The US is the most powerful scientific nation on Earth and yet the status of science in public life has never been so low. (Image: Scott J. Ferrell/Congressional Quarterly/Getty Images)
Read more: “Science in America“
Editorial: “Why America should put its trust in reason“
THE big thing we are working on now is the global warming hoax. It’s all voodoo, nonsense, hokum, a hoax.” So said Michele Bachmann, a candidate for the Republican nomination for president, in 2008. Bachmann also thinks that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine can cause mental retardation and that science classes should include creationism. “. I don’t think it’s a good idea for government to come down on one side of a scientific issue or another, when there is reasonable doubt on both sides.”
“Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government”
Bachmann’s rival, Texas governor Rick Perry, advocates biblically based abstinence-only sex education. He argues that evolution is “ – and it’s got some gaps in it”. On climate change, Perry says “the science is not settled… just because you have a group of scientists that have stood up and said here is the fact… Galileo got outvoted for a spell”.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich tells voters that embryonic stem cell research is ““. Rising Republican star Herman Cain claims there is no scientific evidence that homosexuality is anything other than a personal choice.
Republicans diverge from anti-science politics at their peril.…
