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(via email and Nature)
Barack Obama’s Science and Technology Advisers:
John McCain’s Science and Technology Advisers:
The big difference between these lists is that Barack Obama has actual scientists advising him.
Statement about John McCain’s Comments at the Presidential Debate
Last night, during the presidential debate in Nashville, Tennessee, Senator John McCain
made the following statement:
McCain: “While we were working to eliminate these pork barrel earmarks he (Senator
Obama) voted for nearly $1 billion in pork barrel earmark projects. Including $3 million for
an overhead projector at a planetarium in Chicago, Illinois. My friends, do we need to spend
that kind of money?”
To clarify, the Adler Planetarium requested federal support – which was not funded – to
replace the projector in its historic Sky Theater, the first planetarium theater in the
Western Hemisphere. The Adler’s Zeiss Mark VI projector – not an overhead projector – is
the instrument that re-creates the night sky in a dome theater, the quintessential
planetarium experience. The Adler’s projector is nearly 40 years old and is no longer
supported with parts or service by the manufacturer. It is only the second planetarium
projector in the Adler’s 78 years of operation.
Science literacy is an urgent issue in the United States. To remain competitive and ensure
national security, it is vital that we educate and inspire the next generation of explorers to
pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
Senator McCain’s statements about the Adler Planetarium’s request for federal support do
not accurately reflect the museum’s legislative history or relationship with Senator Obama.
The Adler has approached the Illinois Congressional delegation the last few years for federal
assistance with various initiatives. These have included museum exhibitions, equipment and
educational programs we offer to area schools, including the Chicago Public Schools.
We have made requests to Senators Durbin and Obama, as well as to 6 area Congressmen
from both political parties. We are grateful that all of the Members we have approached,
including Senator Obama, have deemed our activities worthy of their support, and have
made appropriations requests on our behalf, as they have for many worthy Illinois nonprofit
organizations.
As a result of the hard work of our bipartisan congressional delegation, the Adler has been
fortunate to receive a few federal appropriations the past couple of years.
However, the Adler has never received an earmark as a result of Senator Obama’s efforts.
This is clearly evidenced by recent transparency laws implemented by the Congress, which
have resulted in the names of all requesting Members being listed next to every earmark in
the reports that accompany appropriations bills.
October 8, 2008
Since many of McCain’s supporters have an active dislike for science (largely because the facts don’t back up their belief that Adam and Eve rode dinosaurs to church), he had nothing to lose with this lie.
(via What’s new by Bob Park - Friday, September 5, 2008)
2. DEBATE: DID “SCIENCE” GET A MENTION IN ST. PAUL?
Last week we did a word search for “science” in Barack Obama’s acceptance speech in Denver. We thought it unfortunate that Obama made only a single reference to science. As you have surely noticed, WN is firmly non- partisan, so we ran the same search on a transcript of McCain’s acceptance speech last night in St. Paul. “Text not found” popped up. Could this be? Our nation is roiled by controversies over evolution, nuclear power, climate change, energy shortage, stem cells, Plan B, all of which must turn to science for their resolution. Indeed, is there an issue the nation faces that doesn’t turn on science? “Perhaps the search technology failed,” I thought, “try another word.” I typed in “fight.” There were 25 hits. Hmmm.
McCain was speaking to his base, who all think science is some sort of elitist pursuit.
(via Pharyngula)
“Academic freedom” bill promoting
creationism has been approved by their senate committee.
(via What’s new by Bob Park - Friday, February 22, 2008)
2. ANTISATELLITE WEAPONS: THE HYDRAZINE DECEPTION.
What do you do when a newly-emergent space power shows off its new anti- satellite capability, as China did last year? Well, you have to show that you too can shoot down a satellite. It’s relatively easy - satellites aren’t evasive and they keep doing the same thing over and over. To avoid violating treaties, you could sell it as a mission to save innocent lives from a rampaging tank of hydrazine. “If you inhale a lot of it, it could be deadly,” said the general in charge. The same is probably true of acetone, absinthe and toilet bowl cleaner to name a few. Anyway, the Navy did its part well. Unfortunately, as other countries flex their muscles in space it could be open season on dead school buses (there’s a lot of them).
(from the don’t try this at home dept.)
(via Pooflingers Anonymous)
Alkali metals
(more…)
(via email)
Man caught anthrax from drum skin
An inquiry into a man’s death from anthrax has concluded that “on balance of probabilities” he contracted it from playing or handling West African drums.
Synthetic drum heads may not be such a bad idea…
(via local6.com)
Ummm, shouldn’t that be Endeavour?
-- In 1962, you could buy a pair of SHARKSKIN SLACKS, with a
``Continental Belt,'' for $10.99!!
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