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."

[Dimensio]

Yes. When asked about the subject, he was quoted as saying ""I think that part of education is to expose people to different schools of thought, [...] You're asking me whether or not people ought to be exposed to different ideas, the answer is yes."

This suggests that he doesn't actually understand the issue from a scientific context (wherein ID proponents are actively attempting to redefine science because ID is not science).

He is also quoted as saying "the verdict is still out on how God created the earth" when speaking of evolution, which suggests that he's not terribly educated on what exactly evolution is (as evolution has nothing whatsoever to do with how the earth itself came to exist).

He hasn't said too terribly much more than that, at least not that I've found.

Now I await claims that I'm a liberal Bush-basher simply because I correctly point out that Bush isn't a scientist.

[Dimensio]

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

Do you have a reference for this? I've never heard of "Gaia theory" as being taught as science.

[RightWingAtheist]

Was this a fundraiser specifically for the Darwin exhibit, or was it just a general fundraiser for the museum itself? I seriously doubt that any of these people can explain evolution very well, and am willing to bet that many of them follow astrology, alternative medicine, and other favorite pastimes of the "reality-based community"

[tophat9000]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaia_theory_(science)

[DouglasKC]

This is the crowd evolutionists are getting into bed with.

[Sola Veritas]

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.


An eminent group of "scientists" if ever I saw one!

[WildTurkey]

It probably explains their unique ability to fall for any theory readily and swallow it without question.

Funny how you can accept your religion without question based on only a little black book ...

[Stark_GOP]

Evolution and Christianity are compatible?
I don't think so.

This article tells me that the loony left and the evolutionists are one in the same with a common enemy.

I wonder were was Barbra Streisand?

[ladyinred]

These people are just evil! I am just at a loss for words to describe them. Believe what you want you reprobates, but allow us to believe what we want too! Such tolerance they have!

[Dimensio]

This article tells me that the loony left and the evolutionists are one in the same with a common enemy.

Ah, the hasty generalization fallacy.

[Dimensio]

This is the crowd evolutionists are getting into bed with.

I missed this instance. Still the hasty generalization fallacy.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Alamo-Girl]

May God have mercy...

Amen!

[RunningWolf]

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

Yeh, there is a trickster alright, and he hides in things un-holy

Wolf

[RunningWolf]

The best argument against the theory of evolution is its supporters.

I have pointed that out also right here on the Freep.

Wolf

[RunningWolf]

DOH!! LOL!

[Tempest]

What a bunch of idiots.

[RunningWolf]

Good point, especially #2

Wolf

[Dimensio]

The best argument against the theory of evolution is its supporters.

There are two logical fallacies in your argument. Can you identify them?

[durasell]

This is somewhat shocking and an extraordinarily bad sign...