blockaderunner said:
^^^Okay. I apologize. I was blowing off some steam. But you have to admit that the current lack of scientific innovation in the U.S. and the current policies of this administration aren't mutually exclusive. I mean you can't not ask the question "Why (insert lack of scientific advancement inquiry here)?" without looking towards the Oval Office for the answer.
Okay, now I'm done. Please don't ban me.
I'm not going to ban anyone. I don't have the power to do that. Nor would I if I did. It's just that there have been an overwhelming amount of otherwise sane discussions sidetracking irrevocably into political sniping and insults lately. And it's pretty much past the point where I should have cracked down. It's my fault for letting it get as far as it did. I'm trying to rectify that.
Now, see, if you'd just presented an argument similar to what you posted here, that's okay. It's when we get into the insults and the eye rolling that we start toward borderline trolling. The government's leadership in issues like this is inherently part of things. But it's something that can be discussed without resorting to insults and childlike behavior.
Folks, I'm not about to ban politics here. That would be ridiculous. I know they're an inherent part of some subjects. However, all I ask is that you remember, your opinion of someone's authority and leadership may be considered offensive to someone else, and vice versa. Politics is a science just like sociology and anthropology. They're all sciences of culture. Banning that would be cutting off part of the purpose of this forum.
However, I realize that they are also hotbutton subjects for people. If someone riles you up, count to 10 before you post, take a deep breath, and ask yourself whether your response is really necessary. If you can discuss the political end of things without resorting to editorializing and insults, that's great. It's when I start seeing things like referring to elected officials as "turds" and "scientifically ignorant" that I start to watch things a lot more closely. And it's become quite obvious to me in recent days that I have let things pass that I probably shouldn't have.
We can have a civil discussion that involves political aspects of a subject, I've seen it happen. I know there are people here who can rise above the petty bickering and sniping and actually keep the discussion relevant. And I value each and every poster here who's capable of doing such intellectual gymnastics.
(And, BTW, before anyone starts marking me as a liberal or conservative, it should be noted that I'm a staunch moderate. I have no stake in either side of the arguments.)
So, please, I know you all are capable of doing it. Look to the better part of yourselves, check your political attitude problems at the door (those of you who have them), and bring an open, critical thinking mind to our table here. I think we'll see an elevation in the discussion that would be a tremendous improvement over the bickering of late.
) is happening under Bush's watch. This administration is the most scientifically ignorant, uninspiring, and visionless I've ever seen. When Kennedy said that he wanted the U.S. on the moon by then of the decade, people took that to heart. I have yet to hear a challenge delivered with that kind of conviction from Bush. It also doesn't help that his constituency still consists of a bunch of narrow minded, superstitious morons who believe that science is a tool of Satan, which explains his stance against global warming, stem cell research, and alternative fuel sources. But I digress. 
