I like the map of incomprehensibility, but I want to know: What do Klingons refer to when they want to express "It's Greek to me"?

And: The Dead have shut the way.

Jindal's point-- even grudgingly recognized by the blogger-- wasn't that research on volcanoes wasn't a valid topic, or useful, but just that in this particular bill, at this particular moment in history, do we want our government spending $120 million dollars in research on volcanic activity?

Whether Jindal is unscientific or not, I don't know; I do know that taking his argument out of context is a bit dishonest.

Personally, I'd rather see this money go to the space program. We know that developing the space program develops new technology, which can help bolster the economy; there's a historical correlation there that I don't think exists for geological research.

Speaking as someone who lives at ground zero of several potential tectonic events (including three different possible volcanic eruptions), I don't think spending money on volcano research is misplaced, any more than a Kansan thinks spending money on tornado research is misplaced. More to the point, this kind of wink-nudge anti-intellectualism, usually practiced by pundits and politicians who know better in order to appeal to voters who apparently do not, is core to what has gone so metastatically wrong with the GOP.

Jindal supports creationism being taught in the schools. People keep saying he's smart, but I see no evidence of that.

Does he also think the weather bouys in the Gulf are a waste? I mean, they can help predict the size, direction and strength of hurricanes...

More to the point, this kind of wink-nudge anti-intellectualism, usually practiced by pundits and politicians who know better in order to appeal to voters who apparently do not, is core to what has gone so metastatically wrong with the GOP.

I don't see the 'wink-nudge anti-intellectualism' any more than I see the same thing in Democratic criticism of the space program, or in their criticism of defense spending. Jindal may be anti-intellectual; I don't think the proof is inherent in his statement here. Furthermore, criticising him as anti-intellectual for this statement is a departure from the pertinent discussion; it's taking his argument out of context and demonstrates bad faith.

It's an apparently reflexive action that supporters of the Democratic party have been using extensively lately. Much like the Republicans use the term "atheist."

I don't think spending money on volcano research is misplaced, any more than a Kansan thinks spending money on tornado research is misplaced.

In a bill that supposedly is designed to create jobs and stabilize/grow the economy, I think a good argument can be made that there are BETTER things to designate funding for (like the space program). Keep the purpose of the bill in mind-- too often, our elected officials forget.

O hay, I mentioned you in a recent families.com health article... was writing about blogging your health, and of course you came to mind. (Another fam.com writer is using facebook to blog her cancer story, so it seemed a timely topic.) :)

Thanks!