Obama Supports Sound Science

Science really took a beating during the Bush administration, so President Obama is a breath of fresh air. The New York Times reports:

President Obama will announce Monday that he is reversing Bush administration limits on federal financing for embryonic stem cell research as part of a pledge to separate science and politics, White House officials said Friday.

As a presidential candidate, Mr. Obama spoke out in favor of stem cell research, so his intention to undo the curbs put in place by President George W. Bush is not surprising. But the decision is nonetheless of great interest, involving a long-controversial intersection of science and personal moral beliefs.

The officials said that advocates of unfettered stem cell research, as well as about 30 Democratic and Republican lawmakers who support it, had been invited to a White House ceremony scheduled for 11:45 a.m. Eastern time, when Mr. Obama is expected to make an announcement.

This could open the door to significant breakthroughs in treating Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and any number of other illnesses.

The economy is a huge issue, but it's good to see the president giving attention to some of the other disastrous messes left behind by George W. Bush.

Texas Education Agency director of science fired for promoting science

Geezz ... file this under things that make me crazy! Phil at Bad Astronomy writes:

What the heck is wrong with Texas?

First, they get a creationist governor. Then their creationist governor appoints a creationist to head the State Board of Education.

And now, when Chris Comer, the Texas Education Agency’s director of science curriculum, sends out an email announcing a talk by anti_creationism advocate Barbara Forrest, the TEA forces her to resign.

Why? Hold on to your seats here, folks, because you won’t believe this:

[Texas Education] Agency officials cited the e-mail in a memo recommending her termination. They said forwarding the e-mail not only violated a directive for her not to communicate in writing or otherwise with anyone outside the agency regarding an upcoming science curriculum review, “it directly conflicts with her responsibilities as the Director of Science.”

The memo adds, “Ms. Comer’s e-mail implies endorsement of the speaker and implies that TEA endorses the speaker’s position on a subject on which the agency must remain neutral.”

That’s right, the Texas Education Agency must remain neutral when it comes to science versus antiscience!

Clearly these folks haven't read the First Amendment. You know, the one that guarantees separation of church and state!

As noted anti-creationist Genie Scott commented in the article,

“This just underscores the politicization of science education in Texas,” Scott said. “In most states, the department of education takes a leadership role in fostering sound science education. Apparently TEA employees are supposed to be kept in the closet and only let out to do the bidding of the board.”

As you might expect, PZ has some things to say about this as well. So does Josh. In fact, expect to see this news hitting the science blogosphere like a bomb.

The fight against antiscience, the fight against theocracy, the fight against nonsense will never stop, because their minions are always lurking somewhere. Keep fighting, people. We must never tire.

Phil is absolutely right -- we can never let our guard down, not even for a second.

Clinton Pledges to Shield Science from Politics

The New York Times reports:

In a stinging critique of Bush administration science policy, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York said yesterday that if she were elected president she would require agency directors to show they were protecting science research from "political pressure” and that she would lift federal limits on stem cell research.

Good for Senator Clinton! If elected, Clinton would reverse the harmful policies of the Bush administration.

The Bush administration's policy with regard to science in general, and stem cells in particular, have been disastrous for the health and well being of US citizens. And, as Clinton notes:

“When science is politicized, it is worse than wrong,” she said in the interview. “It is dangerous — dangerous for our democracy.”

Moreover, she said, “it is holding us back economically,” as other countries move forward in research in areas like stem cells and alternative energy, “creating high-wage jobs.”

The next president must safeguard separation of church and state. We must have confidence that scientific research won't be held hostage to the religious beliefs of one person.

Bush Veto's Stem Cell bill, again!

Again choosing his personal ideology over sound science, Bush today vetoed a bipartisan Stem Cell bill. The Associated Press reports:

Pushing back against the Democratic-led Congress, President Bush vetoed a bill Wednesday that would have eased restraints on federally funded embryonic stem cell research.

Democrats, who had made the stem cell legislation a top priority when they took control of the House and Senate in January, were quick to denounce the president's decision.

"This is just one example of how the president puts ideology before science, politics before the needs of our families, just one more example of how out of touch with reality he and his party have become," Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., told the Take Back America conference of liberal activists Wednesday.

Clearly Americans support expanding stem cell research. Every poll and every vote (in MO and CA) by the pubic on the subject indicates support. So what we have is a president who -- in an effort to "push back" against Democrats -- is blocking Americans from access to scientific research that could lead to potential life saving and life enhancing results.

Bush is imposing his religious views on everyone in a feeble attempt to hold onto his low 20's-percent religious right base. What a pathetic man.

This was the third veto of Bush's presidency. His first occurred last year when he rejected legislation to allow funding of additional lines of embryonic stem cells -- a measure that passed over the objections of Republicans then in control. The second legislation he vetoed would have set timetables for U.S. troop withdrawals from Iraq.

So there you have it. Bush's legacy will be that of the Death President. Causing the quick deaths of thousands in an unpopular war, and the slow, torturous deaths of hundreds of thousands afflicted with terrible diseases. What should we expect from the "Executioner in Chief" from Texas.