The making of a champion
Today, in an article about scientists in the US reaching out to religious leaders in an effort to get them to support the teaching of evolution, the BBC’s science reporter Paul Rincon declares that President Bush is “among the most high profile champions of intelligent design.”
This is not the first time someone at the BBC has characterized Bush as a “champion” to the ID cause. But on what is such a claim based? As far as I am aware, Bush’s public comments on the issue are limited to a response he gave to a reporter’s direct request for his “personal views” on the matter of teaching intelligent design in schools. His response, in the great tradition of politicians seeking to avoid taking a firm position on a controversial subject, was that 1) the decision of what to teach should ultimately be left to local school districts and 2) people ought to be exposed to different ideas so that they "can understand what the debate is about." He then cut the reporter off from pressing the issue by saying “Very interesting question, Hutch,” and moved on.
Is the BBC really suggesting that this politically calculated non-answer is indicative of an intelligent design “champion”? Or is the BBC aware of Bush publicly advocating on behalf of ID elsewhere? TAE put those questions to Mr. Rincon via an e-mail early today, but unfortunately, as of 9pm, he has yet to respond. If Mr. Rincon steps to the plate to defend his reporting, be assured I will certainly pass it on.
This is not the first time someone at the BBC has characterized Bush as a “champion” to the ID cause. But on what is such a claim based? As far as I am aware, Bush’s public comments on the issue are limited to a response he gave to a reporter’s direct request for his “personal views” on the matter of teaching intelligent design in schools. His response, in the great tradition of politicians seeking to avoid taking a firm position on a controversial subject, was that 1) the decision of what to teach should ultimately be left to local school districts and 2) people ought to be exposed to different ideas so that they "can understand what the debate is about." He then cut the reporter off from pressing the issue by saying “Very interesting question, Hutch,” and moved on.
Is the BBC really suggesting that this politically calculated non-answer is indicative of an intelligent design “champion”? Or is the BBC aware of Bush publicly advocating on behalf of ID elsewhere? TAE put those questions to Mr. Rincon via an e-mail early today, but unfortunately, as of 9pm, he has yet to respond. If Mr. Rincon steps to the plate to defend his reporting, be assured I will certainly pass it on.
6 Comments:
Sir -
It was not necessary for the BBC to make any attempt to know what George Bush thinks. Everyone already knows what he thinks.
Take whatever you believe to be good, fair, or right. Mr. Bush thinks the opposite. There is ample documentation of this fact in the press, BBC included.
If you should be one of those who Occasionally changes your mind as to what you believe to be good, fair, or right, don't worry....
Mr. Bush will change his mind to oppose you.
Lokki, "Everyone already knows what he thinks." Everyone? You mean everyone on the planet? Not likely.
Bush thinks (because he's said it) that al Qaeda is bad. Are you saying al Qaeda is good?
By "ample documentation of this fact in the press, BBC included" do you mean like CBS which used forged documents in an attempt to smear Bush and ruin his re-election bid?
As for the BBC, you might want to read this:
http://ussneverdock.blogspot.com/2005/01/bbc-is-turn-off-its-official.html
Bush's equivocal rely on ID has made him a "champion" in the eyes of the religious nuts who are pushing it. As to "high-profile", you can decide that.
What equivocal reply???
He basically said "teach it alongside evolution", so the religious nuts (apologies) have taken that and run with it.
Lokki -
Wow, that's amazing!? I didn't know we all had telepathy! I can't seem to get mine to work.
The only person who knows exactly what GWB thinks is GWB. You're pretty arrogant about your supposed knowledge, ain't ya?
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