Exhibit on Darwin creates Bush bash at museum gala

NY Daily News ^

[slowhand520]

Exhibit on Darwin creates Bush bash at museum gala

It was supposed to be a fund-raiser for the American Museum of Natural History. But a new exhibit on Charles Darwin caused the Wednesday evening gala to evolve into something of a rally against President Bush's preferred theory of intelligent design. "This is a time when those of us who care about science and Darwin have to take a stand," museum patron Tom Brokaw told the black-tied and bejeweled species, including Caroline Kennedy, Princess Firyal of Jordan, Viacom big shot Tom Freston, Michael Eisner, Eva Longoria, Jimmy Buffett, Jonathan Demme, Nora Ephron, Brian Williams, Lorne Michaels and most of the "Saturday Night Live" cast.

Clearly aware that Bush favors teaching creationism alongside evolution in science classes, the museum's patrons erupted in applause.

Brokaw reminded us later that the exhibit, which opens tomorrow, is "about Darwin's life and how he came to these conclusions. We aren't looking to pick a fight."

But, he added, the exhibit "doesn't attempt to argue the theory of evolution — because there is no argument."

"Daily Show" anchor Jon Stewart marveled at the museum's collection of specimens demonstrating Darwin's discoveries.

"It just makes you wonder," deadpanned Stewart. "Why is Jesus trying to trick us?

"I do wish George Bush would start paying attention to issues that are important for the country," Stewart went on. "Gay marriage, for instance. I don't understand why the religious right fears homosexuality. They say it's an abomination. The Bible says that shellfish are also an abomination. … They who oppose sodomy must also oppose scallops."

Stewart introduced Neil Young. Along with singing his hits, the venerable rocker sat down at an antique organ and performed "When God Made Me," his challenge to fundamentalism.

Young agreed that the Darwin show "couldn't come at a better time, with what's going on with the neocons."

He allowed that Bush might truly believe in Genesis and not be pandering to the evangelicals. "I've never met him," he told us. "I've seen some of the things he does, but I'm not sure."

[agere_contra]

The UK paper in question was the Daily Mirror.

[Verginius Rufus]

Well, they do think murder is OK if the person being killed doesn't have a birth certificate yet, or has undergone serious brain damage so there's no "quality of life" left.

[trisham]

"I do wish George Bush would start paying attention to issues that are important for the country," Stewart went on. "Gay marriage, for instance. I don't understand why the religious right fears homosexuality. They say it's an abomination. The Bible says that shellfish are also an abomination. … They who oppose sodomy must also oppose scallops."

***************

Liberals insist on stating and restating that the issue is a "fear" of homosexuality. Since they approach the issue with such an elemental misunderstanding, it should not be surprising that they so completely misjudge it.

[bobhoskins]

But a new exhibit on Charles Darwin caused the Wednesday evening gala to evolve into something of a rally against President Bush's preferred theory of intelligent design. "This is a time when those of us who care about science and Darwin have to take a stand," museum patron Tom Brokaw told the black-tied and bejeweled species, including Caroline Kennedy, Princess Firyal of Jordan, Viacom big shot Tom Freston, Michael Eisner, Eva Longoria, Jimmy Buffett, Jonathan Demme, Nora Ephron, Brian Williams, Lorne Michaels and most of the "Saturday Night Live" cast.

Looking at the guest list, I'm pretty sure they would have bashed Bush no matter what the topic was ...

[bobhoskins]

Sodomy gets its name from the tale of Sodom and Gommorah.

What act is named for eating shellfish?

That would be, of course, the much lesser known "Gommorahy".

[bobhoskins]

The atheist, materialist evolutionistoids are moreover afraid of losing their government grants if their Darwinism dogma is challenged.

How so? They would just have to change a few words to state how their research backs up or refutes ID, instead of TOE, and continue on with the research ...

[donh]

What act is named for eating shellfish?

shelfishness.

[donh]

1. How could evolution and natural selection produce homosexuals who cannot propagate the species?

How come evolution and natural selection produces grandparents, who are well beyond their breeding years, but are hanging around sucking up resources their grandchildren could use?

2. Isn't natural selection among humans perverted by 50 million abortions?

Yes...it is "perverted" by favoring the existence of wanted offspring of intact, two-parent homes where new babies do not represent a significant added economic burden. Sounds pretty awful, doesn't it?

[Servant of the 9]

George Bush thinks Creationism is worth teaching as a valid alternative to Evolution.

Now we know why he failed in the Oil Business.

"How much oil production have you got?" is all you need to ask anyone who doesn't believe in Evolution.

SO9

[MEGoody]

Clearly aware under the misconception that Bush favors teaching creationism alongside evolution in science classes, the museum's patrons erupted in applause showing themselves to be complete idiots.

There, fixed it.

[norton]

"....the black-tied and bejeweled species, including Caroline Kennedy, Princess Firyal of Jordan, Viacom big shot Tom Freston, Michael Eisner, Eva Longoria, Jimmy Buffett, Jonathan Demme, Nora Ephron, Brian Williams, Lorne Michaels and most of the "Saturday Night Live" cast."

America's scientific elite!

[tophat9000]

You know they teach "Gaia theory" as valid science in school, that the Earth is to be viewed in total as a living thing

Yet Gaia theory comes from pagan Mother Earth worshiper and also seen to be somewhat in conflict with classic Darwin Evolution theory.

[MineralMan]

Uhh...John Stewart is Jewish. You think he believes in Jesus?

[Tim Long]

Has the President ever even said a word about ID?

Yes, he basically endorsed it as a means to encourage exposure to different theories.

[reagan_fanatic]

Uhh...John Stewart is Jewish. You think he believes in Jesus?

I don't profess to know whether Stewart belives in Jesus or not, although there are Jews who do. Just because you are Jewish doesn't mean you don't believe in Him.

[VadeRetro]

I've been telling you creationists not to give the Tom Brokaws of the world a chance to save science and science education from you. Going after science and science education was a bad idea.

Here's the theory. Don't do a bad thing. If you don't, then the Bad Guys don't get to play Good Guy while stopping you. They don't get to tar all of conservatism with the brush of being composed of antiscience witch doctors.

This is becoming the national issue I've wanted to somehow prevent. You're going to kill us in 06 or 08 or both.

[Dimensio]

1. How could evolution and natural selection produce homosexuals who cannot propagate the species?

Well, to even assume that this could be a problem for the theory of evolution would suggest that you already accept that homosexuality has a genetic component. However, it's entirely possible for a genetic trait that inhibits reproduction to exist within a species if that trait is the result of a combination of different genes working together or if the trait is recessive. Moreover, homosexuality could be a phenotype, requiring environmental conditions to actually bring forth the trait already present within the genes. Finally, homosexuals are typically physically capable of reproducing -- there is no higher sterility rate in homosexuals than there are in heterosexuals. There are documented cases of homosexuals reproducing.

2. Isn't natural selection among humans perverted by 50 million abortions?

No. Natural selection occurs so long as reproduction occurs within a population, even if some percentage of the population terminates their pregnancies.

[betty boop]

Stewart introduced Neil Young. Along with singing his hits, the venerable rocker sat down at an antique organ and performed "When God Made Me," his challenge to fundamentalism.... Young agreed that the Darwin show "couldn't come at a better time, with what's going on with the neocons."

I guess we just have to let these "fashionable people" rant away. They give no indication of stopping in any case. May God have mercy....