yes, Werner was ignorant of biology. Not surprising, as most German biologists were Jewish. If he thought them worth saving, he kept his mouth shut.

And Cal Thomas can turn around and blame evolutionary biology for the Holocaust after quoting a SS officer as an authority.

Shameless. <img src="graemlins/banghead.gif" border="0" alt="[Bang Head]" />

RufusAtticus

Responce to Cal Thomas in the Macon (GA) Telegraph.

<a href="http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/3957075.htm" target="_blank">Scroll down to the last one.</a>

Lizard

Fantastic! I noted they included his credentials, which is a good thing. It won't mean diddly to creationists, but it will add credibility in the minds of those who don't know what they think about evolution.

Grumpy

<a href="http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/ken_saladin/index.shtml" target="_blank">Ken Saladin</a>'s reply is exactly on point. <img src="graemlins/notworthy.gif" border="0" alt="[Not Worthy]" />

I also noticed another evolution-related letter there:

Excellent question. You can also ask how mosquitoes can transmit WNV from birds to humans & horses, but not from human to human, or from horse to human. (Or from human to horse, but who cares?) I'll bet it has something to do with the fact that viruses are finicky critters.

[ August 30, 2002: Message edited by: Grumpy ]</p>