Man I hope Obama doesn't make Robert Kennedy Jr. head of the EPA

[NoodleBoy]

I don't think that means the Obama administration is going to be antiscience, but maybe he and his transition team don't realize the danger of losing herd immunity. They are still, after all, politicians.

[enki23]

1. fortunately, the epa has fuck-all to do with vaccines in any case

.

[NoodleBoy]

2. but it's a platform, and it gives him legitimacy

every inch of the vaccine fight is important, because each one is someone's life, or more.

[TZ]

3. Yeah that makes me nervous

But the EPA doesn't have anything to do with vaccines and maybe if he's busy with that he'll give up on his vaccine woo.

[enki23]

5. i know, i know. and i agree. i'm just trying to be optimistic

i'd basically hope (and expect, really) that he would more or less stay the fuck out of the way of the actual scientists and regulators.

[trotsky]

4. I mentioned this in a thread that was excited by the prospect.

Such a basic inability to understand science is NOT a quality I want in ANYONE running a government agency.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

6. That's what I've been saying.

Doesn't look like people have been listening to me.

[TZ]

8. He's a Kennedy. He can't do wrong.

In fact he knows more than any scientist.:sarcasm:

[Orrex]

7. Although I revile him for his stance on Thimerosal...

Hasn't he been a strong advocate for the reduction of mercury output in power plants? If so, I'd give him props for that, even if I wouldn't put him at the head of the EPA.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

9. This thread could use some more opinions.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4396475&mesg_id=4396475

[semillama]

10. I'm disturbed by his stance on vaccines

but his work with Riverkeepers was great. So I'm of two minds on that possible selection. I'd rather see a strong environmentalist who knows how to handle a bureaucracy and isn't subject to fits of woo get it, but then again, I won't lose any sleep over RFK Jr as head of EPA.

[Evoman]

11. No matter which side wins, I guess the loser is always science.

Jokers to the left of me, clowns to the right...here I am, stuck in the middle of anti-science lunacy with you.

[realisticphish]

13. we few, we bitter few

to be honest, if it weren't for this group, i probably would have already left DU permenantly

[Evoman]

14. I love your sig, by the way. I HATE the new facebook.

[realisticphish]

15. ha ha thanks

[dawgmom]

12. I would lose a lot of respect for Obama if he does this

I would be so disappointed. RFK has shown that he does not respect science. He has no business whatsoever heading up a science-based agency, even if the science is in an unrelated field.

[beam me up scottie]

16. We should be wary of ANY politician who promises to protect us from teh evil sigh-and-tists!

I don't give a crap about their education or background, anti-science propaganda is still a very real threat even when it's coming from the left.

[varkam]

17. I dipped my toe into those waters against my better judgment.

For having the audacity to suggest that RFK might not be the best person to head up the FDA, I have been called both a right-wing operative and a pharmaceutical company shill. Sweet!

[TZ]

18. You still have some work to do....

You haven't been called nasty and friendless yet....;-)

[salvorhardin]

19. This has been a hot topic here

This has been a hot topic among the bloggers here in D.C. at Americans United For Separation of Church and State's national meeting. There's a general unease at this and, of course, Obama's plans to expand the faith based initiatives. Even Barry Lynn tonight said that the religious left (that's not a typo) is going to put a lot of pressure on Obama to go back on his word to reform the part of the faith based charities law that allows for religious discrimination in hiring and proselytizing. We'll just have to see if Obama caves.

The real fight though will be at the state and local level. The religious right having had the door slammed in their face in Washington will only reconcentrate their efforts to take over school boards and get judges appointed at the state level. Furthermore, contrary to what one might think, fund raising success for the religious right is at an all time high. Like I said on Twitter, the base is scared and a scared base works wonders for fund raising.

[mr blur]

20. I see that you're an "obedient minion", too,

which has quite a nice ring to it. I like that one - can I be on Obedient Minion too?