More Confusion on Evolution: The Conservative’s Aren’t Alone
UPDATE:
The Globe is holding a poll (link): Do you believe in evolution? The results, as of 12:15pm (Wed):
- Yes: 52% (18711 votes)
- No: 46% (16608 votes)
- I won’t answer a question about my religion: 2% (541 votes)
Your reporters interview top Canadian evolutionary biologists and scientists, all of whom tell you that accepting evolution isn’t a matter of belief but a matter of fact. You could have taken the high road in this matter. You could have run an essay on why evolution isn’t a matter of belief. I am certain there are hundreds of evolutionary biologists who would be more than willing to educate your readership. Instead, you run this farcical poll.
I can’t keep this inside: fuck you, Globe.
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The Globe and Mail has published (link) what looks like a direct rebuttal to Minister Goodyear’s comment at CTV (link). Goodyear said:
“I didn’t answer the question because it’s not relevant to the portfolio, it’s not relevant to what we have to do, (to) what Canadians are worried about,” Goodyear told CTV Newsnet’s Power Play Tuesday. “It’s unfortunate a reporter has chosen to take this as something of interest when in fact the focus should be on . . . creating jobs and securing our economic future.”
Goodyear, quoted by the Globe:
“…But that’s [whether he believes in evolution] not relevant and that is why I refused to answer the question. The interview was about our science and tech strategy, which is strong.”
The Globe and Mail told Mr. Goodyear that the interview was for a profile, a way for readers to learn more about him, as well as a chance for him to defend the government’s strategy from its critics in the research community. A significant portion of the interview was about his background and personal life.
I’m happy to see that the journalists at the Globe aren’t afraid to call bullshit when they see it, especially when the Minister decided to take a dump all over their integrity (i.e. “It’s unfortunate a reporter…”).
Interestingly, Goodyear isn’t the only one in parliament who has a lackluster grasp on evolution. Here’s a quote from the “Liberal science critic” (whatever the hell that is), Marc Garneau:
On Tuesday, Liberal science critic Marc Garneau said that believing in evolution is not a job requirement for the science minister.
“It is a personal matter. It is a matter of faith.… I don’t think it prevents someone from being a good minister,” said the former astronaut, who has been a vocal critic of the government for its cuts to the three granting councils that fund university-based research in Canada.
Science isn’t a matter of faith. Science is about facts. The fact that none of our country’s head science folks understand this is disheartening. And tsk tsk Mr. Garneau – those facts are what sent you to space and back (wiki).
One Response to “More Confusion on Evolution: The Conservative’s Aren’t Alone”
Blah. I was reminiscing not long ago with an American friend of mine over how it felt when Bush beat out Gore back in 2001, and it soon became clear that facts didn’t matter. From foreign policy to education to science, it was all about his personal beliefs and his gut.
The US had become a write-off in terms of doing its necessary part in an age of global crisis. Now Obama is pulling as close to a 180 as he can manage, my friend south of the border is elated, and I’ve been feeling like my own country has been stuck in a rut for several years now, when what we need is to be proactive global citizens.
Harper, supposedly an economist, doesn’t respect scientific data, because he brushes off global warming and green development, and our science head is a chiropractor and an idiot. I wonder if he even “believes” in vaccines.
Why the recent dearth of competent leadership in our country? Is there something wrong with the democratic process when a country of 30 million offers up a handful of national candidates, and we have to attempt to choose the lesser evil?