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TomCADem

(17,387 posts)
Thu Nov 20, 2014, 02:17 AM Nov 2014

House Republicans just passed a bill forbidding scientists from advising the EPA

Source: Salon

H.R. 1422, which passed 229-191, would shake up the EPA’s Scientific Advisory Board, placing restrictions on those pesky scientists and creating room for experts with overt financial ties to the industries affected by EPA regulations.

The bill is being framed as a play for transparency: Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, argued that the board’s current structure is problematic because it “excludes industry experts, but not officials for environmental advocacy groups.” The inclusion of industry experts, he said, would right this injustice.

But the White House, which threatened to veto the bill, said it would “negatively affect the appointment of experts and would weaken the scientific independence and integrity of the SAB.”

In what might be the most ridiculous aspect of the whole thing, the bill forbids scientific experts from participating in “advisory activities” that either directly or indirectly involve their own work. In case that wasn’t clear: experts would be forbidden from sharing their expertise in their own research — the bizarre assumption, apparently, being that having conducted peer-reviewed studies on a topic would constitute a conflict of interest. “In other words,” wrote Union of Concerned Scientists director Andrew A. Rosenberg in an editorial for RollCall, “academic scientists who know the most about a subject can’t weigh in, but experts paid by corporations who want to block regulations can.”

Read more: http://www.salon.com/2014/11/19/house_republicans_just_passed_a_bill_forbidding_scientists_from_advising_the_epa_on_their_own_research/



Amazing. A bill that bars the EPA from advising on scientific matters that involve their own research. Amazing.
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House Republicans just passed a bill forbidding scientists from advising the EPA (Original Post) TomCADem Nov 2014 OP
Hopefully the senate slaps it down... Blue_Tires Nov 2014 #1
If not, it'll be vetoed. Hopefully. sakabatou Nov 2014 #6
Dems Are Screwed In 2015 billhicks76 Nov 2014 #12
Just posted this on FB, elleng Nov 2014 #2
This is one of the less-twisted extreme bills they will pass over the next two years. NBachers Nov 2014 #3
+1 C Moon Nov 2014 #4
This is Hell geomon666 Nov 2014 #5
When they start burning books, then you can worry. ffr Nov 2014 #17
we have been slowly creeping toward fascism awoke_in_2003 Nov 2014 #23
Turning the clock back 2,000 years is in their sites ffr Nov 2014 #7
Yeah, there's no freaking difference between these repubs and Dems.. No reason to get out and Cha Nov 2014 #8
Republicans get instructions from their financiers, not their constituents DFW Nov 2014 #9
Everything the GOP does is fucked up and everthing they touch dies. freshwest Nov 2014 #10
Terrifying. SoapBox Nov 2014 #11
GOP = DEATH peoli Nov 2014 #13
And Death to the GOP FiveGoodMen Nov 2014 #22
Another step towards Idiocracy ... IthinkThereforeIAM Nov 2014 #14
The reTHUGliCONS have given up on how crazy they sound when they come up and pass a bill anymore. bearssoapbox Nov 2014 #15
Unfortunately, our party.. awoke_in_2003 Nov 2014 #24
I'm not looking forward to the next two years. ReRe Nov 2014 #16
Pfffft, scientists. What do they know? tanyev Nov 2014 #18
Republican heads in the sand CRK7376 Nov 2014 #19
How's that freedom stuff been for ya? That bullshit freedom stuff, cuz we know the next valerief Nov 2014 #20
The real scary issue is that rumor has it that the Republicans will take science out of schools. sammy750 Nov 2014 #21
Welcome to DU... awoke_in_2003 Nov 2014 #25
Pat Robertson named Science Cazr Blue Owl Nov 2014 #26
ted cruz pissed off republican IT folks with his stupid net neutrality = obamacare idiocy noiretextatique Nov 2014 #27
Less science on the EPA. christx30 Nov 2014 #28
How about stealth scientists Marthe48 Nov 2014 #29
 

billhicks76

(5,082 posts)
12. Dems Are Screwed In 2015
Thu Nov 20, 2014, 04:24 AM
Nov 2014

Because they listened to the moderate stand for nothing's. If we want anything we have to play Progressive hardball. Some of us with money seem to never learn. Quit following the false leaders that see us as fools and lemmings. We had a chance for 6 years and squandered it trying to play in the middle and these jerks.

elleng

(130,952 posts)
2. Just posted this on FB,
Thu Nov 20, 2014, 02:25 AM
Nov 2014

with a 'sarcastic' preface: 'If anyone thinks the House of Representatives is interested in facts and the real world,' for my repug friends.

C Moon

(12,213 posts)
4. +1
Thu Nov 20, 2014, 02:32 AM
Nov 2014

they'll probably go for the extreme right over-the-top approach, and then take whatever passes

ffr

(22,670 posts)
17. When they start burning books, then you can worry.
Thu Nov 20, 2014, 08:49 AM
Nov 2014

Republis substitute conservative ideology for science and history in public schools


Er, well, that's not a good point.

When they start dehumanizing others who don't believe as they do, then you can worry.

Paul Ryan bars poor people from testifying at poverty hearing


When they start shooting and making militaristic dog whistle innuendos about having liberals in their sites and/or 'not retreating from them, but reloading instead,' then you can worry.

Okay, you're making sense to me now.

 

awoke_in_2003

(34,582 posts)
23. we have been slowly creeping toward fascism
Thu Nov 20, 2014, 07:43 PM
Nov 2014

since at least Reagan. Just logs frogs in a pot, you have to turn the heat up slowly- once you realize what is happening it is too late.

ffr

(22,670 posts)
7. Turning the clock back 2,000 years is in their sites
Thu Nov 20, 2014, 03:06 AM
Nov 2014

What we all feared would happen is ramping up. In a way, I hope they make it painful on those demographics who chose to sit out the mid-terms. That would be only fitting.

But that will provide little satisfaction. Our republic will suffer under their extreme special interest agenda and the clock will definitely be set back.

Cha

(297,275 posts)
8. Yeah, there's no freaking difference between these repubs and Dems.. No reason to get out and
Thu Nov 20, 2014, 03:12 AM
Nov 2014

VOTE!

DFW

(54,397 posts)
9. Republicans get instructions from their financiers, not their constituents
Thu Nov 20, 2014, 03:23 AM
Nov 2014

The big money finances their campaigns, and the Republicans do as they are told, once in office.

Next up: Republican scientists have found conclusive evidence that fracking cleanses drinking water.

Side observation: They will continue to drink Evian, just the same.

bearssoapbox

(1,408 posts)
15. The reTHUGliCONS have given up on how crazy they sound when they come up and pass a bill anymore.
Thu Nov 20, 2014, 05:57 AM
Nov 2014

It is sad and terrifying what is going on with the reTHUGliCON Party.

 

awoke_in_2003

(34,582 posts)
24. Unfortunately, our party..
Thu Nov 20, 2014, 07:44 PM
Nov 2014

for the most part, has abandoned its principles, too, which has greatly helped the other side.

ReRe

(10,597 posts)
16. I'm not looking forward to the next two years.
Thu Nov 20, 2014, 07:51 AM
Nov 2014

I bet you they don't pass one piece of decent legislation that actually helps the 99%. It's all 1% loophole, Constitution-detouring legislation from here on out that will never be corrected, guaranteeing that our country's descent into Hell.

CRK7376

(2,199 posts)
19. Republican heads in the sand
Thu Nov 20, 2014, 11:12 AM
Nov 2014

Must be tar sands and fracking may cause some of those heads in the sand to be buried.....just hopeing....

valerief

(53,235 posts)
20. How's that freedom stuff been for ya? That bullshit freedom stuff, cuz we know the next
Thu Nov 20, 2014, 12:24 PM
Nov 2014

bill this criminal House is going to pass is to outlaw science.

sammy750

(165 posts)
21. The real scary issue is that rumor has it that the Republicans will take science out of schools.
Thu Nov 20, 2014, 12:30 PM
Nov 2014

They have already removed civil classes from high schools in some GOP controlled states. Now they want to remove science too. What is it with the GOP are they afraid of kids being educated? In Arizona they are tearing out pages in text books having to do with birth control. They want to keep the kids Ignorant. Yes the USA was rated the number one nation in being Ignorant in the world. Thanks to the GOP and the Conservatives TV and radio shows. They are taking this nation back decades with there views. How can they control the education of the kids and the parents just do nothing.
When will the states and the nation fight back against the GOP and call them the real terrorist that they are. They are looking more like the ISIS group all the time.
When will the voters get wise and defeat them. Does the American people really want to be under the control of the GOP who continues to take away DEMOCRACY?

 

awoke_in_2003

(34,582 posts)
25. Welcome to DU...
Thu Nov 20, 2014, 07:47 PM
Nov 2014

educated people ask questions. The children of the 60's did a lot of this, and the powers that be didn't like it. I predict that in 20 years public education won't exist. Just as in the dark ages, only the elites will be educated.

noiretextatique

(27,275 posts)
27. ted cruz pissed off republican IT folks with his stupid net neutrality = obamacare idiocy
Thu Nov 20, 2014, 08:29 PM
Nov 2014

now house republicons piss off republican scientists

christx30

(6,241 posts)
28. Less science on the EPA.
Thu Nov 20, 2014, 08:35 PM
Nov 2014

More people telling the board what Jeezus wants. Why would you want science involved anyway? It's all 'climate change' this and 'pollution out of control' that and 'oil spills and coal aren't the best things in the world' kinds of things. Who wants to hear that all the time? Oil spills are great for reducing thermal breakdowns in wildlife. Change your penguin's oil every 3000 miles, people.

Marthe48

(16,963 posts)
29. How about stealth scientists
Thu Nov 20, 2014, 10:14 PM
Nov 2014

" I demand to see your credentials"
"I don't have any stinkin' credentials"
"Fine. Go right in and advise"
Scientist, walking in door, thinking: "Fooled you again, you bloody devils."


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