When I set out to write my latest Science Progress column about the current status of efforts to restore the congressional Office of Technology Assessment, I have to say I was naive.
I simply thought that with Democrats back in control of Congress, restoring the Republican-killed office would be a cinch.
Think again. It's much more complicated than that--and a lot of elected Democrats don't seem to grasp the importance of good science advice either, sadly. They seem to think that science advice is for scientists, rather than for them.
For more detail, read the piece, entitled "Science, Delayed."
I know that this is off topic, or is it, but the Political Debates on Saturday night on WABC was the best. Charlie Gibson was a surpurb moderator, and the entire format, including a cordial exchange amongst all the candidates in the debate, made it all the more human and interesting. They were allowed to interact with each other to a greater extent, and I found it all most informative.
I would like to see the Science Debate along these lines.
Given the Congressional Democrats near complete legislative impotence, I don't find it surprising that they haven't done something that is several numbers down on their list of things to do.
I think it's the lobbyists that are and did kill the OTA.
Why would they want a politician to find out the 'honest truth' when 'sound science' is better for their employers.
We have a government that has the richest and most disconnected members in the history of America. They are lined up at the feed trough just like the pigs that they are.
And the Chamber of Commerce says it's 'just business'. I'm tired of always getting 'the business'...
I agree. Got your science right here, Bucko -- whatever the lobbyist tells the congressman. The advice that keeps on giving. What did science ever do to get a congressman reelected?