What is your definition of the word fact?

Can you define species?

Can you define species?

The issue in Texas (which has been resolved by the way), is one of social studies and history text books. Whatever opinions one may hold on that front, it is separate from science and math.
The fact that this author even mentions intelligent design in her editorial illustrates a broad ignorance. Math and science are methods derived to understand and measure the reality we experience every day. For instance, one would not expect to entertain an argument that 16 oz is equivalent to 1 lb or that 0C is equivalent to 32F. I believe this is what Lilly was getting at. When these derived systems do not work, there is no argument about it.
Lots of folks are talking about Newton and gravity. Well, the facts are that Newtonian gravity is a...

in public schools is a decision that would benefit from a little history of education itself. What was the purpose of a public education at its inception and what is/should be the purpose today?
Firstly, there is no federal ban on the mention of a gods or religions in a public classroom. This misconception stems from a socially adopted course of etiquette in which it is considered rude to discuss religion or politics. The unintended consequences of which led to contentious law suits and hurt feelings as citizens and neighbors discovered that we were not all alike after all.
It is always unwise to proceed as if you are in the majority in every instance - ignoring what your rules and beliefs produce as they are imposed on other...

Sure glad you wrote this article. Now everyone knows that if you are ever incapacitated and can't communicate your wishes, we have some way to gauge what your health care wishes might be. Your choice and your wife's choice are similar to my husband's and mine. That's why we both have a Living Will and a Last Will. Imagine how disappointed your wife would be if doctors extended her life mechanically and for extended periods in spite of her uncommunicated wishes. Imagine how costly it would be to assume that everyone wanted to rage against the dying light. Ignorance and disregard of a persons end care wishes are part of the pressure on health care costs. To avoid being sued, and sometimes for the extra money, doctors and hospitals used to...

You have misrepresented me but you are easily forgiven. The thread comments are getting very lengthy.
The only point that I have made is that herd mentality is what will destroy our country. From my very first comment, I made the point that it is foolish to point fingers and imply that some major portion of our countrymen are evil, or stupid, or irresponsible. It doesn't help and it doesn't make sense. If we can be proud of our country, then we must be proud of our countrymen.

May I give you an example?
Another commenter said to me that welfare spending is not in the constitution but military spending is. When I quoted the preamble and asked him to compare what it says to reality, rather than concede that neither our...

Thank you for the compliment and for your thoughts. I have to ask, what argument you believe I am making that lacks historical support?
And to with what were you disagreeing?

I agree! This same sentiment applies to corporations however. Someone else mentioned the bailout of the airlines after 9-11 - a good example. They are scrambling to the bottom to dump their employee pensions on the Federal government program at pennies on the dollar.
Same thing with bank bailouts.

Why does it matter? Because the men that framed and ratified the constitution are the same men that fought for independence and then fought for a centralized government.
Think about how the military evolved if you have any doubts that our ideals shift over time. Would you say that a well armed militia meant something different in the war for independence than it did when we invaded Guatemala, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, etc...?
"...in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, ".
If you could justify the type of military and police action we employ today under the...