House Republicans just passed a bill forbidding scientists from advising the EPA
Source: Salon
H.R. 1422, which passed 229-191, would shake up the EPAs Scientific Advisory Board, placing restrictions on those pesky scientists and creating room for experts with overt financial ties to the industries affected by EPA regulations.
The bill is being framed as a play for transparency: Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, argued that the boards current structure is problematic because it excludes industry experts, but not officials for environmental advocacy groups. The inclusion of industry experts, he said, would right this injustice.
But the White House, which threatened to veto the bill, said it would negatively affect the appointment of experts and would weaken the scientific independence and integrity of the SAB.
In what might be the most ridiculous aspect of the whole thing, the bill forbids scientific experts from participating in advisory activities that either directly or indirectly involve their own work. In case that wasnt clear: experts would be forbidden from sharing their expertise in their own research the bizarre assumption, apparently, being that having conducted peer-reviewed studies on a topic would constitute a conflict of interest. In other words, wrote Union of Concerned Scientists director Andrew A. Rosenberg in an editorial for RollCall, academic scientists who know the most about a subject cant weigh in, but experts paid by corporations who want to block regulations can.
Read more: http://www.salon.com/2014/11/19/house_republicans_just_passed_a_bill_forbidding_scientists_from_advising_the_epa_on_their_own_research/
Amazing. A bill that bars the EPA from advising on scientific matters that involve their own research. Amazing.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)sakabatou
(42,152 posts)billhicks76
(5,082 posts)Because they listened to the moderate stand for nothing's. If we want anything we have to play Progressive hardball. Some of us with money seem to never learn. Quit following the false leaders that see us as fools and lemmings. We had a chance for 6 years and squandered it trying to play in the middle and these jerks.
elleng
(130,960 posts)with a 'sarcastic' preface: 'If anyone thinks the House of Representatives is interested in facts and the real world,' for my repug friends.
NBachers
(17,119 posts)they'll probably go for the extreme right over-the-top approach, and then take whatever passes
geomon666
(7,512 posts)I'm an atheist and this is pure Hell for the next 2 years at least.
ffr
(22,670 posts)Republis substitute conservative ideology for science and history in public schools
Er, well, that's not a good point.
When they start dehumanizing others who don't believe as they do, then you can worry.
Paul Ryan bars poor people from testifying at poverty hearing
When they start shooting and making militaristic dog whistle innuendos about having liberals in their sites and/or 'not retreating from them, but reloading instead,' then you can worry.
Okay, you're making sense to me now.
awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)since at least Reagan. Just logs frogs in a pot, you have to turn the heat up slowly- once you realize what is happening it is too late.
ffr
(22,670 posts)What we all feared would happen is ramping up. In a way, I hope they make it painful on those demographics who chose to sit out the mid-terms. That would be only fitting.
But that will provide little satisfaction. Our republic will suffer under their extreme special interest agenda and the clock will definitely be set back.
Cha
(297,275 posts)VOTE!
DFW
(54,403 posts)The big money finances their campaigns, and the Republicans do as they are told, once in office.
Next up: Republican scientists have found conclusive evidence that fracking cleanses drinking water.
Side observation: They will continue to drink Evian, just the same.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)SoapBox
(18,791 posts)This is what you ended up with, lazy ass "voters" that didn't bother to vote.
peoli
(3,111 posts)FiveGoodMen
(20,018 posts)AND all of their enablers!
IthinkThereforeIAM
(3,076 posts)... the anti-intellectualism reeks!
bearssoapbox
(1,408 posts)It is sad and terrifying what is going on with the reTHUGliCON Party.
awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)for the most part, has abandoned its principles, too, which has greatly helped the other side.
ReRe
(10,597 posts)I bet you they don't pass one piece of decent legislation that actually helps the 99%. It's all 1% loophole, Constitution-detouring legislation from here on out that will never be corrected, guaranteeing that our country's descent into Hell.
tanyev
(42,564 posts)and
CRK7376
(2,199 posts)Must be tar sands and fracking may cause some of those heads in the sand to be buried.....just hopeing....
valerief
(53,235 posts)bill this criminal House is going to pass is to outlaw science.
sammy750
(165 posts)They have already removed civil classes from high schools in some GOP controlled states. Now they want to remove science too. What is it with the GOP are they afraid of kids being educated? In Arizona they are tearing out pages in text books having to do with birth control. They want to keep the kids Ignorant. Yes the USA was rated the number one nation in being Ignorant in the world. Thanks to the GOP and the Conservatives TV and radio shows. They are taking this nation back decades with there views. How can they control the education of the kids and the parents just do nothing.
When will the states and the nation fight back against the GOP and call them the real terrorist that they are. They are looking more like the ISIS group all the time.
When will the voters get wise and defeat them. Does the American people really want to be under the control of the GOP who continues to take away DEMOCRACY?
awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)educated people ask questions. The children of the 60's did a lot of this, and the powers that be didn't like it. I predict that in 20 years public education won't exist. Just as in the dark ages, only the elites will be educated.
Blue Owl
(50,393 posts)noiretextatique
(27,275 posts)now house republicons piss off republican scientists
christx30
(6,241 posts)More people telling the board what Jeezus wants. Why would you want science involved anyway? It's all 'climate change' this and 'pollution out of control' that and 'oil spills and coal aren't the best things in the world' kinds of things. Who wants to hear that all the time? Oil spills are great for reducing thermal breakdowns in wildlife. Change your penguin's oil every 3000 miles, people.
Marthe48
(16,967 posts)" I demand to see your credentials"
"I don't have any stinkin' credentials"
"Fine. Go right in and advise"
Scientist, walking in door, thinking: "Fooled you again, you bloody devils."