Bobby Jindal on science and caution

While doing a little research for an upcoming post, I forced myself to re-read Geek Appeal, Jeremy Alford's campaign puff piece on Jindal which appeared in the The Gambit (then Gambit Weekly) in September of 2007. In that article we find the following quotation.

He's (Jindal) also extremely careful, even calculated -- a trait that surfaces during even the most mundane activities, like taking medicine. Jindal, who has a background in biology, medicine and public policy, never follows the directions on prescription medicines. "I always just take half the dose," he says. "I'm very cautious."

Now, I'll admit I don't have a "background in biology, medicine and public policy" but I can read the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding use of antibiotics.

Take an antibiotic exactly as the healthcare provider tells you. Do not skip doses. Complete the prescribed course of treatment even if you are feeling better. If treatment stops too soon, some bacteria may survive and re-infect.

This week we learned that Jindal's "cautious" approach to his "background in biology" cost New Orleans some much-needed convention business and brought some unwelcome national publicity to Louisiana's backwards attempt to push creationism in the public schools.

Next week, the Governor will explain his "cautious" approach to math. It starts with billions of federal dollars to help fix the state budget, provide health care to poor people, build roads, etc. And then you start subtracting the "strings"

Update: More from Oyster: "He really believes this stuff"