More Accusations of Scientific Abuse by the Bush Administration

Saeed al-Sahaf writes "Last week, the Union of Concerned Scientists released new evidence that the Bush Administration continues to suppress and distort scientific knowledge and undermine scientific advisory panels. Of course we're not talking about such subjective issues like stem cell research which Bush objects to on religious grounds. Here we are talking about money. The cases discussed in this story detail incidents of suppression and distortion of scientific knowledge on issues ranging from mountaintop removal strip mining to endangered species such as wild Salmon in the Pacific Northwest."

Comments

Ironic

[christopherfinke]

Does anyone else find it odd that a story on "scientific abuse" was submitted by a Wiccan? From the submitter's website:

First, it is one of the Celtic fire festivals, honoring the Celtic culture-bringer and Solar God Lugh (Lleu to the Welsh, Lugus to the Gauls) [...] These aspects are not too dissimilar, as the shamanic death and transformation of Lleu can be compared to that of the Barley God, known from the folksong "John Barleycorn". This time is also sacred to the Greek Goddess of the Moon and the Hunt, Artemis.

Perhaps this is the science the submitter wishes the current administration was using...

Re:Ironic

[coaxial]

Practicing magic is generally considered to be anti-scient[sic].

I have no idea why. Oh wait! That's right! It doesn't work. Of course, the same can be said about christian spells^H^H^H^H^H^Hprayers.

Speaking as a scientist

[PhysicsGenius]

I was very outraged when my data on subatomic particle interaction was undermined for political purposes. I wrote several angry letters to the White House about it and denounced Bush to all my friends and colleagues.

Then I got a reply.

The reply gently and wisely pointed out that "politics" is what makes things happens. "Politics" makes public school and thus high literacy possible. "Politics" is what puts police on the streets to keep us safe. "Politics" is what the Constitution is all about.

The letter went on to note that while the White House obviously didn't dispute my data, any scientific finding must have an *interpretation* put on top of it to make it useful. The letter writer indicated several points on which I had to admit my interpretation was colored by my political views and that the White House interpretation was more conservative (scientifically) than mine.

That letter writer was George W Bush. The man I will be voting for on November 2.

Re:Speaking as a scientist

[hal9000]

What the fuck is this garbage?

Nice

[BigChigger]

It's nice that the Slashdot moderators have a place where they can spew their political attacks. Since this will get modded down into the basement, I can only say I wish I had the same opportunity. BC

Re:Two points

[Anonymous Coward]

But that's only because false premises can give true conclusions...

Religions are Just Stupid. All of them.

Belief should be transient, fleeting, dispelled by the next experiment. Faith is the ultimate sin. Be a scientist!

Re:Two points

[Anonymous Coward]

Insightfull my ass. You have no clue what you are talking about . GP was right evolution as a theory requires as much if not more faith than creationism. Your just to ignorant to see it.