Playing pretend

How intriguing:

A TPM Reader chimes in ...

The creation vs science question has a major bearing on a rather visible government program:
Isn't the primary rationale for most of the space program to learn more about the origins of life? Some would say that exploration of Mars and the moons of Saturn will help us shed light on these eternal mysteries. Others would point out that all we need to know can be found in the book that's available in every hotel room.
How can it be that the Bush Administration, which advocates pushing toward manned travel to Mars, hasn't acknowledged that its space program objectives are inconsistent with the creationist views?

Because guys like rockets. End of discussion.

Also, it seems that Rob and Josh make good bedfellows on this issue in general (alright, what the heck, I'll go along for the ride):

The cardinal point of the Bush presidency, after all, is not getting out of step with the religious right ever on anything. But what about reporters at the Times, the Post and other papers.

Do they really need to pretend that there's a scientific debate over 'Intelligent Design' rather than a political tussle between science and the religious right?

No, they don't. They just want a story.