The theocratic concept of "Intelligent Design" - particularly in terms of
the religious & political right in this country - is strongly affiliated
with an agenda to integrate the evangelical right wing of the Christian
Church with the operations of State.
Doctor and Republican U.S. Senator Frist - who is also the majority leader
in the Senate - just came out in favor of teaching "Intelligent Design" in
the science curriculum of U.S.A. Schools. The Senator - and I assume he was
using the faith based principles of "Intelligent Design" - used a video tape
of Terry Shiavo to determine that she could come out of her coma and regain
her faculties. (Post-mortem analysis confirmed that she was brain dead). Dr.
Frist wants to be the next President of the USA.
The "Intelligent Design" folks are also strict constitutionalists when it
comes to interpreting the law. In other words, very much like the Bible,
they see the language of original constitution as cast in stone - no
evolution (i.e. No "judicial activism" will be permitted) - i.e., no end to
slavery, segregation, to women's rights, no etc., etc.)
Yes, these folks - the Bush world - are committed to a Neanderthal vision in
which history does not budge from some idealized stationary moment in time -
one in which individual man rules his family, land and money. Government -
collective behavior of any sort - is suspicious to the core - etc., etc.
("Intelligent Design" only unfolds when it works in support of these a
priori principles.)
The "Intelligent Design" folks are conducting a mean and brutal charade.
That's why I find it lovely to see Cindy Sheehan - a practicing Catholic -
insist that President - "Mission Accomplished" come straight with "the
facts" on why he's put this country into Iraq at the mortal sacrifice of
folks like her son. If Bush & Co. do so, they would have to confess that
there was nothing "intelligent" about the original design, objectives and/
or operation and practice of this war. It was crackers - indeed criminal -
from day one.
Re Mark's suggestion of looking at the New York Times, I also suggest
reading Frank Rich's editorial piece - he's been terrific on these liars for
the last several weeks.
Enough of my fuming for the day. I am looking forward with delight to giving
a reading with Beverly Dahlen to night. The rest of the afternoon I am
working hard to put 'intelligent design' around what I am going to read!
Pray for me! Well, don't go that far. I am sure something will emerge by
looking closely at what - in the way of my poems - is there.
Stephen V
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