Comments on: The Republican War on Science http://blogs.earthsky.org/larrysessions/human-world/092349/the-republican-war-on-science/ Clouds and cosmos: the atmosphere and beyond! Sun, 20 Jul 2008 04:22:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Jackie Pike http://blogs.earthsky.org/larrysessions/human-world/092349/the-republican-war-on-science/#comment-4355 Jackie Pike Tue, 02 Oct 2007 22:13:11 +0000 http://blogs.earthsky.org/larrysessions/science/092349/the-republican-war-on-science/#comment-4355 It's so alarming that a party or politician would have to weigh their decision first - rather than encouraging progress or innovations in science. They fear so much that one small decision could affect their polls or that corporations would retaliate if they don't comply, at the expense of the human race. When the Church was in power and Galileo made significant discoveries, those in power would rather see him rot in a dungeon than allow him to continue with his observations. Today we see that power from the Church as having a backward mentality and it is no different than a politician refusing to allow stem-cell research. It’s so alarming that a party or politician would have to weigh their decision first - rather than encouraging progress or innovations in science. They fear so much that one small decision could affect their polls or that corporations would retaliate if they don’t comply, at the expense of the human race.

When the Church was in power and Galileo made significant discoveries, those in power would rather see him rot in a dungeon than allow him to continue with his observations.

Today we see that power from the Church as having a backward mentality and it is no different than a politician refusing to allow stem-cell research.

]]> By: stevenearlsalmony http://blogs.earthsky.org/larrysessions/human-world/092349/the-republican-war-on-science/#comment-4141 stevenearlsalmony Mon, 24 Sep 2007 18:41:33 +0000 http://blogs.earthsky.org/larrysessions/science/092349/the-republican-war-on-science/#comment-4141 Dear Larry Sessions, Thanks for speaking whatsoever is true to you. I believe this is one way to begin. We have to speak of topics that are taboo, politically unpopular, economically inexpedient, socially incorrect........just as we do in this community. My greatest concern is that the undoing of the human species, and life as we know it, could inadvertently occur as a result of the adamant and relentless maintenance of SILENCE. Silence is something to be feared. Silence is especially disturbing and potentially ruinous when it is actively employed as a tool for resisting and denying good science. Are ubiquitous daily decisions to remain silent, and not speak the truth as we see it, not tantamount to becoming co-conspirators with the hiers of Ozymandias, the children of men, the masters of the universe who are pursuing a primrose path, one which leads to an unacceptable risk of NO-FUTURE for our children? Perhaps the time has come for us to follow your example by telling the truth as we see it in the “now here” lest our children end up no-where. Dear Larry Sessions,

Thanks for speaking whatsoever is true to you.

I believe this is one way to begin. We have to speak of topics that are taboo, politically unpopular, economically inexpedient, socially incorrect……..just as we do in this community.

My greatest concern is that the undoing of the human species, and life as we know it, could inadvertently occur as a result of the adamant and relentless maintenance of SILENCE.

Silence is something to be feared. Silence is especially disturbing and potentially ruinous when it is actively employed as a tool for resisting and denying good science.

Are ubiquitous daily decisions to remain silent, and not speak the truth as we see it, not tantamount to becoming co-conspirators with the hiers of Ozymandias, the children of men, the masters of the universe who are pursuing a primrose path, one which leads to an unacceptable risk of NO-FUTURE for our children?

Perhaps the time has come for us to follow your example by telling the truth as we see it in the “now here” lest our children end up no-where.

]]> By: deborahbyrd http://blogs.earthsky.org/larrysessions/human-world/092349/the-republican-war-on-science/#comment-4138 deborahbyrd Mon, 24 Sep 2007 17:31:31 +0000 http://blogs.earthsky.org/larrysessions/science/092349/the-republican-war-on-science/#comment-4138 It's been surprising to me - after 30 years as a science educator - that both Republican and Democrats are not more supportive of science. I'm not one to say that science is the only path. But science has some truly vital tools that we <i>need</i> for the 21st century. I join others here in hoping the next administration can look beyond political posturing and begin to fully support the scientific endeavor to understand Earth and our human challenges in this century. It could happen! Deborah It’s been surprising to me - after 30 years as a science educator - that both Republican and Democrats are not more supportive of science.

I’m not one to say that science is the only path. But science has some truly vital tools that we need for the 21st century. I join others here in hoping the next administration can look beyond political posturing and begin to fully support the scientific endeavor to understand Earth and our human challenges in this century.

It could happen!

Deborah

]]> By: Larry Sessions http://blogs.earthsky.org/larrysessions/human-world/092349/the-republican-war-on-science/#comment-4132 Larry Sessions Mon, 24 Sep 2007 13:57:43 +0000 http://blogs.earthsky.org/larrysessions/science/092349/the-republican-war-on-science/#comment-4132 A P: I think I hear what you are saying. We all need to look beyond the labels to the actions. There are good and bad on both sides, but by an large I think we would all be better off if there were more real scientists in Congress (and the White House), and fewer lawyers and business interests. One prominent Republican (I can't remember his name) used to come up with a list of political pork every year, on which there were many ridiculous "science" and other programs that frankly *didP need to be eliminated. I think he did it mostly as a politcal move. But what we really need is rational, logical thought rather than greed or political vindictiveness. It doesn't take a Republican, or a Democrat, or a scientist to see the reality of Global Warming. You just have to be alive and pay attention. It seems to me that Republicans have wasted a lot of time saying that we either do not have enough evidence or denying the human element. I say we need to start doing things to minimize the impact, and leave politics out of it. LS A P:
I think I hear what you are saying. We all need to look beyond the labels to the actions. There are good and bad on both sides, but by an large I think we would all be better off if there were more real scientists in Congress (and the White House), and fewer lawyers and business interests. One prominent Republican (I can’t remember his name) used to come up with a list of political pork every year, on which there were many ridiculous “science” and other programs that frankly *didP need to be eliminated. I think he did it mostly as a politcal move. But what we really need is rational, logical thought rather than greed or political vindictiveness. It doesn’t take a Republican, or a Democrat, or a scientist to see the reality of Global Warming. You just have to be alive and pay attention. It seems to me that Republicans have wasted a lot of time saying that we either do not have enough evidence or denying the human element. I say we need to start doing things to minimize the impact, and leave politics out of it.

LS

]]> By: a p garcia http://blogs.earthsky.org/larrysessions/human-world/092349/the-republican-war-on-science/#comment-4131 a p garcia Mon, 24 Sep 2007 13:44:35 +0000 http://blogs.earthsky.org/larrysessions/science/092349/the-republican-war-on-science/#comment-4131 I was a Democrat, but Jimmy Carter made me into a Republican an I hold a science degree. If it were pollitically expeident, members of both parties would say that the world is flat! Just because a politican opposes a certain procedure does not mean they oppose science. Remember a non-scientist politican and well known Democrat says Global Warming is real! I was a Democrat, but Jimmy Carter made me into a Republican an I hold a science degree. If it were pollitically expeident, members of both parties would say that the world is flat! Just because a politican opposes a certain procedure does not mean they oppose science. Remember a non-scientist politican and well known Democrat says Global Warming is real!

]]> By: Benjamin Napier http://blogs.earthsky.org/larrysessions/human-world/092349/the-republican-war-on-science/#comment-4129 Benjamin Napier Mon, 24 Sep 2007 12:23:59 +0000 http://blogs.earthsky.org/larrysessions/science/092349/the-republican-war-on-science/#comment-4129 Science must ba apolitical. Science is about discovery of truth and fact. Politics, unfortunately is about twisting logic, facts and lies into a melange sutable for an election campaign. A politician either must create a scenario dire enough to scare folks into support for a candidate (see global warming and national healthcare) or a rosy future alluring enough to generate enthusiasm. Most of these stumpers have no real education in science at all and most should have failed freshman economics. THese folks have no experience running any sort of business. They specialize in obfuscation and rhetoric. And yet, we the people send these folks to office and trust our very lives to them. As far as Republicans and Democrats: I see no discernible difference between them. They tend to be socialists and liars and never met any program to waste money on they didn't love. If anyone believes there is some politician that can fix the environment or make life great, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell them. If you want things different, make them different. Science must ba apolitical. Science is about discovery of truth and fact. Politics, unfortunately is about twisting logic, facts and lies into a melange sutable for an election campaign. A politician either must create a scenario dire enough to scare folks into support for a candidate (see global warming and national healthcare) or a rosy future alluring enough to generate enthusiasm.

Most of these stumpers have no real education in science at all and most should have failed freshman economics. THese folks have no experience running any sort of business. They specialize in obfuscation and rhetoric. And yet, we the people send these folks to office and trust our very lives to them.

As far as Republicans and Democrats: I see no discernible difference between them. They tend to be socialists and liars and never met any program to waste money on they didn’t love.

If anyone believes there is some politician that can fix the environment or make life great, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell them. If you want things different, make them different.

]]> By: Larry Sessions http://blogs.earthsky.org/larrysessions/human-world/092349/the-republican-war-on-science/#comment-4128 Larry Sessions Mon, 24 Sep 2007 12:00:55 +0000 http://blogs.earthsky.org/larrysessions/science/092349/the-republican-war-on-science/#comment-4128 Hi, Sam. You could be right, and I certainly don't think all Republicans are anti-science, but to me at last, a lot of those who are in power certainly show those tendencies. I am not too familiar with the specific items you mention, except for the return to the moon thing. Going to the moon is important, but much more scientific information can be had otherwise. Going back to the moon is a political ploy, which unfortunately can also be said for the original motivations for going there the first time as per John Kennedy. Democrats can show some pretty strong and stupid tendencies ins science and elsewhere, but it is my contention that int he overall picture, science advances more under Democrats than Republicans. But as I said, it is an opinion. Larry S. Hi, Sam. You could be right, and I certainly don’t think all Republicans are anti-science, but to me at last, a lot of those who are in power certainly show those tendencies. I am not too familiar with the specific items you mention, except for the return to the moon thing. Going to the moon is important, but much more scientific information can be had otherwise. Going back to the moon is a political ploy, which unfortunately can also be said for the original motivations for going there the first time as per John Kennedy. Democrats can show some pretty strong and stupid tendencies ins science and elsewhere, but it is my contention that int he overall picture, science advances more under Democrats than Republicans. But as I said, it is an opinion.

Larry S.

]]> By: » Blog Archive » The Republican War on Science - Earth & Sky http://blogs.earthsky.org/larrysessions/human-world/092349/the-republican-war-on-science/#comment-4123 » Blog Archive » The Republican War on Science - Earth & Sky Mon, 24 Sep 2007 09:35:18 +0000 http://blogs.earthsky.org/larrysessions/science/092349/the-republican-war-on-science/#comment-4123 [...] The Republican War on Science - Earth & SkyThe Republican War on ScienceEarth & Sky, TX - 35 minutes agoBack in August, Deborah Byrd posted a blog about ?Why do some people resist science?? It generated a lot of interest. Now author Chris Mooney has published … [...] [...] The Republican War on Science - Earth & SkyThe Republican War on ScienceEarth & Sky, TX - 35 minutes agoBack in August, Deborah Byrd posted a blog about ?Why do some people resist science?? It generated a lot of interest. Now author Chris Mooney has published … [...]

]]> By: sam http://blogs.earthsky.org/larrysessions/human-world/092349/the-republican-war-on-science/#comment-4120 sam Mon, 24 Sep 2007 05:00:58 +0000 http://blogs.earthsky.org/larrysessions/science/092349/the-republican-war-on-science/#comment-4120 i am whole heartedly republican and must point out republicans want us on the moon by 2020. i should also point out that twice in the past decade genetic scientists have tried to have meetings on behavioral genetics(which are as legitimate as the genetic markers for being prone to illness)yet democrats have poo poo,ed and marched and chanted and assembled to shoot down this scientific endeavor. scientists want you to know they can help people that are prone to violent or anti social behavior can be helped earlier but dems are against this.i believe if you look hard you will find reps and dems make up a 50 50 of the overall number...as in life. i am whole heartedly republican and must point out republicans want us on the moon by 2020. i should also point out that twice in the past decade genetic scientists have tried to have meetings on behavioral genetics(which are as legitimate as the genetic markers for being prone to illness)yet democrats have poo poo,ed and marched and chanted and assembled to shoot down this scientific endeavor. scientists want you to know they can help people that are prone to violent or anti social behavior can be helped earlier but dems are against this.i believe if you look hard you will find reps and dems make up a 50 50 of the overall number…as in life.

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