Couric: How do you feel about creationism? Do you think it should be taught in schools?Two things to note. First, this is exactly Sarah Palin's position, and also John McCain's, as well as George Bush's. Second, the issue in the question isn't "education of any kind," it's miseducation. And it's unacceptable that the McCains and Palin have all come out in favor of that.McCain: I think both sides should be taught in schools. I think the more children have a frame of reference and an opportunity to read and know and make better decisions and judgments when they are adults. So, I think you know I don't have any problem with education of any kind.
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Joshua Rosenau spends his days defending the teaching of evolution at the National Center for Science Education. He is also a graduate student at the University of Kansas, completing a doctorate in the department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. When not modeling species distributions or battling creationists, he writes about developments in progressive politics and the sciences.
The opinions expressed here are his own, do not reflect the official position of the NCSE. Indeed, older posts may no longer reflect his own official position.
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« Palin-genesis: Too extreme for (Cindy) McCain | Main | Surgin': McSame and Palin-spastic don't care about ________ people »
McCain favors teaching creationism
Category: Policy and Politics
Posted on: September 7, 2008 12:34 AM, by Josh Rosenau
Find more posts in: 
Politics
Comments
She didn't push for it as governor.
Posted by: Ken | September 7, 2008 1:14 AM
Palin is being smeared as governor she didn't push for creationism. This lady has been destroyed by lies. Enough already. Actually look at her record as governor.
Posted by: Ken | September 7, 2008 1:15 AM
Ken, quote the part of Joshua's post that is a smear or a lie.
Posted by: jake | September 7, 2008 1:43 AM
http://dwb.adn.com/news/politics/elections/story/8347904p-8243554c.html
Palin was answering a question from the moderator near the conclusion of Wednesday night's televised debate on KAKM Channel 7 when she said, "Teach both. You know, don't be afraid of information. Healthy debate is so important, and it's so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both."
In an interview Thursday, Palin said she meant only to say that discussion of alternative views should be allowed to arise in Alaska classrooms:
"I don't think there should be a prohibition against debate if it comes up in class. It doesn't have to be part of the curriculum."
You can argue that this by itself does not necessarily mean that she's a creationist, but at the very least it shows complete ignorance of the science being discussed. And she also uses the typical creationist/ID rhetoric: "teach both sides", "allow students to question the theory and make up their own minds".
And although the article mentions that she won't push for creationism to be part of the curriculum, it also states that as governor she appoints members of the Alaska school board, who in turn set the minimum requirements.
Posted by: Darek | September 7, 2008 2:17 AM
Call it disinformation. Kids end up stupider than when they started.
Incidentally, whenever someone advocates 'both sides', there is a duty to demand to know which version of the wrong side should be taught -- Islamic, Judaic, Hindu, Shinto ....
If they say Christian, then demand to know if the Roman Catholic version or the Mormon version should be taught.
Posted by: Bill the Cat | September 7, 2008 9:54 AM
Palin now says that "she meant only to say that discussion of alternative views should be allowed to arise in Alaska classrooms". She's backtracking because she knows how controversial her views are. Initially she said, "teach both". Teaching is different from just allowing the duscussion to arise.
Posted by: JoAnn | September 7, 2008 1:10 PM
Guys, check this out. Fake-Based Education
http://obamav.com/rebuilding-america.html
Down at the bottom of the page.
/Gary
Posted by: Gary Meeg | September 7, 2008 4:06 PM
JoAnn: If a teacher is presenting a topic, that is teaching. How the topic comes up is irrelevant. In science class, the right response to a question about creationism is to refer the discussion to a social studies teacher, a parent, or a clergymember.
Posted by: Josh Rosenau | September 7, 2008 8:26 PM
Yeah, just like sex education! They have a great "teach both sides" strategy there, except they call it "abstinence-only" for some strange reason.
Posted by: pough | September 8, 2008 6:03 PM