NYT: New NASA Policy Backs Free Discussion by Scientists

[DeepModem Mom]

New NASA Policy Backs Free Discussion by Scientists
By WARREN E. LEARY
Published: March 31, 2006

WASHINGTON, March 30 — Two months after NASA's top climate scientist complained that political operatives in the agency's press office were trying to censor his views on global warming, Administrator Michael D. Griffin issued a new communications policy on Thursday that he called a "commitment to openness."

The policy, which details the role of those who release information to the public directly or through the news media, ensures that NASA scientists and engineers are free to discuss their work in public and state their opinions, Dr. Griffin said. When stating a personal opinion, he continued, they should make clear that they are speaking for themselves and not for the agency....

***

The agency came under fire when James E. Hansen, director of the Goddard Institute for Space Studies, a NASA office, told The New York Times in late January that the Bush administration had tried to stop him from speaking out after he gave a lecture in December calling for prompt reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases linked to global warming.

Dr. Hansen and several other employees of the agency said administration appointees in the public affairs office had demanded to review his lectures and publications in advance. In addition, he said, senior agency officials sought the right to stand in for him in interviews with reporters.

Other scientists also expressed concern when political appointees altered news releases and Internet presentations against their wishes....

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/31/science/31nasa.html

[annabanana]

1. Free Speech - but only on "opinions"

"NASA scientists and engineers are free to discuss their work in public and state their opinions, Dr. Griffin said. When stating a personal opinion, he continued, they should make clear that they are speaking for themselves and not for the agency...."

So any reports that show the widely available facts that point to the reality of global warming are just "opinions"?

What the hell kind of open policy is this?

[DeepModem Mom]

3. I wondered the same thing. I guess it's an improvement...

but the truth still can't be made official.

[Supersedeas]

2. Laughable-they have to issue of policy 'stating' a commitment to openness

Are these people scientists or lil' rascals.