Sen. Claire McCaskill’s gift of Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO) is a gift that simply keeps on giving. Previously Akin alienated the GOP leadership and most of the known world with comments that, in cases of legitimate rape, women often do not get pregnant because “the female body has ways to shut that whole thing down.” He also claimed that doctor routinely performed abortions on women who are not pregnant. Now, at a Tea Party meeting in Jefferson City, Missouri, Akin has said that that there is no science behind evolution. Akin sits on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.
Akin’s remarks not only leave doubt about his knowledge — or ability to understand – science but also what he considers “the thing” that he is supposed to do in Washington:
I don’t see it as even a matter of science because I don’t know that you can prove one or the other. That’s one of those things. We can talk about theology and all of those other things but I’m basically concerned about, you’ve got a choice between Claire McCaskill and myself. My job is to make the thing there. If we want to do theoretical stuff, we can do that, but I think I better stay on topic.
Of course, such comments could be used by some to disprove any evidence that we have evolved intellectually. Frankly, whenever I hear Akin speak recently I too begin to doubt evolution in the human species.
Notably, Akin sits on the committee with Rep. Paul Broun, the chairman of the House Science Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight. Broun made headlines this month with the following statement: at the 2012 Sportsman’s Banquet at Liberty Baptist Church in Hartwell, Georgia on September 27th, he said this:
God’s word is true. I’ve come to understand that. All that stuff I was taught about evolution and embryology and the big bang theory, all that is lies straight from the pit of Hell. It’s lies to try to keep me and all the folks who were taught that from understanding that they need a savior. You see, there are a lot of scientific data that I’ve found out as a scientist that actually show that this is really a young Earth. I don’t believe that the earth’s but about 9,000 years old. I believe it was created in six days as we know them. That’s what the Bible says.
As many of you know, I have shown equal disregard for both of the main parties that hold a monopoly on power in the United States. Indeed, the low quality politicians that we see in both parties is the very danger of all monopolies — once protected from competition, the quality of a product declines. The political monopoly in this country is the ultimate example of that phenomenon. What we need is a Sherman Act for politics, starting with the eradication of the electoral college and the establishment of a new rule on general elections.
As for Republicans, I have many friends from that party who are intellectual and honest. These characters are destroying the credibility of their party which often appears anti-intellectual and anti-science.
Using organ grinder and monkey is an Italian slur. There are thousands of other examples you could have used. Gene, you not only shot yourself in the other foot but jumped the shark accusing me of felony stalking. Read what you’ve said after calming down a bit. You’re hurting yourself, not me. That’s what resentment is, Gene. It’s holding grudges and wanting to harm someone by taking the poison yourself. I have disagreements w/ others here but for the most part we all let it go and move on. That’s the way it’s supposed to be done. As I’ve said to you previously, it’s just not healthy the way you let your emotions fester.
“Gene, Bringing up Leila Tarantino from months ago shows you really can’t let things go.”
No, it shows I have a memory. Especially a memory for evidence that trolls act like trolls.
Also, don’t try to change the subject when the purpose of bringing up that case was to illustrate nothing more than your inability to argue worth a damn. Which you are again illustrating by trying to change the subject.
As to your exhortations to “get therapy”? What really frosts your ass is you have to resort to that. You continually mistake what I say as being angry Also, you calling anyone a bully, Mr. I’m A Tough Guy So You Better Not Challenge Me is laughable.
As to running people off? If people cannot take having their views and/or assertions exposed to critical scrutiny (much like yourself), then this is simply the wrong forum for them. The choice to leave is theirs.
You don’t know anything about my experiences so your supposition is meaningless. I have superior arguments. You have little if any. That’s the only relevant point, Mr. I’ve Been A Bigshot Investigator (In My Own Mind). I wouldn’t hire you to do a credit check.
Also, your statement ” I’ll follow you to your grave” could be constituted as a statement that you are stalking me. Which is a felony and could very well get you banned from this blog should you continue to act that way so I suggest you tread down that path very very carefully and at your own risk.
Finally, I didn’t mention Italians at all. Any problem you have with that image about illusory control is entirely your problem, Monkey Boy. If you’re that hypersensitive about your ancestors and think I’m biased against Italians? Ask Mark Espisito about the subject. He’s known me for many years and he’s not only twice the man you are, he’s twice the Italian you are.
Now run along until you can come close to a cogent argument instead of simply attacking me for pointing out your shit troll tactics, amateur.
Dredd,
What, exactly, has what this Professor Lithgow said, have to do with what I said?
I read the pop-science articles that you took your quotes from.
I see no connection.
And you’re citing your own blog.
Blouise, Yes that’s the one. Putting all working class people into one box is just plain wrong and maternalistic.
SWM, “Misplaced faith in being able to do things for themselves”!!! My God, wanting to do things for yourself is what this country is all about. It’s why my 4 immigrant grandparents came to this county. It is not misplaced..it is noble and righteous.
Gene, Bringing up Leila Tarantino from months ago shows you really can’t let things go. Unlike you, I’ve been following her case on Pacer. Not stewing about it, reading about it. Her attorney, who seems to be a buffoon, just filed a reply to a motion to dismiss. In the defendants motion to dismiss the defense tacitly admitted there was a form of strip search @ the scene. That was somewhat surprising to me and tells me the plaintiff will probably survive this motion. You see you are prepared to anoit Leila Tarantino a victim, I just search for the facts. So, who’s the shoot from the hip guy..Gino? Who’s “blustering”?
Again, I implore you to get some therapy. What really frosts your ass is you’re all theory w/ virtually no real world experience or examples. Your a bully. It won’t work w/ me. I’ve seen you run people off of here but I’ll follow you to your grave. And, if you don’t do something to handle your anger and resentment it might be sooner than you think. That comment by SWM is condescension and maternalism personified. Nothing needs to be said. I call people on horsesh!t.
Finally, the” monkey grinder” Italian slur shows who and what you really are. Let this one go, Gino. You still have one foot you haven’t shot.
Oh, and something that just struck me… with the right gin (and it would have to be the exact perfect gin for this) it would be sublime.
You’d almost want something that was too strongly medicinal and herby to drink on its own. Not the nice refined martini gins, but those other ones. Not the low quality super rough ones, but assertive and flavorful. I’m sure there’s a name for the style, but gin’s sort of a weak spot for me knowledge wise.
You could probably do a nice mid shelf rum to.
SwM,
Yep … that would be shortly after the time Pat Nixon wore her sensible Republican Cloth Coat.
Gyges and Gene,
Use a small melon baller on a watermelon making several balls. Cover with Amaretto and freeze … take from freezer and serve immediately as light dessert or appetizer or between course palate refresher.
Gene,
Yes, the stuff that comes pre-mixed in Brandy. E&J XO would probably work well (it’s my eggnog brandy). May want to add some other herbs with the sage then though.
If you’re set on using vodka, a middle shelf potato vodka would probably be a good bet, They tend to be good buys. You may want to add a simple syrup to the mix, although it might not be a bad idea to crush the sage with sugar like you do to mint when making a mojito.
What should scare the h*ll out of all of us is that these Akinoids are in power and they most certainly can kill us all:
(The Most Dangerous Moment In Recorded History). Robert F. Kennedy realms released 50 year old documentation that shows how very close it came.
Others quoted showed that we bombed two Japanese cities with nuclear weapons which was not at all necessary because they were already ready to surrender, according to McArthur, Eisenhower, and a host of others who strongly recommended against using those weapons.
Americans believe what they want to believe, including the trance like state of mind that thinks if they believe it then it axiomatically becomes true.
When these Akinoids get to the pearly gates they are going to tell Saint Peter to move aside, exceptional people coming on board.
Or at least that is what they believe.
nick,
Is this the one?
“Blouise, You have a point but just because one is from the working class does not mean that he or she favors policies that are favorable to the working class. I have found the opposite to be true on many occasions. Sarah Palin and Joe the plumber come to mind”
She knows Joe the Plumber is running in my district so using him as an example was a smart move in countering my position forcing me to step back and restate my idea. It was a good debating tactic.
Blouise, I am old enough to remember when George Wallace and Spiro Agnew tried to paint the democrats as elitists.
Gyges,
That sounds wonderful, but I can’t drink bourbon. Any suggestions for vodka?
Bob Kauten 1, October 15, 2012 at 7:08 pm
Dredd,
“The reason that microbiological evolution needs to be separate from multi-cellular biological evolution, is the machine – microbe gap that is not a concern of multi-cellular biological evolution.”
—————————————————————-
There’s no “machine-microbe gap” in any sort of Theory of Evolution.
You’re distorting the definition. You can discuss the origin of life, that is, how molecules somehow assembled to produce a living cell. But that’s not included in the Theory of Evolution.
=====================================
Watch out that you don’t catch Akinoid infection:
(Putting a Face On Machine Mutation, cited above). McEvolution by Akinoids, gotta luv it.
Get your flu shots bro.
Consistent with your pathology, you can’t respond with reasoned counterarguments based in evidence but instead resort to insult. Such as “Blouise, Read SWM’s 5:22pm comment. Those poor folks just don’t know what’s good for them! I know you won’t agree, but it’s dripping w/ maternalism.” That’s not a counterargument. That’s simply being a, oh, what’s that word that rhymes with “nick”? And how about saying the subject of a story isn’t “the mother of the year” to rationalize he abuse at the hands of a cop and then going mental when it is pointed out that her mothering skills were irrelevant to the incident? That’s not counter argument either.
If you don’t like having your rather weak and pathetic troll tactics pointed out? Stop using them. Your primary problem is you aren’t nearly as smart or good at manipulating people as you think you are so when you get called on it, you predictably resort to bluster. You chum the waters and chum the waters and fail to realize that you aren’t really catching what you want but rather you end up getting “photo bombed” by the shark.
Now come on and tell us you planned it all.
It’s funny when the monkey thinks he’s the grinder.
nick, Do you really think Rick Perry has the working class’s best interests in mind? He certainly doesn’t have the teachers backs or any other person that has a middle class job. Perry grew up middle class.
Dredd,
“The reason that microbiological evolution needs to be separate from multi-cellular biological evolution, is the machine – microbe gap that is not a concern of multi-cellular biological evolution.”
========================================================
There’s no “machine-microbe gap” in any sort of Theory of Evolution.
You’re distorting the definition. You can discuss the origin of life, that is, how molecules somehow assembled to produce a living cell. But that’s not included in the Theory of Evolution.
Mr. Akin, and other science deniers, are referring to the Theory of Evolution. The Theory of Evolution, proposed by Darwin and many others, concerns the continuing process by which species arose on this planet. Hence “The Origin of Species.”
The Theory of Evolution does not concern itself with the origin of life. Microbes, or single-celled organisms, evolved in many branches, producing evolved microbes, multi-celled organisms, plants, animals, humans, all of it. There is no dividing line between evolution of microbes and humans. It’s the same mechanism. It’s all biological.
Redefining evolution just muddies the discussion. Don’t refer to the origin of life as evolution.
Gene,
Sage advice, I think I’ll take it. I’m in the middle of that book I quoted. It’s a great read; I think my time may be better spent somewhere else.
Speaking of Sage here’s my advice:
Cut up some tart apples (I got these early season cider apples from my CSA this year, they’re like magic for this kind of thing) and bruise a handful of sage. Stick it in some sort of lidded container together.Take some whiskey (I like Bulleit bourbon for this, it’s very good for the price without being so good I feel guilty), and poor it over the apples and sage.
Wait a few weeks.
Taste it
Wait another week or two.
Filter out the sage and apple bits (the apple bits are now all bourbony and great)
Enjoy.
nick, Distrust of government and misplaced faith in being able to do things for themselves keeps many working class people from making some voting decisions that might be beneficial for them and their families.. This seems especially true in the south. I am not speaking of teachers and other public employees.
And, consistent w/ the pathology here, the Barney Fife troll deputy has his one bullet ready to fire. This is sometimes like the flick, Groundhog Day. Only that was somewhat entertaining.
When the great White Sox organist, Nancy Faust, saw a visiting teams 7th reliever come out to try and stem the flood she played, Send In The Clowns. That’s the next chapter here.