23 April, 2009

Is There a Fake Doctor in the House?

Most of you have probably already seen PZ's post ripping "Dr." Don Patterson's testimony before the Texas State Board of Education. You probably laughed merrily at the man's utter ignorance about evolution. Just another liar for Jesus, right?

Well, yes, but some people get inordinately impressed by a doctor's testimony. I'm sure there's plenty of regular ol' folks who might take what a doctor says pretty seriously, even if what he's saying is seriously fucking stupid. This is where it may be useful to note that Don Patterson isn't actually a doctor. Tristero does the detective work:
So...just in case you don’t believe Patton would lie about everything, go here:
Since early 1989, Don Patton, a close associate of Carl Baugh and leader of Metroplex Institute of Origins Science (MIOS) near Dallas, has claimed a Ph.D. (or "Ph.D. candidacy") in geology from Queensland Christian University in Australia.[33] However, QCU is another unaccredited school linked to Clifford Wilson. [34] When questioned about this at a recent MIOS meeting, Patton indicated that he was aware of some problems relating to QCU, and was withdrawing his Ph.D. candidacy.[35]
However, the printed abstracts of the 1989 Bible-Science conference in Dayton, Tennessee (where Patton gave two talks) stated that he was a Ph.D. candidacy in geology, and implied that he has at least four degrees from three separate schools.[36] When I asked Patton for clarification on this during the conference, he stated that he had no degrees, but was about to receive a Ph.D. degree in geology, pending accreditation of QCU, which he assured me was "three days away."[37] Many days have since passed, and Patton still has no valid degree in geology. Nor is the accreditation of QCU imminent. Australian researcher Ian Plimer reported, "PCI, QPU, PCT, and PCGS have no formal curriculum, no classes, no research facilities, no calendar, no campus, and no academic staff....Any Ph.D. or Ph.D. candidacy at QPU by Patton is fraudulent."
And in case you think that web page is outdated, go here and check out Patton's academic credentials:
Four years, Florida College, Temple Terrace, FL (Bible)
Two years, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN (Geology)
Two years, Indiana Univ./Purdue Univ., Indianapolis, IN (Geology)
Two years, Pacific School of Graduate Studies, Melbourne, Australia (Education)
Ph.D. in Education granted 12/10/1993
That's right, folks. He claims he's a geologist but he didn't finish a degree in geology in either school he attended for that science. He spent two years studying education at a bogus school in Melbourne and was awarded a "PhD in Education."

Actually, that, too, is a lie. Go here and read, really read the document Patton claims proves he graduated with a "PhD In Education" because it doesn't and he didn't. If he got a doctorate at all from this school, he is a "Doctor of Christian Education."

Let's not mince words here. Don Patton is the real thing. Oh, he's not a geologist. But he is, without a doubt, a genuine, 100% authentic liar and con man who doesn't know a damn thing about science and has no business being taken seriously by anyone truly concerned with a child's education.
Aren't IDiots wonderful? Their doctors are as fake as their science.

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