Saturday, June 14, 2008

Disinformation is Dangerous

I consider Charles McVety to not only be a far right, religious fanatic, but in some respects I find him dangerous.

Whenever I hear or read something he says it strikes me that, surely a man so lacking in depth and intelligence cannot inspire a following, but that he does.

It will remain a mystery to me that some find it easier to allow others to do their thinking and even more perplexing is the fact that the one they follow appears to have not thought at all.

The recent nonsense about Bill C-10 and tax credits for the film industry was such an example, but it soon became clear that no one (that mattered in that argument) was taking him seriously, except those who applied his illogic to the situation, so in the end it wasn't a big deal.

But now we have him popping up again and while his cadre may be small, I still think it's dangerous having someone like him spreading this kind of misinformation. Now, before anyone jumps all over me, I'm not suggesting that he should be taken to the Human Rights Commission or some such thing. I just think it's important that people pay attention and discredit what is obviously false. Frankly, for me, it's preferable to have this BS out there, rather than having it brewing somewhere behind closed doors.

Now, it's no secret that the far right has quite a movement going on in the US to include Creationism in Science classes. I presume at least part of the intent here is to push the same idea in Canada. After all, McVety never heard a lunatic Evangelical he didn't want to mimic. But beyond finding a way to get that movement underway, his accusations are truly bizarre, though not original. This Darwin debate, the movie and the Hitler link have many supporters in the US.

Kady O'Malley published the invitation to this screening and protest this week.

From: Vellacott, Maurice - Assistant 1Sent: June 10, 2008 4:49 PMTo: - BQ DÉPUTÉS/MEMBERS; - BQ: ADJOINTS; - CONSERVATIVE ASSISTANTS CONSERVATEURS; - CONSERVATIVE MEMBERS/DÉPUTÉS CONSERVATEURS; - INDEPENDENT MEMBERS/DÉPUTÉS INDÉPENDANTS; - LIBERAL MEMBERS/DÉPUTÉS; - LIBERAL ASSISTANTS; - NDP MEMBERS/DÉPUTÉS NPD; - NDP/NPD ASSISTANTSSubject: Private Screening of “Expelled, No Intelligence Allowed”
From: Charles McVetySent: June 10, 2008 4:32 PM
Change of Venue
Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Canadian Room, 1 Rideau StreetOttawa, Ontario
At 7:30pm
The writer and Executive Producer of Expelled, No Intelligence Allowed, Walt Ruloff, wants to personally meet you and invite you to privately screen his new film Wednesday evening, June 11th at 7:30 pm at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Canadian Room, 1 Rideau Street, Ottawa, Ontario.
In a time when an African-American can win the nomination of the Democratic Party to be the President of the United States of America, you would think that our educational system would be free from racism, and open to freedom of thought, expression, and inquiry. Nothing could be further from the truth. North America’s Universities do not allow academic freedom–if you question the orthodoxy of “Darwinism”. The last vestiges of the horrible scourge of racism remain firmly entrenched in the science classrooms of our society. This new film cuts to the heart of racism. In the United States of America, this film opened in 1,100 theatres, and was number 10 at the box-office. Over 1.3 million people have paid to see the film, and now it is coming to Canada opening on June 27th.
How could a film, created by a Canadian, Walt Ruloff, cause so much controversy? Walt Ruloff, is a very successful entrepreneur. By thinking outside of the box, he developed complex computer systems to optimize logistics for large organizations. A majority of Fortune 2000 companies use his logistics systems to control the movements of millions of products and goods around the world. Walt wanted to apply his ingenuity to the biological world to help find cures and treatments for troubling diseases. He quickly found that the scientific community would not allow you to think outside of the box of Darwinism, thereby restricting the advancement of knowledge. Instead of bowing to the high priests of Darwinism, Walt made a movie to challenge their “supremacy”.
Many people do not realize how overt racism is in Darwin’s writings. The full of the textbook found in every science classroom is The Origin of Species Through the Process of Natural Selection of the Preservation of the Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. On page 178 of Darwin’s book The Descent of Man, he states, “At some future period, not very distant as measured by centuries, the civilised races of man will almost certainly exterminate, and replace, the savage races throughout the world…The break between man and his nearest allies will then be wider, instead of as now between the negro or Australian (Aboriginals) and the gorilla.”
Racism must be countered and I believe this film will mobilize millions of Canadians to blot out this terrible scourge in our society.
Please clear a couple of hours this Wednesday to meet Walt and view his film.
www.expelledthemovie.com
Please call 416.391.5000 RSVP.
Dr. Charles McVety
President, Canada Christian College
P.S. An anti-Racism Rally will follow at the Darwin exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Thursday, June 12th at 12:30. Please invite your


It is staggering to me that people utter such nonsense, but even more incredible is their inability to actually comprehend what they are reading. I often joke about the black/white world of extremists, especially our right-wing in this country and in our current government. Their inability to understand nuance is astonishing, but they continue to reinforce my contention.

This reference for instance:

On page 178 of Darwin’s book The Descent of Man, he states, “At some future period, not very distant as measured by centuries, the civilised races of man will almost certainly exterminate, and replace, the savage races throughout the world…The break between man and his nearest allies will then be wider, instead of as now between the negro or Australian (Aboriginals) and the gorilla.”

What he actually wrote:

At some future period, not very distant as measured by centuries, the civilised races of man will almost certainly exterminate, and replace, the savage races throughout the world. At the same time the anthropomorphous apes, as Professor Schaaffhausen has remarked (18. ‘Anthropological Review,’ April 1867, p. 236.), will no doubt be exterminated. The break between man and his nearest allies will then be wider, for it will intervene between man in a more civilised state, as we may hope, even than the Caucasian, and some ape as low as a baboon, instead of as now between the negro or Australian and the gorilla.

As I read this passage, Darwin is not arguing that 'savages', (which incidentally was a term often used then and is now replaced by aboriginal), were not equal, were less, nor is he suggesting that they were a different species. The thrust of the argument is that links that support his theory will be eliminated, providing those who do not countenance it will have an argument to say 'see, there is no link!'

Well that discussion is long and complex to be sure and not really one I want to get into. The simplistic manner in which McVety is presenting it is a discussion that I'd like to have. His presence in our culture is not, imo, something to be taken lightly. If there is no clarification offered, as we've seen in the US, the movement grows to have a voice that is accepted, even embraced in government. That should be worrying.

McVety is either an idiot, or, he's crazy like a fox. I tend to lean toward the former.

Let's expose the nonsense. The right spends all of it's time twisting reality, let's spend ours straightening things out.

11 comments:

The Mound of Sound said...

You do the Reverend McVety little credit when you dismiss him as an idiot. Far from it. He's the sort of shady huxter and greasy fixer required for his job. You don't think he actually believes the crap he spews, do you? It's a form of compost from which McVety grows his little flowers or congregation that, in turn, imbues him with wealth and a measure of influence.

Karen said...

MoS, you are more eloquent than I...but that was what I was attempting to expose.

Though, at some level I do think that he believes this crap and I also know he knows how to 'play' it to his financial favour. No dispute there.

I'm sorry though, listening to the guy tells me he is not gifted with any depth.

The ability to bring in money, yes, but that imo is more a result of his patterning himself after his American models. He clearly tells us that he has no unique thought, no ability, nor intellect, to promote this agenda on his own.

Yes come to think of it, I do believe that he believes this junk, but I also recognise that he knows which side of his bread will be buttered.

It's that fact imo that should worry us.

RuralSandi said...

Well, he's influencing people without any depth.

I wonder how much money this guy makes in the "business" or religion. Wonder how big a house he has, how many shoes his wife has (is he married?). How much influence does he have on Harper and the CPC? I think someone should make this public - expose him. Where are our journalists these days other than worrying about what's going on in the Liberal caucus.

If he interferes political and tries to make government policy - shouldn't he lose his tax breaks? Is there not a rule about that?

wilson said...

''If he interferes political and tries to make government policy - shouldn't he lose his tax breaks? Is there not a rule about that?''

I wondered the same,
but in regards to David Suzuki.
Do you think that politicians that don't worship the Kyoto god should be throw in jail?
Suzuki does, he said so.

Red Tory said...

Mmmmmmm. Always Johnny on the spot with the kookyCon Kool-Aid®... that's "Wilson" for ya. Yes, politicians have to "worship" the "God" Suzuki. You're beyond pathetic.

By the way KNB, I'll be posting some interesting stuff on "Doctor" McVety tomorrow.

Karen said...

sandi, I think he believes he holds more influence than he actually does but it is worrying.

Certainly there is a group within the CPC that he holds sway with.

Karen said...

Oh wilson, as I said, the right spends all of their time twisting reality.

Doesn't it get tiring?

Karen said...

Thanks RT, I look forward to it.

RuralSandi said...

Did you not notice that Tories, like Wilson, have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)? I mean, Wilson has jumped from religion to science.

Gets confusing at times.

Anonymous said...

Why are Liberal Blogs always so negative? Angelo Persichilli in today's Toronto Sun complains about negativism on the Hill. He singles out the Liberals as the worst offenders. Perhaps they are getting cues from blogs like this one and the toxic Red Tory blog. Hate-filled political commentary used to be the far left's stock in trade. Unfortunately it's now becoming mainstream in Canada's Natural Governing Party.

Sorry folks, but aside from making people miserable, being negative is bad politics as Persichilli points out. The Conservatives aren't exempt from this by any means, but the Liberals are just out of control. I'd boot Red Tory from Liblogs myself.

Karen said...

Well, thankfully harold that decision is not up to you.

Persichilli? Are you serious. What a joke. A right wing writer with a right wing newspaper says it's all the Lib's fault that the parliament is negative.

Good grief, the Con's started attacking Dion before he finished his acceptance speech.

It's the opposition's job to hold government to account. It's the government's job to govern, not attack the official opposition.