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Skepticism About Science and Immigration

By Theresa Camoriano

1.  Science – Do you remember the old bumper stickers that said “Question Authority”?  Well, that’s what scientists are supposed to do.  Scientists are supposed to be skeptical, to challenge accepted wisdom, and to demand proof and reproducibility of results.  Unfortunately, today many scientists have lost their skepticism – allowing very shaky “scientific” conclusions to go unchallenged while ridiculing and punishing those who dare to question the accepted wisdom.  Have scientists been corrupted by government funding?  Are they being ignored by the media unless they support its alarmist agenda?  Are they being intimidated by political pressure?   Probably all of the above.  As consumers of scientific information, we need to realize that, since today’s scientists are not fulfilling their role as skeptics, we need to be skeptical ourselves. 

Most people probably do not realize that, with today’s technology, we cannot accurately model the complexity of even relatively controlled situations, such as the forces acting on a bridge or an airplane or the movement of air in a wind tunnel.  If they did, they would be very skeptical of anyone who says he has great confidence in computer models that supposedly model the earth’s atmosphere, and particularly skeptical of anyone who uses these models to predict environmental disaster in fifty or one hundred years.  Especially when we all know the inaccuracy of weather predictions even one week in advance! 

Similarly, when some scientists dare to point out that much of the evidence relied upon by Darwin was faulty or forged, and when they challenge his theory of random evolution, true scientists would treat those challengers with respect and ask them to put forward their proof, not ridicule them and treat them as heretics who should be burned at the stake. 

Since many of our scientists have been silenced, have sold out, or have been intimidated into abandoning their scientific skepticism, then we the people need to develop some skepticism of our own.  We need to ask questions, challenge authority, and demand logic and proof. (See articles cited below.)

2.       Immigration – On the subject of immigration (and many other subjects as well), we should remember that what is good for the politicians is not necessarily what is good for the country as a whole.  Those who tell us we have only two options – either deport 12 million people at once or grant them all amnesty – are lying to us.  We have many other options. 

Whenever politicians try to pass major legislation very quickly, before people have a chance to consider and comment on it, we should be very skeptical.  Our immigration policy affects our culture, our economy, and our security, so it should be carefully considered, not rushed through in the dead of night. 

Respect for the rule of law is one of the bedrock principles on which this country was founded.  If we adopt an immigration policy that rewards people for breaking the law, we are undermining our country’s very foundation.  I am not anti-immigrant.  My husband immigrated here from Honduras, and I have great sympathy for the people who come here seeking opportunities and trying to support their families.  However, I do not allow my sympathies for immigrants to make me think it is a good idea to reward law-breakers.  (See articles below.)

Science

The problem of junk science Think nuclear power is dangerous? By artfully playing on the confusion between nuclear power and nuclear weapons, activists have crippled the use of "the safest of all energy sources," and vastly increased the use of heavily polluting coal-fired power plants (Chapter 2). Worried about DDT thinning the shells of endangered eagles? It doesn't -- but a million people a year are dying of malaria in Africa alone for lack of it (Chapter 5). Convinced that the theory of evolution is essentially sound, and that critics of it are just wacky creationists? The truth seems to be that the origins of species are far more complex than simplistic Darwinists will admit (Chapter 14). And so it goes. In a chapter of "Final Thoughts," Bethell calls attention to what is easily the biggest single incentive for the scientific exaggeration of many alleged dangers: federal funding. http://www.townhall.com/columnists/WilliamRusher/2007/05/17/the_problem_of_junk_science

Global warming debunked  [C]arbon dioxide as a result of man's activities was only …0.12 per cent of the greenhouse gases in total. Human-related methane, nitrogen dioxide and CFCs etc made similarly minuscule contributions to the effect: 0.066, 0.047 and 0.046 per cent respectively. "That ought to be the end of the argument, there and then," he said. "We couldn't do it (change the climate) even if we wanted to because water vapour dominates."  http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaruherald/4064691a6571.html

The eco-radicals’ real motives – Joel Turtel To understand why they try to wreck our economy, you have to grasp the shocking fact that many eco-radicals hate the human race and Western civilization. They hate the fact that you, your family, your friends, and millions of other human beings live and prosper on this planet. http://www.newswithviews.com/Turtel/joel42.htm

Immigration

The amnesty fraud – Thomas Sowell The word (amnesty) is from the same root as "amnesia." It means you forget or overlook some crime, as if it never happened. … http://www.townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2007/05/22/the_amnesty_fraud

The amnesty fraud part 2 They are a great bargain for their employers, because they are usually hard-working people who accept low pay and don't cause any trouble on the job. But they are no bargain for the taxpayers who cover their medical bills, the education of their children and the costs of imprisoning those who commit a disproportionate share of crime. http://www.townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2007/05/23/the_amnesty_fraud_part_ii

The amnesty fraud part 3 Employers are to be punished for not detecting and excluding illegal immigrants, when the government itself is derelict in doing so. .. This is perfectly consistent for a bill that seeks above all to solve politicians' problems, not the country's. http://www.townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2007/05/24/the_amnesty_fraud_part_iii

The immigration bill:  comprehensive or incomprehensible?  - Fred Thompson I’d tell you what was in the legislation, but 24 hours after the politicians agreed the bill looked good, the Senate lawyers were still writing what may turn out to be a one thousand page document. In fact, a final version of the bill most likely will not be made available to the public until after the legislation is passed. http://www.townhall.com/columnists/FredThompson/2007/05/19/the_immigration_bill_comprehensive_or_incomprehensible

Someone is sleeping in my bed and eating my porridge http://www.newswithviews.com/Bresnahan/david11.htm

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