Maria Cantwell has not been shy about taking inconistent positions in politics or policy as of late. Now there is more.
Cantwell recently told the Stranger, she "'believes that intelligent design has no place in the science curriculum of our public schools.'" Ok. Could she then please explain why she joined 90 other Senators in voting for this amendment from Senator Santorum? The text of that amendement reads:
It is the sense of the Senate that--
(1) good science education should prepare students to distinguish the data or testable theories of science from philosophical or religious claims that are made in the name of science; and
(2) where biological evolution is taught, the curriculum should help students to understand why this subject generates so much continuing controversy, and should prepare the students to be informed participants in public discussions regarding the subject.
Call me crazy, but the intent of that amendment is pretty clear in supporting the discussion of all available theories, though it obviously allows evolution to be the dominant focus of instruction. Whether intelligent design is correct or not it certainly seems to fit the intent of the amendment to explain intelligent design at the same time the theory of evolution is taught so students have a more complete understanding of competing theories.
So, which is it Senator Cantwell?
UPDATE: Stranger link added.
It's over. WA is a blue state, as blue as MA. Once in a while a Repub may win the Governorship (like Romney) as long as that Repub is a moderate and the Democrats run a real loser. But, the Senate seats are going to be Maria's and Patty's until at least 2020.
You know it is the truth I speak.
Posted by: Truth_teller on August 11, 2006 07:35 AM-sidebar
If you think Washington is in any way like Massachusetts, you are without a clue. It wasn't that long ago that 60 of the state's 98 representatives were Republicans. The demographics haven't changed that much. Get outside of King, parts of Pierce and Snohomish counties and you'll find a lot of 'red' voters.
-end sidebar
Care to explain why "Senator 2020" - who's already been thrown out of office once in this state - voted one way and now claims the opposite?
Posted by: jimg on August 11, 2006 07:48 AMIf you're so smart - why do you think that 'a lot' is one word??
I guess prophets don't use spell check, huh?
Posted by: Larry on August 11, 2006 08:03 AMMike's position seems to be... continue with the same Iraq policy we have been engaged in over the past four years.
Mike McGavick:
"U.S. forces should come home from Iraq when the job is finished. Setting a politically driven timetable for troop withdrawal gives the advantage to America’s terrorist enemies"
http://www.mikemcgavick.com/war.asp
Maria's position (at least today) seems to be, get out as quickly as possible. No ideas on how to deal with the radical Islamists, but then again, Mike really doesn't address that issue either.
Maria Cantwell:
"Maria strongly opposes the establishment of permanent military bases in Iraq. She believes that 2006 must be a year of transition, when we bring more of our troops home and work to achieve stability through greater international cooperation."
http://www.cantwell.com/issues/nationalsecurity/
Frankly, I don't like either candidate, but I'll vote for whatever candidate seems likely to do the least damage.... TBD
Posted by: Splinter on August 11, 2006 08:15 AMSo we can then take it that she has no beliefs in which she stands for since she'll just say what she has to to get your vote? I believe the word for that is lier.
I wouldn't vote for her because I don't believe her and I don't think she's doing what is best for not only WA but the entire US.
I just wonder how many more fiascos this state must suffer through before the electorate recognizes that they've been voting in morons. Given the resilience of Washington State (coupled with the invincible ignorance of its voters), I'd say it's gonna take a while yet...
Posted by: Insane People for Can't.vote.well on August 11, 2006 08:21 AMThere are several opportunities and threads to talk about the candidates' positions on the Iraq war. Care to address the subject of this post?
Posted by: jimg on August 11, 2006 08:26 AMThat's one of biggest grips about pols. Different messages for different audiences.
A person with well formed core beliefs will not change message to suit the audience. Someone in the US Senate is a a leadership position. They should be selling the audience on the validity and superiority of their ideas.
Changing message to the audiences preferences is indicative of a vacuous person, one who has no business being in the Senate.
Posted by: JCM on August 11, 2006 08:30 AMThings are changing daily. I just hope that WA voters and voters across this country understand that Iraq is just a battle in a larger war. We cannot afford to loose!
Posted by: billb on August 11, 2006 08:33 AMIt seemed like the thread had already moved onto the electability of Cantwell, or the blueness of Washington... but if you insist.
I don't see where the problem is with the text of the Amendment honestly. I have always been against teaching ID as a science, but that isn't what this Amendment appears to do. In a nut shell, it appers to say that students should be taught to distinguish between science and philosoply, and that the subject of "evolution" is a controversial subject. So what?
Posted by: Splinter on August 11, 2006 08:36 AMStudents SHOULD be taught to distinguish scientific from religious claims, as no 1 states.
And students SHOULD understand why evolution is controversial, and be prepared to intelligently participate in the debate as no 2 states.
The amendment doesn't say that students should be taught junk instead of science, or "alternative" theories.
One of us is crazy, I suppose, but as I read it nowhere does this seem to remotely encourage teaching ID.
If you've got to reach this far to make Cantwell a hypocrite, it's gonna be a long three months for ya.
Posted by: Confused on August 11, 2006 08:41 AMhttp://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:SN00001:@@@D&summ2=m&
The bill is huge, and reauthorizes a bunch of programs Cantwell probably likes. It's such garbage when these amendment are tacked on, and then some dishonest political hack blogger tries to pretend that the senator separately approved some philosophical statement.
You people have no shame or honor, none of you.
Posted by: Confused on August 11, 2006 08:46 AMPersonal attacks aside, I'd just like to know where Cantwell really stands. I think we all know what happens to bills in congress.
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on August 11, 2006 09:24 AMMy understanding is that she is against teaching ID as an alternative theory to evolution in science class.
Honestly, I do not see where this amendment does that or why she should be opposed to it. Am I missing something?
Posted by: Splinter on August 11, 2006 09:30 AMEvolution is not controversial anywhere in science.
But since you already know your are confused, I was just trying to help
Posted by: who knows on August 11, 2006 10:16 AM1. Evolution is testable by data, intelligent design is just a philosophy and is not science.
2. Evolution generates controversy because some people are just irrational.
I wonder why Sen. Santorum would sign on to this - unless there's some sort of secret code in the wording.
If I were Mr. McGavick I would not want Intelligent Design to become a campaign issue. I suspect his personal beliefs conflict with what he has to say to fire up the Republican base.
Posted by: Sstarr on August 11, 2006 10:26 AMEither one believes in evolution or in intelligent design (which is simply a repackaging of creationism.) Fine. Some people are secular and some are of faith.
But for Cantwell, ever the multiculturalist, diversity steeped leftist, simple stances become impossible conundrums. Every issue must be approached with careful triangulation and awareness of one's audience, etc.
Posted by: Jeff B. on August 11, 2006 10:49 AMCan you please show me exactly where in the amendment that ID is mentioned?
Good lord you people are REALLY stretching here trying to make this thing an issue. There is a lot of ammunition out there to attack Cantwell with, but this isn't one of them.
I completely disagree with teaching ID as a "science", yet I completely agree with everything this Amendment says. How is that being "subjective" or using "careful triangulation" at all?
Posted by: Splinter on August 11, 2006 10:58 AM