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I know a thing or two about science, and I maintain that Palin is completely ignorant in this particular instance, and most other instances where she has commented upon or has given her opinion relating to science and scientific issues.
feel free to explain her ignorance in this particular instance.
Her argument was valid: Money spent on Senator sponsored earmarked research projects is usually money not well spent.
Unfortunately, the way she made her argument made her seem like a Neanderthal. Instead of saying "There's a lot of pork added to bills, and this includes science projects designed to help a single Senator's District", she instead managed to anger all scientists by disparaging the most important study organism in Biology, as well as undermine the importance of Agricultural research. She also failed to mention that money spend on non-earmarked research projects (that is, the standard federal budget allocated to NSF and other granting agencies) is not wasted.
Her argument was valid: Money spent on Senator sponsored earmarked research projects is usually money not well spent.
Unfortunately, the way she made her argument made her seem like a Neanderthal. Instead of saying "There's a lot of pork added to bills, and this includes science projects designed to help a single Senator's District", she instead managed to anger all scientists by disparaging the most important study organism in Biology, as well as undermine the importance of Agricultural research. She also failed to mention that money spend on non-earmarked research projects (that is, the standard federal budget allocated to NSF and other granting agencies) is not wasted.
well said, and a vastly superior arguement to the 'omfg she's so STOOPID hurhurhur' that i'm so accustomed to hearing. she certainly could have fleshed out some details as to why she considered it to be unacceptable.
btw- i'm not sure i'd agree with your placing D. melanogaster at the top of the heap when it comes to 'single most important study organism in biology' - even though the organism involved in the study she criticized is not even in the same family. C. elegans,and E. coli, possibly even yeast and zebra fish, are arguably equally or more important.
Her argument was valid: Money spent on Senator sponsored earmarked research projects is usually money not well spent.
Unfortunately, the way she made her argument made her seem like a Neanderthal. Instead of saying "There's a lot of pork added to bills, and this includes science projects designed to help a single Senator's District", she instead managed to anger all scientists by disparaging the most important study organism in Biology, as well as undermine the importance of Agricultural research. She also failed to mention that money spend on non-earmarked research projects (that is, the standard federal budget allocated to NSF and other granting agencies) is not wasted.
The blogger is an idiot, but so typical; and these followers just gobble it all up. They can't think for themselves.
No, I think the video speaks for itself. She is making fun of earmarks that fund research that could help a lot of people out because of how the research looks like on its surface (fruit fly research in paris). I don't think its us who can't think for ourselves, i think its the folks that still support the sinking ship that is the McCain/Palin campaign that may have the herd mentallity that you are speaking of.
McCains angry, bull in the china shop, anti-intellectual mentallity is not what this country needs.
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