Fossil find hardly "missing link"

The Idaho Affiliate of the American Family Association

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Bryan Fischer, Executive Director

“MISSING LINK” FOSSIL SIMPLY ILLUSTRATES THE FOSSIL PROBLEM FOR EVOLUTION

Scientists have unveiled what they claim is a 47-million-year-old missing link fossil in the mythical chain of evolution.

Not to worry. Honest media accounts use words such as “may” or “might” or “could,” reminding alert readers of the utterly speculative nature of all such “missing link” discoveries.

The fact that scientists are ga-ga over this single find, and slobbering over the possibility that they may have found a single missing link, tells you all you need to know. Transitional forms – of which there should literally be millions and millions – are depressingly rare for Darwinians, and even the supposed links

represent conjectures rather than anything resembling proof.

As Stephen Jay Gould, the leading paleontologist in the world at the time of his death, said, the utter absence of transitional forms is “the trade secret of paleontology.” In other words, scientists know that links are missing exactly where they ought to be found, but they don’t want you and me, the great unwashed, to know it. Otherwise, we might not believe their utterly bankrupt theory.

Evolutionary biologist Henry Gee reminds us that, “No fossil is buried with its birth certificate.” He goes on to say that that simple fact, coupled with the “scarcity of fossils, means that it is effectively impossible to link fossils into chains of cause and effect in any valid way.”

In other words, an honest scientist will tell you that a link between any two fossils in the record is a work of imagination and guesswork rather than anything resembling solid science.

Gee adds, “To take a line of fossils and claim that they represent a lineage is not a scientific hypothesis that can be tested, but an assertion that carries the same validity as a bedtime story – amusing, perhaps even instructive, but not scientific.”

The operative phrase here is “bedtime story.”

Even ardent evolutionists, if you read their comments carefully, frankly admit there is a dearth of anything that even they can claim as a transitional form.

Note what Professor Jorn Hurum, of Norway’s National History Museum, and the scientist who introduced this find to the world, said while introducing this latest fossil find: “It’s part of our evolution that’s been hidden so far, it’s been hidden because all the other specimens are so incomplete. They are so broken there’s almost nothing to study and now this wonderful fossil appears and it makes the story so much easier to tell, so it’s really a dream come true.” (emphasis mine)

The operative word here, Prof. Hurum, is “dream.” The link is entirely in your head.

Prof. Hurum correctly observed that when Darwin published On the Origin of Species in 1859, “he said a

lot about transitional species.”

What the good professor didn’t go on to say is exactly what it was that Darwin said. The founder of evolution had this to say about transitional forms: “[T]he number of intermediate and transitional links, between all living and extinct species, must have been inconceivably great.”

Darwin knew that the scarcity of transitional forms was potentially fatal for his theory. He assumed that the problem would be cleared up as more and more fossils were uncovered. Unfortunately, here we are 150 years later and, if anything, we have fewer transitional forms even than scientists used to think, as more and more supposed links are debunked.

This must make any intelligent, objective observer suspicious of the hyperventilating that occurs when scientists think they have found one – one! – missing link.

We’ll be happy to let obtuse Darwinist cling to their fairy tales, their bedtime stories, and their dreams. We’ll stick with hard science, thank you very much.

Sky News: Scientists Unveil Missing Link In Evolution

CONSERVATIVE SCORECARD NOW AVAILABLE

My good friend Adam Graham has done yeoman’s work in compiling a conservative scorecard for the 2009 Idaho legislature.

Adam has carefully compiled the actual voting record of Idaho legislators, both in the House and in the Senate, on matters of importance to pro-family conservatives in Idaho.

For instance, his House profile includes lawmakers’ votes on such things as the fetal death certificate bill,

an Idaho state sovereignty resolution, a gun rights bill, the conscience bill for pharmacists, and a six-cents-per gallon boost in the gas tax.

This is an absolute must-read for everyone who cares about public policy in Idaho. Be sure to look at the scorecard for your three legislators (two Representatives and one Senator).

In my district, District 16, one of my representatives graded out at a flat zero, while the other graded out at 29% and my senator graded out at 25%. Pro-family citizens in District 16 clearly have their work cut out for them to retake this piece of political turf.

The following members of the House scored a perfect 100% on this year’s scorecard: Speaker Lawerence Denney, Education Committee Chairman Bob Nonini, Dick Harwood, Marv Hagedorn, Pete Nielsen, Tom Loertscher, Janice McGeachin, and Erik Simpson.

On the Senate side, Monty Pearce and Dean Mortimer each received perfect marks, while GOP caucus leader Russ Fulcher, Shirley McKague, Melinda Smyser, and Steven Bair got an “A” for grading out at over 90%.

Many, many thanks to Adam for this invaluable work.

Idaho Conservative » 2009 Idaho Conservative Ratings

If you value the work of the IVA, please consider a donation today. Information on how to donate, including making a secure online donation, may be found here. Thank you!

BONUS BYTES

Disappointing news again on the Supreme Court front. Sen. Jeff Sessions, whom conservatives have

been counting on to lead the fight against an activist nominee to replace retiring David Souter, insists on surrendering before the first shot has been fired. Again yesterday he said that a nominee’s position on abortion, the ultimate moral and constitutional issue of our time, won’t be a “litmus test” for nominees. He said, “Could I support a pro-abortion nominee? The answer is yes.” Last week, Sessions told the president directly that he also could support a gay or lesbian nominee, a fatally naïve position to take when sanctity of marriage and family issues are sure to be prominent on the Supreme Court docket in coming years. (Newsmax.com - Sen. Sessions: Abortion Won't Be Litmus Test)

We’ve always believed that the best way to deal with the 12-20 million illegal aliens living in the U.S. is to deport them immediately after they come to the attention of law enforcement or government agencies. It’s impractical to round them all up, and if illegals know that breaking the law will result in an immediate one-way ticket home, they’ll have reason to behave themselves and stay off the public dole while here, just to escape detection and deportation. Kudos to Gov. Otter for seeking a faster deportation process for illegal aliens detained in Idaho’s prison system, correctly recognizing that it’s a foolish expenditure of taxpayer funds to put illegals through drug and alcohol treatment only to deport them when their time is up. According to Sen. Mike Jorgenson, who has been the leading voice in the Idaho legislature for sanity on immigration policy, says that there are 355 illegal aliens currently in Idaho’s prison system, costing Idaho families more than $7 million a year. (Idaho Press-Tribune: Otter seeks faster exit for foreign inmates)

Kudos to the Bush administration, which frequently used Bible verses on the first page of intelligence briefings for the president when he was in charge of prosecuting the war against Islamofascists. The second link below contains a slide show of the verses that were used on Iraq war memos. Naturally, the left is agog over this perilous breach of the mythical wall of separation between church and state, and in another sign that we now have a president who is not friendly toward the faith community, the practice has been stopped. (The Hill’s Blog Briefing Room » Rumsfeld used Bible verses on Iraq memos; GQ Articles, Pics, and More on men.style.com; Pentagon: No more Bible quotes in briefings - The Boston Globe)

Here’s a perfect example of the problem with using “sin” taxes to fund rehabilitation programs and to punish legal behavior that has become politically incorrect. I certainly have no brief for cigarette smoking, because its dangers (unlike that of pipe and cigar smoking) to human health are beyond dispute. But our politicos in all their wisdom have continued to raise taxes on tobacco, telling us that the plan is to use the increase revenue to fight smoking and fund cessation programs. But they are apparently oblivious to human nature. Make anything more expensive, and people will buy less of it. Obama raised the tobacco tax so high on April 1 that people have, well, tried to stop smoking, meaning that the revenue stream to government to fund programs is drying up. Idaho’s Nicotine Replacement Therapy program is completely out of money, and has had to shut down until more funds become available on July 1. Obama plans to fund increased health care coverage under the SCHIP program using cigarette taxes, but he has to count on an additional 22 million Americans developing a smoking habit if he has any hopes of paying for the program that way. It’s hard to find a public policy more irrational than that. (Idaho Press-Tribune: Smoking cessation program runs out of money)

As a result of the president’s utterly misguided and statist takeover of the auto industry, unions will

soon own 55% of Chrysler. The union, naturally, would rather give its workers a full $1 dollar an hour raise than have them settle for just 55 cents in dividends. Good luck for owners of Chrysler stock. The last union to take over a major company – United Airlines – bankrupted the company in less than two years. Smart money will flee Chrysler in droves. And Obama’s ridiculous increase in fuel efficiency standards will add a minimum of $1,300 to the cost of producing small cars, which are already money-losers for American automakers. The $1300 figure is Obama’s own number, and many experts believe it’s way low. It’s likely that taxpayers will be forced to honk up $5000 to $7000 rebate checks to bribe our fellow taxpayers into buying hybrids and plug-ins. The auto industry is toast in America. (Jenkins: Obama at the Auto Buffet - WSJ.com; Car Crazy - WSJ.com)

The Obama administration continues to blame the Bush administration for all its woes, talking endlessly about what it has “inherited.” Yet Kevin Hassett of the American Enterprise Institute observes that if Democrats simply keep spending at Bush-era levels, and revenue is the same as currently forecast, the federal budget would show a $70 billion surplus by 2019. Says he, “[I]t is a pure, flat-out, bald-faced and shameless misstatement to claim that the budget outlook is an inherited problem. The mess is largely attributable to the Democrats’ own policies.” (Inside Politics - Washington Times)

BONUS TWEETS

If Dems just kept spending at Bush levels, and revenues stayed the same, the budget would show surplus in 2019. http://tinyurl.com/pu6mqb about 11 hours ago from web

In 2008, under Bush, US spent $786 mill on sex ed, just $177 mill - 23 cents of every dollar - on abstinence ed. http://tinyurl.com/qqbrs2 about 11 hours ago from web

Non-partisan CBO says Obama's CO2 bill will be marked as either a giant tax increase or massive expansion of govt. http://tinyurl.com/r26mc3 about 11 hours ago from web

CIA privately admits new Obama restrictions on interrogations make their job harder. Consequence? US is less safe. http://tinyurl.com/r9mkn3 about 16 hours ago from web

Almost hard to believe: Obama cracking down on illegal immigrants who commit crimes in U.S. Where's the compassion?http://tinyurl.com/qe4uux about 16 hours ago from web

Obama requiring lighter, more dangerous cars. Lighter cars = more highway deaths. More deaths on roads than Iraq. http://tinyurl.com/p9rr4c about 16 hours ago from web

Obama's fuel efficiency plan will cost you an extra $1300 per car - for an auto you don't want to buy anyway. http://tinyurl.com/rcypy6 about 16 hours ago from web

27% of prospective teachers in Massachusetts failed the elementary math test. Wow. http://tinyurl.com/q7hrwr about 16 hours ago from web

Watching last episode of "24" - in climax, Jack makes peace with Allah instead of with God. Gag me.7:48 PM May 18th from web

Get ready for Jihad U. Musims scholars opening Muslim college so "(we) can perpetuate our values." Goody. http://tinyurl.com/qp46wb 6:11 AM May 18th from web

RNC Chair Steele opposes resolution to rename Dems "socialist" party, but calls their policies "socialist" himself.http://tinyurl.com/oabs5q 5:54 AM May 18th from web

Social Security Admin. confesses sending $250 checks to 10,000 dead people. Says in too big a hurry to be accurate.http://tinyurl.com/oabs5q 5:51 AM May 18th from web

GOP base fighting back over Senatorial Committee endorsement of moderate Charlie Crist in Florida. Good for them. http://tinyurl.com/qwgrzh 5:48 AM May 18th from web

Chrysler will be run by unions, GM by US government. Advantage: Ford, which hasn't taken a dime in bailout bucks. http://tinyurl.com/ogm3u9 5:41 AM May 18th from web

Pakistan spending our money to boost its nuclear arsenal just as Taliban threatens to take over. http://tinyurl.com/p3mo3r 5:39 AM May 18th from web

New bill to keep guns out of hands of "terrorists." But what if DHS says pro-life Christians qualify? http://tinyurl.com/qogeyn 5:37 AM May 18th from web

Your tax dollars at work: US will spend $117,000 studying use of "party drugs" in Brazil to understand "raves." http://tinyurl.com/q47tt9 5:35 AM May 18th from web

GOP Sen. Graham: "unrepentant terrorists" should get day in court. Nope: war detainees can be held indefinitely. http://tinyurl.com/ojjwwa 5:32 AM May 18th from web

Obama at Notre Dame: pro-life, pro-abortion views "are irreconcilable." He's right. It's binary, like slavery. http://tinyurl.com/omkvjk 5:25 AM May 18th from web

New Census director says won't use "sampling" to boost minority count, reapportion districts. Trust by verify. http://tinyurl.com/q3xel8 5:20 AM May 18th from web

Member of Obama's faith-based council (!) says US must move beyond "heteronormative" view of fatherhood. No thanks.http://tinyurl.com/pw36cq 5:16 AM May 18th from web

Bad news for Obama: hard left beginning to turn on him hard. Daily Kos: "The honeymoon is over." http://tinyurl.com/o8s7v6 8:27 AM May 17th from web

Obama to speak at mosque which has issued fatwas: against internet, women wearing pants, pigs descended from Jews. http://tinyurl.com/o6wr6h 7:10 AM May 16th from web

Obama's health care plan will force you and me to pay heatlh care costs for families making $88,000 a year. http://tinyurl.com/q99je3 8:25 PM May 15th from web

Obama says health industry leaders promised to reduce costs 1.5% a year. Health industry leaders: did not. http://tinyurl.com/r2zf2g 8:22 PM May 15th from web

Holder: We "will do our best" to keep Gitmo terrorists from being released into U.S. - as if somebody else's call. http://tinyurl.com/pfsxjp 6:36 AM May 15th from web

Iraq far less safe for Christians than when we invaded. Why would we want to build a nation like that? http://tinyurl.com/r422wd 5:30 AM May 15th from web

Dems want to spend $500 million to brainwash elementary students in environmentalism.http://tinyurl.com/qhqz8h 5:28 AM May 15th from web

By 60%--26%, Americans think next SC Justice should interpret Constitution according to Founders instead of PC. http://tinyurl.com/p7q9dw 5:24 AM May 15th from web

Our tax dollars at work: Obama to spend $2.6 million to encourage Chinese prostitutes to drink less booze. http://tinyurl.com/ppehyu 5:21 AM May 15th from web

ND degree for Obama says he is "inspiring nation to heal its divisions." Pro-lifers say how exactly? http://tinyurl.com/pmwhuz 5:18 AM May 15th from web

Holder vows not to release Gitmo terrorists into U.S. Okay, where you going to put them? Has no idea. http://tinyurl.com/rd8clv 5:13 AM May 15th from web

Pelosi now falsely claiming was "powerless" to do anything about enhanced interrogation. Her 4th story. What next? http://tinyurl.com/qdtdr4 5:06 AM May 15th from web

4 Americans found beaten, stabbed to death in Tijuana. Border security anyone? http://tinyurl.com/pn7cdx 5:00 AM May 15th from web

Good for Twin Falls Times-News: correctly calling a transgender murder suspect "he," refusing to capitulate to PC.http://tinyurl.com/psneca 4:55 AM May 15th from web