Does Donald Trump believe in evolution? I ask only because a USA Today poll puts him top of the Republican nominees among likely primary voters at 17%, just ahead of Jeb Bush on 14%. This news comes as the Trump campaign tweeted a photomontage featuring soldiers who, upon closer inspection, turned out to be Nazi soldiers. It’s been a big week for Trump.
He has a stated view on most issues. He’s “very pro-life” (now) and also “very pro-choice” (a while back). He thinks global warming is a hoax, and that Mexican immigrants are mostly drug dealers and rapists. But no one seems to have ever asked him where he stands on evolution. I don’t imagine his answer would make a tremendous amount of sense, but he wouldn’t be alone there.
At a 2007 Republican candidates’ debate, John McCain was asked point-blank whether he believed in evolution, and he said yes. When the rest of the field of nine was asked who didn’t believe in evolution, only three raised their hands. Back in that comparative age of enlightenment, even Mitt Romney kept his arms at his sides.
Of the 11 candidates lagging behind Donald Trump in the polls, four are fairly clear evolution-deniers: Mike Huckabee is one of the original 2007 hand-raisers, Ben Carson is a creationist who believes life on Earth began 6,000 years ago, Rick Perry describes himself as “a firm believer in intelligent design”, and Rick Santorum has said: “I think there are legitimate problems and holes in the theory of evolution.”
Six more candidates have simply refused to address the question. When he was asked about evolution on a trip to London in February Wisconsin’s governor, Scott Walker, said, “I’m going to punt on that one.” The New Jersey governor, Chris Christie, told a reporter his views on evolution and creationism were “none of your business”. Ted Cruz won’t be drawn. Rand Paul opted to “pass” on a question about the age of the Earth. Answering the same question, Marco Rubio said: “I’m not a scientist, man.” Bobby Jindal declared himself unqualified because he wasn’t an evolutionary biologist (he’s just a regular biologist).
Even Jeb Bush is a long way from a simple yes. He’s said he thinks evolution should be taught in schools, but back in 2005 he said it shouldn’t, and he likes to maintain that his personal view is somehow beside the point.
Donald Trump could prove to be the voice of common sense when it comes to evolution. I’m not suggesting he should say what he believes (who cares what Donald Trump actually believes?). I just think he should say yes, so that at least someone has. Then again, nobody likes an egghead.
Four careless owners
It’s been noted that the rapper 50 Cent, who declared himself bankrupt this week, owns a 53-room Connecticut mansion he bought from Mike Tyson, who had to get rid of it when he himself went bankrupt in 2003. Tyson bought the house from another millionaire facing bankruptcy, a Lithuanian import-exporter who bought it from the bank that foreclosed on it when the original owner, Benjamin Sisti, got nine years for fraud after his real estate empire declared bankruptcy. That’s the property’s provenance, dating back to its construction in 1985: four bankrupt owners on the trot. 50 Cent’s been trying to sell the place for years, but you’d have to be rich and a fool even to look at the prospectus. The house is clearly cursed.
My flip-flop flap
It’s the time of year when style sections debate whether it’s permissible for men of a certain age to bare their knees and toes. The question of whether my feet suit flip-flops is the least of my worries. Having accepted a new pair from my wife, I’m in dire need of practice walking in them.
At least I now know how I’m going to die: on some stairs, in summer.
