We already trail countries like China and Japan in terms of math and science, so by all means, let's teach creationism and fall even further behind. I don't put my politics in your religion, so please keep your religion out of my politics. There have always been private schools for including religious instruction, and I oughta know, since I did 12 years of it. - Cyndy
I also believe in the Constitution, which says "separation of church and state"... i.e. don't teach your religion in public schools... which she wants to do. - Jason Carreira
How much will you pay me for not becoming a Creationist, Tad? - l0ckergn0me
Chris, I'll write ya a check for $0.02! - Tad - just Tad
@l0ckergn0me it only counts if you're nominated for national office ;) - Jason Carreira
I have no problem at all with Christians in the White House. None. I just don't want anti-science luddites in office any more. We just finished with 8 years of one and I'd rather not have another 8. If we keep it up we will completely destroy our education system in this country and become the (fictional) Kazakhstan of the Americas... - Tad - just Tad
this makes me more proud that i made my first *ever* political contribution to the Obama campaign. yes, we can believe in *both* but i rather pick the ticket that shares my worldview. and in my worldview, science and philosophy trump policies which are not based on evidence and critical thinking. - ~C4Chaos
Me too, donate keep the momentum going, we need a chance and with McCain there is no chance for us. - tom sparks
look I am a Christian so I don't knock her on that, but I will be making my donation today as well and larger than usual because time is running out and we can't risk four more years. - Ruth Ferguson
Our educational system is already failing because schools are not free to teach. they spend more time preparing to pass various standardized tests then actually teaching. Politics plays a big influence on schools and our kids are paying the price. Between hot button issues like teaching in the native language of the student, ELL, ESL, SEI, etc. among other things. Schools are for learning, heck I think they should be year round instead of only a portion of the year. If the kids are going to compete with the rest of the world, they need to be committed to learning. - Jason Shultz via twhirl
Christian does not equal creationist. I don't find willful ignorance in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence a desirable characteristic in a world leader, personally. - Matthew Davidson via twhirl
I agree with that too Jason. Throwing out science education would make things much, much worse. - Tad - just Tad
@Matthew I just don't understand why a person can't believe in both. I'm not saying it should be taught in schools. I don't think schools should be teaching morality or religion anyway, that should be a parent's responsibility. Unfortunately, many parents would rather hang by their entrails then teach their kids anything. But, back to the point, saying your a christian but don't believe that God played any part in the creation of the world equates to saying that he was sitting around one day (or 7 lol) while the world was being created and then while thinking cosmic thoughts he looked over and saw the Earth and said, "oh, cool, more people to worship me." For the record, I don't believe the world was created in seven days or even like Genesis put it. I just believe that there is a God and that he played some part in it. Lack of Evidence does not equal evidence against the existence of something. - Jason Shultz via twhirl
Jason, there's a huge difference between that view and what most people think of as creationists. Creationists generally take a LITERAL view of the bible and wish to teach that in science classes to children in lieu of evolution. Some creationists don't believe in a literal view of the bible, but generally they don't believe in evolution. Plenty of Christians believe that God created the universe and helped guide life. That belief doesn't rule out the acceptance of evolution. - Tad - just Tad
interesting observations Jason. I will say I do not know enough about what creationism in the classrooms reflects. I don't have kids. Personally with my limited knowledge I don't mind it being taught as a possible theory along side science. yet I hear and understand religious leaders who would prefer it not be taught b/c too watered down. - Ruth Ferguson
@Ruth creationism and any other religious-based belief is not a theory (in the scientific sense) because it cannot be proven false. - Jason Carreira
@Tad I guess I take the latter view. My wife OTOH does not. I can believe in evolution and have no problem with it. My wife believes we were placed here. It makes for some heated arguments at times. :) - Jason Shultz via twhirl
Just saw this on Wonkette: "Has anyone else noticed, BTW, that Palin is Governor of a state that’s younger than McCain?" - Jason Carreira
Ruth... let me give you my perspective. I believe in a higher power. I'm married to an atheist. I give our kids my belief, while Jason gives them his. When they have questions about either, we send them to the appropriate parent to answer. When they are adults, they can choose what they believe for themselves. However, that's only in terms of religion. We both believe in science. :) Now, to teach creationism in school, you are obviously negating one other theory without offering that opposing viewpoint - Cyndy
Now, in addition, depending on the view of creationism, it ranges anywhere from 7 days as we know them and man riding around on dinosaurs to a much less science-negating version that a higher power set things in motion that resulted in the Big Bang and evolution as we know it. Most people who identify themselves as creationists, however, tend toward the dino rodeo side of the equation. If your impressionable child decides to believe in THAT, then where do they end up as adults in the global marketplace? - Cyndy
Jason thanks for the info. & I must check out wonkette - Ruth Ferguson
Wow, there is a creationist out there that actually believes in creationism because it is the most plausible explanation? That shatters my illusion that creationists are simply people who believe in a literal interpretation of the Bible, and attack evolution because they're afraid if science soundly invalidates something written in the Bible, their entire belief system collapses like a house of cards. Christianity isn't that fragile. If it can survive heliocentrism, it can survive evolution. - Matthew Davidson via twhirl
So much for freedom of religion. Will you at least let them be carpenters like the Cagots or will you burn them at the stake?
-- A Concerned Non-Creationist - Ernie Oporto
How's that Ernie? I don't mind anyone practicing their religion as long as they don't try to enact laws to force it on other people. Creationists activists - those who wish to teach creationism in public schools as science, of which Palin apparently is, are such people. So, no I don't believe in the type of religious freedom that would grant creationists the right to indoctrinate my child in religious non-scientific puffery. - Tad - just Tad
Heh yeah Matthew. Christianity survived the death of its leader. I'm sure a little thing like evolution can't hurt it. - AlexScoble(Robert'sBro)
Religious freedom is the ability to practice whatever religion you choose in the private place of your choosing. It is not the freedom to teach your religion in the classroom. When you try to enforce your beliefs on the rest of us in society, you are taking away our religious freedom. And that's the thing. We don't teach evolution because we BELIEVE it to be true. We teach it because we have found it, through over a century of examination of the facts, to be the BEST explanation for how we got here. - AlexScoble(Robert'sBro)
Is god going to speak to them about their policies as well? - orionstarr
The debate between creationism and evolution is one for a class on religion and/or philosophy and not one for a science class. There is no scientific basis on which to support creationism, therefore there's no way to present it in a scientific forum. - AlexScoble(Robert'sBro)
I just donated $50 to the Paris Hilton campaign to keep a *real* celebrity out of the Whitehouse. - Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
Schools should teach *Moral* and parents should attend that class!!! - Alex Sauceda
@ruth ferguson are you nuts? you don't mind a made up 'theory' taught alongside science? so what about my theory of faries? or dragons? or green aliens? - Ivan Pope via twhirl
I always love it when folks bring up that silly argument. You do realize that the most populous religion in our country isn't the holy dragon church, right? I mean you at least have those two brain cells firing, right? - Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
Science has nothing to do with the popularity of an idea...all ideas popular or not have to go through rigorous peer review process to be called a theory. - AlexScoble(Robert'sBro)
@Mark The point Ivan is making is there is as much science in creationism as there is in fairies, dragons and green aliens.The fact that Christianity is a popular religion in America is irrelevant in the context of what should be taught in a public school science class. - Matthew Davidson via twhirl
@Jason Schultz: Wherever religion makes claims about reality, it infringes on the domain of science. One can hold certain religious beliefs without them conflicting with known facts/evidence, but creationism is a world-view in conflict with science. It is demonstrably false, and should not be taught as true anywhere, let alone in a public school. - Tanath
No, the point Ivan demonstrates by saying what he says is that he doesn't have the capacity to illustrate his point without sounding incredibly insensitive to those who call themselves Christian. It's ignorance and hypocrisy, particularly when it's in advocacy of "the party of sensitivity and compassion." - Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
Well, a person who believes in God is generally the kind of person I don't want anywhere near the White House. But I know I'll never see that in my lifetime. So best case, I want a person who can at least separate religion from politics and has a grip on reality. I'm genuinely shocked that McCain managed to pick someone even less tolerable than Romney in this regard. - Eric
I can't believe they made such a horribly poor choice. Did everyone turn them down? - Brad Nickel via Bookmarklet
Have they just given up and didn't want to sacrifice an 12 candidate for this train wreck? I didn't even see McCain/Palin signs in the crowd. This is definitely their B team/game. - Brad Nickel
Michael: Claim? Dude, it was EVERYWHERE. and Jeff: Priorities? Above relatively meaningless things like the Olympics and the Oscars - and CERTAINLY football (!), then this metric of viewership is a wonderful indication. - Steve Isaacs
This gets me to thinking...how likely is it that the "polls" that show a close race are complete bullshit promoted to keep ratings high? Why do I get the feeling that racists and crazed feminists aside that Obama is still running away with it? 36M is a big number. - JonathanJoseph
JonathanJoseph, I hope you are not saying only racists and crazed feminists are not in favor of Obama as President. That certainly is not the case. There are a good number of people who simply disagree with his vision for America. - Charles LePage
"One the most important parts of online mapping tools is the satellite imagery that is used. Right now, the images used by Google, Microsoft and Yahoo in rival products are all roughly the same. But Google just bought an exclusive ticket to hitch a ride with a new satellite going up that could make its offering a lot better." - Chieze Okoye via Bookmarklet
“Here's an interesting thought: no matter which party wins the election, it'll be a pretty big first - either the first non-caucasian president, or the first female vice president. I'm a little more excited about that than anything else!”
i thought bill clinton was america's first 'black' president. silly me. lolz - .LAGizmoto
It's not just about making history - it's about setting the world back on the right track - Chris Saad via twhirl
McCain needs to keep the votes from those who would have voted for HRC, had she made it to be the dems candidate, but were moving towards him once the nomination was lost. Not much more information about Palin this side of the pond, but it sounds a bit like a last minute contingency plan to me. - dario
McCain's choice of running mate is obvious pandering to get just that reaction from voters. Palin is a weak candidate, maybe weaker that Quayle who we remember couldn't spell potato or some such ridiculous thing. - Rafael Robayna
half-caucasian. either that, or we can just say he's black (versus *non*-caucasian) like everyone else. sorry, feeling nitpicky today. - Kamilah Gill
Except that Palin is staunchly anti-abortion. What may seem like a win for equality would in effect be a loss for women's rights. Firsts in gender or race may have novelty, but let's not forget there are long term results from our choices here. - Sherard Ewing
For me it's more about what's the right thing to do, who represents the best opportunity for a better America? Who is going to dig us out of the hole Dubya dug so resolutely? That's what gets me excited. It's nothing to do with race, gender, religion or whatever. I'm now an Obamacan because I genuinely believe he will offer this country the best chance right now. - Sally Church
Yep this is shaping up to be a very pivotal election. We're presented with two very different ideas of the "american dream" (yes, it seems we don't all agree on this means) - and how to achieve it. - Jason Kaneshiro
I agree with Chris. It's nice that we're making history, but much more is at stake than history. - Chieze Okoye
It will be interesting for Mcain and his running mate. I mean he doesn't even think women should get paid the same as men. - PC Easy via twhirl
not an Obamacan or a McCainiac, I'm an American - Jeff Quinton
For most jobs in the tech sector, you can't actually do much to guarantee that women will get paid the same as men. Most of the time the people working alongside each other have no idea what the other people are getting paid. And employers should be allowed to base pay on experience and merit. I don't see how you can equalize pay in most non-unionized jobs where there isn't a set pay scale. - AlexScoble(Robert'sBro)
I'm not against the idea of women getting paid the same as men for the same job given that they both have similar experience and performance, but I don't see how this can be effectively regulated in industries where people are salaried. - AlexScoble(Robert'sBro)
I realized that too -- very cool indeed. - Tamar Weinberg
Exactly what I told my kids over lunch today. Historic and way overdue. - Kevin C. Tofel
There are firsts and there are meaningful firsts -- I'll take the Obama first over the Palin first any day. - Mitch Ratcliffe via twhirl
Couldn't have said it better myself, Chris :) - Mona N.
Palin is a joke conservative so I disagree. Obama needs to win to change this country for the better and for the future - Photo Larry via twhirl
That's exactly what my History teacher said. - OekelWm
I am just hoping that the disgruntled Hillary supporters are not taken in by the "yay, another woman" sham being propagated by McCain. Palin is anti-choice, anti-science (supports creationism in schools and doesn't believe climate change is man-made), anti-wildlife (supports drilling in ANWR, opposed classification of polar bears as endangered, supports hunting from the air - yeah, that's real sporting..) - Marci Maleski
Marci, why take the negative? I'd say she's pro-human survival (against killing our own or protecting animals at the cost of our economy), and pro-not having your opinion ridiculed because someone else's opinion is accepted as a matter of public policy. At least creationism can explain first cause and the origin of matter and energy...and the disappointing shortage of transitional species. - klecu
From CNN: "Palin's term has not been without controversy. A legislative investigation is looking into allegations that Palin fired Alaska's public safety commissioner because he refused to fire the governor's former brother-in-law, a state trooper. Palin acknowledged that a call was made by a member of her staff to a trooper in which the staffer suggested he was speaking for the governor.
Palin has acknowledged that the call could be interpreted as pressure to fire state trooper Mike Wooten, who was locked in a child-custody battle with Palin's sister." - Mark Trapp via Bookmarklet
Amazing. Not more than 10 minutes after the announcement it comes out she's involved in a major political scandal. Do they do *any* vetting in the Republican Party? - Mark Trapp
how about the fact that she's a first term governor and mccain already looks like he needs the oxygen tank. talk about inexperience at the helm... do not want. - Morgan
@Mark, you should read Wonkette... This has been known about for a while. She also just had a kid this Spring, her 5th... They've all got crazy names, too. - Jason Carreira
What about the fact that her state is mired in all sorts of corruption, though I bet most of it predates her. - kendra
Are the Republicans deliberately throwing the election? I mean, seriously? - Sean McBride
Best comment ever on Wonkette: "It’s not the first time McCain has chosen to go with a younger woman." - Jason Carreira
meanwhile Wonkette is falling over from the traffic... - Jason Carreira
+1 Wonkette commenter. Wonder if he'll have a favorite four-letter name for his Veep choice. :) - Cyndy
And as an aside, last night Jason was reading aloud some comment about that infamous name-calling and I SWORE he was calling ME that word. - Cyndy
Dear God, I love the Wonkette commenters. I like the woman who said Palin will "win the Mary Kay vote." - Carla Thompson
This is the person we want a heart beat from the Presidency? Even if I were a Republican I don't think I'd be pleased. I mean, young, no experience, big oil ties, abuse of power ... what is the McCain team thinking? Are they secretly pro-Obama? - AJ Kohn
AJ -- I think it's possible that the Republicans don't want to deal with the disastrous consequences of eight years of misrule under Bush 43 and the neoconservatives. They would prefer that Obama and the Democrats face the music and deal with the mess the Republicans have made. - Sean McBride
Sean: I've often wondered that too; whoever gets in has a horrendous mess to sort out and revive the economy. - Sally Church
is it just me or does she look crazier than HRC? - Morgan
@Sean: *chuckle* I don't think any of the deep pockets want to risk having Democrats in power. I'm not talking Republicans because the Bush Administration isn't Republican, they're carpetbaggers. And it's those folks who will fight tooth and nail to get someone in office so they can continue to clean up. - AJ Kohn
kick-butt speech.. she is no lightweight - gregory lent
We'll see when she's in the ring with Biden and foreign policy comes up. None of the big names in the GOP could stand up to Biden on foreign policy, what is she going to do? - Jason Carreira
Jason - Make up stuff as she goes along? - Russellreno
That only works if you're not going up against the wonkiest of foreign policy wonks who is also bitingly sarcastic. - Jason Carreira
Biden better get the gloves out and fight tough, but he is probably too gentlemanly for that. - Sally Church
Sally, you've heard Biden's comments before, right? His stuff about Giuliani was awesome: "There's only three things he mentions in a sentence: a noun, a verb, and 9/11." I don't see gentlemanly in his future. - Cyndy
Have to agree with Cyndy. Biden is a bit of a pit bull - which often gets him into trouble. I don't see him letting up at all. - AJ Kohn
If biden comes across as condescending to palin, the Repubs can spin it as sexism. This is going to be a very interesting and close election. - Jason Kaneshiro
If this is even a close election we should probably leave @Cyndy... there's no reason for this to be within 20 points. - Jason Carreira
Uh-uh Jason K... if they play that she can't debate with the big boys without crying foul since she's a woman, that's a huge strike against her. LAST thing they want to do is play that card. Can't be a veep and be a candidate who needs protection because of her gender. (ETA which Jason I was replying to since Jason Car. popped in there) - Cyndy
she is a kick-butt speaker and thinker and will not be intimidated, will be prepared, and has the virtue of being able to express an un-brainwashed mind, in the washington dc version of brainwashing... watch out - gregory lent
@Cyndy - And you don't think the Dems will play the race card if the Republicans get nasty with Obama? The Republicans are going to try and drag Obama's character through the mud in a few weeks, and you'll see tons of Dems hollering racism. This election will be close AND ugly. - Jason Kaneshiro
Some people may play the race card, but the DNC and Obama's campaign won't because it makes you look weak. Obama is more than capable of defending himself. McCain and Palin, on the other hand, should be looking for bomb shelters, 'cause a hard rain is gonna fall in the debates. - Jason Carreira
Bottom line as far as I'm concerned - this election should NOT be this close. It's the Dem's to lose. - Jason Kaneshiro
I'm already storyboarding the ads linking Palin with "Tubes" Stevens - Andrew Feinberg
@anna: is that 'hahaha!' on the 'good' side or the 'bad' side? lolz - .LAGizmoto
@.LAGizmoto. The "hahaha!" is directed at both sides. The good side has, "You are beautiful like a moon or butterfly." wha? *panties come up real quick* ;-) - Anna Haro
@Tony: You're saying Obama was nominated *because* of the color of his skin? That being black is an advantage? Or do you just not like Obama's character? - AJ Kohn
I like his character. I think he will be a great leader someday, but not today. Was he nominated because of his color - I don't know. Do I think it played a part, yes. I'm all about judging a person on their own merits. The only hope for this world is for everything to stop worrying about color and start acting like human beings. - Tony Kanzia
The above was a quote from a speech at the DNC - Aaron Brazell
I don't see how race played in his favor in this election. Dems voting in the primaries might have liked him partly because he was multiethnic, but they would have been cautious to vote for him because of it too. I think the 800 pound gorilla in the room is that he has to win despite the fact that a lot of Americans will not vote for him because of his heritage. Fortunately, those are pretty much the same people who wouldn't vote for him because of his policies anyways. - AlexScoble(Robert'sBro)
He got the nomination because he has done far less evil than Hillary. She's just very unlikeable. Even if you don't like Obama's politics, he's still someone you'd like to meet and shake hands with. - Dave Roth
He does seem like a really good guy you want to meet. I just don't think he is ready to be Commander in Chief. - Tony Kanzia
Being ready to be president is like being ready for basic training. Everyone says they are ready, but unless you've been through the gauntlet you have no clue. He's as ready as anyone, in other words. - AlexScoble(Robert'sBro)
if being black were an advantage in getting elected president, then I guess we'd expect to see black people overrepresented among presidents, right? So we've had 43 presidents; African Americans represent about twelve percent of the population, so one would expect that we would have had about, say, six or seven black presidents thus far, right? - Nathan Rein
I believe that. I truly and honestly believe that. - ::Kristen::
@Nathan: 40 years ago blacks couldn't drink out of the same water fountain as whites, let alone be considered for president. We've had 8 presidents since the civil rights movement. 12% of 8 is zero since you can't have a partial person. - Matt
Nathan, that assumes that African Americans have been a the full 5/5ths of a citizen for the history of the union. - John Worthington
Consider this carefully - I oppose Obama because of his positions, because of what he proposes, and therefore inevitably because of his character. While those who commented on this tweet earlier will undoubtedly disagree on whether or not to support Obama, the fact that we can have this discussion based upon ideas, positions, and principles is precisely itself a sign of meaningful progress. - Bob Lozano
@Matt - indeed. How likely is it that we've managed to jettison the legacy of 200 years of institutionalized racism in a generation, to the point where people can seriously make the claim that being black is a political ADVANTAGE? The idea strikes me as bizarre. - Nathan Rein
Nathan, what seems more 'Anti-Washington' than a young, good looking, well spoken black man? If it was a middle-aged, slightly overweight white guy going around the country compaining for change, it would certainly have less impact. - John Worthington
@John I understand what you're saying and I'm sympathetic -- but I think whatever advantage that confers is probably more than outweighed by the fact that to lots of Americans, Obama just doesn't look like a president. He may look good on TV and poll very well among some parts of the population -- and I think his race contributes to that -- but I think we're going to see a lot of racial ugliness before November. Have a look at this blog post for a sample - http://snipr.com/3kulf - Nathan Rein
Yeah we need an 80 year old with PTSD to guide us through the international minefield. uh huh @tony - jeneane is in the house
good conversation here. I also am of the school that thinks there is no possible way Obama's being black can be viewed overall as a political advantage in the election for president. - Chieze Okoye
I love the response here. I gotta give serious props to Soulja Boy for reasons very close to a lot of our hearts-- that ground-up, grassroots climb-- working the networks, being everywhere, and in this case (and many others), simply communicating with his community. - Eric Rice
Eric - I totally agree with you. Kids are online all the time. They will continue to be attracted to the musicians who keep in touch with them, explain themselves and always show their gratitude. - Alex Williams
* Pandora is a cool Internet Radio service.
* Millions of people enjoy it.
* They might not make it.
* Show your support.
* Keep the music on!
* Add a widget to your page. - Steve Isaacs via Bookmarklet
I've found so many cool artists from Pandora - anna
Me too anna. Everyone seems to have a love affair with last.fm, but I'm not feeling it. :/ - Anna Haro
I like Pandora. I love last.fm (but I am a subscriber from day one, which undoubtably alters my prespective) - Michael W. May via twhirl
Pandora is great. I use it all the time. Just this morning I bought a record by Asobi Seksu that I wouldn't have known about had it not been for Pandora. - Joey Gibson
WHAT?? This is news to me? Now what am I supposed to listen to at work when this is gone...crapola! Save Pandora! - Tracy
they can't take pandora!!! I love it too much! - dafire
As the Digg crowd would say - "F**k the RIAA". - Jonathon
"The problem will not fix itself until the firmware update is distributed to more handsets. So update your phones and bring me another piece of chicken." - Update your damn phones, people! I want better reception!!! - Steve Isaacs via Bookmarklet
Okay...nothing to add after mister Steve's comment. Dude that was priceless...but true. - Tracy
I'm liking more for Steve's comment than anything - Chieze Okoye
Steve +1. - I already have a multi-touch keyboard. :) - Joni Moilanen
Hahah, I was about to add a comment about those terrible hand drawings after checking out the link, but Steve got that covered quite nicely. - Vincent X
Actually switching back and forth tonight until I decide if and how I want to set up the Beta. Easy switch right from the address bar. - Charlie Anzman
