Two Must-Read Scientific American Articles

The first is an editorial by SA in which they call for the re-establishment of the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA). This was the Congressional agency that was killed off by Newt in one of his first acts of the 1994 Revolution. OTA provided balanced and objective reports on technology issues before the Congress and was often the counterbalance to the Reagan and Bush Sr.'s politically driven "science." In this time where significant science issues such as stem cell research and global warming are decided on by probably the most anti-science presidential administration, we need OTA's objectivity again.
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa006&colID=2&articleID=0009024F-089F-1289-BC2083414B7F0000

The second article details how industry groups use political tactics to manufacture uncertainty about scientific studies that underlie our environmental and health regulations. Again, the objections are not based on sound scientific research but by playing to the old GOP theme of busybody regulators trying to destroy the American free market system. Again, another effect from an administration that has politicized everything so as to favor their special corporate interests.
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa006&colID=1&articleID=000E0C62-084F-1289-BC2083414B7F0000

it would be packed with BushCo mouthpieces. This administration will not allow any objective evaluation of scientific issues. I'm also afraid that Bush and his evangelicals will destroy science in the U.S.

Absolutely freaking hilarious.

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=000E555C-4387-1237-81CB83414B7FFE9F

since it was axed by Newt and I heartily agree, not that it would make much difference with the BushCo crowd anyway, since they seem to take great pride in ignoring any expert scientific advice.