At a time when science education is sorely needed to compete in the world, there are those who promote and perpetuate ignorance and misinformation.
Just as information is readily available on the internet to explain complex issues in laymen's terms, there are too many like Rep. Paul Broun MD [R-GA] and Todd Akin leading in the wrong direction.
Science Friday and many other NPR programs help remove the cloud of ignorance.
That's why NPR is needed. Maybe that's why the Republican oppose it.
Jan. 04, 2013
Looking Back on a Year in Science
In 2012 the Higgs boson was spotted at CERN, private company SpaceX began supply flights to the International Space Station, and the world bade farewell to the Galapagos tortoise Lonesome George.A panel of journalists discusses the year’s top stories in science.
Produced by Charles Bergquist, Director and Contributing Producer
Guests
- Mariette DiChristina
Editor in Chief and Senior Vice President
Scientific American
New York, New York - Ivan Oransky
Executive Editor, Reuters Health
Cofounder, Retraction Watch
New York, New York - Mark Frauenfelder
Cofounder, Boing Boing
Editor-in-chief, MAKE Magazine
Los Angeles, California
Listen: Science Friday
Below is the misinformation presented by Rep. Paul Broun MD [R-GA] ---
House Science Member Says Earth Is 9,000 Years Old
Is the Earth 6,000 Years Old, 9,000 Years Old, or 13,000 Years Old?
How biblical literalists get their numbers.
Representative Paul C. Broun, Jr., MD (R, GA-10) graduated from the University of Georgia and the Medical College of Georgia. He thinks that Planet Earth is only 9,000 years old and that Evolution and Embryology are “lies straight from the pit of Hell.” So much for higher education in the Peach State.
It gets worse. Congressman Broun, MD is a member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. Perhaps he’s also medical adviser to fellow Science Committee member Todd Akin (R, MO-2), who believes victims of “legitimate rape” don’t get pregnant and that doctors are giving abortions to women who aren’t pregnant.
Unsurprisingly, Congressmen Broun and Akin are both members of the House Tea Party Caucus.
More:
“Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA): Evolution, Big Bang ‘Lies Straight From The Pit Of Hell,’” Benjy Sarlin, Talking Points Memo
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