I just read that on another blog.
I guess the real answer depends on which science.... If jumping meant I would avoid being hit by a train, I might. If the bridge was on fire... I probably would...
But hey.... that “Mom reasoning” can’t be denied!
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How high is the bridge? What’s below the bridge? Is there a mattress truck driving under at the same time or a trash barge like in the movies? So many questions.
Science “never” tells you to jump of a bridge.
It will give you current facts and assumptions based on current experiments and data.
What you do with that information is your decision.
Data may change with new experiments and new technology; and your decisions may change.
That's just the thing about science. By its very definition, it has to prove itself, test itself, and subject an idea to rigorous testing.
It's interesting how wide-spread the scourge of science-denial has devolved in our current culture.
There was once a time in world history when religion and superstition ruled the day and brutalized truth, fact and human dignity. It was called the dark ages.
I rememeber when the scientist said that an Ice Age was coming. Then the scientist were like, no ice age is coming sorry about that.
Then they said we will deplete the earth of all fossil fuels by 2050. And then scientist said ignore that one.
Then they said global warming and warning, warning the polar ice caps are melting. Then they realized the temperature was getting cooling.
And now scientist are like fuck it , climate change, and because a bunch of scientist and politicians believe this it is in fact truth. The belief is the proof.
and also remember when scientist said aerosol cans were destroying the ozone layer.
Isn't it science that made the U.S. the most dominant military power in history? Isn't it science that discovered penicillin, a vaccine for polio and cardiovascular drugs so people live longer and more productive lives. My mistake. I forgot this is a right wing lunatics (RWL) blog. It is the genius in the White House that may all of this possible. Fuck you Al Gore. It was Donald Trump who had the idea for the Internet.
CumQuat, its not science that's the issue. The issue is you only believe in the science that supports your agenda. The other side does the same. Its not like there are no credited scientists refuting the success of wearing masks, man made climate change to the degree it matters, etc.
Burn the bridge down while chanting "Death to America". This is a sacred ritual that magically prevents the spread of covid. Science says so.
Also science says that if you proudly wave an America flag and cheer for the President, the deadliness of covid will be multiplied by 20, and will become 100 times more contagious. According to science.
Also, if you're a communist or anarchist, or if you just hate "the system", you're immune to covid and can't spread it. With or without a mask, it's OK. Loot, riot, burn, and scream all you want.
But if you go to work or church, every breath you exhale will kill three grandmothers and five black bodies. That's what we call black people now. "Black bodies."
Especially if you're white, your breath is particularly toxic and must be contained. Unless you're rioting and shouting through a megaphone about how much you hate your country.
Also if you burn a Bible in front of a federal courthouse, it will automatically cure 10 covid patients.
Don't shoot the messenger though. This is just what the science says.
@Horndog - totally agree with you. Here's one for you. If a person told you he made millions of dollars per year put paid zero income taxes in 10/15 of those years would you answer:
A. Total bullshit artist
B. Hey, how did you do that.
C. No wonder this person is always audited
D. Probably a tax cheat
@USB - correct, I was mistaken to say he paid no federal income taxes when he actually forked over $750. Reminds me of the two old rich guys in Trading Places that generously gave out $1 tips. I'm sure there are lots of folks on this site that paid $750/day in federal income taxes. But, hey, isn't that the mobster credo: pay no taxes, fuck military service and screw all your business partners. Just waiting for the bombshell story to appear on Trump and Jeffrey Epstein. Wonder how Trump is going to respond when Biden asks him why he was so close to a pedophile.
"Its not like there are no credited scientists refuting the success of wearing masks, man made climate change to the degree it matters, etc."
99%+ of scientists think that wearing masks will help minimize the transmission of COVID-19. There is no evidence that I know of that actually proves the null -- that masks actually don't work.
99%+ of scientists think that manmade climate change is real and will eventually wreak havok across the globe if it hasn't already.
You make it seem like it's a balanced affair, and it really is not.
You can easily find a few scientists who will be tempted by interests that don't want masks to work or don't want climate change to be real.
Science CAN talk; when it does not effect individuals, science speaks
But when things affect people and the welfare of the state, governments may choose and decide their policy: and at times choosing to ignore science.
Example
-Pluto with modern technology showed a path not followed by planets and was deemed not a planet: did not affect policy
BUT
-pesticides toxicity; despite science, each country (or local governments) decide what is safe
Same for
-vaccination policy
-response to global warming
And there are countless other things
Owning a business that fails does not require a lot of work or a whole lot of intelligence. Owning several that fail but coming out of it stronger takes some skill. Learning from your mistakes requires intelligence... I don’t see what the big deal about his taxes are. For one thing no matter what they show one side will be critical of it.... are you guys upset because he pays almost no tax? He’s using the tax laws to his benefit.... There is nothing illegal about thatL. My point is his bankruptcies tell another story, one with business smarts, tenacity and savvy. Exactly the kind of president we need for the next 4 years.
Taking your humorous question seriously, I would definitely jump off a bridge (if for some reason I needed/wanted to) IF "science" had proved that it was safe. That's the thing about scientific research. Nothing is ever proclaimed until everything has been tested in a verifiable, peer reviewed way.
Of course, "science" tells us not to jump off of a bridge precisely because of its use of reason, math and measurable reality.
As far as I can tell, rkavman, the criticism isn't that he used existing tax law to pay low taxes. That would be a mischaracterization of the possible problem with his taxes (and the prevalent straw man argument being used by the right-wing media).
The potential problem is if Trump committed tax fraud, insurance fraud and/or bank fraud as people close to Trump have claimed. Once investigators can compare the numbers he stated on his taxes, insurance applications and bank loan documents, they'll be able to see very clearly whether he was truthful or fraudulent on those forms.
Fraud is illegal.
What we agree on is that Dems will use anything in the New York Times report to make him look bad and Repubs will say it's no big deal and throw out mischaracterizations, straw man arguments or change the subject. We all know the games that politicians play.
As a country, we far bigger problems than whether Trump committed tax fraud. My main concern right now is if Trump is committing election fraud.
