This was an interesting survey on a quiet news day. While showing that 90% of scientists (didn't say what kind of scientists) support Evolution by natural selection, only 33% of the American public does. At the same time 84% of scientists say the Earth is warming due to human activity and less than 50% of the American public agrees.
What likely wasn't asked in this survey was why these these beliefs exist. Apparently objective evidence has very little to do with the "thinking" of respondents from the public in this survey. Evidence for Evolution is overwhelming and yet only 33% believe it. Evidence for Global Warming due to human activity.......really not so much. Mostly its very indirect evidence not cause-effect-type evidence. Yet just under 50% believe it. All this shows is that climate change environmental activists have a stronger lobby than the evolutionists. So science has more to do with American Idol than with reality.
Friday, July 10, 2009
"Charity in Truth" - another view.
This morning in the Globe and Mail's Report on Business Neil Reynolds takes a whack at the latest Papal Encyclical (see below). Mr. Reynolds gives a more thoughtful analysis of the Pope's message and its implications. Its a must read!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Pope knows how to fix Global Economy etc.
The Pope issued his latest encyclical today - Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth). In it he suggests that there is urgent need for a true world political authority..........oh what the hell, here is part of what he said:
"To manage the global economy; to revive economies hit by the crisis; to avoid any deterioration of the present crisis and the greater imbalances that would result; to bring about integral and timely disarmament, food security and peace; to guarantee the protection of the environment and to regulate migration: for all this, there is urgent need of a true world political authority, as my predecessor Blessed John XXIII indicated some years ago.
Such an authority would need to be regulated by law, to observe consistently the principles of subsidiarity and solidarity, to seek to establish the common good, and to make a commitment to securing authentic integral human development inspired by the values of charity in truth.
Furthermore, such an authority would need to be universally recognized and to be vested with the effective power to ensure security for all, regard for justice, and respect for rights.
Obviously it would have to have the authority to ensure compliance with its decisions from all parties, and also with the coordinated measures adopted in various international forums. Without this, despite the great progress accomplished in various sectors, international law would risk being conditioned by the balance of power among the strongest nations."
What is stunning to me is the naivety that underlies this kind of message. Lets put aside the assumption that this is a good idea (which it most definitely is not). Short of invasion from another planet (see Will Smith in Independence Day) what would cause world leaders to submit to any global authority? Is there unanimity at the United Nations - ever? Not that I can remember, and why should there be? Like everything else that is true of the Pope and his church its only the needs and aspirations of ordinary people (just about everyone) that are ignored. Remember the Pope is a celibate priest that frowns upon birth control and advises his constituency not to use condoms even if it might prevent HIV-AIDS. Whose side is he on? Not yours.
"To manage the global economy; to revive economies hit by the crisis; to avoid any deterioration of the present crisis and the greater imbalances that would result; to bring about integral and timely disarmament, food security and peace; to guarantee the protection of the environment and to regulate migration: for all this, there is urgent need of a true world political authority, as my predecessor Blessed John XXIII indicated some years ago.
Such an authority would need to be regulated by law, to observe consistently the principles of subsidiarity and solidarity, to seek to establish the common good, and to make a commitment to securing authentic integral human development inspired by the values of charity in truth.
Furthermore, such an authority would need to be universally recognized and to be vested with the effective power to ensure security for all, regard for justice, and respect for rights.
Obviously it would have to have the authority to ensure compliance with its decisions from all parties, and also with the coordinated measures adopted in various international forums. Without this, despite the great progress accomplished in various sectors, international law would risk being conditioned by the balance of power among the strongest nations."
What is stunning to me is the naivety that underlies this kind of message. Lets put aside the assumption that this is a good idea (which it most definitely is not). Short of invasion from another planet (see Will Smith in Independence Day) what would cause world leaders to submit to any global authority? Is there unanimity at the United Nations - ever? Not that I can remember, and why should there be? Like everything else that is true of the Pope and his church its only the needs and aspirations of ordinary people (just about everyone) that are ignored. Remember the Pope is a celibate priest that frowns upon birth control and advises his constituency not to use condoms even if it might prevent HIV-AIDS. Whose side is he on? Not yours.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Garbage Strike
Toronto is still in the throes of a garbage strike by CUPE workers (see Government Monopoly). A letter today on the Comment page of The Globe and Mail from a former Torontonian shows that municipalities can shed many responsibilities like garbage collection. The writer states that he pays $21.50 per month for twice weekly pickup. He can choose from a number of other providers so competition exists, costs are low and the threat of strike is slim. When households are forced to use government supplied and union controlled services, strikes are inevitable. Do you know how much your monthly garbage bill is? I know I don't because its hidden in my real estate tax bill, like yours. Its time for a change.
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