Just Wondering Why
by Tom Neven on 07/30/2009 at 9:49 AM
Matt recently blogged about the appointment of Dr. Francis Collins to head the National Institutes of Health. There was grumbling among some that an outspoken evangelical Christian such as Dr. Collins should be appointed to this position, since he might let his faith "interfere" with his scientific judgments.
Okay, some went beyond grumbling. PZ Myers, an obnoxiously outspoken hater of all things Christian, called Collins an "idjit" and a clown. And professional atheist Sam Harris recently penned an op-ed in The New York Times questioning the choice of Dr. Collins. (This would be the same Sam Harris who warns about the dangers and illogic of the monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam but himself is intrigued by psychic phenomena, reincarnation and Eastern mysticism.)
But I'm wondering why there's virtual silence about another appointment by President Obama, his Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the so-called "science czar." Except for a few sources, you'd never know that John Holdren once considered compulsory abortion and sterilization to control a supposed population bomb that would destroy mankind. (Coincidentally, Candice blogged about a similar topic yesterday.)
Holdren coauthored a 1977 book called Ecoscience with Malthusian "scientists" Paul and Anne Ehrlich. They considered, among other things, putting "sterilants" in a population’s water supply to render all the females infertile. The authors eventually reject this proposal, not on any moral or legal grounds, but because it would ultimately be impractical. Holdren also declared the traditional family of mother, father and children to be "obsolete" and decries our culture's "pro-natalist" beliefs. Holdren denies advocating these things, but his denial doesn’t pass the smell test.
This stuff is far scarier and far more radical than anything Dr. Collins has ever said, but I don’t see the same coverage or any grumbling by the usual suspects worried about someone out of the "scientific mainstream" holding such an important position.
Just wonderin' why.
1. Lauren T. said the following at 10:03 AM on Jul 30:
Yikes. Sterilants in the WATER?
So let's get this straight: according to Mr. Holden, Human beings - beings people like Holden believe actually evolved out of the Earth somehow - are really the greatest mistake of Nature and he's qualified to correct it?
2. Saidahwk said the following at 10:10 AM on Jul 30:
Whoa that's nuts. See this is why I would never want to be President; who wants to even deal with stuff like that? "Mr. President, one of the best people for this job wrote a book saying we should force America to stop having children. He denies it, but I've got a copy here..." What the heck do you even do with someone like that? I would probably hire him just so I could have him watched... lol
3. Chantell said the following at 10:43 AM on Jul 30:
Why? Because hate is real:
"This is my command: Love each other.
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."
John 15:17-19
4. Dan Gill said the following at 10:50 AM on Jul 30:
I can tell you what you DON'T do. You don't put him in a position of power. Not only is he a radical, he is a liar. But, of course, that is just what President Obama is doing--putting him in a position of power.
5. Chris said the following at 10:59 AM on Jul 30:
Some interesting thoughts on the subject:
http://tinyurl.com/ly5to5
6. Texas Craig said the following at 11:00 AM on Jul 30:
I agree with your concerns about Holdren, but you should probably not include cites to Alex Jones' articles. The guy is entertaining, but people here in Austin know him as the resident conspiracy theorist nutjob. So, citing articles from him could end up hurting your arguments, rather than helping. Just an FYI. :-)
7. Jessi said the following at 11:32 AM on Jul 30:
Saidahawk: So are you saying Obama had no other choice but to hire him in spite of his crazy ideas, becasue he was just so darn qualified for the job? Poor president Obama, he's just got sooo many tough decisions to make. I'm glad he is shrewd enough to hire a total nut so he can have him "better watched."
8. farmer Tom said the following at 11:57 AM on Jul 30:
In Ted's post,
"I <3 Government Health Care"
122. farmer Tom said the following at 8:43 PM on Jul 16:
I wrote about John Holden, and not one person at this blog bothered to comment on it,
and I believe the reason is because they simply refuse to believe that we are headed down the path of Nazi Germany.
That could never happen here, right?
So the answer to your question, why?
Because most "christians" have a socialist/Darwinian/collectivist mindset, which assumes that government is good, that controls on personal behavior are necessary, that man can and will destroy the planet, so government and people like Holden are doing what is necessary to stop you and me.
They claim the name of Christ, yet their god is government, and policies which give government power to control everything, including human life. In their worldview, life is a gift from government, not a gift from God.
9. brx said the following at 1:47 PM on Jul 30:
Why,
Because it's so subtle that the vast majority of people don't make the connections - or if they do, they don't take it seriously.
'Conspiracy theory' or simply a smart and subtle way to achieve an agenda? This appointment falls right in line with Obama's 'green' but subtley unethical (Biblically) platform agenda. He said he wanted to reduce the need (desire) for abortions. What better way to do that than by partnering with a guy who would be happy to set in place policies that might have delayed effects of increasing population sterility and or killing off many with increasing rates of disease/cancer? ...it might take decades to track the cause...
Face it, Obama is brilliant. Never underestimate the power of charm and good PR.
Grace, peace & discernment
10. Carl said the following at 2:16 PM on Jul 30:
The MSM is in Obama's pocket and do not want to deface any of his moves (with the exception of Glenn Beck).
The Science Czar, John Holdren, wrote a book called the "The Population Bomb" and gives reasons for forced abortions.
The Regulatory Czar, Cass Sunstein, beleives animals should be granted personhood (his 2004 book called "Animal Rights: Current Debates and New Directions")
Look at all the people Obama choses to be near to him. What does this say about his character?
11. James said the following at 9:07 PM on Jul 30:
Let me just say right off the bat I am not familiar with these two individuals. But if the President is drawing criticism from both sides, that tells me he's doing something right. You can dress it up however you want, but so far he's being pretty even handed in his decision making. And that's what I voted for.