Posted on 07/07/2006 2:39:21 PM PDT by PatrickHenry
A Seattle-based research group that advocates intelligent design said today it will campaign to educate Kansans that the science standards approved by the State Board of Education are sound.
“Kansas citizens need to have accurate information about what the science standards do,” said John West, associate director of the Center for Science & Culture for Discovery Institute.
West said the group will start an information campaign over the Internet immediately and possibly start a radio campaign. He declined to say how much the center would spend.
The decision puts the Discovery Institute in the center of hotly-contested State Board of Education school board races.
The board’s 6-4 decision to approve science standards that question evolution has been a major issue in the five board places that are up for grabs this year. The science standards are used as guidelines to what students learn in Kansas public schools.
Mainstream scientists have said the standards criticize evolution in a way that could introduce intelligent design in science classrooms. Intelligent design posits there was a master force that designed life.
I just checked their website, and I can become a member for $50 annual fee, and with that membership, I also get to pick one of three DVDs...so it might be wise, to join up beforehand and have my membership already established...
And then go from there...
Doomed to failure. There are at least five here that will give you away to them.
Excellent suggestion...having one of their books, means I am willing to put money in their pockets, and wanting the autograph, will, as you say, flatter them...
The plot thickens...this is fun...
Even if someone gives me away, why should the Discovery Institute be afraid to speak to someone who may be of an opposing viewpoint?...I mean, surely they would welcome the chance to change someones mind, now, wouldnt they?
And how are they going to give me away...they wont know when I am going up there, or perhaps I could send in my hubby...or my son...they are both up for this sort of thing...so they would not know when I would be coming, nor would they know if it was me or my husband, or even my son...
Besides asking for your book to be autographed, be sure to ask for a catalog of what they have that's available. That should be free, and they'll be delighted to give it to you. Oh, if the author of your book isn't available, ask if you can leave it with your address and some money for postage (that's important!), so he can sign it when he's got time and send it to you. Bring an address label to make it easy for them. They'll have to regard you as a serious fan.
Goodness, you surely are clever...great, great suggestions...
With all these suggestions, and time to plan my strategy, I am confident I will be successful...
Heres a thought...should I carry my personal Bible in my purse?...its quite worn, showing that I do indeed use it...I know that the ID folks say that they are so very different from the creationists, but you know, they say that with a 'wink, wink, nod, nod'....or would bringing the Bible be overplaying my hand?...
What do you think?
But don't compromise your integrity. Don't lie to them. Just tell them you find their work fascinating, which is true, and you just had to visit to see it all for yourself, which is also true. That kind of thing. It shouldn't take much effort. No need to discuss the flagellum or anything stupid like that. They're all con men, and such people are usually easy to con. They like to think they're making progress with all their flim-flam, so they'll be eager to believe that you're under their spell.
And in a similar way, scientists "all" believe in the unfalsifiable (is it hot? Global warming. Is it cold? Global Warming!) junk science of man-caused global climate change.It is time for all real philosophers (people who admit that reality and truth exist, but who do not assume that others must defer to their wisdom in lieu of facts) to recognize that "objective" journalism is sophistry.
Whenever there is a dispute, journalism tends to take a position on it - and it is very reliably a position not supported by facts. "McCarthyism" cannot be debated; if you think that Joe McCarthy had a point you are a whackko. But then, actual research into the record reveals that there is nothing behind that position except the propaganda power of journalism. The Alar scare? Nothing but propaganda. The silicone breast implant scare? Nothing but propaganda (not that it's any comfort to know it now that Dow Corning is out of business). And on and on.
The upshot is that when Ann Coulter takes on journalistic conventional wisdom, I do not presume that she is wrong. She says that the fossil record is that complex life did not evolve over a long geological period but appears relatively abruptly. I do not assume that she is wrong, and I appreciate her point that if you call that punctuated equilibrium or anything else, what it is not is gradual evolution.
Coulter claims that hoaxes consistently are accepted as "proof" of evolution, and that even after they are debunked such hoaxes continue to be taught as "proof" of evolution. I wouldn't know, independently, since I have never studied biology and have never seriously studied the topic of evolution. But Coulter has cred with me because I have seen her fight the good fight when I knew she was right, and I just doubt that she took on this fight casually.
When she brought out her latest book she was savaged for "attacking the 9/11 widows" when she was actually pointing out that four particular 9/11 widows were being used as human shields by liberals to protect liberals from legitimate criticism. She pointed out at that time that she expected the criticism to come over her questioning of evolution. But it never really came. So I guess none of what she said about it was actually indefensible at all.
Only if it's something you would normally have with you. Don't go overboard. Just be yourself.
I have studied quite a bit of evolution, particularly fossil man.
Coulter is wrong.
Don't forget the brew-pubs.... you might want to stop at a few dozen of them first; it'll make your vist to DI much more tolerable.
;-)
On evolution, yes. She probably nailed it, however, regarding those widows. A bit over the top in her rhetoric, but that's style, not substance. As usual, the media beats her up on the emotional stuff, and ignores anything that involves cracking a textbook; but that where they could really rip into her. I can't imagine why Ann thought she could take on 150 years of science, but hey, she's a big girl, and she'll have to deal with it.
You know what the Grand Master of DarwinCentral™ does with those among his ranks who "aid and abet" the enemy?
Does the term "tortoise-fodder" ring any bells? Have you ever seen what ravenous flesh-eating giant tortoises can do to a human body? Need I say more....?
;-)
I havent seen an interview with her yet where her quarter-a$$ed attack on evolution was brought up. I suppose thats good.
I do agree about not lying to them...I dont want to lie...and I do find their work fascinating, fascinating not in the way they would care to interpret that, but fascinating none the less...
And I am very interested in seeing just how they go about their 'research' and such...its all very interesting to me, and I know I will enjoy taking their tour, if they will grant me one...
And I will maintain my integrity...that is important to me...
Well, I know many of the creationists would probably not believe me, but I take my Bible with me in my purse, wherever I go...I never know when I might have a few spare minutes here or there, when we are out, and when I do, I read my Bible...that is why its so worn...it gets used by me everyday....so yes, its normal and natural for me to have my Bible with me at all times...
Ah, Seattle BrewPubs...the hubby and I have our favorites..we always pick out our favorites to visit, have dinner, have a few fine brews, and always, get a cold growler of beer to go...
Tho I think it advisable to visit the DI first, and hit the BrewPubs afterwards...
West said the group will start an information campaign over the Internet immediately and possibly start a radio campaign. He declined to say how much the center would spend.
The Kansas State Board of Education should look at the DI's behavior in the Dover, PA case....which was along the lines of this..."We're with you all the way, unless it looks like we might lose, then you're on your own."
I will, of course, keep the Grand Master up to date, with my actions, my plans, and my motives, so that he will not think I am going over to the enemy...
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