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Of all the problems during the last Bush administration, the attack on science as the foundation for truth was the most egregious. The Bush science legacy has set this country apart from most of the world, making the United States look like an ideological terrorist. Besides the continuous mistakes in foreign policy, the inability to move science forward will taint the presidency of George Bush forever. Losing 8 years of innovation is not forgivable. The continuous distortion of true science is legendary for the Bush years.
Barack Obama got his administration off on the right foot when he announced his science team so early. Boy; what a science team it is. Steven Chu, physicist and Nobel laureate is the Secretary of Energy. John Holdren, physicist, is the President's science advisor. I happen to like physicists, they tend to be the best thinkers in the scientific world in my opinion. Jane Lubchenco, marine ecologist will head the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Harold Varmus, biologist, Nobel laureate and Eric Lander, a genome expert will co chair the President's Council of Advisers on Science and Technology (PCAST).
Get used to that acronym PCAST; you will hear that a lot during the next eight years. Science has been the foundation of America's success. No other country can come close to the achievements that our great Nation has been able to provide the world. Unfortunately; during the Bush years, other Nations were beginning to find leadership roles on many science issues.
Now we have a President that understands the need for science leadership. You can watch Obama's message and feel confident that America will lead into the future. What this country can never afford again is to have an ideologue making decisions absent of true science. This is what Bush gave us and this is what Obama will change. We will have science in the 21st century.
tomtoak
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Yo Tom,
ReplyDeleteM.H. here, could there ever be a downside to including Dr. Hawking into that club you mentioned? I think he's the most brilliant man on the planet!!!!!!
Don't know where he'd fit (besides astronomy, quantum physics, just down right proper thinking, and being an awesome male figure((like your dad and grand dad)).
If I could have a wish fulfilled, it would be spend a night with him!!!!!!!!
Hope all is well!!!!! Say hi to Sandy!!!!!
Luv ya lots!!!!!!!
Michael
Dr. Hawking is just too old at this point and physical limitations are very trying for him.
ReplyDeleteThe political abuse of Science that has occurred is truly shocking and will take time to heal.
ReplyDeleteFor a good summery of the damage done, check out this site:
http://ucsusa.org/scientific_integrity/abuses_of_science/a-to-z-guide-to-political.html
Wow! That's a great site. I've got it bookmarked and will study it in detail. Good to see your computer is squared away
ReplyDeleteAmen to the return of science--many lives will be saved by stem cell research and enriched by scientific advances such as new technology in space travel, etc.
ReplyDelete