Is the GOP anti-science?

[RaleBulgarian]

Rarely do I see someone brazenly declare abject ignorance.

Stick around, there’s bound to be at least one more example in this thread.

 

[sangha]

I do not think so. If we are to take climate change seriously, which I do, and we want to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which I do, the only viable option that we have (presuming we wish to maintain current energy levels and not go backwards into 19th Century) is nuclear power. The opposition is mainly from the left in that regard.

As for GMOs, I welcome your explanation to enlighten me, sangha. And mind you, I am not talking about the anti-pesticide "organic" food movement that has an equal number of liberal, conservative and centrist proponents. I am referring specifically to anti-genetically-modified food, whose most visible opponents appear on the political left.

the wisdom of expanding our use of nuclear power is something reasonable people can disagree on. There are good arguments on both sides, which is why your dismissal of those who oppose makes for a weak example.

As for GE foods, while no one yet to prove any harm from consuming them, there can be little doubt amongst those who are familiar with GE crops that the production of those crops promotes harmful processes

For example, take the Roundup-Ready crops. They are immune to a certain class of herbicides. They are used because those crops can be sprayed with herbicides and, so obviously, their use results in increased use of these herbicides

And there a host of other reasons for opposing the use of GE crops, including their complete failure to produce as expected

 

[Fruityfact]

If I am woefully ignorant, I welcome enlightenment, ecofarm.

You really don't. To prove that democrats are just as against science as GOPers you cited the "anti-GMO" movement without any source. And then ya pat yourself on the back and say see, they're the same.

 

[Vadinho]

The GOP? No.

Are certain conservatives? Yes. There are many conservatives who deny the theory of evolution and believe in Young Earth Creationism. There are conservatives who deny anthropogenic climate change.

But I would argue that they are no more "anti-science" than people of the Left and among the Democrats base. The media just does not like talking about the anti-science folks on the left or their hysterical ideas.

For example, the anti-GMO movement is an almost entirely left-wing phenomenon. These folks have not one iota of evidence that genetically-modified foods cause any harm whatsoever, but insist on the purity of artisanal foods.

Now, going to your argument about the danger of global warming. It is an undisputed fact that the highest output, lowest carbon-emitting source of energy is nuclear power. And as much as people clutch their pearls in terror about the dangers of nuclear waste, it is far less dangerous than people are led to believe and can be safely contained. If the left was truly serious about tackling climate change, and see it as a true existential threat, I think it would be incumbent on them to promote the creation of several nuclear power plants across the United States (and around the world) to combat global carbon emissions. But they do not, because for so many people on the left (at least those with influence) proposing nuclear power brings about a near-religious response where they want to tie the proposer to a stake and burn them.

So are GOP voters anti-science? Sure. To an equal degree as many Democrat voters.

You bring up some very good points. However, while it is true that the left does over inflate the dangers of nuclear power and GMO foods, at least there is some basis for these fears in science itself. The destruction of the nuclear power plant in Japan and Chernobyl show clearly that nuclear power plants do pose a risk. How to mitigate that risk is a scientific debate among experts not politicians. If science can prove that the risk level is low enough and that waste disposal can be done safely, I am sure that folks will accept the notion of expanding our nuclear power systems. Perhaps its just a matter of education, I cannot say without technical expertise or access to experts. As for GMO, there is indeed some risk of affecting natural populations of plant and animal life in certain cases. As you say though, the objections paint a very broad brush and should be more focused on real dangers rather then imaginary ones. These are debatable topics and again rely upon experts to sort out but to say there is no danger is wrong. The degree is up for debate.

That is nothing like the objections of conservatives to global warming, ecological disaster prevention, the EPA, regulations and so on. These objections never rely upon science, they always rely upon fears of economic impacts or the bizarre notion of "freedom" to pollute or exploit indiscriminately.

So they are not equal in any sense whatsoever. One favors caution based upon fears of catastrophes or ecological nightmares, the other is simply a call to protect industry and profits.

 

[Luckyone]

But they use smart phones.

Yes they do, but it is the phones that are smart and then they use them for phoning and nothing else. They buy smart phones because others are buying them and Republicans are sect people and if one uses it, the others want to use it

 

[Luckyone]

Is the GOP anti-science?

Or is the GOP using the same arguments they use for religion? Pick and choose what they believe. They mostly don't follow the teaching of jesus and they deny climate change.

Try not to be too outrageous in your denials.

If this board is any indication, I would have to say "absolutely yes". All the Trump Republicans here are adverse to facts and truths even if they are undeniable. They are also hypocrites since all they ever say is "show me proof" and when proof is given, they either deny it or run away.

Science is not something they believe because in many cases it is not fully tangible and since science is normally not tangible, it is beyond their ability to understand and much less accept.

Democrats are totally different since they are diverse to start with, meaning that by that means they have to accept things they may not believe in to start with. In addition, Dems are for change whereas Reps are not, meaning that anything new is not something they are even willing to consider.

If Republicans could take us back to all of us being Neanderthals and carrying clubs and dragging women behind by the hair, they would be ecstatic.

 

[Moderate Right]

Of course they are flawed. The exist for be criticized. That is how science progresses. The fact that they document scientific hypothesis makes them better as a reference than making stuff up which is the alternative.

But it is the left making stuff up. They would have us believe that global warming is a recent event when it fact it has happened numerous times, even before man was even on the planet. And, the left would have us believe that if we initiated everything they wanted us to initiate, temperatures would decrease. The science itself says that no matter what we do, temperatures will still increase. The left are total and complete deniers when it comes to both of these things.

 

[manofknowledge]

But it is the left making stuff up. They would have us believe that global warming is a recent event when it fact it has happened numerous times, even before man was even on the planet. And, the left would have us believe that if we initiated everything they wanted us to initiate, temperatures would decrease. The science itself says that no matter what we do, temperatures will still increase. The left are total and complete deniers when it comes to both of these things.

Your statement is completely in error. No scientists claim it is a first time event, only that this time human activity is causing it. No one suggests that if humans stop emitting carbon into the atmosphere in massive quantities the temperature will go down although logic would indicate it would go up less. The argument is if we are causing our climate to change to the detriment of much of the life on the planet we should stop doing it.

 

[OldFatGuy]

Yes they do, but it is the phones that are smart and then they use them for phoning and nothing else. They buy smart phones because others are buying them and Republicans are sect people and if one uses it, the others want to use it

Really? You look over their shoulders to see how they use their smart phones?

Your sweeping pronouncements and opinions are ridiculous and more demeaning to you than to those you seek to demonize.

 

[OldFatGuy]

If this board is any indication, I would have to say "absolutely yes". All the Trump Republicans here are adverse to facts and truths even if they are undeniable. They are also hypocrites since all they ever say is "show me proof" and when proof is given, they either deny it or run away.

Science is not something they believe because in many cases it is not fully tangible and since science is normally not tangible, it is beyond their ability to understand and much less accept.

Democrats are totally different since they are diverse to start with, meaning that by that means they have to accept things they may not believe in to start with. In addition, Dems are for change whereas Reps are not, meaning that anything new is not something they are even willing to consider.

If Republicans could take us back to all of us being Neanderthals and carrying clubs and dragging women behind by the hair, they would be ecstatic.

Modern science is a belief system based on acceptance of scientific theory. It is a conscious choice to believe in scientific theories. Science is not an absolute, and nothing is except taxes, death and stupidity. Science maintains all the paradigms of a religion. It is not political nor is belief in science political. Neanderthals are being proved to be far more intelligent than many modern humans, and far more unified in their social cooperative behaviors, take this statement as portrayal of yourself.

 

[Luckyone]

Really? You look over their shoulders to see how they use their smart phones?

Your sweeping pronouncements and opinions are ridiculous and more demeaning to you than to those you seek to demonize.

I see you have no sense of humor.

 

[OldFatGuy]

But it is the left making stuff up. They would have us believe that global warming is a recent event when it fact it has happened numerous times, even before man was even on the planet. And, the left would have us believe that if we initiated everything they wanted us to initiate, temperatures would decrease. The science itself says that no matter what we do, temperatures will still increase. The left are total and complete deniers when it comes to both of these things.

Mankind has always effected climate. The issue now is not whether or not it occurred in the past but that increased human population and practices have sped climate change to a point whereby it threatens our future existence. Stop playing blame games, and understand the nature of the problems with intelligence rather than political partisanship.

 

[OldFatGuy]

I see you have no sense of humor.

You failed at funny.

 

[Roadvirus]

People say the GOP is Anti-Science...

Yet it's people on the left who think there are more then 2 genders.

 

[bongsaway]

It's actually the very opposite. It is the left who are anti-science. Science proves that the planet has had periods of temperature increases and decreases, even before man was on the planet and yet the left would have us believe that it is all of a sudden just happening now. And, science proves that no matter what we do, temperatures will still rise and yet the left would have us believe that if we did everything they say, temperatures would quit rising. Why does the left deny science?

Thank you for your response.

 

[bongsaway]

If this board is any indication, I would have to say "absolutely yes". All the Trump Republicans here are adverse to facts and truths even if they are undeniable. They are also hypocrites since all they ever say is "show me proof" and when proof is given, they either deny it or run away.

Science is not something they believe because in many cases it is not fully tangible and since science is normally not tangible, it is beyond their ability to understand and much less accept.

Democrats are totally different since they are diverse to start with, meaning that by that means they have to accept things they may not believe in to start with. In addition, Dems are for change whereas Reps are not, meaning that anything new is not something they are even willing to consider.

If Republicans could take us back to all of us being Neanderthals and carrying clubs and dragging women behind by the hair, they would be ecstatic.

I've said for the longest time, if the GOP could drag us back into living in caves they would.

 

[srexob715]

But it is the left making stuff up. They would have us believe that global warming is a recent event when it fact it has happened numerous times, even before man was even on the planet. And, the left would have us believe that if we initiated everything they wanted us to initiate, temperatures would decrease. The science itself says that no matter what we do, temperatures will still increase. The left are total and complete deniers when it comes to both of these things.

Not at the level we are now seeing. So now we know who is really making stuff up and doesn't understand climate science.

 

[AGENT J]

Is the GOP anti-science?

Or is the GOP using the same arguments they use for religion? Pick and choose what they believe. They mostly don't follow the teaching of jesus and they deny climate change.

Try not to be too outrageous in your denials.

this is true of NUTTERS . . it has nothign to do with the GOP . .

yes stereo-typically theres more nutcase climate deniers that are GOP but stereo-typically where are the antivaxers? they are on the left

the reality is nutters are in all groups and they dont represent that group

 

[Fearandloathing]

The GOP? No.

Are certain conservatives? Yes. There are many conservatives who deny the theory of evolution and believe in Young Earth Creationism. There are conservatives who deny anthropogenic climate change.

But I would argue that they are no more "anti-science" than people of the Left and among the Democrats base. The media just does not like talking about the anti-science folks on the left or their hysterical ideas.

For example, the anti-GMO movement is an almost entirely left-wing phenomenon. These folks have not one iota of evidence that genetically-modified foods cause any harm whatsoever, but insist on the purity of artisanal foods.

Now, going to your argument about the danger of global warming. It is an undisputed fact that the highest output, lowest carbon-emitting source of energy is nuclear power. And as much as people clutch their pearls in terror about the dangers of nuclear waste, it is far less dangerous than people are led to believe and can be safely contained. If the left was truly serious about tackling climate change, and see it as a true existential threat, I think it would be incumbent on them to promote the creation of several nuclear power plants across the United States (and around the world) to combat global carbon emissions. But they do not, because for so many people on the left (at least those with influence) proposing nuclear power brings about a near-religious response where they want to tie the proposer to a stake and burn them.

So are GOP voters anti-science? Sure. To an equal degree as many Democrat voters.

How about you show us some of those "anti-science" left wingers?

I have never met a liberal or socialist who does not believe in climate change. Not one. Event the Conservative Party of Canada had to accept the truth.

The ONLY people who I have witnessed denying climate change are Americans, usually uneducated and bigoted.

Now if you can show me ONE major leftist body that does not support climate change I'll change my tune.

BTW, it is SO right wing to claim the left is as bad as they are.

 

[Grokmaster]

Is the GOP anti-science?

Or is the GOP using the same arguments they use for religion? Pick and choose what they believe. They mostly don't follow the teaching of jesus and they deny climate change.

Try not to be too outrageous in your denials.

That must be why they cite ACTUAL , UNALTERED DATA, derived at by SCIENTIFIC METHOD, as opposed to FALSE, or ALTERED DATA, derived by POLITICAL AGENDA.


The left wouldn't know ACTUAL SCIENCE if it landed in their laps.


BS in Chemistry, University of Missouri at Rolla, 1977 ( Now known as the Missouri Institute of Science and Technology.)

 

[Luckyone]

Modern science is a belief system based on acceptance of scientific theory. It is a conscious choice to believe in scientific theories. Science is not an absolute, and nothing is except taxes, death and stupidity. Science maintains all the paradigms of a religion. It is not political nor is belief in science political. Neanderthals are being proved to be far more intelligent than many modern humans, and far more unified in their social cooperative behaviors, take this statement as portrayal of yourself.

Does your post mean that you would prefer us to be Neanderthals?

 

[Luckyone]

You failed at funny.

Yeah, it is evident you did not consider it funny. Does not mean it wasn't funny to others

 

[OldFatGuy]

Does your post mean that you would prefer us to be Neanderthals?

Considering we have DNA evidence of Neanderthal Homo Sapien merging, some of us are Neanderthals, especially those of us with European ancestry.

 

[ultmd]

Is the GOP anti-science?

Umm..Yes.

Or, to put it in terms they might understand: "Do bears sh!t in the woods?"

To argue otherwise is a Fool's errand.

 

[srexob715]

People say the GOP is Anti-Science...

Yet it's people on the left who think there are more then 2 genders.

You should study biology one day.........if they let someone like you into the program.