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Intelligent Denials: Bush's science adviser defends evolution!
The American Prospect, ^ | 22 February 2005 | Chris Mooney

Posted on 02/22/2005 7:34:15 AM PST by PatrickHenry

When it's your job to serve as the president's in-house expert on science and technology, being constantly in the media spotlight isn't necessarily a mark of distinction. But for President Bush's stoically inclined science adviser John Marburger, immense controversy followed his blanket dismissal last year of allegations (now endorsed by 48 Nobel laureates) that the administration has systematically abused science. So it was more than a little refreshing last Wednesday to hear Marburger take a strong stance against science politicization and abuse on one issue where it really matters: evolution.

Speaking at the annual conference of the National Association of Science Writers, Marburger fielded an audience question about "Intelligent Design" (ID), the latest supposedly scientific alternative to Charles Darwin's theory of descent with modification. The White House's chief scientist stated point blank, "Intelligent Design is not a scientific theory." And that's not all -- as if to ram the point home, Marburger soon continued, "I don't regard Intelligent Design as a scientific topi."

[PH here:]
I'm not sure the whole article can be copied here, so please go to the link to read it all:
Chris Mooney, "Intelligent Denials", The American Prospect Online, Feb 22, 2005.

(Excerpt) Read more at prospect.org ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: bush; crevolist; johnmarburger; marburger; science
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To: mlc9852
So we're genetically close because we are descended from them, but genetically too far apart to reproduce. Okay.

Well, we didn't descend from modern gorillas and chimps. All living apes come from an extinct ape ancestor. The rest of your statement is correct, though.

121 posted on 02/22/2005 8:52:18 AM PST by Modernman ("Normally, I don't listen to women, or doctors." - Captain Hero)
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To: mlc9852

"I know I didn't descend from apes and really, that's all that matters."

The very basic piece of information you're missing is that the theory of evolution does not deal with the evolution of individuals. It deals with species. You are a member of the species Homo Sapiens. That species evolved a very, very long time ago, from another species of Homo, which also evolved from previous species of hominids.

I'm trying here, but you really must read something so you won't sound so foolish.


122 posted on 02/22/2005 8:53:04 AM PST by MineralMan (godless atheist)
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To: mlc9852
I know I didn't descend from apes and really, that's all that matters.

Actually, humans are apes.

123 posted on 02/22/2005 8:53:11 AM PST by Modernman ("Normally, I don't listen to women, or doctors." - Captain Hero)
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To: mlc9852
"- just wanted you to admit how ridiculous the theories of evolution are..."

Your questions and this conclusion demonstrate that you do not have a grasp of what the TOE actually says. You have only made YOURSELF look uninformed, and yes, foolish.

124 posted on 02/22/2005 8:55:33 AM PST by Long Cut (The Constitution...the NATOPS of America!)
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To: PatrickHenry

If only some "conservatives" cared half as much about defeating socialism as they cared about defeating creationism.


125 posted on 02/22/2005 8:55:47 AM PST by k2blader (It is neither compassionate nor conservative to support the expansion of socialism.)
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To: mlc9852

How did you make evolution look silly again?


126 posted on 02/22/2005 8:55:59 AM PST by crail (Better lives have been lost on the gallows than have ever been enshrined in the halls of palaces.)
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To: k2blader
"If only some "conservatives" cared half as much about defeating socialism as they cared about defeating creationism..."

Thanks to the creationists and their tactics, the two go together quite well.

127 posted on 02/22/2005 8:57:45 AM PST by Long Cut (The Constitution...the NATOPS of America!)
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To: mlc9852
So we're genetically close because we are descended from them, but genetically too far apart to reproduce.

Do you know what speciation means? You also keep repeating the same error despite being corrected...(glad you aren't my secretary) . Aside from the silliness of maintaining that human beings evolved from current-day apes, breeding an ape and a human together likely hasn't been tried (you are welcome to volunteer) and having worked extensively with apes and monkeys, I've never met anyone who would be up to the task.

128 posted on 02/22/2005 8:58:33 AM PST by Rudder
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To: mlc9852

Which is why upright apes probably evolved in the savannah, not the jungle. There aren't many trees in the savannah.


129 posted on 02/22/2005 8:59:05 AM PST by stremba
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To: Long Cut

That made no sense.


130 posted on 02/22/2005 8:59:44 AM PST by k2blader (It is neither compassionate nor conservative to support the expansion of socialism.)
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To: k2blader

That's funny, I was thinking that it would be great if some "conservatives" cared half as much about defeating socialism as they did about defeating evolution.


131 posted on 02/22/2005 9:02:15 AM PST by dmz
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To: k2blader
If only some "conservatives" cared half as much about defeating socialism as they cared about defeating creationism.

If the Republican party becomes a creationist party, we will never again win a national election. Then you'll have socialism. Big time. And you'll also have a permanantly minority creationist party.

132 posted on 02/22/2005 9:02:39 AM PST by PatrickHenry (<-- Click on my name. The List-O-Links for evolution threads is at my freeper homepage.)
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To: Rudder

I don't think the apes would have him. Not evolved enough.


133 posted on 02/22/2005 9:03:52 AM PST by dmz
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To: PatrickHenry
But for President Bush's stoically inclined science adviser John Marburger

Stand up straight!

134 posted on 02/22/2005 9:05:44 AM PST by aculeus (This is not a tag line.)
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To: PatrickHenry

We already have socialism. Big time.

Why are you worried about the GOP becoming a "creationist party"? I think its base is Christian (using the term somewhat loosely), but I've never thought creationism was one of its platforms.


135 posted on 02/22/2005 9:06:39 AM PST by k2blader (It is neither compassionate nor conservative to support the expansion of socialism.)
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To: malakhi
If most of the country thought that the earth was flat, would that prove anything about the shape of the planet?

"Some men think the world round, others think it flat. It is a matter capable of question. But if it is flat, will the King's command make it round? And if it is round, will the King's command flatten it?" -- Thomas Moore, "A Man for all Seasons" by Robert Bolt

136 posted on 02/22/2005 9:08:27 AM PST by longshadow
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To: k2blader

It's not and probably never will be. However, in politics perception is reality. The Democrats will attempt to portray the Republican party as the "creationist party." In fact, I've already seen articles and editorials in the aftermath of the election making fun of Bush voters for believing that the world was created in six days. If they are successful, many people will be driven away from the Republican party. It is in the best interest of Republican party to demonstrate that we are not a party of anti-scientific luddites who refuse to see the evidence that's generally accepted by the scientific community. It also serves Christianity as well to show that not all Christians are so stubborn that they reject evolution regardless of the evidence.


137 posted on 02/22/2005 9:11:08 AM PST by stremba
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To: Long Cut

Why does a Creator frighten you so?


138 posted on 02/22/2005 9:12:03 AM PST by mlc9852
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To: Modernman

Isn't very logical, is it?


139 posted on 02/22/2005 9:12:54 AM PST by mlc9852
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To: Modernman

No they're not.


140 posted on 02/22/2005 9:13:36 AM PST by mlc9852
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