the rightful place of science is as the very useful tool for understanding the world that it is. The problem is that the Bush administration “politicized” science, ignoring any that conflicted with their prior views. For instance, their support of creationism taught in science class, their dismissal of global warming and several reports about that, and their disdain of “elitist intellectuals” and education in general.

My interest in U.S. affairs comes mostly from reading Planet Atheism and some news sites. Because of the former, I read new posts from more than 100 blogs, mostly American, almost every day; it’s inevitable that I came to feel “a part” of it.

Also, I’ve long noticed that whatever happens in the U.S. — especially, but not only, related to what the administration is — affects life in Portugal in general, in terms of economy and optimism, more than whatever happens in Portugal itself. It’s strange, but it’s true.

Finally, there’s another reason: there’s a lot of bigotry, prejudice and persecution against atheists in the U.S., and one shouldn’t care about bigotry only when it’s against oneself. This poem reminds us of that. For the same reason, if I had lived as an adult during the 50s and 60s, I’d have cared about racial segregation and oppression in the U.S., even though I’m caucasian and no such thing was happening in Portugal at the same time.

What do you think the rightful place of science is? Also, just out of curiosity, why so much interest from a non-citizen?

YES!