We talk to Dr. Eugenie Scott, executive director of the National Center for Science Education (NCSE) about the recent action by the Texas Board of Education [www.tea.state.tx.us/sboe] that places three creationists on the six-member committee that reviews science standards [link]. How damaging could this move be to the rest of the country?
Point #1: When abstinence-only education fails, what’s Plan B? Oh yeah, there’s no Plan B.
I have no idea what to make of the rumors floating around that Palin’s fifth child is actually her grandchild. Whether or not it’s true is largely immaterial to me; it’s a family matter. Nonetheless, if it turns out it is true and if it turns out the Palins concealed this truth from McCain’s vetting committee…
More problematic is the new revelation that Palin’s 17-year-old daughter is pregnant and that she plans to marry the boyfriend who is the father. Again, this would normally be a family matter I would care nothing about, but… this is a governor who advocates abstinence only sex education in public schools. (more…)
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2719223520080627
The day before we recorded episode #20 of the podcast, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal signed the Louisiana Science Education Act, which is essentially designed to protect teachers who might want to insert creationist teachings into public school biology classrooms. It’ll be interesting (and probably frustrating) to see how this thing plays out in practice.
Barbara Forrest - We talk to Dr. Barbara Forrest about SB 733 [link], the so-called Louisiana Science Education Act, a piece of legislation sitting on the desk of Governor Bobby Jindal that, if signed, would enable teachers and administrators in state schools to sneak Creationism/Intelligent Design in under the radar. Dr. Forrest is a professor of philosophy at Southeastern Louisiana University, the co-author of Creationism’s Trojan Horse [link], and was one of the star witnesses in the celebrated Kitzmiller v. Dover court case. She’s also a co-founder of the Louisiana Coalition for Science [lasciencecoalition.org] and active in defending science against religio-political encroachment at the national level.
Happy 150th Birthday, Evolution! - In 2009, the thinking world will celebrate Darwin’s 200th birthday and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his Origin of Species [link]. But we’re popping the cork early - a landmark in the history of science occurred on July 1, 1858. That’s the day that the theory of evolution by natural selection had its first public reading (at London’s famous Linnean Society). We’ll talk about how Charles Darwin and his associates gave naturalist Alfred Wallace the subtle shaft, ensuring that religious nutjobs in the 21st century would be railing about “Darwinism” instead of “Wallacism”. (For an excellent analysis of this episode, read Robert Wright’s fantastic book The Moral Animal [link].)
Independence Day- Now, here’s a holiday even the grumpiest atheist can get behind. Everybody knows that on July 4th, 1776, the American Colonists told the Brits where they could shove it. Sort of. We’ll look at some of the myths surrounding the birth of America, and revisit that pesky semi-religious language that has the fundies crowing about how this is a Christian Nation.
Goodbye, George Carlin- The skeptical world lost one of its funniest and most adamant stars. Carlin fought for free speech (and even pissed off politically correct left-wingers in the process) during the course of his five-decade career. He will be missed.
Expelled - We discuss Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, the new crock-umentary starring Ben Stein. For a thorough critique of Expelled, visit Expelled Exposed.
Creation Museum - We discuss a recent expedition to the Creation Museum in Northern Kentucky. You can read more about it in John Snider’s report titled “The Creation Museum Is Full of Sh!t”. We’ll also talk about “Everything You Always Wanted to Know about the Separation of Church and State but Were Afraid to Ask”, a recent event co-sponsored by Americans United for the Separation of Church and State and the Interfaith Alliance Foundation.
by John C. Snider © 2008
Yes, I blew $20 at the Creation Museum, brainchild of Answers in Genesis frontman Ken Ham. It’s located in northern Kentucky, across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio. On the drive up along I-75 I didn’t see any billboards advertising it, but there was one of those brown attraction signs on I-275 just before the Museum’s exit. I’m not sure who pays for those signs, but I’m sure it’s either the Commonwealth of Kentucky or some branch of the federal government - maybe the Department of Transportation? At any rate, you could probably make a case that that sign is unconstitutional, since the courts have already ruled that creationism is religion and not science.
Picture #1: So…here we are at the main gate. They’re big on stegasaurases-es-es at the Creation Museum. Note the remnants of Noah’s Flood at the bottom of the picture.
Darwin Day 2008 - Charles Darwin’s birthday is February 12, which is as good a day as any to celebrate his achievements and those of science in general. We talk to evolutionary biologist, philosopher and popular science writer Massimo Pigliucci of the State University of New York in Stony Brook, the organizer of SUNY’s Darwin Day events, and who organized the University of Tennessee’s first Darwin Day in 1997. Massimo maintains several web presences, including RationallySpeaking.org, PlatoFootnote.org, and GenotypebyEnvironment.org. We’ll also feature a special “scientific gospel” song from the California based band The Galapagos Mountain Boys.
A review of Peter Nichols’ biography of Robert Fitzroy, captain of the H.M.S. Beagle
by John C. Snider © 2008
Every school child and amateur scientist knows (or should) that Charles Darwin began developing his ideas about evolution and the origin of species while on a round-the-world voyage aboard the H.M.S. Beagle. What most people couldn’t tell you is the name of the Beagle’s captain.
Now Peter Nichols, author of several best-selling non-fiction books about sea exploration, has answered that question and more in Evolution’s Captain, which chronicles the career of Robert Fitzroy and his place in scientific history.
Recorded 12/01/2007. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
Show Notes:
Flock of Dodos - We discuss the independent documentary film Flock of Dodos, which explores the tactics used by both sides of the Intelligent Design/Evolution debate. Read our review here. Look for the film on Showtime and at film festivals, or purchase the DVD. Visit the official website at www.flockofdodos.com.
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