Re: [Phys-l] The Perils of American Stupidity

[William Robertson <wrobert9@ix.netcom.com>]

This isn't the place for such conversations, but let's just look at  
your comment on Christine O'Donnell. When she asked where separation  
of church and state were in the Constitution, she made an excellent  
point. Unfortunately, she did not follow up adequately and explain  
that Congress not establishing a religion does not equate to  
separation of church and state. The audible gasps and laughs are more  
of a credit to the students in that audience not understanding the  
First Amendment. O'Donnell did not clarify her comments well, but that  
does not make her an idiot. Ad hominem attacks don't enlighten anyone.

Bill


William C. Robertson, Ph.D.


On Nov 9, 2010, at 4:15 PM, Marty Weiss wrote:

> stereotypes?  Here's Christine O'Donnell  (Thank goodness she  
> lost....)
> “You are telling me that separation of church and state is found in  
> the first amendment?”
>
> “Government shall make no establishment of religion,” Coons responds.
>
> ‘That’s in the first amendment? O’Donnell asks for a third time.
>
> The crowd then reacts with quieted gasps and laughs as O’Donnell  
> smiles.   (from MyFox Philly.com)
>
>
> On Nov 9, 2010, at 5:02 PM, marx@phy.ilstu.edu wrote:
>
> > I take strong issue with these posts characterizing the American  
> > Right as stupid and/or ignorant.
> > These is often the characterization made by people on the Left.   
> > Since I am a Conservative and a
> > scientist, it is my experience that these characterizations are  
> > largely false.  While it is true that there is
> > somewhat less support for anti-global warming initiatives on the  
> > Right, it is largely because of the
> > politization of climate science and sloppy science.  The Right is  
> > not dominated by the Religious Right
> > presently, rather it is dominated by the Tea Party ideals, which  
> > are primarily based on the Constitution
> > in its present form,
>
> That's right... they are literalists as are
> > the idea of smaller, more efficient government, a properly- 
> > regulated capitalist
> > economy, and reduced government spending.  The majority of  
> > Americans are anti-abortion, but neither
> > side of the argument is stupid for holding the belief.  The Tea  
> > Party is not promoting Creationism, nor
> > Intelligent Design.  I have also failed to see the anti- 
> > intellectualism in the Tea Party that you all have
> > spoken about.  You are speaking in stereotypes and repeating things  
> > you've heard without taking time
> > to find out what people really think.
>
> _______________________________________________
> Forum for Physics Educators
> Phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
> https://carnot.physics.buffalo.edu/mailman/listinfo/phys-l