- Social:
National Center for Science Education
Programs and Policy Director at the National Center for Science Education, a nonprofit resource group that tracks the teaching of evolution/creationism in K-12 education
PROFILE
Mark McCaffrey
Guest
FROM Mark McCaffrey
Which Way, L.A.?
The Heartland Institute, Global Warming and Public Schools Documents leaked last week reveal efforts to cast doubt on climate change with a new curriculum for public schools. Some call it similar to challenging Evolution by pushing Creationism. The Heartland Institute , a libertarian nonprofit group in Chicago, says at least one document supposedly "leaked" last week is a complete fake. But Heartland concedes that others accurately reveal the names of its funders. Is it really about science or public policy?
To the Point
Global Warming and the Culture Wars Leaked documents show that the nonprofit Heartland Institute is trying to shake the confidence of public school teachers in human-caused climate change. Its proposed K-12 curriculum says there is "scientific controversy," when a broad consensus of scientists says the case is all too clear. It's evidence of how so-called "merchants of doubt" are challenging efforts to limit the burning of fossil fuels and emissions of greenhouse gases. How does the effort to contradict climate science compare to the push to teach Creationism as the "other side" of Evolution?
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To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
To the Point
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.
To the Point
White House budget proposal slashes and burns President Trump's first budget request is considered dead on arrival in Congress — a familiar development in Capitol Hill. We hear what it reveals about the priorities of the new administration. What's likely to die… and what might survive?
To the Point
Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.