DeVos position on "Intelligent Design" a "priceless gift to Granholm"

[Bluebear]

DeVos



The letter from Reps. Jack Hoogendyk and John Moolenaar ("It's healthy to question science," Sept. 21) and Dick DeVos' position on intelligent design ("Intelligent design OK for science class, DeVos says," Sept. 21) expose their ignorance of scientific principles and lack of competence to have any authority over the teaching of science in Michigan schools. To use the terms "scientific theory" and "ideology" interchangeably is absurd.

Here's a news flash: There is no scientific controversy over the theory of evolution. The "controversy" exists only in Christian denominations that teach the Biblical story of creation is literal truth.

DeVos' belief that Michigan "students should have the opportunity to analyze competing theories" is proof of his willingness to put his personal, religious bias ahead of the need for our children to be properly educated.

Constance S. Kennedy
Clinton Township
=======


Dick DeVos' contention that intelligent design should be taught in science classes is fine, except for one fact. It is not a science, it is a religious belief couched in pseudo-scientific terminology.

If intelligent design can be taught in a science class, then evolution or any other scientific exploration on the nature of the universe should be taught in religion classes as an "alternative" concept.

Stan Newman
Warren
======
Well, here we sit in the 49th worst economy in the United States, and the Republican hopeful for governor has contracted athlete's foot of the mouth. Support for ID in the classroom? If ignorance is bliss, he should be the happiest person on the planet. And yes, I was going to support him.

Blaine Vande Berg
Howell
======

Schools could harm faith

I am a Christian, and I believe in the Trinity. Dick DeVos and others want to undermine those beliefs with their push to put the teaching of intelligent design in a science classroom. I do not mind talking about my faith, but I know that a science class is not the place to do that.

How can anyone want our children to learn their faith in a public school? It will not be accurate. They need to go to church.

Barbara L Jackson
Troy


=====

Dick DeVos' suggestion that intelligent design be taught in science classes was a priceless gift to the Granholm campaign. One more favor: Could he also explain to Michigan voters why he supports Michigan's current stem cell research law, which is considered one of the most restrictive in the nation? I suppose with his advocacy of muddy science and encumbered medical research, our great state won't have to worry about being at the nexus of scientific discoveries in the 21st Century and all those high paying jobs that would ensue.

Jeffrey Hamal
Indian River

====

DeVos claims "that many scientists are suggesting that it is a very viable alternative theory."

I doubt that DeVos can name a half-dozen reputable biological scientists who believe this. As a biomedical researcher, I cannot name any!

DeVos claims he will bring jobs to Michigan. I cannot imagine any biotech firm who would want its employees' children in schools that teach intelligent design.

Norman Tepley
West Bloomfield

=====
Combine teaching intelligent design with Michigan's restrictions on stem cell research, subordination of academic scheduling to the whims of the tourism industry and endemic teachers strikes and it is hard to see how Michigan can compete for much sought-after knowledge jobs.

Ken Krasity
Beverly Hills
=====

I would like to thank Dick DeVos for making it crystal clear that his political base is the religious right. If he thinks anyone will see his position on this as anything but an effort to further cement his hold on the vote of the religious right, then he really doesn't believe in intelligent design.

Bernie R. Klein
Ann Arbor
====

Intelligent design/creationism basically says, "We don't know how we got here and we don't know what happened, so somebody or something else must be responsible." This is education?

This is teaching kids that if you have a problem and you can't figure it out, give up and ascribe the answer to a higher power.

Allan Bieniek
Wyandotte
=====
Designs on ignorance

Dick DeVos' advocacy of intelligent design reveals a profound ignorance that should give voters pause when selecting a governor.

Science does not make any claims one way or another about the influence of supernatural beings on the evolution of life for this reason: There is no way to falsify it.

Multiple lines of evidence (for example, genetics, embryology, paleontology, anatomy, developmental biology) have independently and robustly supported the theory of evolution by natural selection to such a degree that it enjoys the same level of certainty that we give to gravity or the notion that the Earth revolves around the sun.

Science teachers across Michigan are happy to broaden the horizons of their students with as much information as possible, but ID is not taught because it is inherently not scientific.

Michigan will never be successful at attracting new, science-based industries and businesses if its leadership sacrifices the highest educational standards for political gain.

Dr. William J. Sanders
Museum of Paleontology University of Michigan
Ann Arbor
=====
Religion in office?

While campaigning, Dick DeVos has promised non-Christians that his religious views will not come with him to the governor's office. His position on intelligent design in science classrooms begins the unraveling of that lie.

Jan Frank
Bloomfield

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060925/OPINION04/609250311

[marmar]

1. The real Dick DeVos has come to light in recent weeks...

and Michiganians are finding out that he's quite scary. :scared: :scared:

[Lex]

2. What's the polling look like for this race?

DeVos is the president of the Amway scam, isn't he?

[Bluebear]

3. Roger on Amway. Poll: Granholm 50/DeVos 42 mid-September nt

[Lex]

5. Excellent news.

Thanks Bluebear. Go Granholm! :thumbsup:

[kerry-is-my-prez]

4. I'm so glad I moved from that area - SW Michigan. Land of bible beaters

Thanks for reminding me why I NEVER want to move back.

[Rowdyboy]

6. Congrats Gov Granholm....The fool sealed his fate with his fundamentalism

Well deserved.

[HeardOnTheHill]

7. DeVos to the right of fundamentalist

As an active proponent of the Dominionist agenda, DeVos makes fundamentalists look rather tame. If Dominionism is unfamiliar to you, this Rolling Stone article should sufficiently terrify you.

[Rowdyboy]

10. Actually, I'm familiar with "Dominionism" and it scares the shit out of me

But thanks for the link. I haven't read the Rolling Stone piece yet and I've really been looking forward to it. You made it very easy. :toast:

Also, welcome to DU.

[oldboy101]

8. The ignorance of so many people is truly appalling.

Some 80 years after the famous Scopes "Monkey Trial" in which a teacher was tried for teaching evolution in Tennessee, an event that was once widely criticized for its ignorance, once more we see denial of proven scientific fact being widely promoted by religious fundamentalists.

I don't see much real difference between some so-called "Christian" fundamentalists and the Islamic Jihadists. Both preach intolerance of those who disagree with their narrow view of the world and seek to impose their ignorance on the rest of us. No wonder that "Jesus wept."

However from a political point of view, this can only help Granholm win re-election as governor of Michigan.

[kineneb]

9. Fling a meatball at that idiot. Ramen.

If the students have to suffer through I.D., then they should also discuss the holy Flying Spaghetti Monster.
Ramen.

[conflictgirl]

11. Thank goodness!!!

I live here in MI and I know way too many people who are thinking of voting for DeVos. Maybe this information will help change some of their minds!

I find the short-sightedness of so many of the voters in this state to be completely appalling. So many seem to think that because our economy stinks, it must be Granholm's fault. Newsflash: the economy here has sucked long before Granholm. It's less about who's in office than it is about the fact that our state's economy was almost solely based around the American auto industry. Between all of the many reasons people don't want to buy American cars anymore and the fact that the companies that make them are getting greedy and shipping all the jobs to other countries, it's clear to see what happened to the economy in this state. What we need is to transition to having our economy based on something else, but it's not the kind of change that can happen in one governor's term.

I have been really worried that DeVos would get elected. Maybe now I can have some reason to hope otherwise...