Some snippets from a recent Wired article.
Two federal agencies are investigating whether the Bush administration tried to block government scientists from speaking freely about global warming and censor their research, a senator said Wednesday.
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-New Jersey) said he was informed that the inspectors general for the Commerce Department and NASA had begun “coordinated, sweeping investigations of the Bush administration’s censorship and suppression” of federal research into global warming.
He said the investigations “will uncover internal documents and agency correspondence that may expose widespread misconduct.” He added, “Taxpayers do not fund scientific research so the Bush White House can alter it.”
In February, House Science Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-N.Y.) and other congressional leaders asked NASA to guarantee scientific openness. They complained that a public affairs officer changed or filtered information on global warming and the Big Bang.
The officer, George Deutsch, a political appointee, had resigned after being accused of trying to limit reporters’ access to James Hansen, a prominent NASA climate scientist, and insisting that a web designer insert the word “theory” with any mention of the Big Bang.
I’m confused as to why it has taken so long for someone to take action on this. I’ve been stunned that there hasn’t been outrage over this sooner. Forget global warning! Does anyone remember when Bush dissolved a CDC committee on the effects of lead on children after receiving the shocking conclusion that lead is bad for children. He then replaced the committee with lobbyists for Lead producing manufacturers!
