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Guess I'll still be a monkey's uncle!
I was just gone for an hour, but that was time enough for half of my friendslist to go nuts with jubilation. The Dover Intelligent Design case is over... and the judge has boiled ID with its own pudding and buried it with a stake of holly through its heart in no uncertain terms, calling the case the activism of an ill-informed faction on a school board, aided by a national public interest law firm eager to find a constitutional test case on ID, who in combination drove the Board to adopt an imprudent and ultimately unconstitutional policy. (That link leads to the second page, where the quote is. There's good stuff on page 1 too.)
The entire 139 (!) page decision is online. Skimming it brings up some great stuff - the judge wasn't just discussing the unConstitutionality of the Dover anti-evolution announcement, he takes on the intellectual bankruptcy of ID's star "scientists." For instance, pages 74 and following rip the foundation out from under Behe and the argument of "irreducible complexity." Although Professor Behe is adamant in his definition of irreducible complexity when he says a precursor "missing a part is by defnition nonfunctional," what he obviously means is that it will not function in the same way the system functions when all the parts are present... However, Professor Behe excludes, by definition, the possibility that a precursor to the bacterial flagellum functioned not as a rotary moter, but in some other way... As expert testimony revealed, the qualification on what is meant by "irreducible complexity" renders it meaningless as a criticism of evolution... By defining irreducible complexity in the way that he has, Professor Behe attempt to exclude the phenomenon of exaptation by definitional fiat, ignoring as he does so abundant evidence which refutes his argument.
On page 84, he lights into Of Pandas and People: Plaintiff's expert Provessor Padian was the only testifying expert witness with any expertise in paleontology. His testimony therefore remains unrebutted. Dr. Padian's demonstrative slides, prepared on the basis of peer-reviewing scientific literature, illustrate how Pandas systematically distorts and misrepresents established, important evolutionary principles.
Page 93 starts the groundwork showing how ID=creationism and how the former Board members were blatently pushing religion on the students, using meeting minutes and memos as proof, while the defense against that appears to have been a lame reptition of "I don't remember saying/doing that." My favorite zinger is on p. 97 - It is notable and in fact incredible that Bonsell [a board member] disclaimed any interest in creationism during his testimony despite the admission by his counsel in Defendants' opening statement that Bonsell had such an interest. Simply put, Bonsell repeatedly failed to testify in a truthful manner about this and other subjects.
(Which Commandment is the one about false witness?)
This section also shows up the second step in the wedge, had the first been successful. Bonsell didn't just want to bring creationism into science, he also wanted to inject religion into the social studies curriculum, as evidenced by his statement to Baksa that he wanted students to learn more about the Founding Fathers and providing Baksa with a book entitled Myth of Separation.
Pay attention to that, folks. That is probably going to be the next battleground.
My favorite quote is on page 121, and is suitable for calligraphy and framing, or putting on T-shirts: One unfortunate theme in this case is the striking ignorance concerning the concept of ID amongst Board members. Conspicuously, Board members who voted for the curriculum change testified at trial that they had utterly no grasp of ID.
And under fast-breaking news, I'm seeing reports spread across Google news that Representative John Conyers (D-MI) is calling for the censure of Bush over the wiretapping issue and calling for an investigative committee to see if Bush has committed impeachable offenses.
And here it is on the Library of Congress page: H.RES.635
Title: Creating a select committee to investigate the Administration's intent to go to war before congressional authorization, manipulation of pre-war intelligence, encouraging and countenancing torture, retaliating against critics, and to make recommendations regarding grounds for possible impeachment.
ETA: The link keeps blinking in and out: I'm using http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/D?d109:13:./temp/~bdCwgo::|/bss/d109query.html| If that doesn't work, go to the Thomas Main Page at http://thomas.loc.gov/ pick Conyers out of the list of Representatives, click "Go" and scroll down to item 13. While you're there, check out #s 636 and 637 too.
The entire 139 (!) page decision is online. Skimming it brings up some great stuff - the judge wasn't just discussing the unConstitutionality of the Dover anti-evolution announcement, he takes on the intellectual bankruptcy of ID's star "scientists." For instance, pages 74 and following rip the foundation out from under Behe and the argument of "irreducible complexity." Although Professor Behe is adamant in his definition of irreducible complexity when he says a precursor "missing a part is by defnition nonfunctional," what he obviously means is that it will not function in the same way the system functions when all the parts are present... However, Professor Behe excludes, by definition, the possibility that a precursor to the bacterial flagellum functioned not as a rotary moter, but in some other way... As expert testimony revealed, the qualification on what is meant by "irreducible complexity" renders it meaningless as a criticism of evolution... By defining irreducible complexity in the way that he has, Professor Behe attempt to exclude the phenomenon of exaptation by definitional fiat, ignoring as he does so abundant evidence which refutes his argument.
On page 84, he lights into Of Pandas and People: Plaintiff's expert Provessor Padian was the only testifying expert witness with any expertise in paleontology. His testimony therefore remains unrebutted. Dr. Padian's demonstrative slides, prepared on the basis of peer-reviewing scientific literature, illustrate how Pandas systematically distorts and misrepresents established, important evolutionary principles.
Page 93 starts the groundwork showing how ID=creationism and how the former Board members were blatently pushing religion on the students, using meeting minutes and memos as proof, while the defense against that appears to have been a lame reptition of "I don't remember saying/doing that." My favorite zinger is on p. 97 - It is notable and in fact incredible that Bonsell [a board member] disclaimed any interest in creationism during his testimony despite the admission by his counsel in Defendants' opening statement that Bonsell had such an interest. Simply put, Bonsell repeatedly failed to testify in a truthful manner about this and other subjects.
(Which Commandment is the one about false witness?)
This section also shows up the second step in the wedge, had the first been successful. Bonsell didn't just want to bring creationism into science, he also wanted to inject religion into the social studies curriculum, as evidenced by his statement to Baksa that he wanted students to learn more about the Founding Fathers and providing Baksa with a book entitled Myth of Separation.
Pay attention to that, folks. That is probably going to be the next battleground.
My favorite quote is on page 121, and is suitable for calligraphy and framing, or putting on T-shirts: One unfortunate theme in this case is the striking ignorance concerning the concept of ID amongst Board members. Conspicuously, Board members who voted for the curriculum change testified at trial that they had utterly no grasp of ID.
And under fast-breaking news, I'm seeing reports spread across Google news that Representative John Conyers (D-MI) is calling for the censure of Bush over the wiretapping issue and calling for an investigative committee to see if Bush has committed impeachable offenses.
And here it is on the Library of Congress page: H.RES.635
Title: Creating a select committee to investigate the Administration's intent to go to war before congressional authorization, manipulation of pre-war intelligence, encouraging and countenancing torture, retaliating against critics, and to make recommendations regarding grounds for possible impeachment.
ETA: The link keeps blinking in and out: I'm using http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/D?d109:13:./temp/~bdCwgo::|/bss/d109query.html| If that doesn't work, go to the Thomas Main Page at http://thomas.loc.gov/ pick Conyers out of the list of Representatives, click "Go" and scroll down to item 13. While you're there, check out #s 636 and 637 too.
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*does a dance of an upright ape with bad knee joints because evolution is blind and stupid and the system only has to be good enough*
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My fellow Christians, why must the church seek to coerce the moral decision-making of others? Why must we rely on government-instituted schools to teach morality, enforce prayer and indoctrinate religious teachings? The very people who tout the importance of "family" are passing off their responsibilities. Shouldn't the "family" be responsible for moral training? Isn't it "legalistic" to resort to political power and legislation to enforce morality?
but yeah, will the fundies start to use their variations of history (since history isn't nearly so clearly defined as science is) as their new means of indoctrination? will there be a legal way to stop it? The Lemon test applies to science, but not beyond that. A larger decision will have to make a Lemon-like test for all fields of education.
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It would be a logical place to start - not only is it "fuzzier" in terms of facts, but if they can ram through the destruction of the wall of church and state, most of the things that have been stymied (such as creationism) all follow.
Whatever the new Lemon test would be, it would be presumably modelled after the U Cal rulings against admitting students who've been educated using A Beka and Bob Jones materials. Rulings which are being appealed and decried as prejudice, natch.
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These people never have spoken for the majority of Christians. Never will.
Add this bit of good news to Bush's crumbling fortress, and I'll rest a bit easier this Christmas.
Happy New Year! We need a new one! The one we have is clearly defective!
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I'm a PA native too. Just drifted below the "Smith and Wesson Line" to the only place my grandmother ever considered civilized society.
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--sigh--
Anyway, the continual contrast does make things interesting. And I confess that I DO NOT miss the snow!
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I was aware, generally speaking, where you had settled.
You DO know who I am, don't you?
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Um... no?
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On the other hand, it might be cruel to keep you in suspense, and Santa IS watching....
So shall I tell you, or would you like some clues to try to guess?
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(Anonymous) 2005-12-24 01:45 pm (UTC)(link)*claps hands* A Christmas game! Clues, certainly. I mean, I've read your LJ info, but no one seemed to fit the location and the friends list.
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We're sitting together at an art auction. You buy an Egyptian-themed painting. You're worried that you spent too much money for it. I tell you that it's OK if it makes you happy.
I always was good at enabling people that way!
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Dang, that was what, very early 90s? I remember the piece, but am trying to think of who I knew way back then. You know me. And Betsy. You *aren't* Betsy. I don't think you're Kelley due to what you had in your info (and I've seen her more recently than "years and years." You do go to Media*West, but didn't give me a fandom clue, so you're not someone from RBG fandom, which rules out Sheila, or from BatB fandom. Nor did you give me a costuming clue, which rules out a lot of other people from that time period.
Dang. Gotta think on this. Doubtless when I finally get it I'll be all "OH! How could I NOT remember instantly?" but am currently toked to the ears on turkey tryptophan and am stupid.
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I won't feel bad if you don't remember, I disappeared very thoroughly. My bad for not staying in touch.
No, I'm not Betsy, although she could give the game away in a heartbeat.
It was Balticon.
I'm a male person.
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Pond Scum Pulls Its Weight
scienceblog1
http://www.scienceblog.com/cms/pond_scum_compound_shows_potential_activity_against_alzheimers_9591
A compound isolated from a cyanobacterium, a type of blue-green algae known as Nostoc, shows promise of becoming a natural drug candidate for fighting Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases, according to an in vitro study by researchers in Switzerland. It is believed to be the first time that a potent agent against Alzheimer's has been isolated from cyanobacteria, commonly known as 'pond scum.'
Re: Pond Scum Pulls Its Weight
The context - and it was you - was that I had been severely disappointed by a man, so when you once called the house and I was first to the phone, I snarled "I have come to the conclusion that all men are pond scum!"
Your comeback was so perfect that I've been telling the story ever since!
Re: Pond Scum Pulls Its Weight
All of which is a very elliptical way of asking if I can add you to my flist.
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...might wanna make sure you like what I say first, though. I've gotten very political since then.
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I'm up for a guessing game!