Category Archives: Politics

Personhood – Beyond Abortion

Posted on March 24, 2013 by

As you may have heard, the North Dakota legislature passed a Personhood Measure that would define life as beginning at conception. It’s not in force yet, but it will be if the people of North Dakota pass a referendum making … Continue reading →

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It’s Back… Intelligent Design Bill Reintroduced in Missouri

Posted on January 24, 2013 by

Last year, a Missouri State Representative, Rick Brattin (R-District 55), sponsored a bill that would have damaged science education in Missouri by attacking Evolution. Brattin received a firestorm of negative attention (he even took down his Facebook page in reaction*), … Continue reading →

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Vote No on Amendment 2, and How Else You Can Help

Posted on July 18, 2012 by

On August 7, Missouri residents have the opportunity to vote on Amendment 2, a public referendum that has the potential to damage educational progress in Missouri. The text that will appear on the ballot presents the Amendment as a simple … Continue reading →

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Another Embarrassment for Missouri, Part 2: Sins of Omission Validated

Posted on May 27, 2012 by

Last week, I wrote about the “Right-to-Pray” Amendment that will be on the ballot in Missouri in August. I wrote about the problems that passage of this Amendment would cause for the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment and, more … Continue reading →

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Another Embarrassment for Missouri

Posted on May 23, 2012 by

I recently wrote about a bad Intelligent Design bill that was introduced in the Missouri House. Fortunately, that bill died in legislature. Unfortunately, however, the Missouri legislature’s embarrassing session managed to pass another bill that will present to the voters … Continue reading →

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Limits to Business Conscience Rights?

Posted on February 16, 2012 by

Reaction to the HHS rule regarding requiring businesses (including religious-related businesses) that offer prescription drug coverage to cover birth control as part of that has been interesting. There seems to be a real split in how the issue is framed: … Continue reading →

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Intelligent Design bill in Missouri: My Response

Posted on January 12, 2012 by

I saw an alert from the National Center for Science Education that another bill has been introduced in the Missouri legislature to damage science education by attacking Evolution. Here is the response I emailed to my Representative and posted on … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Skepticism | 6 Comments

Mistaking Politics for Science: Global Warming

Posted on September 7, 2011 by

Watching Rick Perry’s incoherent response to a question about Global Warming in this evening’s Republican Presidential debate,  I was struck once again by the confusion often shown in what the debate is about. Essentially, he said that he doubts the … Continue reading →

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Game Theory

Posted on July 25, 2011 by

A: Why do we have to give them any money? B: Because they’ll break our legs if we don’t. A: Why? That’s never been true before. B: You’re right, but I called them and refused the option of neither paying … Continue reading →

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Congrats to Egypt

Posted on February 12, 2011 by

As a geek and a humanist, it’s been fascinating and inspiring to watch the Egyptian revolution. While some Americans are afraid of an organic democracy movement in the Arab world, I’m encouraged and hopeful. Continue reading →

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