Yes, for once, about real world

[dangermousie]

OK, last rant of the night, I promise. And I will get to replies.

There was a Republican debate yesterday.

Of the debating candidates, Kansas Senator Sam Brownback,* former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo raised their hands when moderator Chris Matthews asked who did not believe in evolution.

Oh my God.

These are the men running for President next year?

Why would I vote for a moron?

William Jennings Bryan, former three-time presidential candidate and prosecutor in the Scopes ‘monkey’ trial had an excuse: it was 1920s and by that point he was quite elderly so he lived most of his life in the 19th century. These people?

I am embarrassed that they got so high up in political world. I really am.

WTF.

OTOH, points to Giuliani for being the only one of the Republican candidates who has the nerve to say that it’s OK for Supreme Court to uphold Roe v. Wade, the pro-abortion ruling. And points to McCain for saying unambiguously that he supports expanded federal research into embryonic stem cells.

But seriously, the abortion/stem cells thing, I can understand various differing views on it (though I have my own, strong ones).

But evolution?

WTF.

I have no words.

I really don’t.

I am embarrassed. And shocked. And horrified.

* Brownback also referred to the day where Roe v. Wade is overturned as "Glorious day of human liberty and freedom." OK, regardless of your pro/anti abortion views, what would freedom and liberty have to do with it? I mean, even if you believe abortion is murder, these are weird weird terms to use. I’d buy something like ‘saving innocent lives blah blah’ but it’s not the liberation of Paris in World War II. Ugh. Why are politicians morons? Is that a job requirement?

Comments

[arathesane.livejournal.com]

I was going to post about that as well, I guess the only good thing that can be said is that none of those three has a shot at winning the nom.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I know. Even though it's scary enough they got elected to governorship/congress.

[lesbiassparrow.livejournal.com]

The amazing thing is not just that you might think that evolution isn't real, but that you'd publicly admit it on TV in an attempt to pick up voters. And probably get quite a few.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I read some article that was saying Brownback was a winner of the debate and I was...wtf. UGh

[janlake83.livejournal.com]

i was reading about that debate and the only thing i can say is umm...... thank god i am liberal??? evolution??? shouldn't there be better ummm issues to have stance about??? and Roe v. Wade wasn't just about having an abortion but to be able to make a choice that is good for that person...

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Exactly.

[jhana87.livejournal.com]

But when there are recent polls out there which suggest that around 50% of the population doesn't believe in evolution... is it really surprising that some politicians are amongst them? 50% is an election-winning number... appeal to them and you've won! That's what scares me...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17879317/site/newsweek/

Nearly half (48 percent) of the public rejects the scientific theory of evolution; one-third (34 percent) of college graduates say they accept the Biblical account of creation as fact.

http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=581

A majority of U.S. adults (54%) do not think human beings developed from earlier species, up from 46 percent in 1994.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

But I wonder how they define evolution in the polls.

The thing tha boggles my mind, is you can believe in God and evolution at the same time. I do. Lots of people I know do. Literally believing someone was created of someone's rib, is another matter.

Of course, I have a close Christian Fundamentalist friend who is not a literalist and also is pro choice and votes Democrat so anything can happen :)

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

what's sad is that so few people actually understand what evolurion IS. Evolution isn't "men devoloped from apes" it's "things change over time" people adapt to their environment to survive...region/race specific coloring, height, etc are results of evolution so that people could better surive. Humanity as a whole has bodyparts they don't need because our bodies still produce them even though they've evolved to the point where they no longer need them.

* pounds the very extended version of this into the brains of idiots...preferably the part they actually use*

Not that deliberate idiocy and ignorance is a peeve of mine or anything(we're talking colossal levels of deliberate idiocy and ignorance)

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Exactly. It's kind of insane.

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

aye. Not remotely to bring up a religious debate or even state my personal beliefs, but just continue my rant, I'm christian, and I want to scream whenever a normally very intelligent person says evolution can't possibly exist, because evolution and creationism aren't remotely mutually exclusive, just the misconceptions about evolution.

[elarielf.livejournal.com]

As a Canadian, let me just say:

We know most Americans aren't like that. Really. (despite the jokes) We even know that most American politicians aren't like that. (again, despite the jokes)

So don't be too embarrassed. We still love you.


(Although jhana87's reply is making me worry...)

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

LOL. And yay.

After having lived in two countries, I really think that to be a politician you have to be both a sleazebag and a moron. But a cunning one.

[thelana.livejournal.com]

Give them a few years an they'll go back to "The world is flat".

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

And is on the back of a turtle...

[akosikae.livejournal.com]

Take a deep breath :D We are going to have senatorial, congress, mayors, councilors election next week I think. See, sign of not caring. Sad to say that I don't believe in politicians much, but there are those that help so I really should make an effort.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

*breahtes in, out*