Bush* Misuses Science, Report Says

[kskiska]

Democrats Say Data Are Distorted to Boost Conservative Policies

The Bush administration has repeatedly mischaracterized scientific facts to bolster its political agenda in areas ranging from abstinence education and condom use to missile defense, according to a detailed report released yesterday by Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.).

The White House quickly dismissed the report as partisan sniping.

The 40-page document, "Politics and Science in the Bush Administration," was compiled by the minority staff of the House Government Reform Committee's special investigations division. It marks the launch of a new effort by Waxman and others in Congress to highlight simmering anger among scientists and others who believe that President Bush -- much more than his predecessors -- has been spiking science with politics to justify conservative policies in areas such as reproductive rights, embryo research, energy policy and environmental health.

"The Administration's political interference with science has led to misleading statements by the President, inaccurate responses to Congress, altered web sites, suppressed agency reports, erroneous international communications, and the gagging of scientists," according to the report, posted yesterday at www.politicsandscience.org. "The subjects involved span a broad range, but they share a common attribute: the beneficiaries of the scientific distortions are important supporters of the President, including social conservatives and powerful industry groups."

White House spokesman Adam Levine said it would take time for the administration to address the specifics of the report. However, he said, "I'm hard-pressed to believe anyone would consider Congressman Waxman an objective arbiter of scientific fact."

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A31318-2003Aug7.html

[MuseRider]

1. Well this has been obvious

since they took office! It has been reported often here. Don't you just love it when we disagree and they call it partisan? Excuse me? Two party system? As far as the comment about Waxman being objective about scientific fact, well facts are facts and if the science is sound he is just as good as anyone at being objective. Hardly the way the Bush* gang works.

[peacetalksforall]

2. This is fabulous! It is exactly what we need!

Right wing lies have poured out so fast for years and there aren't enough journalists to investigate even if we had serious journalists.

If every association could do something like this in their area of expertise, finance, education, international relations, banking, drugs both kinds, civil rights...we could keep on top of things - the format to add to the website is excellent.

BookMark! This is just exellent - post additions to the list until the whole world know about it.

Waxman is a true patriot.

[phaseolus]

3. Remember Lysenko

He had a totally wrong idea about genetics and biology, but it fit in well with the soviet party line back in the early 20th. As a result the country was a scientific & technological backwater in biology & the life sciences for many decades.

In the interest of ideological purity, Bush is heading the U.S. down the same path, and conservatives are too stupid to realize it...

[Fovea]

4. Lysenkoism

is alive and well in the US today.
Whitman was not a prima donna, but I think even she could not stand the Bush strong arming in her last report.

[MuseRider]

5. I don't think they are

necessarily stupid, mostly just dishonest. If it supports what they want to happen then good, if not they hire someone with something to gain and then they in turn gain from it. Really, they are dishonest scumbags.

[cosmicaug]

6. Remember Lysenko

A man named Lysenko believed.
Evolution's Lamarkian indeed.
"Communism fits in", he said to Stalin.
Soviet Science was since then screwed indeed.

[lazarus]

7. and this

is why skeptics are fighting pseudoscience wherever it shows up.

[WindRavenX]

8. "Global warming is good !"

That's basically what the little rat has been saying. "We need more studies to prove global warming". Has he even looked at the big gap in the ozone layer? You think those things just *magically* appear?
His disregard for science is pretty apalling.
What? The ice caps are melting? That can't be caused by an incease of temperature on the earth caused by the incease of CO2 emissions...noooo sirre Bob...:puke:

[jamesinca]

12. No it may not be caused by CO2, but it does make for artic lanes

and that is cost effective for the people in the shipping industry. It will also open up new unexplored oil fields that are sure to exist under the frozen polar caps. If nothing else global warming is good for the economy and it will be touted as an economic recovery package that congress needs to pass. It is also a reason to sell more Hummers and SUV's to keep co2 levels up. One more reason to cut more forest down in addition to stopping forest fires. When the San Joaquin Valley of California fills up with water, being only 200+ feet above sea level, it will get rid of liberals and be a reason to use genetically altered foods and seeds for planting. Got to feed the world some how. For those who missed it, there are a couple of boat loads of sarcasm in this post.

[proud patriot]

9. Well at least it's being reported on

FINALLY ...

[geomon]

10. Must read!!

.

[Boreas]

11. Malfeasance is the hallmark of Bush Administration.

Right down the line they are unrepentant for their actions. We need protection from these unthinking ideologues and corporate greed heads who temporarily control the government. They have sworn to protect and defend the country, but here is further proof of their crimes against us. We cannot let them get away with it. Put the spotlight on them!

[ProfessorGAC]

13. File This Under "Well, Duh!"

Who didn't already know this?
The Professor

[JoFerret]

14. In every area

science, the environment, the treasury, intelligence - BushCo fit the facts to their ideology and accept only what supports their case.That is their pattern. In the end it will be their undoing (not soon enough.)

[kwolf68]

15. Science

The way I was taught is you do an experiment and arrive at your conclusion.

The way the Reich-wing does it is arrive at a conclusion and then do you experiment.

As one who has dedicated his life to science, I maintain that science should be respected and not perverted for ideological gains. Too often science oft-quoted by Limbaugh and his ilk is nothing but dogma.

No matter how many of the worlds most respected scientists arrive at a general consensus on any issue, if it DOES NOT acquiesce to the agenda of these horrific Republicans they will trot out a scientist (industry backed, funded by political interests) to "refute" credible claims.

In short, many "scientists" have sold their soul. They have taken the money, prostituted science for financial gain and the Republicans KNOW that MONEY can buy damn near anything you want.

Remember the "science" that spoke out against lead paint? Asbestos? Alar? DDT? Cigarettes?

It's all there in the record..."Scientists" who told us none of the above was dangerous. Scientists bought and paid for by the ruling corporate establishment.

Anyone who turns science into dogma should have their degree revoked and blacklisted from ever looking in the eyepiece of another microscope.