The subjects of evolution and creation are explosive ones, not only because of their scientific implications, but for their social and political ones as well. That's been the case since Darwin first set forth the theory. It is certainly true today; for all of their protestations about the desire to be "scientific," implementing whatever can …
Penalising Faith-Based Institutions for Scientific Activity
It had to happen sooner or later: When board members and administrators from Baylor University and the Baylor College of Medicine were recently engaged in conversation about the possibility of strengthening ties between the two institutions, some suggested that the faith component of Baylor University's mission would negatively affect the quality of the scholarship for …
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Creationism and Global Warming Sceptics: Tying the Two Together
They'll give it the "old college try" for sure: Critics of the teaching of evolution in the nation’s classrooms are gaining ground in some states by linking the issue to global warming, arguing that dissenting views on both scientific subjects should be taught in public schools. “Our kids are being presented theories as though they …
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More on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise
As a sort of follow up to this post, more from the Coastal Engineering Manual on this subject. I was unaware of the "Committee on Engineering Implications of Changes in Relative Mean Sea Level (CCMSL)," but they published a report and you can find it here. There are a couple of things that "lay people" …
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Coastal Engineering in Medaeval, Renaissance and Modern Times Up to the Nineteenth Century
Another excerpt from the Coastal Engineering Manual on this subject: I-3-4. Modern Age After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, a long hiatus in coastal technology and engineering prevailed throughout most of the European world with a few exceptions. Little is recorded on civil engineering achievements during the Dark and Middle Ages. The threat …
Highway Trust Fund to Shut Down Monday
The opposite of progress is at it again: The federal Highway Trust Fund will shut down first thing Monday, suspending all payments to state transportation departments, and four U.S. Department of Transportation agencies are expected to furlough employees beginning Tuesday after Congress was unable to reach an agreement this week on legislation to extend surface …
Coastal Engineering in the Classical World
Another excerpt from the Coastal Engineering Manual, this time concerning coastal development and construction in the Greco-Roman world and before that. It should be of interest to ancient history aficionados and engineers alike. I-3-1. Ancient World The history of coastal engineering reaches back to the ancient world bordering the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, and …
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Akio Toyoda’s Testimony: Getting the Japanese to Admit a Mistake is Easier Said Than Done
Akio Toyoda's testimony concerning the woes Toyota is having regarding its spontaneous acceleration makes me think of an incident in my own family business many years ago, as related by the field service man who experienced it. In the 1960's, we imported a Japanese vibratory hammer called the Uraga. It's purpose was to drive piles …
Democrats Not Industry Friendly. No Kidding!
Some people are only now figuring this out: Internal Toyota documents derided the Obama administration and Democratic Congress as “activist” and “not industry friendly," a revelation that comes days before the giant automaker's top executives testify on Capitol Hill amid a giant recall. According to a presentation obtained under subpoena by the House Oversight and …
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Hubris and Coastal Development
As sort of a follow-up to my post on climate change and sea level rise, I'd like to present this from another U.S. military document, in this case Coastal Geology. From the first chapter: a. Since man has ventured to the sea, he has been fascinated by the endless variety of geomorphic landforms and biological …
Positive Infinity 