Politics embroil gulf research grants (GOP govs. want all the BP moolah)

[jpak]

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jun/26/nation/la-na-oil-spill-researchers-20100627

Reporting from Baton Rouge, La. — University professors in the gulf region responded with delight last month to BP's pledge to put up $500 million for academic research into the Gulf of Mexico's ecology over the next 10 years. With no significant federal grants on the horizon and an urgency to begin work, some of the academics had taken to using their own credit cards in hopes they would soon be reimbursed.

But their excitement at the windfall turned to chagrin last week after the White House ordered BP to consult with Gulf Coast governors before awarding research grants.

Elected officials in the region responded by demanding that the financial bonanza not spread beyond their own state universities, potentially leaving out such distinguished oceanographic institutions as Woods Hole in Massachusetts and Scripps in San Diego.

The political intervention has transformed the normally independent, merit-based process of matching grant money with researchers into a parochial tug-of-war for BP's millions. The imbroglio also has galvanized scientists who bristle at the notion that elected officials could direct sophisticated academic research.

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[annabanana]

1. When you're crowded up against the beast, eating it's dung..

you will be the first trampled when it's been turned around.

[Angry Dragon]

2. Republicans sure like the money when it comes their way

[jpak]

3. GOP Gulf Govs = ultimate "oil skimmers"

and Jindal, Riley and Barbour will probably use that money to build new college football stadiums with fancy sky boxes so they can commiserate with their cronies how bad that ol' oil spill that "don't even fill a milk jug" wuz to their state...

:puke:

[FBI_Un_Sub]

4. They comply with the Morrell Land Grant College Act

1. They have good ROTC programs and good ROTC marching bands (seriously my best commanding officer was a Texas A&M graduate)
   
2. They have satisfactory engineering schools.
   
3. They teach petroleum, mining, and civil engineering. (Which some Yankee schools quit teaching)
   
4. Their fraternities have great parties.
   
5. They have great football teams.
   

They make for a worth while engineering school experience -- especially for engineering students who are otherwise treated as nerds and geeks.