Ted Cruz tried to mock AOC's scientific knowledge – it didn't end well

Authored by theguardian.com and submitted by nclobo
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If you were in search of a scientifically minded, steadying presence to guide the country through the potential fallout of the coronavirus, you could not do much worse than Vice-President Mike Pence. This being the Donald Trump administration, however, where qualifications and expertise are often seen as prohibitive factors for top jobs, that’s exactly who we’ve been given.

Cutting to the heart of the matter with her characteristic bluntness, Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez this week pointed out the absurdity of placing Pence in charge of a potentially looming health crisis.

“Mike Pence literally does not believe in science,” she tweeted on Wednesday. “It is utterly irresponsible to put him in charge of US coronavirus response as the world sits on the cusp of a pandemic. This decision could cost people their lives. Pence’s past decisions already have,” she said.

Ocasio-Cortez reminded people of Pence’s credentials for the job. While he was governor of Indiana, he oversaw an HIV crisis that was so severe that at its peak, 20 new cases of HIV were diagnosed every week.

“As governor, Pence’s science denial contributed to one of the worst HIV outbreaks in Indiana’s history,” she continued. “He is not a medical doctor. He is not a health expert. He is not qualified nor positioned in any way to protect our public health.”

Rushing to the defense of the administration the next day, Ted Cruz jumped into the fray.

Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) As you are speaking as the oracle of science, tell us, what exactly is a Y chromosome? https://t.co/t4XVVzWr3A

“As you are speaking as the oracle of science, tell us, what exactly is a Y chromosome?” Cruz responded on Twitter. “And at what age of gestation does science tell us that an unborn child feels physical pain?”

He may have picked the wrong opponent – Ocasio-Cortez, it transpires, holds an award for microbiology from MIT.

Despite reports in the past of the two lawmakers, surprisingly, finding common ground on other issues, Ocasio-Cortez did not let the slight go unaddressed this morning. Touting her scientific background bona fides, and jabbing at Cruz, who, like Pence, gives primacy to his religious beliefs over science, she delivered an acerbic put-down.

“I’m surprised you’re asking about chromosomes given that you don’t believe in evolution,” she said.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) Sen. Cruz, while I understand you judge people’s intelligence by the lowest income they’ve had, I hold awards from MIT Lincoln Lab &others for accomplishments in microbiology.

Secondly, I’m surprised you’re asking about chromosomes given that you don’t even believe in evolution. https://t.co/vOIwJhpl7q

AFlockOfTySegalls on February 28th, 2020 at 20:42 UTC »

Republican attacks on AOC are so fucking dumb. They're always some variant of "shes just a bartender". They have no material other than that. And they still think it's clever.

Also: Fuck Ted Cruz.

Asconce on February 28th, 2020 at 19:55 UTC »

“You don’t believe in evolution” should be said anytime these anti-science know-nothings open their mouths

toddymac1 on February 28th, 2020 at 19:55 UTC »

Ted Cruz queries AOC:

As you are speaking as the oracle of science, tell us, what exactly is a Y chromosome?

To which AOC savagely responds with:

Sen. Cruz, while I understand you judge people’s intelligence by the lowest income they’ve had, I hold awards from MIT Lincoln Lab &others for accomplishments in microbiology.

Secondly, I’m surprised you’re asking about chromosomes given that you don’t even believe in evolution.