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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA Republican Nightmare: Science Group Demands 2016 Presidential ‘Science Debate’
Last edited Mon Jun 8, 2015, 10:27 PM - Edit history (1)
Source: Addicting Info
Given how monumentally important scientific literacy is for anyone who hopes to lead America in the 21st Century, you would think holding a science debate alongside issues of foreign policy, social issues, and the economy is a no-brainer. Unfortunately, one half of the political spectrum seems to believe science isnt observable facts based on data, and instead political opinions that come from your gut or the checkbook of the closest oil tycoon. As you can imagine, Republican candidates have historically opposed discussing science during elections at all costs. 2016 may change all that and it will be a bloodbath.
<snip>
And it may actually work. We know that if there is one thing that politicians listen to almost as much as money its popular opinion. Knowing that 42,000 people are demanding you engage them in your views on science is hard to ignore. Its also overwhelmingly popular. In fact, even Republicans who reject things like climate change and evolution want to appear like they are scientifically minded. They certainly dont mind bringing up scientific studies or findings if they believe they support something they believe in. If a new study came out tomorrow that demonstrated conclusively that the Earth wasnt warming at all (it wont), the GOP and their friends in the right-wing media would become the biggest fans of science in the world over night.
The problem lies in the fact that on almost every issue, Republicans would get creamed. This is the Im not a scientist, but party, after all. Browsing the selection of presidential hopefuls, it is immediately clear that any one of them would struggle to make sense or sound smart while being asked about carbon dioxide levels in the Earths atmosphere. (Although, Rick Perry does wear glasses now, so theres that.)
Its hard to say whether scientific ignorance could cost a particularly dimwitted candidate an election, but watching someone like Rick Santorum or Scott Walker struggle to articulate their laughably off-base views on the Theory of Evolution might move the needle just enough. Its hard to get excited to vote for a person who seems like they couldnt hack it at an elementary school science fair.
<snip>
And it may actually work. We know that if there is one thing that politicians listen to almost as much as money its popular opinion. Knowing that 42,000 people are demanding you engage them in your views on science is hard to ignore. Its also overwhelmingly popular. In fact, even Republicans who reject things like climate change and evolution want to appear like they are scientifically minded. They certainly dont mind bringing up scientific studies or findings if they believe they support something they believe in. If a new study came out tomorrow that demonstrated conclusively that the Earth wasnt warming at all (it wont), the GOP and their friends in the right-wing media would become the biggest fans of science in the world over night.
The problem lies in the fact that on almost every issue, Republicans would get creamed. This is the Im not a scientist, but party, after all. Browsing the selection of presidential hopefuls, it is immediately clear that any one of them would struggle to make sense or sound smart while being asked about carbon dioxide levels in the Earths atmosphere. (Although, Rick Perry does wear glasses now, so theres that.)
Its hard to say whether scientific ignorance could cost a particularly dimwitted candidate an election, but watching someone like Rick Santorum or Scott Walker struggle to articulate their laughably off-base views on the Theory of Evolution might move the needle just enough. Its hard to get excited to vote for a person who seems like they couldnt hack it at an elementary school science fair.
Read more: http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/06/04/republican-nightmare-science-group-demands-2016-presidential-science-debate/
There are some DUzys in there! Can you even imagine the hilarity that would ensue...
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A Republican Nightmare: Science Group Demands 2016 Presidential ‘Science Debate’ (Original Post)
demmiblue
Jun 2015
OP
and "cause it says so in the bible" will not be allowed and result in immediate removable
NightWatcher
Jun 2015
#12
Avalux
(35,015 posts)1. Brilliant. I don't know if it will happen, but I love it. n/t
ms liberty
(8,633 posts)2. Great idea...can we get Neil DeGrasse Tyson and Bill Nye to moderate?
I'd watch that!
DebbieCDC
(2,543 posts)3. Brilliant idea
I would pay money to see that. Seriously.
BrotherIvan
(9,126 posts)4. Hell, I'd PAY to watch that
demmiblue
(36,921 posts)7. Both of them signed the petition!
I am also so down with that.
Perfect.
Sign me up.
FSogol
(45,599 posts)11. Or they could just use AP Science High School students & get the same result.
Wounded Bear
(58,799 posts)5. Probably won't happen, but nice idea...
At least make the Repubs decline and explain why.
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)6. "someone like Rick Santorum or Scott Walker"
Booby Jindal's views on evolution are just as laughably off-base. And he holds an Ivy League degree in biology!
hifiguy
(33,688 posts)8. I would almost pay to see that.
I doubt there is anything since George Carlin passed that would make me laugh that hard, though that much concentrated stupidity and ignorance in one place might rip a hole in the fabric of spacetime.
Takket
(21,729 posts)10. K&R!!!!!!!!!!!!
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)12. and "cause it says so in the bible" will not be allowed and result in immediate removable
central scrutinizer
(11,670 posts)13. Hey repugs! Time to study up!