1. Analysis of SB 733: 'LA Science Education Act'

Comment #191659 by logicalbasedreality on June 11, 2008 at 12:15 pm

A similar bill appears to have been thwarted in South Carolina as well, however the sponsors plan to re-introduce the bill next session. The same sponsors appear to be calling for a separate bill to abolish the State School Board of Education and have the Superintendent appointed by the governor. Hmmm.... wonder why that is.......

2. A New Step In Evolution

Comment #188087 by logicalbasedreality on June 3, 2008 at 7:59 am

yes the whole micro versus macro evolution.

3. A New Step In Evolution

Comment #188058 by logicalbasedreality on June 3, 2008 at 7:24 am

Fabulous! I would love to learn what mechanism ingested the citrate.

4. Senate bill allows display of Lord's Prayer, 10 Commandments

Comment #186459 by logicalbasedreality on May 30, 2008 at 10:01 am

http://news.aol.com/story/_a/sc-house-gives-ok-to-religious-license/n20080521184609990021

Just to give you guys some more evidence of what I face in South Carolina. :-(

5. Senate bill allows display of Lord's Prayer, 10 Commandments

Comment #186390 by logicalbasedreality on May 30, 2008 at 8:34 am

I am also from SC and this is true, printed by the paper from Greenville, a notoriously right-wing backed paper. Sanford was quoted as saying he is inlcined to sign it thoug hhe will need to take some time to think aobout it. Since he was just listed as a possible VP for John McCAin, this probably means, i need to think about what this will do for my career.

6. Senate bill allows display of Lord's Prayer, 10 Commandments

Comment #186374 by logicalbasedreality on May 30, 2008 at 8:18 am

My fear is that in this state, it can be passed and the State court will not overturn it. The creationists have already had success in altering the science standards to allow challenging opinions to evolution, where we all know there is none.

7. Trouble ahead for science

Comment #177467 by logicalbasedreality on May 9, 2008 at 6:24 am

From Answers in Genesis:

"The tale of missing chromosomes
There are many anatomical similarities between humans and apes. Our chromosomes are similar as well. We can see these similarities in the banding patterns of the chromosomes. One obvious difference between the human and ape karyotype is that apes have 48 chromosomes (24 pairs) and humans normally have 46 (23 pairs). Dr. Miller likes to tell an entertaining "who done it" type story asking where the missing chromosome pair went. He then points out the scientific evidence for a fusion event on human chromosome 2. There is evidence that implies a fusion event may have occurred.3 Human chromosome 2 corresponds to ape chromosomes 12 and 13. Dr. Miller states, "Our chromosome number 2 was formed by the fusion of two primate chromosomes."4 Dr. Miller assumes common ancestry and the number of chromosomes is consistent with his belief. However, he misses other important evidence that contradicts his basic claim.

Most importantly, reliable eyewitness testimony is more powerful than circumstantial evidence in establishing historical details. The Bible, inspired by the Creator himself, indicates that humans were created in the image of God and distinct from other animals.5 Humans are clearly distinct from other animals in cognitive and language ability. Occasionally, the ability of chimps to use tools or simple sign language is touted as evidence for their close relationship with us. In reality, chimps are not significantly different in these areas from many other mammals and birds (except that they can use their hands more like us). Chimps lack the anatomy for human speech. Ironically, a few birds have been known to use human language quite well, at least for an animal.6 Simple tool making ability is also seen in a variety of animals.7 While intelligence in animals is quite fascinating, it is still significantly different from that of humans and gives no hint of common ancestry. The similarities are much more easily explained by the fact that these animals all had a common designer who reused certain excellent design elements much like engineers do in their creations today."

The above quote from AIGs website regarding Ken Miller's thoughts on Chromosome 2 is so funny. They explain his hypothesis then jump to default argument that... well you read it ...This makes me laugh.

8. Record-setting Laser May Aid Searches for Earthlike Planets

Comment #175816 by logicalbasedreality on May 6, 2008 at 5:28 am

I love this website.

9. Rover instrument to sniff out life on Mars

Comment #175811 by logicalbasedreality on May 6, 2008 at 5:20 am

Probably what will happen will be a new cult like the Mormons saying that Jesus arrived on mars sometime and converted all the inhabitants to Christianity but they were living poor lives and god removed their atmoshpere.

10. Evolution's Critics Shift Tactics With Schools

Comment #175319 by logicalbasedreality on May 5, 2008 at 8:25 am

This almost makes ME want to pray...pray that teachers like Doug Cowan are the minority.

Even though the bills failed in Florida, I'm sure that the IDers will get more than one through in some state (my home state of Alabama seems likely).

When they do, I suggest that teachers do exactly what the IDers want and teach the "critiques" of evolution...teach why they are wrong.

I believe that a biology teacher with a good understanding of evolution and a little creativity could easily present an argument against evolution, de-construct that argument, and in the process of showing why that argument is flawed provide a better understanding of how evolution actually works.

A really smart teacher could even use this tactic to provide his/her students with a better understanding of statistics, probabilities, rhetoric, and the process of critical thinking. "This is what I hope to do if I can get a job teaching high school when I get home from this deployment.

Unfortunately, I think I might be a bit optimistic. I am reminded everyday that the Doug Cowans of the world outnumber people like me ten-to-one." Christopher Davis

My state, South Carolina has already added the "critical analysis" statment to its standards. This open door policy is just what the IDiots needed. It passed and no one mentioned it. Not like last year when ID was specifically mentioned to be included in the ciricula. Out own govenor Mark Sanford stated this:
http://www.pandasthumb.org/archives/2006/01/two_mosquitoes_1.html

Newswatch â€" WIS â€" TV â€" January 29, 2006

Host: David Stanton Guest: Gov. Mark Sanford

DS: What do you think about the idea of teaching alternatives to Darwin's Theory of Evolution in public schools… for instance Intelligent Design.

MS: I have no problem with it.

DS: Do you think it should be done that way? Rather than just teaching Evolution?

MS: Well I think that it's just, and science is more and more documenting this, is that there are real "chinks" in the armor of evolution being the only way we came about. The idea of their being a, you know, a little mud hole and two mosquitoes get together and the next thing you know you have a human being… is completely at odds with, you know, one of the laws of thermodynamics which is the law of, of.. in essence, destruction.

Whether you think about you bedroom and how messy it gets over time or you think about the decay in the building itself over time. Things don't naturally order themselves towards progression.… Uuummm.. in the natural order of things. So, it's in fact, it's against fairly basic laws of physics… and so I would not have a problem in teaching both… Uh, you saying this is one theory and here's another theory. "


This guy is in power and was elected by people who think like him. This is not any different from the other southern states and it will be mandatory teaching soon enough. Sadly, this is the mentality of most people in this state.

this bill was pushed through quietly. No outrage the last time when ID ws directly mentioned.

11. Potentially Habitable Planets Are Common, Study Says

Comment #173148 by logicalbasedreality on April 30, 2008 at 12:37 pm

Lol. I can't wait for the day they find extraterrestial bacteria or other microscopic life.

'Satan just put it there to test our faith'

Yeah but god in his omniscience would have known that but been unable to stop Satan from doing that which negates his all-powerfulness. Its the same all over the universe, I guess :-).

I asked a IDiot when it happens would Jesus be the savior for that planets life as well. He said well they had better accept him as their lord and savior or they wont get into heaven. You had better bet there will be xians clamoring to be the first on a newly formed planet to convert the locals and save them! LOL!

12. The simple falsehood at the heart of Expelled

Comment #168793 by logicalbasedreality on April 25, 2008 at 11:06 am

http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=12759

I was looking for positive reviews of the movie and found nothing positive written by anyone not associated with the right wing fundies. This one is just an example. I had to laugh at his exuberence of the film and his belief that this was a documentary. His descriptions of Stein are priceless.

13. Satellite shows Saturn moon might have rings

Comment #166869 by logicalbasedreality on April 23, 2008 at 1:17 pm

I meant to say "To observe and collect data, then make predictions which lead to a conclusion and then theory building?".

edited

14. Judge orders La. school district to stop Bible giveaways

Comment #166837 by logicalbasedreality on April 23, 2008 at 12:58 pm

i am a deep south USA kid growing up and still live there today, although I have moved to a more liberal coastal city, ( still deep in the Bible belt though). Anyway, my public elementary shcool had a weekly "Bible Day" where all the kids were herded into the cafeteria to listen to the good stories of the bible. Of course none of the wars, genocides, and contradictions were told about, just the mind trapping stuff a 4th grader can wrap their heads around. Disobey and go to hell, 10 commandments, noah, Judah selling Jesus out. Of course we were not presented with any other types of beliefs, just good old protestant ignorance.

15. Satellite shows Saturn moon might have rings

Comment #166699 by logicalbasedreality on April 23, 2008 at 11:40 am

Isnt that the nature of science. To observe and collect data, then make predictions which lead to a hypothesis. We have enough data collected from the other ringed planets to know that an absorption of electrons is due to the presence of dusty rings around the planets. It is only logical to predict that a drop of electrons around Rhea is most likely due to the presence of dusty rings, as this is a common occurence around planets with rings.

16. Resentment Over Darwin Evolves Into a Documentary

Comment #165461 by logicalbasedreality on April 21, 2008 at 1:45 pm

Comment #165358 by Pattern Seeker on April 21, 2008 at 11:45 am

One thing is for sure...this film did not evolve.

Blank film stock did not 'naturally select' an image. It was created by a designer. The designer was a retard. The result is a mess. A monster was created. That monster makes Frankenstein look like Angelina Jolie. Time to gather the pitchforks and torches.

Other Comments by Pattern Seeker

Angelina Jolie in "Pushing Tin" or Angelina Jolie in "Beowulf" ? ;-)

17. Evolution exhibit shows why nobody's perfect

Comment #165208 by logicalbasedreality on April 21, 2008 at 8:07 am

"Even as understanding is growing exponentially because of advances in genetics and biology, "many Americans don't understand evolution, they mistrust it, they don't get it," said Andrew Binns, Penn associate provost for education."

this, unfortunately is what I run into alot when discussing evolution. The outright mistrust and lack of understanding. I once again had the misfortune of discussing evolution with a person who "knew" darwin stated we came from "rocks and monkeys" and that was why he thought it was crap. When asked to present this from Darwin's statements, he simply resorted to a feeble, verbal attack at me telling me he pitied me for being duped. LOL.