destroying America's supremacy in research

I have to say, the time I've spent on learning the Kalevala has definitely paid off! I told you Leanne was impressed -- really impressed, as it turned out. I think somehow, in some way I'm not going to delve into, I scored points (BIG points) for her against her friend. So, definite motivation there to continue my training! (I do it when I'm running; in the shower; waiting for things ... -- so it doesn't really impinge on any productive time).

Anyway, to more important matters. I read this article in the news today; really slayed me. Apparently this zoo in Tulsa was getting aggro from the local creationists about not having "alternative" theories of creation on display alongside the stuff that referred to evolution (oh sorry, thought we were supposed to provide factual information, us being a zoo ...). Anywhere the zoo caved (wimps), but, the creationists pushed their luck, and claimed that a statue of the elephant-headed god Ganesh at the elephant house showed an anti-Christian bias. So -- and here's where the zoo earned back their stripes -- the zoo then said if they were going to provide alternative theories, they better give equal time to other creation stories! Of course there are hundreds. Upshot is, no creation stories after all.

It's terrifying, though, the inroads the "creationist" lobby have made into the minds of Americans (at least the rest of the world is a bit more educated). It does say something about the terrible state of education in the country. It doesn't seem to get through to most people that if you accept creationism you have to throw away all the biological discoveries of the last 150 years, including the medical ones. Think about it, a lot of medical research is based on animal experiments; they're based on the idea that humans are related to other animals. And, wow, what do you know -- it works!