Think Progress

Memo To Palin: Fruit Fly Research Has Led To Advances In Understanding Autism

This morning, Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) gave her first policy speech urging the federal government to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), “a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation.” In the speech, Palin cited the need to do more for children with disabilities such as autism:

For many parents of children with disabilities, the most valuable thing of all is information. Early identification of a cognitive or other disorder, especially autism, can make a life-changing difference.

Palin claimed that the amount that Congress spends on earmarks “is more than the shortfall to fully fund IDEA.” She then ridiculed some of the projects — such as “fruit fly research” — saying they have little or no value:

Where does a lot of that earmark money end up anyway? [...] You’ve heard about some of these pet projects they really don’t make a whole lot of sense and sometimes these dollars go to projects that have little or nothing to do with the public good. Things like fruit fly research in Paris, France. I kid you not.

Watch it:

Palin did not specify what fruit fly research earmark she was referring to (presumably a grant for olive fruit fly research), but she is apparently unaware that scientific research with fruit flies has led to valuable discoveries that have boosted autism research, as a study at the University of North Carolina demonstrated last year:

[S]cientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine have shown that a protein called neurexin is required for..nerve cell connections to form and function correctly.

The discovery, made in Drosophila fruit flies may lead to advances in understanding autism spectrum disorders, as recently, human neurexins have been identified as a genetic risk factor for autism.

The study of fruit flies has also been used for other autism research and “revolutionize[d]” the study of birth defects.



88 Responses to “Memo To Palin: Fruit Fly Research Has Led To Advances In Understanding Autism”

  1. LibertyLover says:

    Hmmmm… doesn’t this conflict with McCain’s plan for a spending FREEZE???????


  2. galmud says:

    Doesnt make a lot of sense? Like the cause of climate-change kinda doesnt matter nonsense?


  3. Shayne says:

    Every time she opens her mouth her foot lands in it.


  4. RandomChaos says:

    You mean Pet projects like a Sports Stadium to coincide with your new house built by the same contractor? that kind?

    But more on topic..
    Oooh, now ya see, that Sciency stuff is just Pork Dontcha know? Only god can make cures. *winkwink*

    *would roll eyes-but they hurt from too much*


  5. The Republic of Stupidity says:

    I’d suspect that research on different kinds of insects has also lead to a greater understanding of why GOOPers behave the way they do.

    Money well spent, in my opinion.


  6. Bob says:

    This is the longest beauty pageant ever, and without the swimsuit competition, it’s just not worth watching anymore.


  7. Badmoodman says:

    Memo To Palin: Fruit Fly Research Has Led To Advances In Understanding Autism»

    – - Like I’ve always said, I don’t think Palin is dumb; she is just proudly ignorant, a cynical opportunist and a pathological liar.


  8. LibertyLover says:

    The Republic of Stupidity@ #5

    Fruit flies have a very tiny brain and a very short life-span, but they do reproduce a lot. I think fruit flies would make an excellent model to study why Republicans act the way they do.


  9. LividLib says:

    Compared to Sarah the Simpleton, a fruit fly’s nervous system is far more advanced.


  10. The Republic of Stupidity says:

    Heh… top headline over at HuffPo right now…

    MCCAIN’S HIGHEST PAID STAFFER FOR FIRST HALF OF OCTOBER…

    PALIN’S MAKEUP ARTIST

    Money not well spent, in my opinion… does it really cost that much to put lipstick on a pit bull? So McMaverick… how’s that mavericky choice workin’ out fer ya?

    Kimberly-Clark ‘08… Depends You Can Change Into!


  11. stewarjt says:

    Wow! Even when she tries to sound humane she screws it up!


  12. Taguba says:

    Maybe Palin should not have cut special education spending in Alaska when she “ran” the state. I really think the 18% that still think the GOP are right for this country need to WAKE UP !!!


  13. tombaker says:

    Clearly she was hopping from college to college to avoid some general science requirement.

    Vacuous much, Mrs. Hockey?


  14. DieNowForPeace says:

    Even McCain must, in private, bow his head in shame at this charlatan.


  15. Shayne says:

    They use fruit flies for genetic testing frequently. It’s not the same thing as researching the mating habits of Alaskan governors, idiot.


  16. christopher wiwi says:

    Dontcha know she`s an expert on this Autsim thingy….she vetoed a bill to help special needs familes in Alaska.


  17. The Republic of Stupidity says:

    Badmoodman Says:

    “Palin [...] is just proudly ignorant, a cynical opportunist and a pathological liar.”
    ___________

    In other words, a dream-come-true for the GOOP…


  18. misshusseinmolly says:

    The Republic of Stupidity Says
    October 24th, 2008 at 12:01 pm

    Heh… top headline over at HuffPo right now…

    MCCAIN’S HIGHEST PAID STAFFER FOR FIRST HALF OF OCTOBER…

    PALIN’S MAKEUP ARTIST
    ____________________________________________________

    Hmmm…is THIS why McCain’s female staffers are getting paid more than his male staffers? Every picture I have seen of McCain or Palin getting made up shows it’s being done by a woman.


  19. livelongandprosper says:

    Science, like politics, isn’t Sarah’s best subject. Maybe she could talk about witchcraft or rapture religion.


  20. Nevar says:

    fruit fly, fruit bat, fruit cake, fruit loop…
    It’s fruitless, Sarah.
    Palin Go Home.


  21. A Patriot Acting says:

    This intellectually incurious, science denying, bible clutching, power hungry, elitist, end of days waiting, hockey mom pig needs to go back to Alaska and forget about 2012. IT AIN’T GONNA HAPPEN HONEY. Take you parting prizes from the RNC, your “first dude” (something tells me he wasn’t anywhere near being first on the long list into that shame hole of hers) and hope the people of Alaska don’t impeach you too soon after losing the election. With any luck you will be able to regain your former seat on the local PTA but I wouldn’t get my hopes up if I were you, dontcha know…


  22. livelongandprosper says:

    DieNowForPeace Says:

    Even McCain must, in private, bow his head in shame at this charlatan.

    From the looks he gives, in public, I’m sure he is not happy with his entire campaign since the GOP convention. Of course he has to have some leadership balls to come out and say it and that’s not going to happen.


  23. The Republic of Stupidity says:

    misshusseinmolly Says:

    Hmmm…is THIS why McCain’s female staffers are getting paid more than his male staffers? Every picture I have seen of McCain or Palin getting made up shows it’s being done by a woman.
    ____________

    Could be, misshusseinmolly, could be. A man doing makeup… sounds kinda gay to me… can’t have THAT for the GOOP, can we?

    If those women know what’s good for them, they’ll be running to the bank to cash their paychecks as we get closer to 11/04/08.


  24. galmud says:

    Palin doesnt realize theres rarely a specific end purpose in science. The practical uses of a scientific discovery comes later. Instead the research is an end in itself. Basic human curiosity.

    Thats why most scientific studies and discoveries like “giant magnetoresistance” doesnt make any sense to laypeople. Until they make way for new technological breakthroughs like larger computer harddrives
    http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/2007/press.html


  25. CageyCretin says:

    Bob Says:
    This is the longest beauty pageant ever, and without the swimsuit competition, it’s just not worth watching anymore.

    Actually I am gald there isn’t a preidential swimsuit competition. With all due respect, … UGH!!!!!!! I mean, really, do you want to see Biden in speedo briefs? Do you think he’d wax his bikini line? (again, with all due respect, and a bit of humor). And, NO, I don’t want to see Palin in a swimsuit (saw a vid of her from a, 86 or 87 pageant, and I was not impressed then — now, well, thanks but no thanks. I think I’d prefer cruising a granny porn site).


  26. livelongandprosper says:

    I would like to know how many things we have learned from the fruit fly. The fruit fly as given more to science than most people can imagine. How many students do fruit fly experiments to help show basic biological workings? THOUSANDS. Oh I forgot, these experiments can lead to belief in Evolution! I now see where she is coming from – the depths of ignorance.


  27. misshusseinmolly says:

    Palin just continues to amaze us all. Not only with her ignorance (the novelty of that is starting to wear off, believe it or not), but the PRIDE she appears to take in her ignorance.

    Drosophila research has yielded benefits for many physical conditions afflicting humans — autism, brain disorders, cancer — just to name a few. My mother is a retired developmental biologist who spent a great deal of time on fruit fly research, which was also the subject of her doctoral dissertation. She could enlighten us all on what the benefits of this research have done for us over the years far better than I ever could.

    I suspect that Palin’s answer to people who have special needs consists of praying to God for healing. Anything else would be far beyond her comprehension.


  28. Uncle Ho says:

    Caribou-Barbie says: “Researchers are like heretics, burn them at the stake.”

    snark


  29. Mugsy says:

    The use of fruit flies is EXTREMELY common in “genetic research” because the chromosomes of the fruit fly are “huge” (compared to that of other animals), and with their rapid rate of birth/reproduction, making them “perfect” for experimentation.


  30. livelongandprosper says:

    Good point Galmud!


  31. LividLib says:

    Fruit flies are anti-american.


  32. hussein toasterhead says:

    misshusseinmolly Says:

    I suspect that Palin’s answer to people who have special needs consists of praying to God for healing. Anything else would be far beyond her comprehension.

    October 24th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
    ______

    Perhaps she agrees with Michael Savage that people with autism are just faking it.


  33. vinylspear says:

    I’d like to ask her about the flies gathering on the corpse of the McCain campaign.


  34. tombaker says:

    I think she just had all those kids to cash in on Alaska’s Oil Welfare.

    What’s emerging here is the portrait of a Freeloader. Those clothes aren’t going to charity, they’re going to Wasilla, and she’ll go home with towels, soap, and shampoo from every hotel on the campaign trail, too.

    Then she can get back to the important business of freeloading on Alaskan and American taxpayers.


  35. Nevar says:

    “I’d like to ask her about the flies gathering on the corpse of the McCain campaign.”

    Those would be coot flies.


  36. hussein toasterhead says:

    This morning, Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) gave her first policy speech urging the federal government to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), “a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation.”
    ——-

    Whoa whoa whoa – is she suggesting that the government somehow ensure that children with disabilities have access to education? Even in private schools??

    Smells like socialism to me!


  37. Buckie Boy says:

    Oh she is such a Mavericky Maverick.


  38. CageyCretin says:

    Federal funding for special needs children? Is that welfare? Socialism?


  39. CageyCretin says:

    hussein toasterhead Says:

    Oops… I was a bit late.


  40. LividLib says:

    What do you get when you cross Sarah Palin with a fruit fly?
    (Best punch line wins).


  41. kasinca says:

    Please keep her sequestered. She has nothing to offer.


  42. livelongandprosper says:

    CageyCretin Says:

    Federal funding for special needs children? Is that welfare? Socialism?

    I wish the media would just keep hammering them on this point. The GOP would like everyone to think it’s only socialism if it is done by the Democrats.


  43. hussein toasterhead says:

    LividLib Says:

    What do you get when you cross Sarah Palin with a fruit fly?
    (Best punch line wins).

    October 24th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
    _______

    A: Lipstick marks on a turd?


  44. Nevar says:

    What do you get when you cross Sarah Palin with a fruit fly?

    Peach flavored lipstick.


  45. LividLib says:

    LividLib Says:

    What do you get when you cross Sarah Palin with a fruit fly?
    (Best punch line wins).

    By the way, vote for the best punch line by clicking the thumbs up (”Add Karma”) doohickey.


  46. CageyCretin says:

    Sciency stuff scares her. Fruit flies, stem cells, and all sorts of sciency stuff that attempts to slap gOD in the proverbial face. Well, Sarah says “thanks but no thanks” to science. Science cannot be wed with religion… I guess they’re the same gender, and we know how her gOD feels about THAT sort of thing….

    Sarah Palin, bringing science back to the Dark Ages in the name of gOD.

    Interesting that she did not say that research would be funded to seek cures: she offered a massive welfare program. (just pointing out the hypocracy — myself, I think that the welfare AND scientific research is needed).


  47. livelongandprosper says:

    What do you get when you cross Sarah Palin with a fruit fly?

    The dumbest blond fruit fly on the planet.

    A fruit fly that is an expert in energy.

    A well dressed fruit fly.

    A bug eyed woman flapping around flying into the bright lights.


  48. SkepticRising says:

    Palin’s comments just further demonstrate her willful ignorance of science and the research process. With her in elected office, you can expect nothing but policy by superstition. Ignorance is not a virtue.


  49. Shayne says:

    LividLib Says:

    What do you get when you cross Sarah Palin with a fruit fly?

    A fruit fly with a below average IQ.


  50. hussein toasterhead says:

    Shayne Says:

    What do you get when you cross Sarah Palin with a fruit fly?

    A fruit fly with a below average IQ.

    October 24th, 2008 at 12:46 pm

    ————-8<——————


  51. barracks9 says:

    LividLib Says:

    What do you get when you cross Sarah Palin with a fruit fly?

    A plague-bearing, invasive gnat (taxonomy wasillus pageantus), noted for its garish red markings about its mouth hooks. Known to kill moose and other actic mammals from certain heights and lie unapologetically, this gnat has a relative short (thankfully) political lifespan.

    To be treated as armed and dangerous to society.


  52. barracks9 says:

    LividLib Says:

    What do you get when you cross Sarah Palin with a fruit fly?

    Um…could you repeat the question?


  53. Doc Rock says:

    Short on knowledge, short on education, and short on vision<


  54. shoeless says:

    Why does Sarah Palin hate autism research?


  55. LividLib says:

    What do you get when you cross Sarah Palin with a fruit fly?

    A maggot in CFM pumps.


  56. CageyCretin says:

    CageyCretin Says:
    ——————————————————————————–

    livelongandprosper Says:
    The GOP would like everyone to think it’s only socialism if it is done by the Democrats.

    GOP strategy is to not be labeled anything, and then to use labels to demonize their opponents. Republicans are always “not-something” (I’m not a femenist, I’m not a fascist, etc.”), but they refuse to accept BEING anything except “republican” (truly party first). And then they would argue, “I’m a ‘real’ American”, which is completely meaningless, and a subtle attempt to paint anyone not-them (not-republican) as being NOT-AMERICAN. Fascist patriotism taken to an extreme. And they do NOT get called out on all of this, which is why they get away with it, and why some of the less informed of the public will believe them (”well, no one ‘credible’ seems to be denying what they say, so it must be true”).

    Their use of these labels is with no regard for actual definitions (in fact, they rarely make ANY attempt at defining all of these terms they so freely bandy about, even when directly asked for a definition). The only definition they want the listener to get is “if it’s not about us, it means that the person is evil or dangerous”, which is implied by the juxtaposition in their comments and by the tone that they speak these words.

    Their whole approach is like schoolyard bullies trying to be as psychologically abusive as possible. Sine it is law enforcement and the media (espescially) who represent the school teachers and principal in this a##logy, you can see why they get away with it: those who should be watching for the good of everyone keep turning a blind eye, or even going as far as to apologize for them. Even offer ‘explanation’ when they can’t.

    I got put into moderation. Well, if this posts twice, I sincerely apologize.


  57. thomthum says:

    I wonder if we’d be having this conversation if Trigonometry Van Palin didn’t have DS.

    “Time flies like the wind…fruit flies like bananas”
    -anon.


  58. shoeless says:

    LividLib Says:

    What do you get when you cross Sarah Palin with a fruit fly?

    A fruit fly whose memory is even shorter than its life span.


  59. IgnoranceIsNotBliss says:

    This morning, Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) gave her first policy speech urging the federal government to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), “a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation.”

    SOCIALIST!!! SOCIALIST!!! (runs down street waving arms and screaming in fear)


  60. A Patriot Acting says:

    LividLib Says:

    What do you get when you cross Sarah Palin with a fruit fly?

    Jeff Goldblum in lipstick?
    http://www.horrortalk.com/reviews/TheFly/fly_1.jpg


  61. DRxJ says:

    LividLib Says:

    What do you get when you cross Sarah Palin with a fruit fly?

    An annoying buzz to nowhere?


  62. Wayne says:

    What do you get when you cross Sarah Palin with a fruit fly?

    A roach with a taste for bananas


  63. tigger says:

    Time flies like an arrow.

    Fruit flies like a banana.

    Palin’s family flies at taxpayer expense.


  64. Gregor Samsa says:

    For the America Talibaners, scientific research in general makes little or no sense.

    Specially since fruit fly research has helped shed light into evolutionary processes -gasp!

    As far they are concerned, this cannot contribute to the public good, since it challenges their literal interpretation of the Bible.


  65. RUCerious says:

    C’mon, you would actually expect the hockeybull Mom to know shit like this, would you?

    McRocky & BullTwinkle for PTA President!


  66. LibertyLover says:

    Shayne Says:
    Every time she opens her mouth her foot lands in it.

    —–
    She’s very bendy like that.


  67. DRxJ says:

    psst! Sarah. There’s this little thing called technology. Why, we can even duplicate an inactive form of a virus’ DNA through….are you ready for this…CHICKEN EGGS!
    You betcha!


  68. dae says:

    This dumb ass who believes that cavemen walked with dinosaurs and that the universe was created 5000 years ago certainly cannot comprehend the need or significance of basic scientific research. Put her in power and we’ll rank right up there with Turkey in R & D.


  69. jonlester says:

    I’m old enough to remember when the Mediterranean fruit fly (nicknamed the Medfly) wrought economic disaster for southern California in the early 1980’s. I’d say there’s some value in researching such insects.


  70. OceanDog says:

    LOVED Richard Wolffe’s smackdown of Palin on Keith…

    I’m going to be as restrained and measured as I possibly can about this. This is the most mindless, ignorant, uninformed comment that we have seen from Gov. Palin so far, and there’s been a lot of competition for that prize. Fruit flies are … a standard scientific model in genetic research along with a whole range of other organisms and cells, including mice, rats, there’s nothing fluffy or funny about it.


  71. stvnbc says:

    Are you guys serious? She stated fruit fly research in France…not at UNC

    What does Olive grove fruit fly research in Paris France have to do with scientific research at UNC.

    The money is going to Paris France for fruit fly research to prevent them from raiding olive groves.

    These are 2 complete different things.

    open your minds a little….oh, wait..nevermind!


  72. carl5 says:

    The enormous ignorance of Sarah is matched only by the sad judgment of John McCain. Sarah’s best effort to lead the cause of special-needs children should start by educating herself about birth control. Women over 40 run a greater risk to have a child with Downs Syndrome. If Sarah knew how to read, she might know this, and would not have subjected her poor baby to a lifetime of “special needs” in the first place. She and her alcoholic husband should go back to Alaska and watch out for Russia from her kitchen window. You betcha!


  73. Chrissy in NYC says:

    What do you get when you cross Sarah Palin with a fruit fly?

    15 minutes of fame.

    (Time’s up)


  74. FangsFirst says:

    What do you get when you cross Sarah Palin with a fruit fly?
    (Best punch line wins).

    In what context, Charlie?


  75. Constant Weader says:

    Palin’s big policy address incorporates the subjugation of science to religion. Palin said several times during her prepared remarks that she was on a “mission” — a none-to-subtle Christian code word. Her mission, alas, has no room for science, which is heresy in the real, pro-Christian areas of the country. Maybe she’s planning prayer meetings or more of these “policy” pep talks for special needs families.

    Ben’s post was very informative & is linked on RealityChex.com at http://www.realitychex.com along with other posts, news items & opinion pieces about the presidential election. And since it’s Friday night, click on the video in the upper righthand column — one of the best Obama videos around & it’ll make you feel like dancin’.


  76. commiehater says:

    I wonder if that research will eventually lead to cripple people walking. If not, maybe they’ll at least figure out a way to inject a little of that neurexin in between 2 of Biden’s brain cells.


  77. ellenmc says:

    Over 75,000 research studies involving Drosophila, at least according to http://www.scopus.com…those wacky scientists; what are they thinking!


  78. cancun.mermaid says:

    Sarah, wouldcha please go back to Alaska and never return to the lower 48?? Oh you betcha, we don’t like you in the lower 48… Watch out Alaska, Sarah the Dictator will be home soon wearing her fancy pants, things will never be the same, NEVER!! I pity you poor people.


  79. DARREN B says:

    HELLO PLUTO TO SARAH COME HOME BEFORE THEY FIND OUT..
    JOKES & REAL NOTES : THE PALIN AFFECT IS HUGH SHE IS REALLY DIFFERENT & I HAVE WATCHED FIXED NEWS SHOWING HER FRIENDS IN ALASKA FROM TIME TO TIME & WE IN THE LOWER 48
    WE ARE REALLY BLESSED.

    VICE-PRESIDENT PALIN :NEVER
    GOVERNOR PALIN :REALLY HOW MANY HANGING CHADS WAS LOST?

    THE BIGGEST WINNER IN THIS ELECTION: ALL THE COUNTRY CITIES WHOM WAS CALLED HICKS / INBREDS & REDNECKS
    THE BIGGEST LOSER IN THIS ELECTION : THE EDUCATED PEOPLE IN ALASKA : NOW YOU TAKE THE ABOVE MENTION HONORS

    PLEASE READ THEN PASS ON
    2008 NEW GENERAL ELECTION LAW BANS ANY ONE WHO LIVED IN ALASKA FOR MORE THEN TWO WEEKS FROM RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT ALSO WE WILL RECALL OUR AMBASSADOR NOW. HA HA
    AND THE SENATE SEAT NOW SHIFTS TO PUERTO RICO I BET THEY WONT START A SUCCESSION PARTY.. (TODD OR 1ST DUDE)

    “SARAH THE FRUIT CAKE” WAS MAKING FUN OF HELPFUL “FRUIT FLIES” WHILE HER RUNNING MATE “JOHN FRUIT LOOP” WHO SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT THE STOCK MARKET INSTEAD OF “JOE THE PLUMMER” AND YET THEY WONDER WHY THE POLLS ARE NOT “FRUITFULL”

    GOODNITE BE BLESSED & EVERYONE PLEASE VOTE EARLY & OFTEN

    DARREN B


  80. mum7 says:

    Most were so impressed by this ‘working mum’. As we now discover, this is not a typical ‘working mum’ that handles her household and children apart from a job. The household is handled by her wuss husband, the children are only presented to impress, dragged around all over the place having to listen to what must be to them very boring speeches, and occasionally the baby is kind of hanging in her arm just to impress.

    How many working mothers would be so lucky to have her employer and/or taxpayer pay for her wardrobe. But not only hers, for some inexplicable reason all the children had to be clothed by the taxpayer as well……. but she will set things straight and start saving together with Maverick McCain when they are elected

    But most of all, how conceited this woman is and narcissistic actually, bragging about her ‘executive experience’ and having the audacity to compare herself with Obama and Hillary, even insinuating that her experience is superior to Obamas.

    How dare she compare herself to Hillary who is dignified, intelligent and capable, everything Palin is not.
    And I would like to see her in a debate as we saw Obama, mind you, I guess she could wink her way through it and pat herself on the back once again.

    I can just see her negotiating politics with Heads of States of other countries, when she starts winking at them they will surely get the wrong idea.

    But I forgot, in her original speech she mocked Obama for wanting to read people their rights, she is all for shoot first and ask questions later.


  81. DSpafford says:

    Almost all fundamental genes involved in the development of the human body are common in humans and fruit flies. There are hundreds and hundreds of geneticists, physiologists and biologists who use fruit flies as a model to understand genes and development. Nobel prize for genetics and development in 1995 went to three fruit fly researchers, Drs. Edward Lewis, of the California Institute of Technology, Christiane Nuesslein-Volhard, of Germany’s Max-Planck Institute and Eric Wieschaus, at Princeton.


  82. efarr says:

    If this project really were worthy of funding, then it could have been funded through the normal channels — involving an evaluation by a committee of experts in the field. There would have been no need to slip it into a bill at midnight, in order to bypass scrutiny.

    Seriously, folks. Is this really the process you want to fund science research? Based on whoever is most friendly with their congressman?


  83. nabalzbbfr says:

    Autism is, in the vast majority of cases, a fraud and a racket. It is a product of utterly misguided permissive parenting, which turns perfectly normal kids into dysfunctional antisocial brats. The problem is parents have been getting their advice from idiotic child-rearing books like Spock’s, instead of the Holy Bible: spare the rod and spoil the child. Scientific research on genetic causes of autism is a colossal waste of time and money, whether or not it involves fruit flies in Paris or elsewhere.


  84. jonlester says:

    nabalzbbfr, if you believe all of what you said and, if you think “spare the rod and spoil the child” is any kind of license to use corporeal punishment on your children, then you, my friend, have much studying to do to straighten yourself out. The verse in question used the word “rod” in the sense of a measuring rod, which is to say, you are to explain things to your child in an age-appropriate context.

    Not that I owe you a Bible lesson but I think it’s appalling that people would use scripture to justify abuse and the perpetuation of benighted thought.


  85. beardogger says:

    What do you get when you cross a fruitfly with Sarah Palin?

    Dronezilla megalogaffer


  86. out of towner says:

    What do you get when you cross a fruitfly with Sarah Palin?

    Dilution of the fruit fly gene pool.


  87. aerdrie says:

    What an idiot! “Fruit fly research”? Fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), like the baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the bacterium E. coli, are used as model organisms in research of diseases like autism, Alzheimers, muscular dystrophy, etc.

    These science-illiterate idiots just make me so mad!




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