Charles Johnson Science • Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 5:16 pm PST • Views: 471
We weren’t intending to make a big thing of it, but we should have known that as soon as we offered to link to pro-evolution bloggers, the links would start pouring in through the hatches. Here’s the most current list, just to give ‘em all big plugs for standing up for science in their own ways. (Note: you can always find pro-evolution bloggers—if not always conservatives—at ScienceBlogs too.)
Comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Little Green Footballs.
Obscene, abusive, silly, or annoying remarks may be deleted, but the fact that particular comments remain on the site in no way constitutes an endorsement of their views by Little Green Footballs.
Posts that contain phone numbers, street addresses, email addresses or other personal information will also be deleted, as will posts that consist only of a variation on the word, "First!"
Comments that advocate violence will be cause for immediate banning with no appeal.
Disagreement and debate are welcome, but insults and abuse are not, and may cause your account to be blocked.
REMEMBER: posting comments at LGF is a privilege, not a right. Abuse that privilege, and your account will be blocked.
Fact-checking: The $140 million was not just for volcano-monitoring:
The reference about volcanoes might have given Jindal an opening for an attempt at snark in his next sentence ("eruption of spending"), but it wasn't based in reality. Here's what the stimulus law actually has to say on the issue:
US Geological Survey
For an additional amount for ''Surveys, Investigations, and Research'', $140,000,000, for repair, construction and restoration of facilities; equipment replacement and upgrades including stream gages, and seismic and volcano monitoring systems; national map activities; and other critical deferred maintenance and improvement projects.
It's very hard to read that statement and honestly conclude that the law is spending $140 million on volcano monitoring. They do mention volcano monitoring, but it's clearly not the only thing that's being funded. Jindal was clearly ignoring the truth in his attempt to paint the bill in the worst light possible.
They're not too happy over there about Bobby J.'s little slam.
Seems not:
The Volcanism Blog does not do politics, any more than it does sport, religion or cookery. In particular, as a blog born and bred in Great Britain, it does not do U.S. politics. It is appropriate to say here, however, that anyone capable of talking glibly about ’something called “volcano monitoring”‘ as an example of ‘wasteful spending’ needs some education in the matter.
Perhaps a trip to Chile is in order for Mr Jindal.
OT, but this comment just got me banned at hotair. I'm no longer allowed to leave comments. LOL
mauipundit, that whole “Hillary is more conservative than McCain” canard that Coulter and Limbaugh fed you is pure, unadulterated BS.
When did McCain ever say he was 100% for socialized medicine? When did McCain every say he was pro-choice? McCain didn’t take any earmarks; Hillary was the earmark queen.
etc, etc, etc
The Coulters and Limbaughs lost this last election for the GOP by supressing turnout for their own side. And now Limbaugh wants to kick anybody to the curb who thought Jindal’s speech was lame?
You, and anyone who thought that including that comment in the Republican rebuttal was a good idea, are guilty of the dangerous and pervasive attitude of willful ignorance about science that has sadly pervaded the government of this country in the past eight years. It is extremely frightening that you, the governor of a state that recently experienced a major natural disaster, think that the paltry amounts spent on volcano monitoring in our country are a waste of money.
Lack of monitoring and communication caused the needless deaths of 23,000 people in the 1985 eruption of Nevado Del Ruiz volcano in Columbia. Would you prefer that we, a technologically rich country with the expertise and resources to prevent such a disaster, should eliminate the very monitoring programs that enable us to do so just because politicians like you can't be troubled to learn about why they're so important?
Young Earth Creationists hate geologists as much as they hate evolutionary biologists. Geologists teach that the earth is, well, more than 6,000 years old.
Jindal's slam on vulcanologists may have tipped his hand ... better learn to hold those cards a little closer to the chest, GOP "stars."
"...repair, construction and restoration of facilities; equipment replacement and upgrades including stream gages, and seismic and volcano monitoring systems; national map activities; and other critical deferred maintenance and improvement projects..."
will have to be done by someone, presumably those employed to repair an construct facilities, make steam gauges, create maps, etc.
Your attitude toward volcano monitoring as a representative of our country's government is irresponsible and potentially deadly. If you suggest that we should discontinue volcano monitoring simply because you refuse to make the effort to understand it, then you are making yourself personally accountable for the lives, property and money that will be lost in volcanic eruptions. I am sure you will be happy to explain to the American citizens who will suffer from your recommendations why your state deserves funding to monitor and mitigate the hazards associated with flooding and hurricanes, but their homes and lives are unworthy of protection.
Young Earth Creationists hate geologists as much as they hate evolutionary biologists. Geologists teach that the earth is, well, more than 6,000 years old.
Jindal's slam on vulcanologists may have tipped his hand ... better learn to hold those cards a little closer to the chest, GOP "stars."
The levitation comment was off the wall too. We are way behind in high speed train technology.
Having lived through the 1980 Mt. St. Helens eruption, and living near enough to Mount Rainier to be a potential casualty if the thing does erupt, Governor Jindal's pervasive promotion of religious creed over science is at best criminal and a very poor stewardship of the public trust.
"...repair, construction and restoration of facilities; equipment replacement and upgrades including stream gages, and seismic and volcano monitoring systems; national map activities; and other critical deferred maintenance and improvement projects..."
will have to be done by someone, presumably those employed to repair an construct facilities, make steam gauges, create maps, etc.
I imagine so, but I'm sure it's a fairly small number. I've never met a single person who works in the volcano steam gauge manufacturing industry.
Young Earth Creationists hate geologists as much as they hate evolutionary biologists. Geologists teach that the earth is, well, more than 6,000 years old.
Jindal's slam on vulcanologists may have tipped his hand ... better learn to hold those cards a little closer to the chest, GOP "stars."
I am glad he showed his true allegiance with his porking of science. We don't need stealth candidates.
How about the tsunami that devastated Indonesia and Thailand? That was caused by an earthquake, but the same types of tectonic plate movements cause earthquakes and volcanoes. If there had been better monitoring of the faults under the Indian Ocean, there would have been better (or at least some?) warning of the tsunami.
Young Earth Creationists hate geologists as much as they hate evolutionary biologists. Geologists teach that the earth is, well, more than 6,000 years old.
Jindal's slam on vulcanologists may have tipped his hand ... better learn to hold those cards a little closer to the chest, GOP "stars."
If you guys doubt that, imagine a YEC parent at a teacher conference...and the subject being taught in earth science is the formation of the Great Lakes in a Great Ice Age...well over 6,000 years ago.
Yes, I'm speaking from personal experience. They don't just have their eyes on "Darwinism." These folks are after the whole banana.
You don't screw with someone that walks around near lava flows to get their science jollies.
RGR - I was referring to the mod at HotAir.
A Polish Ph.D acquaintance of mine, installs, monitors, maintains and crunches the numbers for the seismic recorders in the SF Bay Area. Do not screw with his funding. We take that stuff seriously here.
Isn't there someplace for a train that would be useful?
How about this: I propose that the high-speed MAGLEV train be built heading NORTH and UPHILL out of New Orleans.
There's a spot where you need some speed, and we can throw in some Katrina/GWBush hates black people to make it palatable to Obama's loony left base.
It is not a Vegas to Disneyland boondoggle. Yes, that line is under consideration as are others, but even that link has many stops along the way that will take cars off the road. The money could also go to other trains and deny funding to the long planned California line.link.
It is not a Vegas to Disneyland boondoggle. Yes, that line is under consideration as are others, but even that link has many stops along the way that will take cars off the road. The money could also go to other trains and deny funding to the long planned California line.link.
If it has "many stops along the way," then there's probably not much point in building a train that can go 300 mph for it.
It is not a Vegas to Disneyland boondoggle. Yes, that line is under consideration as are others, but even that link has many stops along the way that will take cars off the road. The money could also go to other trains and deny funding to the long planned California line.link.
Have you ever reseached what the Shanghai high-speed rail line (a simple run from the city to the airport) cost? $80bn isn't going to go far with MAGLEV.
I've ridden the thing, and I'll say it's impressive. But it's 19 miles.
Not at all. They can monitor all the volcanoes they want.
Is it an emergency that's so dire that it should be funded with a bill the members of Congress aren't even given time to read?
I don't think so.
I agree with you that the whole bill was too much spending, too fast.
Jindal just picked out the wrong bit to disparage, and ruined his chance for a positive moment.
If it has "many stops along the way," then there's probably not much point in building a train that can go 300 mph for it.
Here's California's pitch:
"Secondly, Anaheim, Las Vegas and everything between on the proposed train route is not some playground for the SoCal and Sin City heathens--these are working cities with real people who need jobs and transit options. Speaking from a regional commuter train perspective, a trip from Anaheim or Palmdale to Union Station in downtown Los Angeles would be minutes compared to the hours it currently takes on the freeways today."
"Secondly, Anaheim, Las Vegas and everything between on the proposed train route is not some playground for the SoCal and Sin City heathens--these are working cities with real people who need jobs and transit options. Speaking from a regional commuter train perspective, a trip from Anaheim or Palmdale to Union Station in downtown Los Angeles would be minutes compared to the hours it currently takes on the freeways today."
Palmdale has a commuter train to LA. I've ridden it. My brother-in-law's neighborhood is just uphill from the "station".
"Secondly, Anaheim, Las Vegas and everything between on the proposed train route is not some playground for the SoCal and Sin City heathens--these are working cities with real people who need jobs and transit options. Speaking from a regional commuter train perspective, a trip from Anaheim or Palmdale to Union Station in downtown Los Angeles would be minutes compared to the hours it currently takes on the freeways today."
My Mustang will top 150 mph, but not if I have to stop at every red light along the way.
And I'm going to have to reserve just a bit of skepticism for any claim coming from a state that just noticed it had a $42 billion budget deficit.
High-speed trains are not for taking cars off the road. They're efficient alternatives to short-hop air travel. Houston to Dallas, as an example.
HOWEVER, unlike airlines IN MOST CASES, these trains are all "showpiece" government projects that never ever break even.
I disagree, much of the world leads us in high speed train technology,but even slow trains take a lot of commuters off the roads here in the NYC DC corridor. I agree they need to be made more profitable, but I'd pay to save lot of hours on a commute.
They just opened a NYC to Atlantic City express run, and it's doing well.
High-speed trains are not for taking cars off the road. They're efficient alternatives to short-hop air travel. Houston to Dallas, as an example.
HOWEVER, unlike airlines IN MOST CASES, these trains are all "showpiece" government projects that never ever break even.
The biggest waste I've seen lately in that area is the stupid monorail they built in Vegas. Nobody rides it excet tourists using 2 for 1 coupons.
They could have at least built it so it started at the airport. If it did that, I'd take it every time I go there, because it stops right at the hotel where I usually stay.
I disagree, much of the world leads us in high speed train technology,but even slow trains take a lot of commuters off the roads here in the NYC DC corridor. I agree they need to be made more profitable, but I'd pay to save lot of hours on a commute.
They just opened a NYC to Atlantic City express run, and it's doing well.
You disagree, and then go off on a tangent. Is the line you mention MAGLEV? Does it need to be? Or would a less sexy train suffice?
My Mustang will top 150 mph, but not if I have to stop at every red light along the way.
And I'm going to have to reserve just a bit of skepticism for any claim coming from a state that just noticed it had a $42 billion budget deficit.
I don't think they'd stop every few miles, maybe 20-30 or more and they get up to speed in a hurry. Under five minutes at a stop is typical. I think the idea is to spend money on projects that have been on the books for a bit to make jobs on infrastructure that will last. There were probably less worthy projects Jindal could have attached.
The biggest waste I've seen lately in that area is the stupid monorail they built in Vegas. Nobody rides it excet tourists using 2 for 1 coupons.
They could have at least built it so it started at the airport. If it did that, I'd take it every time I go there, because it stops right at the hotel where I usually stay.
Everytime anyone in Houston talks about trains, they ALWAYS ignore the three routes we needed twenty years ago ... Hobby airport to Bush Intercontinental and from each airport to downtown.
Instead, we have an 8-mile or so run on Main that goes through downtown.
It would cost more to make a limited-access, high-speed route from Anaheim to LA downtown, than it would cost to run it out to Vegas. IOW, it isn't part of the plan. The existing Metrolink is actually pretty good, except it leaves you off miles from anywhere in Irvine.
The biggest waste I've seen lately in that area is the stupid monorail they built in Vegas. Nobody rides it excet tourists using 2 for 1 coupons.
They could have at least built it so it started at the airport. If it did that, I'd take it every time I go there, because it stops right at the hotel where I usually stay.
I think that was the plan, but they did not have the funding, but I may be wrong.
You can probably add almost all of the blogs on the Atheist Blogroll to the pro-evolution list:
[Link: atheistblogroll.blogspot.com...]
I'll be first to admit that many of my atheist brethren are far to the left when it comes to recognizing the fact that Islam is the number one problem on this planet. Many too, have a problem when it comes to recognizing that Israel is the victim of Arab terrorism, not the other way around.
I think that was the plan, but they did not have the funding, but I may be wrong.
The ultimate plan was to build it in 3 sections, with it evenually running from the airport to Fremont Street downtown. They built the center section first.
If they'd built the south section first, going from the airport to the south end of the Strip, at least it would go somewhere. What they have now runs parallel to the Strip, mostly along Paradise, and accesses the hotels from the back. Not even remotely practical for someone going there to check in, because you end up walking 1/4 to 1/2 mile to get to the lobby.
They should have built it so it ran right down the center of the Strip. It's an elevated monorail, so it wouldn't disrupt traffic (other than during construction, of course).
You disagree, and then go off on a tangent. Is the line you mention MAGLEV? Does it need to be? Or would a less sexy train suffice?
The lines that are shovel ready are MAGLEV and you could be correct, and maybe that's why the funding is non specific to MAGLEV. If the project could be converted to old fashioned rail, maybe it will be. I still vote for sexy, it's time we caught up with the rest of the world IMHO.
In a perfect world, we'd learn how to build them in the USA.
If we want to discuss trains, Boston has a commuter rail. It is only good for people who work in Boston or Cambridge and live in the suburbs. A lot of jobs are outside the city, and commuter rail doesn't work well for that.
I had two jobs where I could take the train; I did so for one, because the schedule wasn't any good for going home from the other.
They had trains leaving Boston at 4:40, 4:50, 5:20, 6:15, 7:35
Great for people who could leave work at 4; in high tech, getting out at 6 was early. One job let me out at 4:55 so I could get the 5:20, and then I'd work some more from home. The other, forget it. It would require perfect connections to make the 6:15, and if I missed it, I'd get home at 9PM, after leaving home at 6:35 AM. Forget it.
They have since added a 5:40, but they need a 6:40 and 7:10 as well.
BTW, I can walk to the commuter rail station from home in 10 minutes, and sleep on the train. It was great, when it worked.
However, there were a LOT of problems, and I'd get trains where I had to hunt for the one car out of 6 with working air conditioning.
One day, I was late going home because the FRA (Federal Railroad Agency) inspected and took three trainsets out of service.
I think I had more breakdowns per month than I have bad traffic jams now.
No wonder most of the people on the train seemed to work for the state.
The lines that are shovel ready are MAGLEV and you could be correct, and maybe that's why the funding is non specific to MAGLEV. If the project could be converted to old fashioned rail, maybe it will be. I still vote for sexy, it's time we caught up with the rest of the world IMHO.
In a perfect world, we'd learn how to build them in the USA.
Agreed. I'd also like some money spend on modernizing the railroad crossing in and around Chicago. It would make the movement of freight far more efficient.
You disagree, and then go off on a tangent. Is the line you mention MAGLEV? Does it need to be? Or would a less sexy train suffice?
Turns out you are right:
Although the mention of a magnetically levitating train outside of US borders won't grab too much attention, saying that phrase here most definitely perks up ears. Sure enough, a maglev project that would shuttle folks from Disneyland to Las Vegas at up to 300 miles-per-hour is now jousting with a cheaper diesel-electric alternative (dubbed DesertXpress) for support. Reportedly, the latter would cost "just" $3- to $5 billion to construct -- compared to $12 billion for the former -- but rather than escorting folks from Anaheim or even Los Angeles, its origin would be planted in Victorville, California. Still, the trip from there to Vegas would only take three to four hours including the 1.5 hour drive to Victorville, but that still doesn't sound nearly as nice as "well under two hours" for the maglev. As it stands, there's quite a bit of red tape to wade through before either option goes forward, but kicking back on a whizzing train sounds an awful lot better than staring at pavement and blasting the air conditioner for five or so hours.
Although the mention of a magnetically levitating train outside of US borders won't grab too much attention, saying that phrase here most definitely perks up ears. Sure enough, a maglev project that would shuttle folks from Disneyland to Las Vegas at up to 300 miles-per-hour is now jousting with a cheaper diesel-electric alternative (dubbed DesertXpress) for support. Reportedly, the latter would cost "just" $3- to $5 billion to construct -- compared to $12 billion for the former -- but rather than escorting folks from Anaheim or even Los Angeles, its origin would be planted in Victorville, California. Still, the trip from there to Vegas would only take three to four hours including the 1.5 hour drive to Victorville, but that still doesn't sound nearly as nice as "well under two hours" for the maglev. As it stands, there's quite a bit of red tape to wade through before either option goes forward, but kicking back on a whizzing train sounds an awful lot better than staring at pavement and blasting the air conditioner for five or so hours.
Did you read my link to the Shanghai MAGLEV? Did you see the CHINESE cost per mile?
Look to see much more of that in the near future. People are stressed and some of them only need a little trigger to send them over the edge. Not good for anyone.
Probably because he couldn't find a volcano to throw himself into.
Well, he got roasted all the same. Still, I'm tempted to think that someone hijacked his computer to post that rant. It seemed so badly out of character.
OK, OK, is this a Pro-Evolution blog or is it an anti-creationist blog? Seriously, why not spill the beans and confess which it is? Well, the world is waiting!
On the other hand, since a pro-evolution blog would also tend to be an anti-creationist blog, it might not make a difference! The semantics confuse me, however, as I'm easily confused by arguments over how many angels fit on the head of a pin!
On the other hand, I could go out and start a fight over which is better, being pro-conservative or being anti-socialist or being anti-authoritarian or being pro-American or being a pro-representative government kind of guy! Labels might matter yet are they really important? Of course they matter for that is how we kind of identify ourselves to ourselves and to others.
OK, OK, is this a Pro-Evolution blog or is it an anti-creationist blog? Seriously, why not spill the beans and confess which it is? Well, the world is waiting!
On the other hand, since a pro-evolution blog would also tend to be an anti-creationist blog, it might not make a difference! The semantics confuse me, however, as I'm easily confused by arguments over how many angels fit on the head of a pin!
On the other hand, I could go out and start a fight over which is better, being pro-conservative or being anti-socialist or being anti-authoritarian or being pro-American or being a pro-representative government kind of guy! Labels might matter yet are they really important? Of course they matter for that is how we kind of identify ourselves to ourselves and to others.
Anyone have a cool Black and Tan handy?
This is an anti-idiotarian blog; it does not discriminate between the different types of idiotarians it holds up to the antiseptic sunlight of public exposure. It's an equal opportunity sanitizer, and goes after them all with equal gusto.
You can count me in as a "Pro-Evolution Blogger". However, you will not find me posting on the issue because it would be like posting on the existence of water.
My own blog Tr1v14l Pursuits is pro-evolution, but ALSO pro-G-d.
As I've said before, evolution, physics, astronomy, they only strengthen my belief in a creator who is a genius. Four little molecules arranged one way and you get Obama. Arranged another, you get Reagan. Still another, you get Dan Rather. Nice range of variation.
Frank says: