David Wadler’s Assorted Thoughts

Hurrah to the Pennsylvanians who chose to continue teaching science in science class. A hearty boo to the Kansans who seek to turn back the clock on progress. When school board elections in Dover, Pennsylvania get coverage in the Scottish media, clearly something is awry. Politics, schmolitics…80 years ago, it was the Democrats who opposed teaching evolution.

I think it’s safe to say that Pat Robertson has a point of view that doesn’t entirely align with my own. Today he said, “I’d like to say to the good citizens of Dover: if there is a disaster in your area, don’t turn to God, you just rejected Him from your city.” Of course, this is relatively mild compared to his suggesting that Hugo Chavez be assasinated and that the State Department be blown up with a nuclear device. (I guess he didn’t think contamination would be an issue….”

Tom Verducci writes, “The Red Sox plan to interview Jim Beattie and Jim Bowden this week for their GM opening. Bowden is also a strong contender for the Los Angeles job, which seems to be the better fit for him.”

Yes, that is the same Jim Bowden who signed Cristian Guzman and Vinnie Castilla in the same offseason. The same Jim Bowden who repeatedly overpaid for underwhelming players in Cincinnati. LA is probably a better fir because the Boston fans would likely chase him out of down. Dodger GMs disappear quietly into the night.

Unlike Bowden, Jason Stark gets it; he (rightly) thinks that Johan Santana was the best pitcher in the AL this year.