The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[JWBear]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

It also sounds a lot like the treatment of those who, despite massive evidence to the contrary continue to believe that the world is flat and the earth is the center of the universe.

I would hope that a state paleontologist who believes that dinosaur bones are a joke played by god to trick us would be fired (and would find it difficult to get a job). I would hope that a doctor who literally (and always) believes that laughter is the best medicine would find tenure difficult to acquire. A USDA agricultural biologist proposing Lamarckian genetics shouldn't be allowed within a mile of a corn field (see Lysenko, Trofim).

Like it or not, a view that the earth is not warming is way outside the mainstream. And while less so, disputing its anthrogenic nature is still pretty far outside the mainstream and in a very small minority.

Academic freedom is important in a university setting when it comes to direct state employees, the state should have people squarely in the mainstream.

I say that with absolutely no knowledge of the specific case in question.

Absolutly!