Imagine how hard it must be to the science advisor to a president who disdains science. Sure, if the White House found someone who shared Bush’s worldview and disregard for the “reality-based community,” it might not be too bad, but in this administration, the president actually has a competent<\/i> science advisor. Too bad he’s ignored.<\/p>\n
When it comes to science, John Marburger tends to know what he’s talking about. When it comes to intelligent-design creationism, Marburger recognizes reality<\/a>.<\/p>\n Speaking at the annual conference of the National Association of Science Writers, Marburger fielded an audience question about “Intelligent Design” (ID), the latest supposedly scientific alternative to Charles Darwin’s theory of descent with modification. The White House’s chief scientist stated point blank, “Intelligent Design is not a scientific theory.” And that’s not all — as if to ram the point home, Marburger soon continued, “I don’t regard Intelligent Design as a scientific topic.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n So it probably came as a disappointment to Marburger when the president he advises on scientific and technological issues suggested<\/a> that public schools should teach students modern biology alongside this discredited notion that Marburger realizes is non-scientific.<\/p>\n To his credit, Marburger tried to spin<\/a> the situation.<\/p>\n At the White House, where intelligent design has been discussed in a weekly Bible study group, Mr. Bush’s science adviser, John H. Marburger 3rd, sought to play down the president’s remarks as common sense and old news. <\/p>\n Mr. Marburger said in a telephone interview that “evolution is the cornerstone of modern biology” and “intelligent design is not a scientific concept.” Mr. Marburger also said that Mr. Bush’s remarks should be interpreted to mean that the president believes that intelligent design should be discussed as part of the “social context” in science classes. […]<\/p>\n Mr. Marburger said it would be “over-interpreting” Mr. Bush’s remarks to say that the president believed that intelligent design and evolution should be given equal treatment in schools.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n