President Bush has long had problems with science. In his first term, Bush used his own vaulted scientific knowledge to dismiss the findings of his own EPA scientists on global warming as “junk science.” Click here. Since that time, he has led one of the most anti-environmental administrations in history and turned the United States into the global villain in opposing significant steps to combat global warming. Now, after scientists linked the threat against polar bears to global warming, Bush is moving to reduce the authority of scientists on such questions. He may have learned this technique on his recent trip to China where the government is a kindred spirit on the environment. The Chinese recently changed pollution forecasts by changing the forecasters, here.
The Administration has long been cited for abuses of scientists from gagging them in speaking publicly about evidence of global warming to changing or burying scientific findings, click here and here. Now, in the wake of the polar bear finding, Bush realizes that the problem with the contrary science is simple: the scientists themselves.
The proposal would reduce the mandatory, independent reviews that government scientists have been performing for 35 years. Notably, Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne admits that they are seeking the changes to ensure that the Endangered Species Act would not be used as a “back door” to regulate the gases blamed for global warming.
It is a legacy that rivals Nero on the environment. Bush will go down to his last hour of his last day in office fighting efforts to avoid global disasters and to protect citizens from the growing health dangers associated with various pollutants. For environmentalists, he cuts a tragic figure of a clueless executive fiddling as the world burns.
For the full story, click here.
But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer. But whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well. (Matthew 5:39)
…We sent after them Jesus the son of Mary, and bestowed on him the Gospel: and We ordained in the hearts of those who followed him Compassion and Mercy. (Koran 57:27)
As Jesus inspired both Muslims and Christians, I continue to follow his guidance. I have as many cheeks as you do hands, so go in Peace my brother.
Kathy: You don’t know anything about politics if you think science should get mixed up with it.
“This is not a case of Bush not believing the scientific community. His sole reason for denying the Global Warming science and for destroying the EPA is because his corporate friends need help in making even more profits.”
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Duh…
zakimar: how deep is the sewage sludge in the street of your third world country today?
This is not a case of Bush not believing the scientific community. His sole reason for denying the Global Warming science and for destroying the EPA is because his corporate friends need help in making even more profits. This is just another example of why this guy should have been impeached as soon as the Dems had a majority in the House. I hang this result on Nancy Pelosi’s shoulders. Obama will have alot of work to do to return the EPA to actually protecting the environment. He will also have a lot of work undoing the mess in the Justice Department.
What happened to the ‘AFS – Exchange Student’ story?
Well we wouldn’t want Environmental Science meddled with by actually involving “Scientists” in it, right?
Besides, I think Bush failed Science. He’s just getting back at all those mean ole smarty pants.
Jill, ask them – they are the EXPERTS!
Phone: 202-208-3100
E-Mail: webteam@ios.doi.gov
DOI Mission
The Mission of the Department of the Interior is to protect and provide access to our Nation’s natural and cultural heritage and honor our trust responsibilities to Indian Tribes and our commitments to island communities.
Goals:
Interior has established five Departmental goals that encompass the major responsibilities of the Department. These goals provide a framework for the strategic plans of Interior’s bureaus. The Departmental goals are as follows:
* Resource Protection – Protect the Nation’s Natural, Cultural, and Heritage Resources
* Resource Use – Manage Resources to Promote Responsible Use and Sustain a Dynamic Economy
* Recreation – Provide recreation opportunities for America
* Serving Communities – Safeguard lives, property and assets, ADVANCE scientific knowledge, and improve the quality of life for communities we serve
* Management EXCELLENCE – Manage the Department to be highly skilled, accountable, modern, functionally integrated, citizen-centered and result-oriented
Gino: You don’t know anything about Science if you think it should be separate from Politics!
Thanks Gyges,
I’m actually looking for the heading under which you register your comment to interior about the bullshit they are planning to impliment as described above. There’s a 30 day window to make your comment. My quest to find that place at interior has been instructive. I’ve gotten this far in the time I’ve had (see link below). If you read the headings at this site they could charitably be called “obscure”. I want to go to the right one to register my comment. I’m not even sure it’s up there now! If you or anyone else figures this out, let me know.
http://www.regulations.gov/search/index.jsp#
BTW–I have no problem whatsoever with admitting you, or anyone else is wrong:)
Jill,
I’m not really sure what you mean, are you looking for who in the Govt. to complain to?
I’d think that for now the Executive branch would probably be fruitless, but I’m sure the EPA has a website with contact info. You could try the House committees on Science and Technology; Natural Resources and the Senate committees on Energy and Natural Resources; Commerce, Science, and Technology; Environment and Public Works.
Also if you’re looking for for organizations to support I would recommend the AAAS or some similar group. Their website is also a great resource for science info.
Gino,
I know that your saying that Politics has no place in scientific research, but I think that actually applying scientific thought to politics would be a great thing. Think about how different the country would be if Congress had been skeptical about Bush’s reasons for invading Iraq. Or if a politician actually had to prove his negative attacks against his opponents. Or, dream of dreams people were willing to admit their mistakes when proven wrong.
While I don’t see much hope for change for the next few months, I do support Science Debate 2008. I also am keeping an eye on what various local candidates are saying on certain indicator issues: ID, realistic energy ideas, conservation issues, etc.
zakimar:
“Sen. Obama graduated ‘magna cum laude’ from Harvard Law School and is 47 years old.
Sen. McCain graduated in the bottom 1% of his class at United States Naval Academy and is 72 years old.”
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I hardly think that simplistic approach dispositive of the issue:
Abraham Lincoln dropped out of primitive school after 18 months and was self-taught. He successfully practiced law, and was primarily known for a series of debates with an incumbent Senator. Lincoln was 52 when he took office.
U.S. Grant, on the other hand, won an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduated, and was commissioned. He led the Union army and put an end to the greatest insurrection in our Nation’s history after at least four other commanders had failed. Grant was 47 when he took office.
I am no fan of McCain, but based on your rules of thumb who would have made the better President? Who, in fact, did?
You really do have so much to learn about our Country.
Does anyone know where comments on the above may be registered? Thanks.
Science and politics mix about as well as religion and politics.
Sen. Obama graduated ‘magna cum laude’ from Harvard Law School and is 47 years old.
Sen. McCain graduated in the bottom 1% of his class at United States Naval Academy and is 72 years old.
I wonder which person will have a better grasp on science, the environment and this “new fangled” theory called Global Warming.
Note to Republicans: ‘magna cum laude’, is Latin and doesn’t mean, would have flunked out entirely if not for rich, powerful, white, US Navy Admiral daddy.