New publishing rules (by the WH) restrict scientists

[rodeodance]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061214/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/bush_scientists_2

New publishing rules restrict scientists

By JOHN HEILPRIN, Associated Press Writer 12 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration is clamping down on scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey, the latest agency subjected to controls on research that might go against official policy.


New rules require screening of all facts and interpretations by agency scientists who study everything from caribou mating to global warming. The rules apply to all scientific papers and other public documents, even minor reports or prepared talks, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

Top officials at the Interior Department's scientific arm say the rules only standardize what scientists must do to ensure the quality of their work and give a heads-up to the agency's public relations staff.

"This is not about stifling or suppressing our science, or politicizing our science in any way," Barbara Wainman, the agency's director of communications, said Wednesday. "I don't have approval authority. What it was designed to do is to improve our product flow."

Some agency scientists, who until now have felt free from any political interference, worry that the objectivity of their work could be compromised.

[WindRavenX]

1. and yet ther are some that claim that global warming is hyped by scientists

Unbelievable.

[Drum]

2. I'm worried too...

Just like the Bushies to try to slap muzzles on all of us. x(

[rodeodance]

3. Dems are looking into this.

At the
Environmental Protection Agency, scientists and advocacy groups alike are worried about closing libraries that contain tens of thousands of agency documents and research studies. "It now appears that EPA officials are dismantling what it likely one of our country's comprehensive and accessible collections of environmental materials," four Democrats who are in line to head House committees wrote EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson two weeks ago.

Democrats about to take control of Congress have investigations into reports by The New York Times and other news organizations that the Bush administration tried to censor government scientists researching global warming at
NASA and the
Commerce Department.

[formercia]

18. My wife is a librarian

She told me that the EPA's excuse for closing the libraries was that they were putting all of the documents online as a cost saving measure since their budget had been cut 80%.

[nashville_brook]

4. screened by... Administration Priests... we suppose

wouldn't want SCIENCE to "go against... official policy."

sheesh. when is it going to END?

[flordehinojos]

5. IF THIS IS NOT THE REPRESSIVE ACT OF A DICTATOR AND HIS DICTATORSHIP WHAT IN THE HELL IS?

[nashville_brook]

6. first they came for the Geological Survey... (you know the rest)

[Lisa]

9. ... and then they came for the National Weather Service ...

Actually, this is not far off. The Conservatives shut down Environment Canada's network of global warming information offices shortly after taking power up here -- and several people I know at the Canadian Forestry Service were laid off before they could submit their final report on carbon sequestration options.

[nashville_brook]

10. and then the NASA scientists...

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

7. Apparently they think scientists are stupid.

[BattyDem]

8. ALL government scientists should walk out in protest!

Enough of this shit! :grr:

[NotGivingUp]

11. bush and his buddies are doing everything to destroy this

country. they deserve to be tried and convicted of being traitors. I can't believe how much damage they have done.

[mcscajun]

12. "...improve our product flow." = Stifle it.

Unless, of course, TPTB like the science involved. Otherwise, it may never see the light of day.

[annabanana]

16. "Product flow"??

The term alone tells me that there is interference from the CEO minded admin. at work here. What scientists refer to their research and writings as "product flow"?

[goforit]

13. The Oil Gods don't want any controversy with their profiteering.

[williesgirl]

14. Bullshit - last I heard the US was still a democracy - recommended

[pinniped]

15. USGS, EPA, NOAA, these fucks got their meathooks....

everywhere.

The new director is an expert in oil and petroleum geology.

It's fairly obvious what these punks are up to.

She votes repuke, she's a repuke, of course she agrees with *'s edicts.

"This is not about stifling or suppressing our science, or politicizing our science in any way," Barbara Wainman, the agency's director of communications, said Wednesday.

Wainman, Barbara W. Mrs.
Woodbridge, VA 22192
USGS/Gov't DAVIS, THOMAS M III (R)
House (VA 11)
TOM DAVIS FOR CONGRESS $250
primary 05/08/01

Wainman, Barbara W. Mrs.
Woodbridge, VA 22192
U.S. Geological Survey/Chief of Ext B*, GEORGE W (R)
President
B* FOR PRESIDENT INC. $500
primary 02/24/00

[muriel_volestrangler]

17. See also: US scientists reject interference

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2652351

[Doctor_J]

19. Can we call them Nazis yet?

since they're now deciding what truth is.

[YankeyMCC]

20. k & r

[Bake]

21. When they say, "This is NOT about stifling ..."

You know that's EXACTLY what it's all about.

Bake

[alfredo]

22. bush wants us to lose the role of leaders in scientific innovation.

He wants us to dumb down. He wants our competitors to walk all over us. He wants our military weak and ineffective so we will be at the mercy of those who want to cause us harm.

If we are poor, dumb hungry, and fearful, maybe we will as a nation, surrender to his chosen God.