Roger Ebert Finally Reviews "Expelled"

[FVZA_Colonel]

http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2008/12/win_ben_steins_mind.html

Win Ben Stein's mind
By Roger Ebert on December 3, 2008 12:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (135) | TrackBacks (0)

(I've been accused of refusing to review Ben Stein's documentary "Expelled," a defense of Creationism, because of my belief in the theory of evolution. Here is my review.)

Ben Stein, you hosted a TV show on which you gave away money. Imagine that I have created a special edition of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" just for you. Ben, you've answered all the earlier questions correctly, and now you're up for the $1 million prize. It involves an explanation for the evolution of life on this planet. You have already exercised your option to throw away two of the wrong answers. Now you are faced with two choices: (A) Darwin's Theory of Evolution, or (B) Intelligent Design.

Because this is a special edition of the program, you can use a Hotline to telephone every scientist on Earth who has an opinion on this question. You discover that 99.975 of them agree on the answer (A). A million bucks hangs in the balance. The clock is ticking. You could use the money. Which do you choose? You, a firm believer in the Constitution, are not intimidated and exercise your freedom of speech. You choose (B).

Squaaawk!!! The klaxon horn sounds. You have lost. Outraged, you file suit against the program, charging it is biased and has denied a hearing for your belief. Your suit argues that the "correct" answer was chosen because of a prejudice against the theory of Intelligent Design, despite the fact that .025 of all scientists support it. You call for (B) to be discussed in schools as an alternative theory to (A).
.....................................................................................................

I don't think I've ever see him this angry about a film before.

[BOSSHOG]

1. "Christians" are the biggest fucking whiners on the planet

Right now in a cave somewhere young republicans are trying to come up with a new name to replace "intelligent design."

[RainDog]

3. the big legal case in Dover about intelligent design

came down to a finding that NO support for i.d. comes from anywhere other than creationist sources.. i.e. the Dover law suit showed that I.D. is merely creationism in drag.

[Nederland]

9. Not sure about that

What about the Muslims? Remember that whole blow up over a bunch of silly cartoons?

[BOSSHOG]

10. Point well taken my friend

Maybe we can agree that "beliefs" rather then knowledge is an incredibly big part of bad things that go on on the planet.

[RainDog]

2. it's sad to see Stein whoring himself out to idiots

Ebert went easy on him.

[bunkerbuster1]

4. Oh, how I wish I could make this required reading for legislators.

[Warpy]

5. It probably took him this long to write it without profanity.

I have no idea what Ebert's belief or lack thereof might be, but I do know he's an intelligent and cultured man.

I'm not a bit surprised by this review.

[Cheap_Trick]

6. Glad to see that Ebert's medical problems have not dimmed his fire one bit.

Kick his ass, Roger. Intellectually speaking, of course.

[GreenTea]

7. Roger is a fine liberal, a great reviewer - writer and as funny as anyone I've read.

that includes my other favorites HST, Bukowski and Gore Vidal.

[FLAprogressive]

8. win.

[Marr]

11. This is a bit of a tangent, but I have a question.

Shouldn't the entire "intelligent design" argument be demolished by a single example of sub-optimal design in nature? I mean, the only way there could be a deviation from god's designs is mutation, and mutation is what they're denying.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

12. Marr, any number of facts completely demolishes the intelligent design argument.

They're not interested in facts.

They're organized liars.

[mrfrapp]

15. Yes it should

Shouldn't the entire "intelligent design" argument be demolished by a single example of sub-optimal design in nature?

You're right and there are many examples of sub-optimal "designs". The best example is the human eye. "The Blind Watchmaker" by Richard Dawkins is the best introductory text on this subject.

[Starry Messenger]

13. This might be the single best thing I've ever read.

Thank you for this post.

[Starry Messenger]

14. kick.

[Pastiche423]

16. K&R!

[underpants]

17. WOW that was long ...and very good

Stein used a NY Post from the 40's?? :rofl:

The rest was more informative than it was a review.

Very good

[FVZA_Colonel]

18. I was surprised about that myself.

It just kept going... and I mean that in an entirely positive way. He really must have been thinking about this for a long time.

[Warren DeMontague]

19. Ebert's great.

:applause:

[judasdisney]

20. Ebert is a National Hero and a treasure.

His liberalism isn't shallow. He's as committed as it gets. I trust him entirely.