The only kernel of truth in that statement is that Nye is not specifically trained as a climate scientist. After all, there are a lot – well, a handful – of genuine scientists who are climate denialists who are not trained in climate science, and we don’t give their opinions undue weight simply because they are scientists.
However, in general, Palin is completely wrong. This is one area where we should listen to Nye more than Palin as an authority because Nye has a record of being correct about other things and Palin is droolingly stupid. Which isn’t to say that Nye can never be wrong, nor that we should rely on any base scientific studies performed by Bill Nye or Al Gore for that matter, but no one is saying we should.
Furthermore, Nye could be a scientist if he were simply trained in a specific area of study. Palin knows nothing of the scientific method and might not even have the ability to perform it.
You have no idea what courses he’s taken both in high school or other courses in college.
The fact is, he has a better science grounding than the empty head from Alaska.
Just because he’s not a “scientist”(which is not an actual title), doesn’t mean he can’t understand scientific writings.
Hell, I’ve read some of the climate change material and I understand it with nothing more than a high school education from 38-40 years ago.
Why would he need a climate science course? He’s not doing the research, you know. All he needs is the scientific rigor to recognize that the research done by others is valid.
Actually, he did cite the state AG who advised that the bill was unconstitutional, and he wrote in his veto letter “if we are recognizing the Bible as a sacred text, then we are violating the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Tennessee by designating it as the official state book.”
I don’t know exactly how the Dems voted, but there are so few of them in our legislature it almost doesn’t matter. The bill passed the state House 55-38 last year, but failed to pass in the Senate. This year, it squeaked by despite opposition from the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Senate Majority Leader.
So while it’s true that it’s pretty easy in theory to override the veto with a simple majority, it had a hard time getting through the Senate already. Although the sponsors have vowed to attempt an override next week I’m hopeful saner heads will prevail.
Thanks for the clarification. I wanted to find out if Democrats supported this at all, or if it was truly a Stupid Republican Idea. Sounds like the Constitution won.
I presume, then, that you would not feel comfortable asserting that a Holocaust denier is factually wrong, because you’ve only heard of the “consensus” that it actually took place.
Over the radio this morning I heard Tenn congress can override the veto with less of a vote than it took to get it too his desk in the first place. Is this true, and if so how can that be?
Not really. There are plenty of state laws that, if given a chance in the light of day outside of their dingy state halls, would probably be overturned. Just recently, the Tennessee AG warned that their proposal to have the bible as the state book was probably unconstitutional. California’s governor and AG famously refused to defend the anti-gay marriage law approved by the voters. I think Ted Cruz can very well be said to support such a thing and not use his “I’m just following the law” as a cover.
You don’t have to have an advanced degree, or any degree, to be a scientist. You don’t have to be employed by academia to be a scientist. You don’t have to have a job in research to be a scientist. All that is required to be a scientists is to attempt to acquire information in a rigorous manner using the scientific method. Discoveries can and have been made by amateurs using the scientific method, and they are just as much scientists as someone holding a PhD. Whether or not Nye has done this, I don’t know.
Texas is not Tennessee or California, and the legality of attorneys general refusing to defend legislation is not settled. You cannot assume anything about Cruz’ beliefs from the Texas Dildo Massacre any more than you can assume Hilary is pro-molestation because she defended a child molester.
I’m sure you’ll be relieved to know that I feel I have been able to successfully determine whether or not man-made warming exists without ever having to consult Bill Nye; or Al Gore, for that matter. I suspect most people with at least a minimal interest in the subject would agree.
It’s true, veto override only requires a simple majority in both houses. My right-wing parents were visiting me this week and when they heard about it, even they said “how the hell is that constitutional?” So at least if it passes, it probably won’t stand long. It’ll just make TN look even more stupid. I think the legislature is lifting up this bill to distract from the transgender bathroom bill they are trying to pass at the same time.
The difference between someone like Nye and someone like Palin is that the former is capable of critical thinking, which is pretty much what science is about.
