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Sarah Palin Says 'Bill Nye Is As Much A Scientist As I Am' (cnn.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the who's-the-better-scientist dept.

ClickOnThis quotes a report from CNN: Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin mocked Bill Nye on Thursday, using the premier of a film that criticizes climate change scientists to call into question Nye's credentials. "Bill Nye is as much a scientist as I am," the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee said, according to The Hill. "He's a kids' show actor, he's not a scientist." Palin, who was speaking at the Washington premiere of the anti-climate change film "Climate Hustle," targeted Nye during a rant against the "alarmism" of climate change activists. Palin urged parents to teach their children to "ask those questions and not just believe what Bill Nye the Science Guy is trying to tell them" about climate change. Just because Bill Nye may be best known for his role in the popular educational TV series "Bill Nye the Science Guy," doesn't mean he isn't a scientist. In fact, he graduated from Cornell University's School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering. From Wikipedia: In the early 2000s, Nye assisted in the development of a small sundial that was included in the Mars Exploration Rover missions. He holds several U.S. patents, including one for ballet pointe shoes and another for an educational magnifying glass created by filling a clear plastic bag with water.

12 of 634 comments (clear)

  1. we're all scientists by turkeydance · · Score: 4, Funny

    we're all equal, right?

    1. Re:we're all scientists by TsuruchiBrian · · Score: 1, Funny

      You don't need a degree, research budget and to be published to be a scientist.

      That's true, but you still need to be doing actual science rather than just science-like things.

      Is re-enacting a famous experiment on television for kids doing real science? I don't think that it's impossible to provide the same level of scientific of rigor just because an experiment is on TV and for kids, but I am just pretty sure that it isn't. The TV shows are giving kids the gist of what science is.

      Does Bill Nye use "scientific thinking" in his daily life? Yeah, probably. I think we all do to varying degrees. He was an engineer. I don't think you can escape "scientific thinking" if you are an engineer (e.g. designing things, and testing them).>/p>

      But I'm sure Sarah Palin also "thinks scientifically" occasionally just by virtue of possessing a human brain.

      Where do we draw the line between "real science" and "science-like things". I would draw it above whatever it is that Bill Nye does.

      That doesn't mean that Bill Nye doesn't know a lot more about science than Sarah Palin. It doesn't mean that Bill Nye isn't more qualified to talk about science. Sarah Palin is right (in my mind) that neither of them are scientists, but she is wrong that this implies that they are equally authoritative about science, because Sarah Palin is an idiot.

    2. Re:we're all scientists by PopeRatzo · · Score: 4, Funny

      But I'm sure Sarah Palin also "thinks scientifically" occasionally just by virtue of possessing a human brain.

      Citation needed.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    3. Re:we're all scientists by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 3, Funny

      But I'm right.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
  2. If Sarah Palin had any less brain activity by JustAnotherOldGuy · · Score: 5, Funny

    If Sarah Palin had any less brain activity we could legally harvest her organs.

    --
    Just cruising through this digital world at 33 1/3 rpm...
  3. Palin into insignificance by Blue+Stone · · Score: 5, Funny

    I don't think anyone's not a scientist as much as Sarah Palin's not one.

    --
    Corporation, n. An ingenious device for obtaining individual profit without individual responsibility. - Ambrose Bierce
    1. Re:Palin into insignificance by taustin · · Score: 5, Funny

      Then you're not familiar with Diane Feinstein's legislative record?

  4. You all are misunderstanding her intention here by guises · · Score: 5, Funny

    The full quote: "Bill Nye is as much a scientist as I am, and I know all about the weather and stuff. You know how much weather we get in Alaska? Tons. Most every day there's some kinda weather, the wind's blowin' or the rain's rainin'... Shoot, I can see all of that from my house sometimes. I'm an expert."

  5. Re:She isn't half the scientist that he is by Khyber · · Score: 5, Funny

    You can't call her a cunt, she lacks both the depth and warmth.

    --
    Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
  6. Sarah Palin screws up facts. That's news for who? by Dr.+Spork · · Score: 4, Funny

    Congratulations, you've caught Sarah Palin saying something false and dumb. With that kinds of investigative gumption, you may also get the scoop on developing stories like "Local Bear Shits in Woods". Keep the "news" coming!

  7. Hmm by fluffernutter · · Score: 5, Funny

    So, say theoretically I could pick the science teacher for my kids' school. The science teacher can be:

    A) Bill Nye Science Guy, or
    B) Sarah Palin.

    Hmmm.. which to pick, which to pick....

    --
    Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
  8. Re:Key diff by geekprime · · Score: 1, Funny

    I don't think she reads anything, at all. That book lernin is just a tool of the devil anyways dontcha know