[microgood]

Common descent is one of the best supported facts in science.

I said universal common descent, not common descent.

"So is random mutation as the mechanism for change."

From what I hear, natural selection has to have something to select.

Just goes to show how little a degree in philosophy means. :)

Well, at least they teach us to read.

[CarolinaGuitarman]

"I said universal common descent, not common descent."

Universal common descent is one of the best supported facts in science.

"From what I hear, natural selection has to have something to select."

You hear correctly. That doesn't make random mutation the mechanism of evolutionary change.

"Well, at least they teach us to read."

Not good enough, apparently.

[b_sharp]

"I said universal common descent, not common descent."

The difference being?

"From what I hear, natural selection has to have something to select.

How about a new allele or two? How about an existing allele under new conditions?