Science

An observation from Chris Mooney about a particularly airheaded anti–global warming op-ed by some non-scientist named Emily Yoffe (Huffington Post):

If I'm being a bit hard on Emily Yoffe, it's because there's a larger point here. Yoffe's piece strikes me as indicative of how some aspects of the Washington journalism culture treat scientific information. A lot of the time, what's prized in that world is the ability to make a clever argument — to turn conventional wisdom on its head.

When you apply this approach to science, however, there's an utter mismatch. In science, "conventional wisdom" is a consensus perspective that has withstood repeated expert attempts to unseat it. In this context, being "counterintuitive" — especially when one is doing so well outside of the traditional channels of scientific discourse — usually amounts to little more than being just plain wrong.

What is it with these people? This is from an op-ed in today's Salt Lake Tribune by Mark Sanford, the Republican governor of South Carolina:

I am a conservative conservationist who worries that sea levels and government intervention may end up rising together. My earnest hope going forward is that we can find conservative solutions to the climate change problem — ecologically responsible solutions based on free-market principles that both improve our quality of life and safeguard our freedoms.

OK, which is the more important issue here — raising the earth's average temperature by several degrees, or increasing the size of government? And second, it's the bleeping free market that got us into this mess in the first place. Carbon emissions are negative externalities that are ignored by the allegedly perfect free market. You'll notice that the editorial provides no suggestions at all for how the free market itself might bring carbon emissions under control. If Governor Sanford doesn't like the idea of a carbon tax — more of that dreaded Government Regulation — then what is he proposing instead?

State party chair Wayne Holland's statement on the first 100 hours (utdemocrats.org):

"If these first 100 hours are any indication of how effective the Democratic Congress will be at passing legislation important to Utahns, then we are off to an exceptional start," said Utah Democratic Party Chair Wayne Holland, Jr. "Congressman Matheson is working harder than ever to ensure that the interests of Utahns are the first priority. For Mr. Cannon and Mr. Bishop to vote against legislation desired by a majority of Utah citizens demonstrates an alarming level of arrogance and vindictive behavior."

Deseret News:

As baseball fans across Missouri watched the first game of the World Series, they saw Michael J. Fox, the actor-turned-activist for embryonic stem cell research, endorse Democrat Claire McCaskill for Senate and sharply criticize Sen. Jim Talent, the Republican incumbent who backed President Bush's veto of legislation to expand that research.

"They say all politics is local, but it's not always the case," said Fox, his body swaying uncontrollably because of Parkinson's disease. "What you do in Missouri matters to millions of Americans, Americans like me." [...]

Fox's efforts already have inspired a conservative backlash, with Rush Limbaugh suggesting Monday that the actor was "either off his medication or acting" when he showed symptoms of Parkinson's during the commercial.

In South Dakota, a ballot measure to repeal the state's abortion ban — which forces rape victims to have the rapist's baby — is gaining support (Washington Post):

South Dakota voters are leaning against the state's tough new ban on abortions, a poll released Monday shows.

The statewide survey of 800 registered voters found 47 percent opposed the strict ban, while 39 percent favored it. The remaining 14 percent were undecided. The poll had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. [...]

[The ban] was to become law on July 1, but opponents gathered enough signatures to delay it and to let voters decide in November whether the ban should take effect.

Meanwhile, in Kansas, the creationists on the state board of education now find themselves in the minority (Lawrence Journal-World):

Moderate Kansas State Board of Education candidates pulled off a victory Tuesday, gathering enough might to topple the board's 6-4 conservative majority.

A victory by incumbent Janet Waugh, a Democrat whose district includes parts of Lawrence, and wins by Republican moderates in two districts previously represented by conservatives left the tables turned heading into the Nov. 7 general election. [...]

"Obviously money can't buy elections," she said. "I think the people of Kansas are tired of being the laughingstock not only of the nation but the world."

Seems like the moderates in America are finally waking up to the true degree of extremism in the modern Republican Party.

Very funny stuff from resident smartass satirist Bill in Portland Maine over at Daily Kos:

From the Blastocyst Community Bulletin...

FOR SALE -- framed portrait of President Bush signing the Blastocyst Civil Rights Act of 2006. Autographed on back by Sen. Brownback. $10 + s&h. 555-1323. [...]

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The annual Blastocyst pancake supper will be held at the Grange Hall Sunday from 6am `til 11am. Cost is $5 ($3 for embryoblasts 8 days and under). Because of last year's maple syrup disaster, powdered sugar will be substituted. [...]

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All of us at BCB mourn the passing of associate editor Hank Grindle, 12 days, a long-standing member of the local blastocyst community for 7 days and 3 hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the VFW. Our condolences to Gladys, his wife of 10 days and 8 hours.

Reuters:

President George W. Bush said on Wednesday he used his first veto to block legislation expanding embryonic stem cell research, putting him at odds with top scientists, most Americans and some in his own Republican Party.

Thank you for this political gift, George. Somewhere between half and two-thirds of Americans support embryonic stem cell research. DNC.org has more.

The Observer (UK):

The squat, bunker-like building in a south Topeka suburb does not look like a place to turn American politics on its head. Nor does Mark Parkinson, a tall, affable man, look too much like a revolutionary. But here, deep in the American heartland, are the warning signs of a political earthquake.

The two-storey office block is Parkinson's campaign headquarters as he runs as Democrat candidate for deputy governor. So far, so normal. Except that only a few weeks ago Parkinson was a Republican. In fact, he was Kansas Republican party chairman.

His defection to the Democrats sent shockwaves through a state deeply associated with the national Republican cause and the evangelical conservatives at its base. Nor was it just Parkinson's leave-taking that left Republicans spluttering with rage and talking of betrayal. It was that as he left Parkinson lambasted his former party's obsession with conservative and religious issues such as gay marriage, evolution and abortion.

Sitting in his headquarters, the new Democrat is sticking to his guns. Republicans in Kansas, he says, have let down their own people. 'They were fixated on ideological issues that really don't matter to people's everyday lives. What matters is improving schools and creating jobs,' he said. 'I got tired of the theological debate over whether Charles Darwin was right.'