McCain's brand of 'Shame, shame, shame on you, Senator Obama' is an excellent example of McCain's lack of imagination and disrespect for the arts, education and science.
A short wired.com article in their Science Blog caught my eye this morning. It was entitled "The Facts about Obama's $3 Million Projector". http://blog.wired.com/...
In the article my son's co-worker, Brandon Keim, explains why the $3 million dollar projector is needed (their other projectors were vintage 1930 and 1970); who would be the recipients of the new digital abilities of the projector (1 million mostly urban children) and what these new capabilities would add in terms of scientific and human interest (a boundless list).
So why has Senator McCain seized on Senator Obama's support for this projector along with many other seemingly odd criticisms of Senator Obama's record as a senator? As McCain talks about the projector, often as part of his 'Joe the Plumber' (now discredited) diatribes, he makes faces and groans his disapproval in a "Shame, shame, shame on you, Senator Obama" performance.
This is not surprising as McCain's pick of an anti-science running mate, convincingly evidenced by her creationist beliefs, is fully in character. Senator McCain is simply not a man with any intellectual curiosity. He began to prove this in his early years with a poor performance in the Naval Academy, but he continues to add to this somewhat discouraging resume.
McCain is not interested in the economy or the economic underpinnings under which capitalism and our so-called 'free' markets operate. He has always loved the chaos of a free market and has worked his darnedest over his senate career to deregulate every possible aspect of the financial markets. Hence he is at a great disability when it comes to brainstorming any kind of solution to the worst financial and economic crisis this world has ever seen.
We know that science and the arts are a hard sell in our current economic situation and could be criticized by some, but these things improve the quality of life. What has McCain done to improve life for the middle class during almost 24 years in the Senate? I leave this for others to answer, but it is obvious Senator McCain is not interested in the arts or science in the public interest, unless there is a payoff for one of the corporations who support his candidacy .
The You-Tube video of one of his homes - it was recently listed for sale and the listing video somehow ended up on-line - does show that someone in his home has an interest in art with regard to private ownership. Yes, I admit I may be a bit envious, who wouldn't be, but that is the reason and justification for public museums. So that beautiful art can be enjoyed by more than just their private collectors.
Hence, the planetarium in Chicago is a public expenditure for the greater good and not, as McCain implies, something for which Senator Obama will personally benefit.
Truthfully, I used to view Senator McCain as a threat to any democratic candidate for the presidency, but that was before the Clinton and Obama race had been decided. Now I realize he is like an old deck of cards, tattered and worn although once worth something. It is not his age that is his issue, however, but his lack of imagination.
Here is some information on the Adler, http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/... which is currently the only museum in the world with two full-size planetarium theaters:
Since 1930, the wonder of the stars has been visible in the historic Sky Theater. Powered by brand new Digistar 3™ simulator technology, the StarRider Theater is a completely digital, virtual outer space environment. The famous Zeiss Planetarium projector is capable of accurately reproducing the movement of every aspect of the night sky.
I have to believe that education, science and the arts separate us from the other primates, and the decline of our investments in these areas has begun to show. I admire Senator Obama for not forgetting many things are important in life, including an enlightened public. If this planetarium projector gives his competitor some erroneously-derived, and certainly an insignificant grinding point, so be it.
For those of you who may consider this digital planetarium project 'wasteful', I cannot help thinking that if Wasilla, Alaska, had one, this campaign might have had a more elevated tone.
Certainly general science information might help the many ill-informed young people who are relying on abstinence and chastity as their only methods of birth control and breeding while still children themselves. If anyone wants to reduce the practice of abortion and make it a rare occurrence, surely they must support all areas of education.
In the meantime, I will rally behind Senator Obama's attempts to give urban children in Chicago - many of whom have never seen a non-light polluted night sky - a few moments of unadulterated wonder.