Global Warming, Religion and Politics...

..all wrapped up in a neat package (It is Christmas, after all!):

Science debate 2008

Given all the inanity that has gone on around belief, the bible and evolution in the presidential debates recently, it seems the time has come for a debate on science policy. It is this that will enable us to look forward as a nation and not backward to the days of myth, fairy tales and legend, which is what most of the candidates seem to want to base national policy on.

With this end in mind, a group of key Americans, including scientists and congressmen have called for a debate on science.

Their mission:

Given the many urgent scientific and technological challenges facing America and the rest of the world, the increasing need for accurate scientific information in political decision making, and the vital role scientific innovation plays in spurring economic growth and competitiveness, we call for a public debate in which the U.S. presidential candidates share their views on the issues of The Environment, Health and Medicine, and Science and Technology Policy.

I don't hold out much hope of the debate being held, since most of the candidates are ignorant of science, but you can add your voice to the crowd here.

Speaking of Europe...

Came across this while looking for a graphic for the last post. I think it deserves it's own (there's lots more good stuff over at Russell's Teapot).

(click for larger image)

Who believes this stuff....I mean, really?

Today was another day where you just have to shake your head and wonder what most of the American public is smoking.

First up we had a presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, who seems to be a relatively reasonable guy as far as Republican candidates go, trying to twist himself into a pretzel (again) to pander to the religious nutjob right, for whom Mormonism is an even wackier faith than theirs, if you can believe that. Here's what he had to say:

"Freedom requires religion, just as religion requires freedom."

Really? Freedom requires religion? since when? Europe seems to be doing pretty well without relying on religion. Religion requires freedom? Huh. I'm sure the folks in Iran or Saudi Arabia agree with that completely.

There's a nice rebuttal to all of this crap in the Washington Post editorial:

"Americans acknowledge that liberty is a gift of God, not an indulgence of government," Mr. Romney said. But not all Americans acknowledge that, and those who do not may be no less committed to the liberty that is the American ideal."

Speaking of the election, Romney is trying to counter Mike Huckabee, who, as a baptist minister is not shy about promoting his religion. Fred Thompson has also weighed in:

"I'm OK with the Lord, and the Lord is OK with me, as far as I can tell."

Great. So now another Republican talks to imaginary beings. That's another one crossed off my list. Look, it's one thing to pander to your base to get elected, it's quite another to be so desperate, unsubtle and to frankly look a little crazy while doing it.

Winter has arrived.

Here's a shot of my driveway this morning.

It's a good thing I work from home. It's pretty unusual for this time of year here to get this much lake effect snow in early December. The wind isn't usually blowing in this direction. It's probably time to service the snow blower.