Scientists Fault Climate Exhibit Changes (Smithsonian)

[kskiska]

Source: WP

Smithsonian Head Denies Politics Altered Arctic Show Message

Friday, November 16, 2007; A01

Some government scientists have complained that officials at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History took steps to downplay global warming in a 2006 exhibit on the Arctic to avoid a political backlash, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post.

The museum's director, Cristi¿n Samper, ordered last-minute changes to the exhibit's script to add "scientific uncertainty" about climate change, according to internal documents and correspondence.

Scientists at other agencies collaborating on the project expressed in e-mails their belief that Smithsonian officials acted to avoid criticism from congressional appropriators and global-warming skeptics in the Bush administration. But Samper said in an interview last week that "there was no political pressure -- not from me, not from anyone."

Samper put the project on hold for six months in the fall of 2005 and ordered that the exhibition undergo further review by higher-level officials in other government agencies. Samper also asked for changes in the script and the sequence of the exhibit's panels to move the discussion of recent climate change further back in the presentation, records also show. The exhibit opened in April 2006 and closed in November of that year.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/15/AR2007111502550.html?hpid=topnews

[truthisfreedom]

1. These people should be forced to live at sea level, and not allowed to move when the oceans flow in.

They deserve it for the damage they're doing. Someone had better be taking names!

[DLnyc]

4. Good idea

Someone should start a directory of global warming deniers and obstructors. For future reference. I'm sure they won't object to being on the list, since they are so certain that no ill fate awaits the earth due to their obstructing and stalling.

In fact, we could ask them for comments, to be included with their listing. Along with their financial relationships with the Oil industry and its affiliates (GM, GOP, Halliburton, . . .).

Maybe allow them one update for each 10 centimeters of sea level rise.

[defendandprotect]

2. Imagine how liberal America is that you have to control things to this degree --- !!!!

[davidinalameda]

3. not surprised

I was subscribing to the Smithsonian magazine and I noticed a lot of bias in it

I let the subscription run out

[Lisa]

5. what is going on at the Smithsonian?

I heard from a friend that they accepted industry sponsorship of an exhibit that touted the exploitation of the Alberta tar sands (damaging to ecosystems and communities because of the pollution and the amount of water and energy needed ... plus the fact that the oil produced will worsen global warming). They even had a giant tar sands truck parked outside the museum, a while back.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

6. For the first time the planets inhabitants have warning before an epic climate disaster

Rather than heed the warning they choose to pretend it isn't true.

We (humans) deserve what we're going to get. The rest of the creatures on the earth should rise up against us.

[Red Zelda]

7. Does jesus know about this??

[DeepModem Mom]

8. K&R