The GOP’s New Plot to Eliminate Science from Lawmaking

[Panich52]

Republicans have long had their eyes set on taking down the Environmental Protection Agency, but one important obstacle has stood in their way: science. After all, if liberals didn’t have all this “scientific research” showing the consequences of being reckless with the environment, would we even need the EPA? Since most of the environmental regulations that the United States develops come as a direct response to this scientific research, the Republicans new frightening plan is to find technicalities to either block, challenge, or invalidate science altogether.

After winning the congressional majority in November, conservatives have quietly began drafting laws that will change the way the government looks at scientific research. While the various bills are all procedural in nature and therefore not the kind of flashy news that grabs headlines, they nonetheless would have monumental impacts on environmental policy.

First, the EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act would shake up the professionals who are allowed to provide input on scientific matters. Alarmingly, it would loosen restrictions on corporate-backed scientists, thereby allowing industry insiders to serve as scientific “advisers.” (snip)

First, the EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act would shake up the professionals who are allowed to provide input on scientific matters. Alarmingly, it would loosen restrictions on corporate-backed scientists, thereby allowing industry insiders to serve as scientific “advisers.” (snip)

To make matters worse, this legislation also would explicitly exclude the scientists who know the most about a given topic. ... Those who conducted a study are forbidden from presenting on it because they may be biased, supposedly.

Then there’s the Secret Science Reform Act, which already passed through Congress not too long ago. Purportedly, the regulation change is to increase transparency by making the EPA have to reveal, in full, all of the data it cites in making recommendations. ... logistical nightmare...

...utilizes peer-reviewed studies from respected scientific journal and does not have easy access to every little number that the scientists used. (snip)

The bottom line is that the more obstacles conservative politicians create, the less scientific research will be available to drive environmental policy. You’ve got to love a system that allows partisan politicians to prevent pesky facts from getting in the way of their capitalist-fueled agendas.

http://www.care2.com/causes/the-gops-new-plot-to-eliminate-science-from-lawmaking.html

[enough]

1. I keep wondering: do these science sceptics use computers, fly on airplanes, go to the doctor,

take antibiotics, get an xray when they break a bone, turn on a light in the office, watch television, ............................. ?

[Fred Sanders]

2. Britain and Canada also both have conservative governments also trying to muzzle science.

[Dan de Lyons]

3. What is science?

Science is, in ways, the art of repeatable results. "Getting things down to a science" guarantees a repeatable result.

The design of a production line is based on scientific principles. It produces a repeatable result. Test one piece coming off the line now and then, and you'll know that the others are probably ok. The line reliably reproduces the product.

The design of a submarine is based on scientific principles. When a submarine needs to come up for air, we can know it will, because these principles are incontrovertible.

Discovering why and how things happen is part of the art of making them repeatable. The art of discovering why and how things happen can grow in a person.

[world wide wally]

4. I guess that if you can't argue with the truth…… just hide it.

[blkmusclmachine]

5. ,

,