Bush wants Intelligent Design taught in public school

Civil War Man · Post by **Civil War Man** » 2005-08-02 08:57am

WASHINGTON - President Bush said Monday he believes schools should discuss "intelligent design" alongside evolution when teaching students about the creation of life.

During a round-table interview with reporters from five Texas newspapers, Bush declined to go into detail on his personal views of the origin of life. But he said students should learn about both theories, Knight Ridder Newspapers reported.

"I think that part of education is to expose people to different schools of thought," Bush said. "You're asking me whether or not people ought to be exposed to different ideas, the answer is yes."

The theory of intelligent design says life on earth is too complex to have developed through evolution, implying that a higher power must have had a hand in creation.

Christian conservatives — a substantial part of Bush's voting base — have been pushing for the teaching of intelligent design in public schools. Scientists have rejected the theory as an attempt to force religion into science education.

On other topics during the group interview, the president:

_Refused to discuss the investigation into whether political aide Karl Rove or any other White House official leaked a CIA officer's identity, but he stood behind Rove. "Karl's got my complete confidence. He's a valuable member of my team," Bush said.

_Said he did not ask Supreme Court nominee John Roberts about his views on Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that legalized abortion.

_Said he hopes to work with Congress to pass an immigration reform bill this fall, including provisions for guest workers and enhanced security along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Bush spoke with reporters from the San Antonio Express-News, the Houston Chronicle, The Dallas Morning News, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and The Austin American-Statesman.

You know, it'd be a lot quicker if Bush just came out and admitted that he wants a theocracy.

Flagg · Post by **Flagg** » 2005-08-02 09:01am

I agree with him that it should be mentioned. It should be mentioned on the first day of the course and the statement that should be made is this: "Intelligent Design, also known as Creation Science, has no basis in fact, and will not be discussed further in the course of this class.".

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2005-08-02 09:03am

What a shock. This completely changes my opinion of Bush's intelligence.

Crossroads Inc. · Post by **Crossroads Inc.** » 2005-08-02 09:07am

Damn, beat me too it. Just heared about this one a NPR Newsbrief. Really, im not surprised, all I know is that it is offical now, Bush wants a Theocracy.

Rye · Post by **Rye** » 2005-08-02 09:12am

Oh please, wanting intelligent design to be taught does not mean he wants a theocracy, just that he's another dumb christian in the US.

Patrick Degan · Post by **Patrick Degan** » 2005-08-02 10:03am

So... Bush endorses ignorant bullshit in lieu of actual knowledge and scientific fact. Par for the course.

Chmee · Post by **Chmee** » 2005-08-02 10:11am

If only he believed in the Intelligent Design of foreign policy.

sparrowtm · Post by **sparrowtm** » 2005-08-02 10:39am

Dubya wrote:

"I think that part of education is to expose people to different schools of thought," Bush said. "You're asking me whether or not people ought to be exposed to different ideas, the answer is yes."

I hereby support the idea of a giant turtle carrying around Earth on its back to be taught at school. Pretty please.

Post by **Dalton** » 2005-08-02 10:48am

sparrowtm wrote:Dubya wrote:
"I think that part of education is to expose people to different schools of thought," Bush said. "You're asking me whether or not people ought to be exposed to different ideas, the answer is yes."
I hereby support the idea of a giant turtle carrying around Earth on its back to be taught at school. Pretty please.

It's not part of the True Christian (tm) Culture of Life, so therefore it's a myth.

It's quite transparent. They just want to indoctrinate another generation of Christian robots.

InnocentBystander · Post by **InnocentBystander** » 2005-08-02 10:50am

Bush can have his Intelligent Design so long as Flying Spaghetti Monsterism is given equal time in schools

Tokaji Kyoden · Post by **Tokaji Kyoden** » 2005-08-02 12:23pm

:sigh: This is almost as bad as Bush wanting to ban gay marriage. Intelligent Design should be taught in schools, but in a theology class, where it belongs.

I hereby support the idea of a giant turtle carrying around Earth on its back to be taught at school. Pretty please.

Yes! Terry Pratchetts Discworld! You forgot the four elephants though.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2005-08-02 12:33pm

Chmee wrote:If only he believed in the Intelligent Design of foreign policy.

His foreign policy is, after all, too stupid to have come about just by chance.

Post by **Surlethe** » 2005-08-02 02:03pm

Flagg wrote:I agree with him that it should be mentioned. It should be mentioned on the first day of the course and the statement that should be made is this: "Intelligent Design, also known as Creation Science, has no basis in fact, and will not be discussed further in the course of this class.".

I suggested my biology teacher give creationism equal time: half the class spent learning about evolution, and the other half spent debunking reams of creationist material.

SpacedTeddyBear · Post by **SpacedTeddyBear** » 2005-08-02 02:16pm

What a shock. This completely changes my opinion of Bush's intelligence.

Wait a minute. You believed that Bush still had intelligence?

If parents want their kids to learn about Intelligent Design, send them to a private school. If they don't have the money, have their church sponsor them.

Einhander Sn0m4n · Post by **Einhander Sn0m4n** » 2005-08-02 03:10pm

I shall quote the greatest Nerdcore rapper ever as my reaction to this not-unexpected bullshit:

Fucking punk ass creationists trying to set scientific thought back 400 years. Fuck that!

If them superstitious motherfuckers want to have that kind of party, I'm going to put my dick in the mashed potatoes.

DPDarkPrimus · Post by **DPDarkPrimus** » 2005-08-02 03:14pm

Guys, guys, guys! Bush doesn't want a theocracy! He just wants us all to live by the standards laid out in the Bible... as interpreted by his conservative sponsors!

That NOS Guy · Post by **That NOS Guy** » 2005-08-02 03:59pm

DPDarkPrimus wrote:Guys, guys, guys! Bush doesn't want a theocracy! He just wants us all to live by the standards laid out in the Bible... as interpreted by his conservative sponsors!

Exactly, everyone makes it sound so horrible. Geez, people get carried away with "freedom", there needs to be some restrictions.

Since when the hell did science class become "Well, that's your opinion"?

Firefox · Post by **Firefox** » 2005-08-02 04:01pm

SpacedTeddyBear wrote:
What a shock. This completely changes my opinion of Bush's intelligence.
Wait a minute. You believed that Bush still had intelligence?

Someone's sarcasmometer needs to be recalibrated.

If parents want their kids to learn about Intelligent Design, send them to a private school. If they don't have the money, have their church sponsor them.

Or if they get their way, have their child's religious indoctrination funded by taxpayers.

Flagg · Post by **Flagg** » 2005-08-02 04:08pm

That NOS Guy wrote:
DPDarkPrimus wrote:Guys, guys, guys! Bush doesn't want a theocracy! He just wants us all to live by the standards laid out in the Bible... as interpreted by his conservative sponsors!
Exactly, everyone makes it sound so horrible. Geez, people get carried away with "freedom", there needs to be some restrictions.

Since when the hell did science class become "Well, that's your opinion"?

Since the religious right in this country somehow managed to equate the word "Theory" with the word "Opinion".

That NOS Guy · Post by **That NOS Guy** » 2005-08-02 05:48pm

Flagg wrote: Since the religious right in this country somehow managed to equate the word "Theory" with the word "Opinion".

Isn't intelligent desgin "merely a theory"? Thus in and of itself saying "well, we deny evolution because it's only a theory, but our theory is t3h sex because we said so"?

Maye I'm tangeting here, but isn't that really hypocritical and self-defeating?

Flagg · Post by **Flagg** » 2005-08-02 05:53pm

That NOS Guy wrote:
Flagg wrote: Since the religious right in this country somehow managed to equate the word "Theory" with the word "Opinion".
Isn't intelligent desgin "merely a theory"? Thus in and of itself saying "well, we deny evolution because it's only a theory, but our theory is t3h sex because we said so"?

Maye I'm tangeting here, but isn't that really hypocritical and self-defeating?

It's not a scientific theory.

Grandmaster Jogurt · Post by **Grandmaster Jogurt** » 2005-08-02 05:57pm

That NOS Guy wrote:
Flagg wrote: Since the religious right in this country somehow managed to equate the word "Theory" with the word "Opinion".
Isn't intelligent desgin "merely a theory"? Thus in and of itself saying "well, we deny evolution because it's only a theory, but our theory is t3h sex because we said so"?

Maye I'm tangeting here, but isn't that really hypocritical and self-defeating?

As far as I know, all they're trying to do now is say that since they're both "just theories", then they're both equally correct and should be given equal time. So not really hypocritical, just entirely dishonest and fallacious.

That NOS Guy · Post by **That NOS Guy** » 2005-08-02 06:13pm

Flagg wrote:
It's not a scientific theory.

Ah, thanks for the heads up, people calling it such confused me.

Grandmaster Jogurt wrote:
As far as I know, all they're trying to do now is say that since they're both "just theories", then they're both equally correct and should be given equal time. So not really hypocritical, just entirely dishonest and fallacious.

As Flagg so kindly pointed out, it's not seen as a right and proper theory by the scientific community, so how could they possibly use that method of thought, in science class?

Bah, I'm too used to the concept of trying not to lie and muck things up.

bilateralrope · Post by **bilateralrope** » 2005-08-02 06:29pm

A post I saw in relation to this article here

Astrobairn wrote:I look forward to politics and economics classes giving equal time to comunist doctrine. After all whhy shouldn't children see both theories?

This seems like an interesting idea

Post by **weemadando** » 2005-08-02 06:50pm

We did get quite a lot of coverage of various economic theories in school. We got many different versions of history taught (from the p.o.v of all nations involved in various conflicts). But not once was creationism mentioned. EVER.