Not all Christmas trees are decorated with ornaments. This "tree" in a Paris shop window is made of bundles of straw, with red berries and a simple strand of gold lights its only enhancement.
What is it about the holiday season that means no one wants to do much work? US President George W. Bush has said he will not be rushed into deciding how to change his Iraq policy - even though it's universally acknowledged as a failure.
Meanwhile with the status quo, dozens of Iraqis were kidnapped today by men wearing military uniforms. And soldiers and civilians die on a daily basis. Not much of a Christmas for American and British soldiers in Iraq.
Questioned about the Iraq Study Group's findings, Bush told a reporter, "I thought it was interesting that Republicans and Democrats could work in concert to help achieve an objective." What an ironic statement coming from perhaps the most divisive president in history. Aren't we all Americans here? Don't many of us have sons and daughters in Iraq, regardless of what political party we support? Aren't tax dollars from every single one of us being poured into the quagmire in Iraq?
Then came the news that 10,000 US researchers signed a statement protesting political interference in the scientific process. Backed by 52 Nobel Laureates, the statement demands a restoration of scientific integrity in government policy.
The BBC reports that according to the American Union of Concerned Scientists, data is being misrepresented for political reasons. It claims scientists working for federal agencies have been asked to change data to fit policy initiatives.
The Union has released a guide documenting dozens of recent allegations involving censorship and political interference in federal science, on issues ranging from global warming to sex education.
Campaigners say that in recent years the White House has censored the work of agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration, because a Republican congress would not stand up for scientific integrity.
"It's very difficult to make good public policy without good science, and it's even harder to make good public policy with bad science," said Dr Peter Gleick, president of the Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment and Security. "In the last several years, we've seen an increase in both the misuse of science and I would say an increase of bad science in a number of very important issues; for example, in global climate change, international peace and security and water resources."
The statement was released at the American Geophysical Union's annual fall meeting of scientists. Last year, the meeting triggered an uproar when a discussion resulted in the renowned US space agency climate scientist Dr. James Hansen later claiming he was under pressure not to talk to the media about global warming issues.
Michael Halpern from the UCS said the statement of objection to political interference had been supported by researchers regardless of their political views. "This science statement that has now been signed by the 10,000 scientists is signed by science advisers to both Republican and Democratic administrations dating back to President Eisenhower, stating that this is not business as usual and calling for this practice to stop," he told BBC News. The Union expressed hope that the new Congress taking office in January would show a greater commitment to protecting the integrity of the scientific process.
Wonder of wonders, Mr. Bush, another example of Democrats and Republicans working together!
your blog posts are creative, informative,colorful et al all at the same time.
Posted by: Anrosh | 25 August 2007 at 23:33
"the statement demands a restoration of scientific integrity in government policy."
I'm glad someone is taking a stand. As a scientist, it is more than frustrating to be held accountable for learning and curing diseases, but to be given no funding, respect or assistance. Then people are injured or lost due to corporate funded research...although I doubt GWB will notice the statement. He brushed off the antiwar protests as minimal and a few discontent people. When it was published in a major journal that a study found that fish stocks will be gone from the ocean in ~40 years they didn't bat an eye. *sigh* - I like to think that concerned people can still make a difference.
Unfortunately we here in Canada have inherited a new Prime Minister who is on the same path. You can't base public policy on biased, directed studies...you might as well not do them at all.
Erm...I'll take my soapbox back to the lab now :)
Posted by: Geosomin | 18 December 2006 at 22:30
I guess it’s just “an inconvenient truth” http://www.climatecrisis.net/
Isn’t it??? Everyone should see this video out on DVD! This Al Gore movie is mesmerizing, and I only wish this aspect of the man had been more exposed during his campaign….I think it would have made a huge difference. Rather than wasting so many lives and dollars on the Iraqi war, Gore may have made some head way to reversing some of the very frightening affects of global warming! Anyone reading this please rent the documentary, you will not be disappointed, it’s a compelling, educational piece of work, fraught with information about a noble man and his mission!
Posted by: giggles | 18 December 2006 at 02:34
bush is such a dope! ya already know my feelings on that Tara, he embarrasses me to no end. (where I live here in the woods, ummm they love him) Now you can see why I'm sorta lost up here:(
Posted by: berrie | 15 December 2006 at 15:27
How wonderful of the BBC to run this news story - unfortunately, I have not seen anything on mainstream US news media & a quick Google new search confirmed that the closest to a major US news outlet running this story was ABC online (the Australia version). I'm going to start sending emails. Shame. Shame.
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 15 December 2006 at 13:40
Science? G Dub doesn't need science. He has "truthiness" to rely on. (If you have missed it, do a google on "truthiness"...truths you believe not based on fact...Word of the Year by Webster)
Posted by: Scott | 15 December 2006 at 02:38
I cannot wait til bush is OUT of office! It is certainy a sad state of affairs! On a brighter note, your pictures of all the deliciousness of Paris Christmas windows is sugar plum candy for the eyes!
Posted by: Pam Aries | 14 December 2006 at 13:36
I have to admit that we here in Australia were a bit embarrassed by our Prime Minister until Mr. Bush came along.
Now he does'nt seem that bad.
Posted by: lisavc | 14 December 2006 at 12:38
So it takes 10,000 to get Mr Bush to take note, well I hope it does.
"Asked to change data to fit policy initiatives". I'm not suprised they've protested, where is integrity in all of this, and truth.
Posted by: ainelivia | 14 December 2006 at 12:15