Bush Vs. Reality-Based Parks

Regular visitors may note that we changed our motto (above) to "Reality-Based Community Service." This is, of course, in response to a comment made by a Bush-ite in a recent NY Times article. . The money quote that spawned the new motto is "The [Bush] aide said that guys like me were ''in what we call the reality-based community,'' which he defined as people who ''believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality.'"

Well, yeah. For the record, Riffle likes our professionals (physicians, lawyers, military leaders, reporters, chefs, accountants, scientists, bankers, etc., as well as politicians) to study discernible reality judiciciously before solutions emerge.

To kick off our new reality-based times, I note a press release by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibiliity.

PARK SERVICE STICKS WITH BIBLICAL EXPLANATION FOR GRAND CANYON.

The Bush Administration has decided that it will stand by its approval for a book claiming the Grand Canyon was created by Noah’s flood rather than by geologic forces, according to internal documents released today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER).

Despite telling members of Congress and the public that the legality and appropriateness of the National Park Service offering a creationist book for sale at Grand Canyon museums and bookstores was “under review at the national level by several offices,” no such review took place, according to materials obtained by PEER under the Freedom of Information Act.

How nice. Not only did they not apply reason, but they lied about whether they'd have a legal review.

And the Grand Canyon is not only a great opportunity to teach about the glories of the Creator, but

Look over more of PEER.org. It has a featured (and infuriating to the reality-based) section called Faith-Based Parks?: Creationism Crowds Out Science.

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility: yet another member of the Reality-Based Community.