On the same day we're hearing that the Obama administration -- faced with disastrous evidence -- may, after all, be changing its policy related to oil drilling in the Gulf, Politics Daily notes that scientific and environmental decisions are more endangered than ever in our political climate. The EPA's Committee on Science Integration for Decision Making has posted draft summaries of interviews with hundreds of EPA staffers that show an alarming pattern:
Environmental Protection Agency staffers have been forced to ignore relevant science, have lacked key monitoring data on human health and environmental impacts, and have worked without crucial information needed to protect the public, according to the preliminary findings of a scientific advisory board.The reports appear on the EPA Web site, and they are full of troubling assertions. For instance, scientists in Region 7, which covers Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Iowa, had this to say [PDF]:
Another scientist provided a different historical perspective, describing EPA's evolving efforts to protect ecosystems. It has taken a long time for the public to understand ecosystem impacts and for EPA organizations to adapt and change processes to integrate analysis of ecosystem effects into decision making. He started a remote-sensing group 20 years ago, but decision makers have been slow to use the data for decision making. Emergency response managers use some of the data; enforcement managers sometimes use it, but often there are "tradeoffs between science you think should driving things and the real politik" of the decisions actually made.Yet another scientist responded that Regions have developed a process for using science. Regions try to be consistent, transparent, and conservative. They follow policy set by Headquarters and "fear going rogue." There are impediments to doing original science or using new science, because new information may not be peer reviewed or fit with existing policy.
Emphasis mine. The block on innovation is particularly troubling, considering that these same regions have reported not only an increase in attracting top talent -- the tanking economy has actually helped the EPA in this way -- but also a dependence on post-doctoral candidates. If the nation's best and brightest are being routinely trained to avoid new methods and tactics, that bodes very ill for our scientific future.
One important thing to note: so far, the reports I've read don't lay the blame squarely on one administration or another. True, most of them are discussing recent events -- Bush-era events and slights -- but they're talking about politicians at both the national and state levels, Democrats and Republicans. What this report will most likely show is that the stifling of scientific data that doesn't agree with the party line isn't limited to one side of the aisle.
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Catherine Forsythe
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Emily Holleman
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Leslie Harpole
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And that's why JFK used his telephone to ream some GS-12s new body part openings on a periodic basis.
Something not expressed here is what drives this “real politik” to which you refer? The answer in this case, as is almost always the case in matters such as this, is love and worship of money, hard cold cash. Corporate power that drives our government slows anything that will decrease, even slightly, their profits and the government, being owned by them, simply plays along as much as possible. It’s all about $$$$$$$$$$$.
I recently interacted with one of my state legislature representatives regarding the hunting of wolves in my state. He looked into it and came back to me with an email message that essentially downplayed the ecosystem aspects of the issue in favor of hunters’ rights. And, of course, hunters are a paying political faction that has a lot of pull with these guys; toe our line or we’ll put our money behind someone else who will.
Money-holics poisoning our bodies for their thrill.
But there is another question lurking, as well: what exactly defines “real politik”?
politics based on practical and material factors rather than on theoretical or ethical objectives
So how do we define “practical and material factors” and “theoretical or ethical objectives” in this equation? In the case of my encounter with my state representative, is “hunters’ rights” more practical and material” than a healthy ecosystem? I don’t know; to me it seems the opposite is true: hunters’ rights are theoretical and ethical objectives while the health of the ecosystem is practical and material. And this applies well to the issue of drilling in the Gulf.
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the american deck of spaceship earth is being run on principles and methods developed for sailing ships. these methods at best can not cope with modern problems, and at worst create problems which are likely to be fatal: over-population, resource exhaustion, pollution are killing the planet.
survival demands a rational plan for management of society. it will not come from those at the top now, for they see no need for change. it won't come from the masses, they are ignorant and busy finding a meal. academics might have something to say, but no one listens to them.
very possibly it won't come at all. a massive population crash is the most likely next phase. let's hope the next human efflorescence is better able to see, and deal with, long term problems.
Only 14% of adults in US consider evolution to be definitely true.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/08/060810-evolution.html
Enough said.
What I have felt from the beginning to be a human health issue and an environmental catastrophe has been taken over by politicians and lobbying groups and that's just on the local level! Throw the State of Michigan (and 'moderate' democrat Jenny Granholm) into the mix and stir in our federal politicians (many of whom worked for Dow and still draw pensions) and you have a real mess.
Pre-Obama I've been to meetings where the Chamber of Commerce swaggers around like a dictator throwing their weight around. Where obsequious politicians simper and whine at the mere thought of meaningful penalties for Dow's deliberate poisoning of our rivers, bay and our land. Where Dow funds local AstroTurf groups to lie and obfuscate the truth and where the above mentioned politicians (including, surprisingly 'democrat' Jenny) hog tie and gag the state departments that are charged with environment and human health.
I remain highly skeptical of ANYTHING that ANY political person does or says BUT remain hopeful that something meaningful will be done.
People here run from the stamping of the feet of Dow. How the hell they got into this position of being the condemner and the savior is just amazing. They threaten with jobs and cutbacks and yet also find themselves in a pickle because they can't leave. Heck, they built their new ball park on a toxic waste dump. The area is contaminated and Dow and their cadre of political henchmen dance to classical music sipping french champagne. THAT is what the EPA is working against.
I don't think that ANY agency that seeks to cleanup the environment can have ANY political ties but that's impossible... I have friends that are hopeful that things will be meaningfully cleaned up and that this area will be a beacon of hope for the many other areas the respecter of 'the human element' has poisoned in their quest for massive profits above all. It is funny how they love 'clean water' but won't clean up our river and bay. Not profitable I guess...
See TRWNEWS.net and CleanWatershedCampaign.org for more information on what we face.
Mary Gade was forced out because she was being 'too hard' on Dow Chemical over their dioxin contamination in MY neighborhood!
You want to see the polarization of a community? You want to see the power if living next to a 'company town'? You want to see people so afraid to stick up for their own children's health and their economic and biological health? Well, you should stop over sometime... 'Stepford' community? Yep. Someone even tried to get Erin Brockovich here and she turned them down. AND I LIVE HERE and can't afford to sell me house for a loss and more the hell outta here... Give the EPA some time. Time is all we have...
OH HOW EASY IT IS TO FORGET THE LIES OF OUR OWN. Just what would you say if these lies belonged to George Bush? Oh it hurts so bad knowing you are nothing more than a sorry hypocrite.
End income tax for seniors making less than $50,000
"Will eliminate all income taxation of seniors making less than $50,000 per year. This will eliminate taxes for 7 million seniors -- saving them an average of $1,400 a year-- and will also mean that 27 million seniors will not need to file an income tax return at all.">>More
End no-bid contracts above $25,000
"Will ensure that federal contracts over $25,000 are competitively bid.">>More
Allow imported prescription drugs
"Allow Americans to buy their medicines from other developed countries if the drugs are safe and prices are lower outside the U.S.">>More
Direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a comprehensive study of federal cancer initiatives
"As president, Barack Obama will immediately direct his Secretary of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with agency officials, academic researchers, cancer survivors and advocates for people with cancer, and state public health officials, to comprehensively examine the various cancer-related efforts of federal agencies, and provide recommendations to eliminate barriers to effective coordination across federal agencies and between the federal government and other stakeholders.">>More
Double the Peace Corps
"Barack Obama will double the Peace Corps to 16,000 by its 50th anniversary in 2011 and push Congress to fully fund this expansion, with a focus on Latin America and the Caribbean.">>More
Allow five days of public comment before signing bills
To reduce bills rushed through Congress and to the president before the public has the opportunity to review them, Obama "will not sign any non-emergency bill without giving the American public an opportunity to review and comment on the White House website for five days.">>More
Tougher rules against revolving door for lobbyists and former officials
"No political appointees in an Obama-Biden administration will be permitted to work on regulations or contracts directly and substantially related to their prior employer for two years. And no political appointee will be able to lobby the executive branch after leaving government service during the remainder of the administration.">>More
Double funding for afterschool programs
"Will double funding for the main federal support for afterschool programs, the 21st Century Learning Centers program, to serve one million more children.">>More
Urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws
As president, "will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws.">>More
Allow bankruptcy judges to modify terms of a home mortgage
Will repeal provisions of the Chapter 13 law that prohibit bankruptcy judges from modifying the original terms of home mortgages for ordinary families -- regardless of whether the loan was predatory or unfair or is otherwise unaffordable -- "so that ordinary families can also get relief that bankruptcy laws were intended to provide.">>More
Support human mission to moon by 2020
Will "endorse the goal of sending human missions to the Moon by 2020, as a precursor in an orderly progression to missions to more distant destinations, including Mars.">>More
Pay for the national service plan without increasing the deficit
"Will maintain fiscal responsibility and prevent any increase in the deficit by offsetting cuts and revenue sources in other parts of the government (to pay for a national service plan that will cost about $3.5 billion per year when it is fully implemented). This plan will be paid for in part by cancelling tax provisions that would otherwise help multinational corporations pay less in U.S. taxes starting in 2008 by reallocating tax deductions for interest expenses between income earned in the U.S. and income earned abroad. The rest of the plan will be funded using a small portion of the savings associated with ending the war in Iraq.">>More
Give annual "State of the World" address
"I'll give an annual 'State of the World' address to the American people in which I lay out our national security policy.">>More
Reduce earmarks to 1994 levels
"Barack Obama is committed to returning earmarks to less than $7.8 billion a year, the level they were at before 1994.">>More
Allow penalty-free hardship withdrawals from retirement accounts in 2008 and 2009
"Obama and Biden are calling for legislation that would allow withdrawals of 15% up to $10,000 from retirement accounts without penalty (although subject to the normal taxes). This would apply to withdrawals in 2008 (including retroactively) and 2009.">>More
Recognize the Armenian genocide
"Two years ago, I criticized the Secretary of State for the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he properly used the term 'genocide' to describe Turkey's slaughter of thousands of Armenians starting in 1915. … as President I will recognize the Armenian Genocide.">>More
No family making less than $250,000 will see "any form of tax increase."
"I can make a firm pledge. Under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase. Not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes.">>More
Negotiate health care reform in public sessions televised on C-SPAN
To achieve health care reform, "I'm going to have all the negotiations around a big table. We'll have doctors and nurses and hospital administrators. Insurance companies, drug companies -- they'll get a seat at the table, they just won't be able to buy every chair. But what we will do is, we'll have the negotiations televised on C-SPAN, so that people can see who is making arguments on behalf of their constituents, and who are making arguments on behalf of the drug companies or the insurance companies. And so, that approach, I think is what is going to allow people to stay involved in this process.">>More
Create a public option health plan for a new National Health Insurance Exchange.
"The exchange will require that all the plans offered are at least as generous as the new public plan and meet the same standards for quality and efficiency.">>More
AND THE LIST JUST KEEPS GROWING...
The problem with pre-election promises is they usually end up on the floor, like a padded push-up bra. It's all to make the candidate look 'desirable' so that people vote for them. Candidates aren't stupid. That doesn't mean that I'm not disappointed that Obama has turned into a 'moderate democrat' and has chickened out on many of the things he promised.
I just think back to the 'I'm a uniter not a divider' that the lying retard Bush hissed after his daddies friends gave him the presidency and realize that in the end, we get what we get. In high school I dated a girl that stuffed her bra with, apparently, whatever she could find. Talk about 'buyers remorse'... ;-) I think that, like what motivated her to do what she did, the political election promise is driven out of insecurity. I doubt that Bush would have been elected if he told the truth that he planned to triple the deficit, declare two wars, ship our children off to be electrocuted in the shower by their crony war profiteers that they will pay billions for work that was criminally sub-par or never done at all.
Running for office is a first date. They get all dressed up and pushed up and smell so sweet and laugh at our jokes and make us want them... Time was those promises meant something. Now, they are just window dressing...
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