Lawrence M. Krauss: McCain wrong to say bear study is a waste

[HuckleB]

http://www.madison.com/tct/opinion/editstaging/312347

In my mind, hate of science is very close to hate of America. I know that's overbearing and judgmental, but so is the crap that McCain and Palin have tossed at the scientific community.


The story of Michael Faraday is particularly apt. His discoveries about the connections between electricity and magnetism laid the basis for generating most of the power that fuels modern society. When British Chancellor of the Exchequer William Gladstone visited Faraday's laboratory and asked what was the use of all the lab paraphernalia, the wires and the magnets, the scientist was reputed to have answered: "Why, sir, there is every possibility that you will soon be able to tax it!"

Faraday's story comes to mind as the McCain campaign continues to make hay over supposedly wasteful federal earmarks in the funding of science.

In the first presidential debate, and on the campaign stump, John McCain has cited a $3 million earmark allocated to study the DNA of bears in Montana. "I don't know if it was a paternity issue or criminal," he quipped, "but it was a waste of money."

Wrong on both counts. The actual amount was more: $4.8 million, and the research was mandated by the Federal Endangered Species Act, on the recommendation of scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks service as essential to preserving a threatened species, the grizzly bear.

..."

[yellowcanine]

1. Poor John. All of his soundbites turn to dross.