science is bosh, education is bosh . . .

[realthog]

. . . at least according to Senator John McCain, who today echoed the worst anti-scientific instincts of the Bush Adminstration. As reported by AP, he said of Barack Obama's support for various federally funded projects:

"That's nearly a million every day, every working day he's been in Congress," McCain said. "And when you look at some of the planetariums and other foolishness that he asked for, he shouldn't be saying anything about Governor Palin."

Where do they dig up these Neanderthal attitudes? I find it, quite honestly, baffling. Recently my daughter and I spent a happy few hours exploring the Rose Center for Earth and Space/Hayden Planetarium at NYC's Museum of Natural History. The fact that about a billion schoolchildren were enjoying it with us meant that sometimes the noise was deafening, but it was impossible not to be amazed and delighted by how much many of the kids were obviously benefiting from the experience. Those were kids glowing with the joy of learning.

Which means, of course, they're likely to go on and lead happier and more productive lives, which is what civilized societies are supposed to be all about. They'll be happier; the rest of us are likely to gain, too, either because those might be tomorrow's innovators, educators and the like or, at the very least, because they'll be less likely to be earning a living as a mugger or a housebreaker or worse.

So for John McCain to describe the building of planetariums as "foolishness" is not just deeply offensive, not just a display of the profundity of his own complacent ignorance and stupidity, but also an indicator of the considerable contempt in which he holds average Americans.
 
Yes, some people did lack a silver spoon in their mouth at birth, and did fail to adulterously seduce and then marry someone with so much money it's a bit of a problem remembering how many houses they own. But that doesn't mean those people should be deprived of the educational opportunities you, Senator McCain, are patently too stupid even to desire.

Comments

[louismaistros.livejournal.com]

Someone needs to remind this douche bag that the Iraq war costs $341.1 million PER DAY.

Take a nice 20 minute coffee break from this pointless war and suddenly you can pay for all kinds of "foolishiness" that's actually good for people.

[realthog.livejournal.com]

"the Iraq war costs $341.1 million PER DAY"

That does kind of put things in context, doesn't it?

[louismaistros.livejournal.com]

Mind boggling context.

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

Yes, but war is serious and important, and allows people like McCain to do serious and important things like drop bombs on peasants. While planetariums do nothing but educate children, who might not even be white (I'm not, and I was taken to the London Planetarium as a lad) about the universe. Then they might ask questions about why the John McCains of the world are dropping bombs on peasants.

[realthog.livejournal.com]

How sexist of you!

Oops. Wrong response there. My mistake. Try again:

How dare you speak like that of a man who spent five years a POW?

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

Oh, I forgot. Only John McCain has ever suffered.

[realthog.livejournal.com]

Him and Sarah Palin's husband.

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

Being married to her is suffering, you're saying?

[realthog.livejournal.com]

Pass-the-Drano Time, I'd have thought.

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

You are cruel.

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

I agree, btw, planetariums are foolish. I took my older son to the Hayden Planetarium when he was a little boy. Now he's a graduate student of astrophysics. Clearly, proof of the foolishness of planetariums (planetaria?).

[realthog.livejournal.com]

Precisely McCain's point, I imagine. If you'd not been so foolish, your son might even now be doing something useful.

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

Like blacking McCain's shoes?

[realthog.livejournal.com]

Ha!

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

For five and a half years McCain couldn't have his shoes blacked.

[realthog.livejournal.com]

Now that's suffering!

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

Exactly.

[sci-o-biscuits.livejournal.com]

If you believe in creationism (Palin?), why would you want to educate anyone (especially children) about science?

Museums - waste of money
Art galleries - waste of money
Books - ban the suckers, waste of money
Sex education - teach 'em about the stork, waste of money

[realthog.livejournal.com]

Museums - waste of money
Art galleries - waste of money
Books - ban the suckers, waste of money
Sex education - teach 'em about the stork, waste of money

I can't imagine why McCain didn't pick you as running mate! You've obviously got all the right policies off pat . . .

[sci-o-biscuits.livejournal.com]

Obviously, I missed my calling as a right-wing anti-women's rights Republican politician.

[quilterbear.livejournal.com]

have you seen this?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/erica-jong/not-that-stupid-erica-jon_b_126184.html

[realthog.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the link. Good stuff!