Bill O'Reilly Loves Intelligent Design (Video)

[sabra]

<<SNIP>>
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2005/08/02.html#a4283

Tonight on The Factor, Bill defended the President's position on teaching ID in public schools and called it "fascism" not to allow it at all. I won't go into the lunacy of this argument since it's been discussed at length here.



His show got even funnier when he brought on Dr Paul Gross to discuss his views. Gross started off his response by saying:

Gross: "...this is the no spin zone, but what you've just done in your talking points is the most remarkable example of good spin I've heard in three or four days..."

Bill: "Well, as long as it's good spin."

Bill knew he was in trouble immediately and that usually means he pulls out the abortion card. There's so much one can say about this segment, but I'm too tired to delve deeper so have a go at it.

<</SNIP>>

[Strawman]

1. If it feels good, believe it

Aren't they always criticizing us liberals for living by the creed "if it feels good do it." So I guess if it feels good, it's science. No need of any proof, feel free to make a wild inferential leap because it jibes with their religious faith.

[ComerPerro]

2. I'd be careful about throwing around the "F word", O'Liely

What's that saying about people who live in glass houses?

[noonwitch]

3. Teachers should be prepared to discuss the controversy with the kids

But creationism should not be taught in public school as an alternative theory to evolution. It is not scientifically valid. I do think part of a good education is learning to defend one's beliefs, so the teachers should be open to group discussion on it, within the confines of time limits and the curriculum used.

[rman]

4. The meme O'Reilly is spreading: "science=belief"

"...the so called Intelligent Design belief...."

"... that a higher power might be involved..."

(compares to theory of evolution)

"...whatever your belief, it should be respected"

"...NAS and AAAS (...) don't want it mentioned in science class.."

"...no reason students can not be told that more then a few people (...) belief..."

"...evolution is not a universal belief..."


O'Reilly ignores the fact that science class is not about telling students what people belief,
thus blurring the line between scientific theory and belief.

[damntexdem]

6. And the unmentioned issue is that many, perhaps most, Americans ...

have RELIGIOUS beliefs that are not compatible with ID. Are their beliefs to be excluded from "teaching the controversy"?

Yet another reason for separation of church and state: the number of competing religious beliefs are so numerous that acknowledging each of them would leave no time for science instruction.

[rman]

7. Hadn't realized that

It is indeed very significant.

So much for "both sides of the story".

Which is a major thought-trap in and of itself; it implies there *are* only two sides to every story.

A decent counter-meme might be "all sides of the story".

[damntexdem]

5. I wish I'd seen it. My RealPlayer makes it hard to listen.

But Gross did fairly well, about as well as a reasonable person can against O'Liely.

I suggested the following approach for those invited to go on O'Liely:
Demand to go on as a pair of representatives; then, when Oliely yells 'shut up' or 'get out,' one of you laugh, pass $20 to your partner, and say: "You win -- he went crazy much faster than I expected." Then both of you walk off.

[rman]

8. It's not realvideo

but wmv; windows mediaplayer should play it without problem.