I thought you said “serious academic”! — Al Gore??? Well, I suppose he does represent the voices of Real Scientists Everywhere, so maybe that counts.

But if the category is indeed elastic, then maybe we could entertain the racial theory of musical style, plus the Jesus-was-a-black-man claims, of renowned theologian and musicologist the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright.

Then there’s the idea that the Anbar Awakening occurred because the Democrats took over Congress — an idea so stupid it MUST have been treated with deference among polistical science professors everywhere.