Of course, the reason why they don’t bother is because these arguments aren’t intended to convince anybody with an understanding of the science (or even a general understanding of how science works.) I can say from my own experiences in the “creation science” movement of the 1960’s and 1970’s that most people left a typical CS conference unable to articulate “the polystrate fossils argument” and similar. No, the purpose was to convey the general feeling that (1) smart people have sciencey reasons for claiming the earth is young, the flood was global, and the Theory of Evolution is evil, and (2) if someone wanted to put in the effort, they could learn lots of these YEC arguments and successfully refute the godless evolutionist scientists, and (3) MOST IMPORTANTLY OF ALL, to leave the CS event confident that “I’m on the right side, the side that God is on. Anybody who disagrees with us risks fighting against God himself.”
That is the key to understanding “creation science” in America today: The movement is about choosing sides. That is why no amount of evidence and carefully reasoned presentations have much impact on the most impassioned. Feelings trumps facts. That is why very honest Young Earth Creationist evolution-deniers like Dr. Kurt Wise state outright that no amount of scientific evidence will ever change his mind. He basically considers his interpretations of the Bible inerrant on matters of origins and the age of the earth. (Of course, because he does have significant science training, he tends to shy away from the most appalling scientific arguments. For example, I’ve never seen him promote any of the bogus polystrate fossil arguments.)
Ken Ham made the same point in his debate with Ken Ham. When asked what it would take to change his view, Nye said “Evidence!” Ham stated that nothing would ever change his view.
Notice that in the Nye-Ham debate, Ken Ham didn’t even bring up many of the kinds of “creation science” arguments commonly presented on the Answers in Genesis website. That’s because he knew that few outside of his Young Earth Creationist audience would be impressed by those arguments. So he didn’t even try. Instead, he kept appealing to his fans by emphasizing being on the right SIDE.
All Young Earth Creationist and anti-evolution literature should be read with the issue of sides always in mind.