# Attack ads "accuse" politician of believing in evolution **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 15, 2010, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-ads-accuse-politician-of-believing-in-evolution/539517 "2010-05-15T05:14:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-ads-accuse-politician-of-believing-in-evolution/539517/21 "2010-05-15T16:33:06Z")
> [@Lord\_Ashtar](#): > > Right, because everyone south of the Mason-Dixon line is an ignorant rube. > > :rolleyes: Apparently the politicians down there think so. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-ads-accuse-politician-of-believing-in-evolution/539517/22 "2010-05-15T17:00:10Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > Exactly, the elected officials are just statistical outliers! > > -Joe Well, in fairness, neither of these idiots has actually been elected yet. They’re fighting over the Republican nomination. Make of that what you will. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-ads-accuse-politician-of-believing-in-evolution/539517/23 "2010-05-15T18:20:17Z")
> [@RNATB](#): > > Well, in fairness, neither of these idiots has actually been elected yet. They’re fighting over the Republican nomination. Make of that what you will. > [@](#): > > The race is tight. Byrne had been leading the crowded GOP primary field, but the Press-Register reported last week that it obtained an internal James campaign poll showing James jumping ahead of both Byrne and former Judge Roy Moore in the primary race. [Roy Moore](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Moore), you may recall, is the notorious Alabama ex-judge who refused to order the removal of a Ten Commandments monument from the courthouse even when it was repeatedly ruled unconstitutional, and was finally removed from his post by the Alabama Court of the Judiciary for violating judicial ethics. > [@](#): > > A poll released Thursday by Public Strategy Associates, a local firm, showed Byrne leading James by 1 point – 24 percent to 23 percent, with Moore at 18 percent > […] > > [G]eneral election match-ups have shown the Republican candidates ahead in November. So the leading candidates for the governorship of Alabama are the guy trying to repudiate the accusation of believing in evolution, the guy whom nobody would even accuse of believing in evolution, and the activist pro-theocracy disgraced judge. And at present, it’s looking like one of them will win. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-ads-accuse-politician-of-believing-in-evolution/539517/24 "2010-05-15T18:41:09Z")
> [@coffeecat](#): > > My faith is so important to me that God has given me the gift of prophesy: > > “My grampa’s so old he remembers when the United States wasn’t an insignificant, third-world country.” > “Yeah, but we’re the _best_ insignificant, third-world country! Lick our dust, Nauru! **USA! USA! USA!** ” America! Fucked, YEAH! ---
**Author:** ![Rex\_Goliath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bcef8e/32.png) [@Rex\_Goliath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rex_Goliath)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-ads-accuse-politician-of-believing-in-evolution/539517/25 "2010-05-15T18:43:59Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > And at present, it’s looking like one of them will win. Don’t forget the dark horse candidate, Tim James, who is gaining momentum with his ads complaining that we offer the driver’s exam in multiple languages. It’s a sad time to live in Alabama. Alabama! Fuck yeehaw! ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-ads-accuse-politician-of-believing-in-evolution/539517/26 "2010-05-15T19:02:34Z")
Well, I heard Mr Young sing about her. I heard old Neil put her down. I guess he was right. ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-ads-accuse-politician-of-believing-in-evolution/539517/27 "2010-05-15T19:03:35Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > and their schools that teach the Baby Jesus created the universe in seven days. Six. The seventh day was reserved for NASCAR. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-ads-accuse-politician-of-believing-in-evolution/539517/28 "2010-05-15T19:27:28Z")
The point is that prejudice is shitty, even if you’re right. The second you gloat about how enlightened one group of people is versus another, you’ve already admitted to being a bigot. Don’t get me wrong: it’s not like you guys are guilty of it yet. But this is the reason why people get offended. The second you say “All Alabamans are stupid”, you’ve become a shitty person. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-ads-accuse-politician-of-believing-in-evolution/539517/29 "2010-05-15T19:29:17Z")
> [@DanBlather](#): > > It only takes a majority. And if you don’t think there is one, look at who you elect to represent you. True… though by this standard residents of _most_ states don’t have much to brag on. Any of yew Yankees want to stand up and say you’re _proud_ of your current governor/senators/reps? (I know there’s a few who can.) > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Well, I heard Mr Young sing about her. I heard old Neil put her down. I guess he was right. You do know that Neil loves “Sweet Home,” and [Ronnie](http://images.wolfgangsvault.com/images/catalog/detail/OCS770702-03-FP.jpg) (and the band) and [Neil](http://www.thrasherswheat.org/gifs2/neil-young-lynyrd-skynyrd-t-shirt.jpg) were big fans of each other? ---
**Author:** ![Nancarrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c37758/32.png) [@Nancarrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nancarrow)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-ads-accuse-politician-of-believing-in-evolution/539517/30 "2010-05-15T20:27:39Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > The point is that prejudice is shitty, even if you’re right. The second you gloat about how enlightened one group of people is versus another, you’ve already admitted to being a bigot. > > Don’t get me wrong: it’s not like you guys are guilty of it yet. But this is the reason why people get offended. The second you say “All Alabamans are stupid”, you’ve become a shitty person. Quite right. Stories like these only support the conclusion that _most_ Alabamans are stupid. ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-ads-accuse-politician-of-believing-in-evolution/539517/31 "2010-05-15T21:10:36Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > Any of yew Yankees want to stand up and say you’re _proud_ of your current governor/senators/reps? My Senators are Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkeley. Wyden rocks. He has proposed some \*real \*health care reform and is tough on the financial industry. He also believes in evolution. ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-ads-accuse-politician-of-believing-in-evolution/539517/32 "2010-05-15T21:14:21Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > The point is that prejudice is shitty, even if you’re right. The second you gloat about how enlightened one group of people is versus another, you’ve already admitted to being a bigot. > > Don’t get me wrong: it’s not like you guys are guilty of it yet. But this is the reason why people get offended. The second you say “All Alabamans are stupid”, you’ve become a shitty person. That’s absurd. If a state elects knuckle dragging, Neanderthals over and over it’s not _pre_judice to say they suck, it’s _post_judice. They are being judged on their actions. Do you think we should grade on a curve for people south of the Mason Dixon line? ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-ads-accuse-politician-of-believing-in-evolution/539517/33 "2010-05-15T21:21:03Z")
> [@DanBlather](#): > > That’s absurd. If a state elects knuckle dragging, Neanderthals over and over it’s not _pre_judice to say they suck, it’s _post_judice. They are being judged on their actions. Do you think we should grade on a curve for people south of the Mason Dixon line? I’m on your side in this argument, but I don’t think that this is good logic. If 51% of people vote for Mr Dumbass and 49% vote for Mr Not So Dumbass you can’t claim that the vast majority share Mr Dumbass’ beliefs, yet it would be Mr Dumbass who represents the entire group of them. That being said, it seems that the south really is a bastion for ignorance in this country and it’s likely that far more than 51% of the people in the south agree with much of what these shitbirds are saying. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-ads-accuse-politician-of-believing-in-evolution/539517/34 "2010-05-15T21:26:32Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > True… though by this standard residents of _most_ states don’t have much to brag on. Any of yew Yankees want to stand up and say you’re _proud_ of your current governor/senators/reps? (I know there’s a few who can.) > > You do know that Neil loves “Sweet Home,” and [Ronnie](http://images.wolfgangsvault.com/images/catalog/detail/OCS770702-03-FP.jpg) (and the band) and [Neil](http://www.thrasherswheat.org/gifs2/neil-young-lynyrd-skynyrd-t-shirt.jpg) were big fans of each other? Actually, yeah. I did know that. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-ads-accuse-politician-of-believing-in-evolution/539517/35 "2010-05-15T21:37:12Z")
Well, then, young man, see to it that you don’t _stop_ knowing it! ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-ads-accuse-politician-of-believing-in-evolution/539517/36 "2010-05-15T21:46:33Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > The point is that prejudice is shitty, even if you’re right. The second you gloat about how enlightened one group of people is versus another, you’ve already admitted to being a bigot. It’s the politicians in this case that are really demonstrating that prejudice. They are assuming that most Alabama voters – or at least Alabama Republicans – would have a problem with evolution. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-ads-accuse-politician-of-believing-in-evolution/539517/37 "2010-05-15T22:00:17Z")
> [@DanBlather](#): > > Wyden rocks. Well, he supported SA 2516 (perpetuating Gitmo), and wants to continue preferential tax rates on capital gains income. But, I grant, I’d take him over most of 'em. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-ads-accuse-politician-of-believing-in-evolution/539517/38 "2010-05-15T22:01:22Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > I’m on your side in this argument, but I don’t think that this is good logic. If 51% of people vote for Mr Dumbass and 49% vote for Mr Not So Dumbass you can’t claim that the vast majority share Mr Dumbass’ beliefs, yet it would be Mr Dumbass who represents the entire group of them. If dumbassitude were a minority or a mere razor-thin majority, politicians would cater to dumbasses in plausibly-deniable code language in order to minimize the risk of losing the non-dumbass vote. That is not the case here. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-ads-accuse-politician-of-believing-in-evolution/539517/39 "2010-05-15T22:20:30Z")
I think it’s probably a good time to point out that to many conservatives the worst conservative is better than the best liberal. Many of these guys get elected not because their electorate is in lock-step agreement with everything they think or say but because they are perceived as being the most determined in opposing liberal politics. ---
**Author:** ![Creole\_Tomato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a4c791/32.png) [@Creole\_Tomato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Creole_Tomato)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-ads-accuse-politician-of-believing-in-evolution/539517/40 "2010-05-15T22:45:36Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > The point is that prejudice is shitty, even if you’re right. The second you gloat about how enlightened one group of people is versus another, you’ve already admitted to being a bigot. > > Don’t get me wrong: it’s not like you guys are guilty of it yet. But this is the reason why people get offended. The second you say “All Alabamans are stupid”, you’ve become a shitty person. However, the second you say “All Alabama _fans_ are stupid,” I love you. 😉 Look, the Bible belt is a frightening place, no doubt about it. But there are more people than you think who elect to stay there and work for progress. Change is slow, but the South has come a long way. In south Louisiana, we don’t consider ourselves part of that Bible belt (since the majority of us are hard-drinking Catholic crustacean suckers) but we’re not short on ignorance, we know. There is work to do. I’m horrified by politicians like this; they represent the worst aspects of the South. But it’s a lot easier for progressives to sit in blue states and hurl insults, than it is for us progressives in red states to live here and work for change, no matter how slow. In fact, when you stand on your side of the country and say things like “southerners are stupid,” it makes our task more difficult, because the response of most people when they feel they are being mocked and derided is to defend and isolate themselves against those who feel superior. Alabama has a long way to go. So does Mississippi, Louisiana, California, Arizona, Florida, Ohio, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois… (see where I’m going with this?) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-ads-accuse-politician-of-believing-in-evolution/539517.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-ads-accuse-politician-of-believing-in-evolution/539517.md?page=3)