Letter rewritten on LePage's 'anti-science stances'
On July 19, the Kennebec Journal ran a letter with my name as the author. Neither the title nor the edited content reflected what I had originally written.
The piece was titled "Irreparable harm to sciences if LePage is elected?" The substance of the letter did not make any such claim. Paul LePage will cause harm to science, but it will not be irreparable. Science is the best way of knowing we have; it can recover from an anti-science politician like LePage. It would just be preferable to avoid any harm in the first place.
Two paragraphs were edited to say "LePage seems to indicate he thinks public schools ought to teach creationism to children." I stand by what I wrote: "Paul LePage thinks public schools ought to teach creationism to children."
I used this wording because when asked in a debate if he believes in creationism and if he thinks it should be taught in schools LePage's answer concluded, "I believe yes and yes." My second paragraph compared LePage's rationality to a common aquatic bird found on many Maine lakes.
The KJ has offered me this space so I may clarify the original letter. For that, I am thankful. But there is the much more important issue of LePage's anti-science stances.
Any politician who rejects some fundamental aspect of any field of science based on religious belief is unqualified for any public leadership position.
Eliot Cutler, Kevin Scott and Shawn Moody have all voiced their support for the strong teaching of evolution in public schools. Libby Mitchell has not stated a position, but there is little doubt of her support for the fact of evolution. All are far better choices than LePage to lead Maine.
Michael Hawkins
Augusta
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16 COMMENTS
Jarody said...
There is no way Libby Mitchell is a better choice. Her inexperience in the private sector,and some off the mark comments in the face of the billion dollar debt Maine has compels me to vote for a sound business man like Paul Lepage.
July 30, 2010 at 12:25 AM Report abuse
Divinity said...
Michael, I'm pleased that were able to get the editors to understand your complaint and to give you the opportunity to state your concerns. Paul LePage is now reported to have framed his position as "teach evolution in science classes" and "teach creationism in philosophy classes." I would love to see our schools include rubrics for philosophy, anthropology, and mythology. How LePage intends to finance the required six-week extension of the school year to make that possible is as yet unclear. Perhaps he intends to assign teams of individuals with disabilities to provide home-maker and other services to teachers in exchange for the 16% increase in their work hours. Or maybe this is just one more thing he hasn't thought through.
July 30, 2010 at 12:54 AM Report abuse
vocalist said...
@ jarody: Libby Mitchell has served many years in the public sector developing ideas from multiple levels of government. I cant understand why anyone would believe that a business man would be qualified to handle the nuances in policy making that have far reaching implications. Libby Mitchell has worked tirelessly for the citizens of this state and deserves that job.
July 30, 2010 at 1:38 AM Report abuse
vocalist said...
Also when i attended high school there was never a course in philosophy. In fact it probably wont ever be part of a curriculum here. Especially if a republican becomes governor and cuts spending as promised.
July 30, 2010 at 1:42 AM Report abuse
lotekguy said...
No governor has the ability to determine what is taught in our schools. This straw-man argument from the left is just a feeble attempt to smear a candidate and avoid the real issues facing us. The left attempted to apply the"anti-science"label to George Bush,but does anyone believe he,or any president,determines school curricula nationwide? No,that's left to government bureaucrats and teacher's unions,who,as we all know,are well-qualified to educate our children. The dismal performance of America's students as compared to those from other countries over the years should provide ample evidence of that. Let's stick to the real issues,shall we?
July 30, 2010 at 6:27 AM Report abuse
cjcscuba1984 said...
Michael: I am glad you were given the chance to clarify you first letter. While I agreed with many things in your first letter, there were things I had questions about--I see now these questions were mainly brought up from the editing of your original letter. I hope LePage is just ignorant--perhaps he has been coerced by the "teach the 'controversy'" 'argument.' Creationism is not science. It CANNOT be taught in a science class! Teach creationism in a World Religions class (along with all other religions--not just Christianity). Our society is deeply undereducated when it comes to scientific issues, the scientific method, and the peer review process. I doubt many people could read and/or comprehend an academic scientific journal let alone find one. Because of this tragedy, many laymen support creationism. Moreover, it seems the media presents more horoscope crap than it accurately presents hard science, data, and research--and I would bet more people gravitate towards the former.
July 30, 2010 at 7:20 AM Report abuse
MEP said...
@ Divinity - Having just re-heard the NPR debate in question (from question to Lepage through the conclusion where he answered "...yes and yes" I can say that LePage said nothing at all about science & philosophy classes. I suspect the clarification is merely as a result of learning the reaction to his answer, not because it was what he meant initially. Were LePage merely going to run the financial business of the state of Maine I would have fewer objections to his election, however as governor he can impact many societal issues. Given his far right stance on non fiscal issues he is not anyone I would consider voting for ... nor would I vote for Mitchell based on her fiscal history.
July 30, 2010 at 10:39 AM Report abuse
Sherman2 said...
We have two extremists selected by party extremists. The choice is becoming clear for me.... Cutler.
July 30, 2010 at 11:04 AM Report abuse
ThistleDew said...
Cutler is Mitchell in pants
July 30, 2010 at 11:43 AM Report abuse
Divinity said...
ThistleDew said..."Cutler is Mitchell in pants" ______________________________________________________________________________ For the discerning, it is what one finds under the pants that counts. We have a few months to see what each reveals. I have seen enough of one of them already to know that I like what I see.
July 30, 2010 at 11:59 AM Report abuse
ThistleDew said...
Don't count him out Vini, this too shall pass.
July 30, 2010 at 2:35 PM Report abuse
ThistleDew said...
Don't be so confident Vini, It will take a lot more than that to beat the frontrunner. What can Libby bring to the table that is fresh?............nada... How can Cutler appear as anything other than trying to ride the coatails of whoever?........ he can't. The others? = 3% and insignificant.
July 30, 2010 at 10:07 PM Report abuse
JJ said...
You liberals only WISH this gubernatorial race can be sidetracked from the important fiscal debate and reduced to a re-run of the Scopes Monkey Trial. No such luck. LePage wins handily in November.
July 31, 2010 at 9:01 AM Report abuse
HesterPrynne said...
lotek...The left attempted to apply the"anti-science"label to George Bush,but does anyone believe he,or any president,determines school curricula nationwide? __ But when Obama wanted to speak to school children, conservatives went bonkers saying he was overstepping his bounds and indoctrinating the students. How come they didn't understand that it was just talking, that he wasn't setting curricula?
July 31, 2010 at 9:16 AM Report abuse
HesterPrynne said...
I, personally, would support a course in Philosophy and Religious Beliefs. It could include a discussion of all the major religions and how it impacts daily living. How did these beliefs get started? How beliefs have changed over the years...how one decides what to believe or not believe. Persecution that all religions have faced over the centuries. Creationism would fit well in a class like that and I think be very beneficial. Why do some think it's bunk and some think it explains everything? I think ideas that if brought to light and discussed are better than if left stewing on the back burner just waiting to boil over into cultural strife. People are different; think differently; feel differently. Talk about it. Don't act like it's a shameful secret to be hidden in the closet.
July 31, 2010 at 9:23 AM Report abuse
Divinity said...
HesterPrynne said..."lotek..." __________________________________________________________________________ Perhaps you shared my own misapprehension, thinking we were hearing from an old troglodyte who favors a life low in technology. It turns out that this guy is lot-ek and lives in a shipping container. If you have ever spent a few hours on a hot, humid day loading one of these you can appreciate how he has been suffering of late. On the plus side, he has no mortgage and pays no rent. His greatest nightmare is that he may awaken one night to find himself here: http://www.ericstone.com/uploaded_images/ChinaShipping2-772536.jpg
July 31, 2010 at 9:34 AM Report abuse