posted on August 8, 2003 07:28:17 PM
The Bush administration manipulates and distorts the scientific process.
Overview
The American people depend upon federal agencies
to develop science-based policies that protect the nation’s
health and welfare. Recently, however, leading scientific
journals have begun to question whether scientific integrity
at federal agencies has been sacrificed to further a political
and ideological agenda.
At the request of Rep. Henry A. Waxman, the minority staff
of the Government Reform Committee assessed the treatment
of science and scientists by the Bush Administration.
The report Politics and Science in the Bush Administration
(.pdf) finds numerous instances where the Administration has
manipulated the scientific process and distorted or suppressed
scientific findings. Beneficiaries include important supporters
of the President, including social conservatives and powerful
industry groups.
This website is an ongoing record of interference with science
by the Bush Administration.
The Bush Administration has manipulated, distorted, or interfered
with science on health, environmental, and other
key issues. Find your issue below and read more...here
Abstinence-Only Education
Agricultural Pollution
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Breast Cancer
Condoms
Drinking Water
Education Policy
Environmental Health
Food Safety
Global Warming
HIV/AIDS
Lead Poisoning
Missile Defense
Oil and Gas
Prescription Drug Advertising
Reproductive Health
Stem Cells
Substance Abuse
Wetlands
Workplace Safety
Yellowstone National Park
Global warming naysayers argue that we don't need to do anything to stop rising temperatures. Mainstream scientists used to be able to ignore them, but now they make White House policy.
posted on August 9, 2003 05:04:42 AM
Nice articles...
But science is mostly just theory and hypothesis, these writers disregard any opinion contrary to their own...
Global warming can just be a phenomenon of the weather cycle of the world... Several thousand years or million years... there was an Ice age... been getting warmer ever since.
Stem cell research is repugnant at best and sleazy scum at the least... I thank GOD that President Bush had the backbone not to support that.
It is funny though the basic "message" in each article was they are upset not to be getting free government money to do their "research"... all except stem cell, which is rightfully banned here, they could be out getting their own funding if they really wanted to carry on the research, why should the government be a huge "wallet" for just any old scientific hypothesis.
AIN'T LIFE GRAND...
In our country, right now, ruthless right wingers who oppose all programs and corporations looking for power and short term profit are hazardous to this country. Bush is placing his own greedy political interests over the good health and prosperity of all people in the United States and the world.
Stalin and Hitler had a similar arrogance and ignorance of science.
posted on August 9, 2003 06:52:07 AM
Why can't these so called scientists do their research on monies they gathered themselves?
If it was worthwhile, I am sure that some philanthropist would more than willing to give them the money.... but does seem like all they want is a free handout and are upset this administration is to smart for that.
Q: Mr. President, what's your response to the Democrats, including Al Gore yesterday, and some of the Democratic presidential candidates, who say that the American people were misled in advance of the war about the reasons for going to war -- that you said, disarming Iraq was the main purpose, but since then, no weapons of mass destruction have been found?
THE PRESIDENT: I say it's pure politics.
Listen, thank you all. Have a beautiful day.
Q Do you want to say more than that?
THE PRESIDENT: No, it's just pure politics. We've got a lot of people running for President and it's pure politics. The American people know that we laid out the facts, we based the decision on sound intelligence and they also know we've only been there for a hundred days. And we're making progress. A free Iraq is necessary for a -- is an integral part of the war on terror. And as far as all this political noise, it's going to get worse as time goes on, and I fully understand that. And that's just the nature of democracy. Sometimes pure politics enters into the rhetoric.
posted on August 9, 2003 10:01:16 AM Kids, lies, and President Bush
By Katrina Vanden Heuvel, 8/9/2003
N THE EVE of the Clinton impeachment hearings in 1998, the Sexuality Information
and Education Council sent out ''Ten Tips for Talking about the Starr Report with your Children.''
''The upcoming impeachment hearing,'' council president Debra Haffner advised,
''provides parents with a special opportunity to talk to their children about sexuality
issues ... The question parents need to ask is ''Who do I want to tell my children
about this sad situation?'' Another child on the playground? An acquaintance on
the school bus? They are unlikely to tell your children the facts in a clear way.
And only YOU can give YOUR children YOUR values.''
It's now 2003, and if the events of these last weeks don't provide parents with that
special opportunity to talk to their children about the president and values such as truth,
lies, and consequences, then I don't know what does.
So, with all due credit to the Sexuality Information and Education Council, here are
''Tips for Talking about President Bush with Your Children'':
Think about your values as they relate to this situation. What are your family's values about telling the truth? What would you do if your child lied to you and when you scolded him or her, he or she replied: ''I am not a fact-checker.'' Or added, ''Isn't it time to move on?''
Ask your children to tell you what words mean to them. Explain that words have consequences and lies can come in two, six or 16 words.
Clarify facts. Give short, age-appropriate answers. Explain that shifting strategies at damage control only lead to more unanswered questions. Make clear that even if facts are malleable for President Bush, they're not malleable in your home. Explain that even though the White House strategy may be to say whatever is necessary, even if they have to admit later that what they said the first time wasn't exactly true, you don't do it that way yourself.
Use these talks with your child to encourage good decision-making. Let them know that if they grow up to become president and lead a nation into war, the right thing to do is take responsibility for their words and acts. (This is a good opportunity to explain what the saying ''the buck stops here'' means )
Use television news as a springboard for discussion. However, do not let children younger than 13 watch this coverage alone. It can be ugly and disturbing for children to watch the president and his aides scapegoat their subordinates with so little compunction.
Help your children understand the larger issues. Let them know that it's not just about 16 words. You could explain that there appears to be a pattern of dishonesty well beyond the uranium scandal that is extremely worrisome. Explain that the American people are entitled to the truth and they have a right to know if Bush, Vice President Cheney or any White House officials misrepresented the facts to justify war.
Keep the lines of communication open. Talk. Remember that this is not a one-time or a one-way discussion. Your children need your ongoing support in dealing with their president's tenuous relationship to the truth. Unfortunately, this sad situation is currently a fixed element of the political landscape they are growing up in.
Katrina vanden Heuvel is editor of The Nation magazine.
posted on August 9, 2003 10:50:08 AM
Glad to see the President has a good head on his shoulders and see's all this garbage for what it is....playing politics.
