Ben Carson

[wu_shizzle]

Yep. Something should be done about money buying elections.

If you got a majority of Americans to care about the political process, the cronies and the lobbyists would have far less influence.

I believe you're already starting to see this with the election of Barack Obama, the Tea Party response, the popularity of Trump and Carson, the removal of Boehner,etc...

[shock]

Those who don't think Ben Carson understands science:
Al Gore
Tropicalshox
Hillary Clinton
The New Yorker
The Huffington Post
Slate
The Young Turks
Democratic Underground
The DNC
Shocka Khan

What the above have contributed to science:
Chirp, chirp, chirp.

What The lying, dishonest asshole Ben Carson has contributed to science:
http://www.msm.edu/Education/Pipelin.../BenCarson.php

well to be fair, Al Gore invented the internet

[wufan]

They say if you send an asshole to medical school, what you get is an asshole doctor.

That might be true about assholes, but not about scientists. You don't take good scientists and turn them into bad ones by giving them an MD. Interestingly, he doesn't destroy other politicians when they bring up science topics.

Finally, find me a Repulican that is against renewable energy. Being against subsidies does not make you against renewable energy. Now, being FOR the environment and against nuclear energy is just silly (not saying you are @tropicalshox:, but there are some).

[tropicalshox]

So now Ben Carson is a lying, dishonest asshole who doesn't understand science.

Got it.

He's a very nice guy.

[Jamar Howard 4 President]

I can see where a person could do promos, and at the same time, not consider themself being connected to the company.

If you don't consider that to be "involvement", fine. I think Carson could have explained that exact thought process in 2-3 sentences and the issue would have continued to be a big nothing.

But to call those who say it is some form of involvement as spreading "total propaganda" is beyond stupid. That is exactly the type of misleading, exaggerating, demonizing crap that I am so tired of in politics today. Everyone who disagrees about anything must now be unfairly criticized and presented as an incarnation of the devil himself. Forget trying to clarify disagreements with truth, that is apparently not worth it anymore.

[wu_shizzle]

But to call those who say it is some form of involvement as spreading "total propaganda" is beyond stupid. That is exactly the type of misleading, exaggerating, demonizing crap that I am so tired of in politics today. Everyone who disagrees about anything must now be unfairly criticized and presented as an incarnation of the devil himself. Forget trying to clarify disagreements with truth, that is apparently not worth it anymore.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/29/politics/ben-carson-mannatech/index.html

Calling Carson's relationship "extensive" is propaganda.

[Jamar Howard 4 President]

Calling it "extensive" is up for debate. We can have a difference of opinion whether extensive is the right word, but it is not propaganda to try to use that word. Minor exaggeration and propaganda are not the same. Once again, the exaggeration and demonization of those we disagree with is rampant. Please don't join in with that garbage.

Even more importantly, you are referring to an article written after the debate. The debate question did not use the word "extensive". He was merely asked about his "continued involvement". Carson directly said he did not have an involvement, and that those saying he had an involvement were spreading propaganda. It is pure dishonesty to say that Carson did not have an involvement with that company.

[tropicalshox]

That might be true about assholes, but not about scientists. You don't take good scientists and turn them into bad ones by giving them an MD. Interestingly, he doesn't destroy other politicians when they bring up science topics.

Finally, find me a Repulican that is against renewable energy. Being against subsidies does not make you against renewable energy. Now, being FOR the environment and against nuclear energy is just silly (not saying you are @tropicalshox, but there are some).

Remind myself not to throw in humor.

Carson went into medical school with a BA in psychology. You are not a scientist by having a BA degree. Some with this degree will get a good background in science although it might vary on which field of psychology one takes. I think Ben's life time beliefs makes it hard for him to accept some things that science consider "truths" to the best of their current knowledge. I have struggled with this myself. My take on his discussion with Trump on vaccines was he was being PC to potential voters, although he hates what he considers is PC.

For some reason I can't get this desktop to copy a link. I will add it in a bit. Many will not like this MD/PHd's politics but please try to get to more than half way down to the paragraph starting with "So why so many physicians fall..." So, MVJ, I guess you can add this guy to the list, along with most who made comments, who many are also doctors and scientists.

http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2015/09/24/most-doctors-are-not-scientists/

[shock]

Calling it "extensive" is up for debate. We can have a difference of opinion whether extensive is the right word, but it is not propaganda to try to use that word. Minor exaggeration and propaganda are not the same. Once again, the exaggeration and demonization of those we disagree with is rampant. Please don't join in with that garbage.

Even more importantly, you are referring to an article written after the debate. The debate question did not use the word "extensive". He was merely asked about his "continued involvement". Carson directly said he did not have an involvement, and that those saying he had an involvement were spreading propaganda. It is pure dishonesty to say that Carson did not have an involvement with that company.

The fact that the meaning of extensive is up for debate is precisely why it's propaganda. "It could be that way if you think about it just right" is exactly the think trap that is at the heart of propaganda.

[wufan]

Remind myself not to throw in humor.

Carson went into medical school with a BA in psychology. You are not a scientist by having a BA degree. Some with this degree will get a good background in science although it might vary on which field of psychology one takes. I think Ben's life time beliefs makes it hard for him to accept some things that science consider "truths" to the best of their current knowledge. I have struggled with this myself. My take on his discussion with Trump on vaccines was he was being PC to potential voters, although he hates what he considers is PC.

For some reason I can't get this desktop to copy a link. I will add it in a bit. Many will not like this MD/PHd's politics but please try to get to more than half way down to the paragraph starting with "So why so many physicians fall..." So, MVJ, I guess you can add this guy to the list, along with most who made comments, who many are also doctors and scientists.

http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/20...ot-scientists/

In order to get into medical school you have to have a core curriculum, often referred to as "pre-med". At a minimum, this includes 1 year of general biology, 1 year of A&P, 2 years of chemistry, 1 year of calculus, and one year of physics. While most MDs get their undergrad in biology or chemistry due to the overlap, you will also find MDs with a degree in arts or humanities.

[MoValley John]

I don't recall ever saying Ben Carson was a scientist. I think he's a physician. That doesn't mean he doesn't have a very good grasp of science.

As for the blog posted, that is exactly what it is,a blog, or one man's opinion. Ya,I read it, well most of it. I was looking forward to the blog discussing Ben Carson, it turned into a diatribe on Trump and the anti vax movement. He was critical that Carson didn't pounce on Trump for Trump's antivax ramblings. At that point, I lost interest and was done.

[wufan]

Remind myself not to throw in humor.

Carson went into medical school with a BA in psychology. You are not a scientist by having a BA degree. Some with this degree will get a good background in science although it might vary on which field of psychology one takes. I think Ben's life time beliefs makes it hard for him to accept some things that science consider "truths" to the best of their current knowledge. I have struggled with this myself. My take on his discussion with Trump on vaccines was he was being PC to potential voters, although he hates what he considers is PC.

For some reason I can't get this desktop to copy a link. I will add it in a bit. Many will not like this MD/PHd's politics but please try to get to more than half way down to the paragraph starting with "So why so many physicians fall..." So, MVJ, I guess you can add this guy to the list, along with most who made comments, who many are also doctors and scientists.

http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/20...ot-scientists/

I read the link. I Agree that he missed his opportunity to shut down Trump on vaccines and that was unfortunate. I disagree with his take on evolution, but he's giving a speech at a creationist seminar, not to evolutionary doctoral candidates. I have no issue with that and I don't think that one's profession of faith at a religious gathering makes him a bad scientist; at least, not like those crazy Catholic scientists that believe wine turns into blood.

Beyond that, it is quite true that Dr Carson, like all MDs does not have a PhD in everything science. I don't think that means he is bad at science...besides, most of the PhDs I work with squirm in the face of common sense science if it is in a subject other than their doctoral thesis.

[WuDrWu]

Good to see SNL jumping into the mix last night. Please vote for anyone but Ben, and give up your guns you brainless red neck twits.

I think I hit their high points.

[ShockerEngineer]

Good to see SNL jumping into the mix last night. Please vote for anyone but Ben, and give up your guns you brainless red neck twits.

I think I hit their high points.

I switched to it long enough to see Amy Schumer was hosting, then promptly bailed. I see I didn't miss anything. lol.

[WuDrWu]

You most certainly did not. I was working in my office and my wife is still convinced something funny will occur.

I keep telling her Farley, Belushi, Radner and Hartman are dead but she refuses to let hope die as well.