Selling Science to the Public

Author Chris Mooney and Professor Matt Nesbit of American University have an op-ed piece in the Sunday Washington Post calling on scientists to do a better job of communicating the facts they learn in the lab to the public. They touch on evolution, climate change, and stem cell research. I don't necessarily agree with everything they say, but their main point is dead-on. Let's hope someone listens.

All Our Problems Are Solved!

Columnist Larry Elder has the answer to the Bush Administration's recalcitrance toward accepting the science of Global Warming: Tell them Global Warming Turns People Gay! Then we'll see some action! Action to avoid seeing hot man-on-man action that is! [Thanks, Sam!]

Climate Change Beatdown

Chris Mooney has a great write-up on today's Senate Commerce Committee's hearing on Climate Change Research and Scientific Integrity. He also has links to the C-SPAN video which shows John Kerry acting like a Senator and beating the @$$ off of the Bush administration's acting Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) chairman (I'm sure he's well qualified for the post). This is as genuine as I've ever seen Kerry. Not running for President clearly agrees with him. Seriously though, this is so heartening to see. People in Congress actually taking climate change seriously. Hell, its good to see them taking science seriously again. Thank God.

Saturday Media Dump

Lots of stuff today. US New House bill to roll back oil company tax breaks and use the money to research renewable energy. This alone was worth voting for the Democrats. "White House: No Plan To Attack Iran, Syria". They didn't a have plan for Iraq, either. [BTW, Iran is a MUCH larger country than Iraq. Enjoy.] Middle East We have people in this country freaking out about a Muslim Congressman and, meanwhile, Israel is appointing an Arab Muslim to their cabinet. I hope we grow up someday. Egypt's President wants Iran to keep out of Iraq. Africa Interesting story about US involvement in Somalia. DDT is making a comeback and, this time, it is saving people's lives. A crazy preacher in Nigeria was sentenced to hang for lighting some of his parishioners on fire. Asia China will increase the flexibility with which it allows it's currency, the yuan, to trade thanks to a 74% increase in the country's trade surplus. More on China's strategy for African influence and in the Middle East.