Bill Nye-- Not the Constitution Guy

One of the supposed highlight of the DC March for Science, which was the largest of the Earth Day gatherings around the world, was childrens' infotainment 1990s science host Bill Nye "The Science Guy".

During his remarks in the rain, Nye reiterated his assertion that the Constitution of the United States protects science.

Nye has been claiming since 2015 that the Framers of the Constitution invocation of protecting the "progress of science and the useful arts"  in Article I Section 8 of the Constitution meant the politicians should educate the public about art and have a role in promoting science and a plethora of progressive pursuits like environmentalism and big infrastructure,

Bill Nye at DC March for Science, April 22 2017

Alas, Bill Nye is not the Constitution Guy.  Article I Section 8 is known among lawyers as the Copyright Clause. It protects inventors and intellectual property creators with keeping the benefits of the fruits of their labors.  Namely, others can not steal and profit from their ideas under the law.

Nye's facile interpretation of Article I Section 8 makes one wonder about his other musings.

It is safe to say he is neither Bill Nye the NASCAR Guy nor Bill Nye the Constitution Guy. Considering his public policy pontifications, he may be better described as Bill Nye, the Red Herring Guy. 

Political Views from Bleacher Bums?

Since politics is my favorite contact sport and this is the time for the championship match, I was interested in the chart that tried to quantify political persuasions based on sports affinity.

It was no surprise to have WNBA fans and European Soccer fans skew to the left.  After First Lady Michelle Obama was booed at a NASCAR event promoting assistance to military families, it is not shocking that automotive racing fans are driven to the right.






But the way other sports fans political affinities fell were somewhat unexpected. I would not have naturally associated Ultimate Fighting or Extreme Sports as have such Democrat fans.  It took me off guard that LPGA followers and Olympic aficionados would be reliable Republicans.

Considering the popularity of football, it seems natural for politicians to make appeals to gridiron fans. Both President Obama and Governor Mitt Romney want to make appearances on the NFL Monday Night Football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New Orleans Saints the night before the general election.

Mr. Obama has made several appearances on MNF, but his hallmark was in late 2006 as the then newly elected first term Senator from Illinois was toying with running for the Oval Office.






Here's hoping that the sentiments of the Bleacher Bums from Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois is to mix a sports metaphor (yet apt for Mr. Obama) par for the course.

h/t: Eric Callie

ESPN Spikes "Rise Up and Register" NASCAR Ad Campaign

NASCAR race car driver Blake Koch wanted to promote a campaign to educate fans on the importance of participating in U.S. elections. Koch teamed up with the “Rise Up and Register” campaign, but it seems that ESPN did rejected the ad supposedly due to the religious and partisan overtones.

See the cancelled ad for yourself:




It is curious that ABC/Disney was so concerned about controversial overtones of the ad, as there were neither allusions to religion or Republicans.  The worst one could say about it is that it depicted an American flag.  Perhaps it would have been permitted if it showed the Obama Stars and Stripes.

Their mission statement notes “ Rise Up and Register firmly believes that increased electoral participation will yield tremendous benefit to our great nation at a time when our problems seem to mount daily.”

One wonders what was the real rationale for not allowing Rise Up and Register’s advertisement of Koch’s car 41 campaign to be aired.  Are networks purporting to be prissy about allowing advertisements of controversial commercials?

READ MORE at the DCBarroco website