On Feb 12, I had the opportunity to drop in on some friends in Lexington, Kentucky to help celebrate Darwin Day there. The occasion was the Darwin Day presentation by Dan Phelps (pictured here) entitled “The Anti-Museum: An Overview and Review of the Answers in Genesis Creation Museum”, and the following panel discussion. The presentation was a summation of Dan’s review of the Creation Museum in Northern Kentucky. This review has been published by NCSE, and may be read at the NCSE web site.
The host for my visit was the The Kentucky Association of Science Educators and Skeptics (KASES) and KASES’ own Dr. Ginger Kasey.
Dr. Kasey’s fields of expertise include Equine Genomics and Eohippology. Exercising common horse sense, Dr. Kasey is firmly on record in her support of Evolution and Unbridled Science. We all are looking forward to Dr. Kasey’s most recent paper—“The Piltdown Horse: The Ark Equid Exposed”, which is to be published in the February 30th issue of Equus Magazine.
In addition to her academic credentials, Dr. Kasey is also a connoisseur of Kentucky Bourbon. With her knowledge of both all things equine and bourbon, Dr. Kasey provided background research for the book, “The Kentucky Mint Julep”, by fellow Kentucky Colonel and KASES cofounder, Joe Nickell. I am looking forward to future collaborative research with Dr. Kasey on the fermentation process utilized in the production of Dos Equis beer and it’s effects on neurotransmitters when combined with Kentucky bourbon.
This may require volunteers to do numerous field studies and data collection to assist Prof. Steve Steve and Dr. Kasey. (Pleeze comtract Professir Steve Steve or Dokter Ginger Kasey ish ewe weesh too contrebutte tew thish veery imporchtant reseersh projucht.….….hic!)
Before the proceedings (held at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Lexington), the panelists and organizers (as well as Dr. Kasey) were kind enough to invite me to dinner as well as drinks.
This was an excellent prelude to the main events. Dan was ably introduced by the meeting organizers and proceeded to give a bang-up overview of the Creation Museum. We learned about the evils brought about by Darwin. What I never realized was that I can be found in such dens of iniquity; this may explain my affinity for brew and distilled spirits.
Then there was the “science”. Dan’s most excellent review touches on the many insults to reason that may be found there. Items that grabbed particular attention this evening included the truth about the origins of human races
and the remarkable “discovery” of the true ancestor of horses—the “Ark Equid”. (My colleague Dr. Kasey has exposed this fabrication, as stated above.)
Afterwards followed an interesting question-and-answer session, in which a distinguished panel (Professors Jim Krupa and Robin Cooper from the Biology Department at the University of Kentucky, and the Rev. Mike Ward) fielded questions that were submitted by the audience. I had a place on the panel, along with the esteemed Dr. Kasey.
The panel discussion was interesting, I’m sure. However, by then, the refreshments from earlier were starting to have their effect, and my mind often wandered. I’m sure than Dan or the panelists would love to hear from readers, to learn more about the concerns and comments from the audience.
After these proceedings, everyone retired for refreshments, including a birthday cake.
All in all, an evening well-spent. I’m looking forward to the collaborative research, which I am sure will include many more trips to the Bluegrass.
Did anybody show up, or did the camera batteries run out? I imagine that Darwin day would play better in the South (as opposed to, say, Lincoln day). Or was everybody at the Creation Museum?
Next year should be interesting (Both Darwin and Lincoln will be 200).
William Wallace
Actually, over the weekend I went with a group of friends to a Darwin Day celebration at the University of New Orleans, and found it quite enjoyable. Three talks in all, on the topics: 1. don’t antagonize religious people, 2. the history of ID (by Barbara Forrest, of course), and 3. the importance of Darwin. (Apologies are due, though: in between lectures, instead of reading biology, I was being the heretic, and trying to teach myself quantum mechanics.)
Boy, don’t you go assuming now that all us Suthanuhs done be ign’ant hicks.
Prof. Steve Steve: you seem to have become quite good friends with Dr. Kasey even before the initial investigation of the effects of Dos Equis and Kentucky bourbon on neurotransmitters. Dare I ask if the relationship is more than just a roll in the hay, so to speak?
Of course everyone was at that fucking stupid creationism museum. The south is like the breeding grounds for the creationists. Come on Darwin would not have a damned chance there. Look I suggest we atheists get together with evolutionists and throw creation theory out the door and do it for good!
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