Gary Goodyear: Master Of All Sciency Stuff

Looks like Federal science minister Gary Goodyear has managed, as it were, to put the fear of God into the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC):

In January, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) gave $17,815 to York University in Toronto and Queen's University in Kingston to host a conference 22–25 June entitled 'Israel/Palestine: Mapping models of statehood and prospects for peace.' On 5 June, Goodyear asked the council to conduct a “second peer review” of the grant on the grounds that “several individuals and organizations have expressed their grave concerns that some of the speakers have, in the past, made comments that have been seen to be anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic.” In March, the minister infamously ducked an inquiry about his belief in evolution by saying: “I am a Christian, and I don't think anybody asking a question about my religion is appropriate.”

Yesterday the funding council took a small step toward mollifying one of its political masters by announcing that it is “looking into the matter in the context of its policies and procedures.” But SSHRC spokesperson Trevor Lynn noted that, 'to my knowledge,” the council has never conducted a second peer review of an approved grant. SSHRC program guidelines state that minor changes to a conference, such as the addition of a topic or replacement of speakers, do not require the agency's approval, whereas organizers are expected to tell the council of any major alterations in the use of the grant, such as “changing the theme or focus of the event.”

Mr. Goodyear's kibitzing has also managed to drive off two of the conference speakers. More details at Prometheus. Dave Bruggeman notes:

My take is that the pressure on the minister is to shut down the event, denying that it could possibly be about reasoned inquiry.

PS. Here's the conference program. Feel free to examine it for signs of anti-semitism.

Gary Goodyear Does Not Represent All Chiropractors

I rather like my chiropractor. He helped out quite a bit when I screwed up my rotator cuff several years back. Mind you, he is also a trained physiotherapist. In any case, Mr. Goodyear has been hiding behind his background in chiropractory and drawn much unfavorable comment upon these hard working men and women. But there will be none of that on this blog.

Fundys, sure. They're fair game. No filthy anti-chiropractory stuff.

Goodyear An Avowed Creationist?

Goodyear, an avowed creationist whose election campaign was endorsed by various ultra-conservative religious groups opposed to gay marriage and most everything else, is missing the point. Canada's science minister must be up-front about whether or not his religious beliefs (which he is, of course, entitled to) are influencing his political actions. He must not cloak himself in ambiguity as his government cuts funds to scientific research.

I somehow think Ms. Cockburn has overreached with this claim--at least I was unable to find any place where Mr. Goodyear actually avows Creationism. If he has done so, however, than he was lying yesterday and it would be a rather big deal.

PS. L. Moran thinks he's definitely a fundy. And then there's this:

Tories Embrace Science...16th Century Science!!!

"We are evolving every year, every decade. That's a fact, whether it is to the intensity of the sun, whether it is to, as a chiropractor, walking on cement versus anything else, whether it is running shoes or high heels, of course we are evolving to our environment. But that's not relevant and that is why I refused to answer the question. The interview was about our science and tech strategy, which is strong."

Apparently, Wells noted this first.

Gary Goodyear: The Conservative Response

Consult with the pontiff.

Eye rolling.

Step Down.

Jesus thinks he's a moron.

This controversy, by the way, is a direct result of this. Have fun shooting the fish in the barrel, fellow progressives.

Torys Gone SoCon?

...in an attempt to change the channel on a souring economy? In Alberta:

Harry [Chase, Calgary Liberal MP] throws out a couple questions and, when Dave Hancock, the supremo of schools and one of the more liberal members in Torydom, tip-toes the party line, the Liberal dusts off an 80-year-old trial in Tennessee on the banning of the teaching of evolution in schools.

"The last time I checked my calendar this was 2009 Alberta not 1929 Tennessee," stings Harry.
Hancock decides if it's 1929 Tennessee Harry wants, it's 1929 Tennessee Harry gets.

"What's not optional in this province is parents have the right to raise their children," bellows Hancock, to the rocking applause of the Tories.

Hancock goes on about "moral values" and you know something is cooking behind closed doors.

And Federally:

Canada's science minister, the man at the centre of the controversy over federal funding cuts to researchers, won't say if he believes in evolution

Politics is all about sending messages, and these messages are directed at the Tory political base. Means someone think it needs shoring up. Also means that, both federally and provincially, the governing Tories have decided to play defense, because the same signals that turn on the base turn off everyone else (ask John Tory about that).