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E.T. Won't Be Phoning Anytime Soon

News that astronomers using NASA's Kepler Space Telescope had discovered an Earth-like "Goldilocks" planet where liquid water can exist certainly deserves the attention it has received. In fact, evidence of life surviving--and even thriving--in very unlikely places on Earth tempts one to …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Tuesday December 6, 2011

Why We Should Still be Sweating Global Warming

Robert Bryce, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and writer about energy, has an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal stating “ Five Truths About Climate Change .” Some of his assertions are to the effect that there’s not that much that can be done to restrain carbon emissions. That’s a …

Written by Kenneth Silber on Thursday October 6, 2011

If it's Perry: Anti-Science Label Sticks

If Rick Perry is the nominee, we will hear stepped-up criticism that there is a Republican “ war on science ,” that the GOP is anti-intellectual and antipathetic to facts and analysis. Such criticism will resonate with many voters, precisely because Perry’s nomination will be evidence that it’s …

Written by Kenneth Silber on Tuesday September 6, 2011

Call These Scientists Crazy

On August 18, a few days after Rick Perry went off on climate scientists as money-grubbing carbon cultists, Jon Huntsman had some craziness of his own to share. "To be clear, I believe in evolution and trust scientists on global warming. Call me crazy," the presidential candidate and former Utah …

Written by Jim DiPeso on Friday August 19, 2011

Ask About Evolution at the GOP Debate

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Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Thursday August 18, 2011

Summer Reads: Silber on The Great Stagnation

Frum Forum correspondents and readers are encouraged to blog about the books they are reading this August. Please send any entries to editor[at]frumforum.com with the subject line, “Summer Reads.” Being home under the weather for a couple of days gave me ample time to read The Great …

Written by Kenneth Silber on Wednesday August 17, 2011

Can Conservatives and Scientists Get Along?

Last week, Chris Mooney, science blogger and author of The Republican War on Science , asked David Frum to come on the “ Point of Inquiry ” podcast to discuss conservatives and science, and David was kind enough to ask that I be included in the conversation. The interview can now be found …

Written by Kenneth Silber on Tuesday August 2, 2011

Extreme Weather: A Climate Change Wake Up Call?

Climate scientists have been predicting for years that carbon loading in our atmosphere will create droughts, floods and other extreme weather events. Bill McKibben, founder of the global climate campaign 350.org , recently wrote an op-ed for the Washington Post titled em> A link between …

Written by David Jenkins on Tuesday May 31, 2011

Vaccine Denialism Finds a Home on Left and Right

The story of Andrew Wakefield, the medical researcher who claimed autism could be traced to vaccinations, is a sharp reminder of how inadequate our ideological map can be. The story of Andrew Wakefield administers a sharp reminder of how inadequate our ideological map can be. Wakefield …

Written by David Frum on Thursday April 21, 2011

Confessions of a Climate Change Convert

I used to join the right in dismissing concerns about climate change. But then I was defeated by the facts. I was defeated by facts. It wasn’t all that long ago when I joined others on the right in dismissing concerns about climate change. It was my firm belief that the science was unsettled, …

Written by D.R. Tucker on Tuesday April 19, 2011

Creationism Gains Ground in Tennessee

Creationist friendly legislation has passed the Tennessee House with overwhelming support of all Republicans, except one. Tennessee House Bill 368, the creationist friendly legislation that we have previously covered on Frum Forum , has passed through of the Tennessee House on a vote of …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Friday April 8, 2011

Creationism Makes a Comeback

The wave of GOP state legislature victories has led to a more favorable environment for creationist friendly legislation. The wave of Republican victories in state legislatures has led to a more favorable environment for creationist friendly legislation to advance. Most of those bills will die …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Wednesday March 30, 2011

NASA Budget Grounds Space Probes

Robotic space exploration accounts for a tiny portion of NASA and the federal government's budgets. Yet, despite their merits these programs face deep cuts. For decades, there was debate among space exploration proponents about the relative merits of manned versus unmanned missions. Enthusiasts …

Written by Kenneth Silber on Thursday March 10, 2011

Will GOP Give Climate Science a Fair Shake?

The House is holding hearings today on the science of climate change. But can credible testimony really change the minds of the GOP's climate skeptics? House Democrats persuaded Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.) to hold a hearing today on climate science. At a time when …

Written by David Jenkins on Tuesday March 8, 2011

Overview for science