Random funny…
Recent news about the avian flu virus has raised concerns from Main Street to the White House. There is the possibility, even likelihood, that the virus will mutate into a form that can more easily infect humans. As the President pointed out, a vaccine cannot be made until this evolution occurs. This raises the concern that it may be impossible to create enough vaccine fast enough to protect all our citizens.
But there is hope. Gallup polls tell us that up to 45 percent of Americans don’t believe in evolution. Since random mutation is the engine of evolution, these same people must believe that the virus cannot mutate. Therefore, there is no need to waste vaccine on folks who believe there is no possible threat to themselves — thus leaving a sufficient supply for the rest of us.
Perhaps the President, given his doubts about evolution, may wish to demonstrate his leadership by foregoing vaccination.
This approach has added benefits. Polls also tell us that disbelief in evolution is more pronounced among the less educated, the poor and conservatives. If the anti-evolutionists among these groups were to opt out of vaccination then, through immediate deaths and natural selection, we would reduce poverty, raise educational attainment, and become a more progressive society.
George R. Zug
Smithsonian Institution, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles/mrc162
Clever, and almost funny. He should see if he can be clever without relying exclusively on the blatant misrepresentation of poll results and the political and religious bias of his audience. Otherwise it’s not really all that different from making racist jokes at a KKK meeting, in principle.
Yes, I can take a joke. I just wouldn’t mind seeing some class on the part of the comedians.
Isn’t this the crux of politics?
Besides, I think that was the whole point of this, was to exaggerate the way people misconstrue things such as polls to make the facts look in their favor.
Yes it is funny, but does nobody do any fact-checking any more? I looked on the San Luis Obispo paper, and while it did publish the letter, it was no signed by George Zug. I blogged about it here and here and now I’m trying to work out what is going on.