Noah's Ark guest list: 2 Lions, 2 Goats, 2 Sheep, 2 Dogs, 2 ummm, Dinosaurs?

I can't wait until one of The Daily Show's reporters visits this place.

 

Charlie Pierce did a story in Esquire a few months back that used the museum as a peg. It was called "Greetings from Idiot America." It was more of an essay, but really good stuff. One of my favorite grafs:

The president of the United States announces that he believes ID ought to be taught in the public schools on an equal footing with the theory of evolution. And in Dover, Pennsylvania, during one of these many controversies, a pastor named Ray Mummert delivers the line that both ends our tour and, in every real sense, sums it up: "We've been attacked," he says, "by the intelligent, educated segment of the culture."

You can read it here:
http://www.aboyandhiscomputer.com/Greetings_from_Idiot_America.html

 

Charlie Pierce is, as always, bang on.

And funny as hell.

 

It took me a while (I'm working) but I made it through it and am both impressed and depressed by that piece. The guy was bang on about this apparent desire by Americans in general to have other people think for them.

I'd like to think as journalists (or former journalists) we're on average a little more informed and educated than the average American. That being said, I'm constantly amazed as I talk to friends and non-journalism co-workers about issues, science, etc., at just how little they know. What's worse, what they do "know" is so patently false, incorrect or ludicrous, it almost makes me want to cry.

 

On which day did God create dinosaurs? Why did God have Noah save them and then change his mind and kill them later?

 

I am reminded of the line from Inherit the Wind, which we performed in high school:

The Bible is a good book, but it's not the only book.

 

How did Noah get the duck-billed platypus to Austrailia and Austrailia only?

Did he punt two of them down there?

 

The platypii all got sick of American politics and swam there.

 

Maybe the couldn't find slacks that fit correctly? [crossthreadpolination/]

 

And they wanted to rest up at a gay-men-only resort.

 

Now THAT'S some cross-pollination.