Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Not that I've evern been a fan of science...

But this administration has a repeated disrespect for scientific evidence (actually, evidence and facts of all kinds) and a disregard for the role of scientific research in the future of this nation.

1. It continues to be influenced by right-wing Christian conservatives, who still want schools to not teach evolution. I have some very spiritually-minded friends, many of whom are model Christians, and they turned out fine WITH the inclusion of the theory of evolution in their science curriculum.

2. Global warming. This topic pisses me off so much that that's all I'll say. I'm glad that Al Gore is back on the national scene, if not as a candidate, at least as a very public advocate of the issue.

3. Stem Cell Research: This is the main and the most recent struggle of Dubya's gang against science. I was always in full support of federal funding for stem cell research. We fund NASA to learn more about the universe we live in, so why don't we fund scientists to contribute to the international race/project to study possible cures or treatments for Parkinson's and other diseases? The U.S. has a talented pool of scientists and researchers, those who stay in the country are working with very limited resources. Just the basic WaPost coverage of the Stem Cell Research funding bill that Congress is due to pass and Bush is likely to veto reveals that the issue is pretty straightforward:

Scientists view embryonic stem cells as promising in the treatment of paralysis and many diseases because the cells can re-create themselves and have the potential to turn into any tissue or organ. Colonies or "lines" derived from adult stem cells are much less versatile, scientists say.

The legislation in question, which the House has passed, would allow federal funding for research on stem cell lines derived from frozen embryos that are stored at fertility clinics and slated for destruction. The president's policy allows for federal funding of research only on stem cell lines that existed as of Aug. 9, 2001, the date he announced his policy. Bush said such a policy was reasonable because additional embryos would not have to be destroyed to create stem cells.

Somebody please just punch the man in the face... it's not like he could get any dumber. I feel too frustrated by Dubya's utter idiocy that I'm not even going to double-check if "idiocy" is really a word.

And I suppose this is kind of a blessing in disguise? Even if a cure was found in the U.S., nobody would have the health care/funds to access such treatment.