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January 4, 2008

Defending Science from Politics in 2008

By Michael Halpern

Union of Concerned Scientists accelerates its call for scientists and concerned citizens to sign a statement bringing attention to the Bush administration's manipulation, suppression, and distortion of science. Since 2004, more than 12,000 scientists, including many Nobel laureates and former presidential science advisors, from all fifty states have endorsed the statement. Calls for your signature.

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In February 2004, 62 leading scientists—including many Nobel laureates and former presidential science advisors dating back fifty years—issued a statement to bring attention to the Bush administration's manipulation, suppression, and distortion of science. In the years since, more than 12,000 scientists from all fifty states have endorsed the statement. A complimentary citizens' call-to-action, which echoes the scientists' concerns, has earned support from tens of thousands of non-scientists.

We know that the misuse of science won’t end unless the next administration understands the importance of independent science to informed decisions about our health, safety, and environment. That's why we’re kicking off 2008 by shifting the focus from the misdeeds of this administration to the responsibilities of the next one.

Here's how you can help:

We'll be using both documents to encourage presidential candidates to commit to restoring scientific integrity to federal policy making. Your last chance to sign the scientist statement on scientific integrity or the citizens' call-to-action is January 25, 2008.

Once you’re done, please tell your friends and colleagues about this last chance opportunity—scientists and non-scientists alike.

Science has been misused on issues as diverse as global warming, childhood lead poisoning, prescription drug safety, endangered species, and air pollution. The scientist statement and the citizens' call-to-action have put the problem of political interference in science on the public radar—and have served as the foundation of our efforts to restore scientific integrity to federal policy making. Now it’s time to look toward the next administration.

Please help us start off the new year on the right foot by signing the scientist statement on scientific integrity or the citizens' call-to-action. Remember, the deadline for signing is January 25, 2008.

Sincerely,

Michael Halpern
National Field Organizer
Scientific Integrity Program

PS.  We will continue to monitor the Bush administration’s actions as they prepare to leave office. And over the coming months, we’ll let you know more about how you can help ensure that the next president is committed to righting the wrongs of the past several years. Click here for tips on engaging the presidential candidates.



Submitter: Rady Ananda

Submitters Bio:


In 2004, Rady Ananda joined the growing community of citizen journalists. Initially focused on elections, she investigated the 2004 Ohio election, organizing, training and leading several forays into counties to photograph the 2004 ballots. She officially served at three recounts, including the 2004 recount. She also organized and led the team that audited Franklin County Ohio's 2006 election, proving the number of voter signatures did not match official results. Her work appears in three books.

Her blogs also address religious, gender, sexual and racial equality, as well as environmental issues; and are sprinkled with book and film reviews on various topics. She spent most of her working life as a researcher or investigator for private lawyers, and five years as an editor.

She graduated from The Ohio State University's School of Agriculture in December 2003 with a B.S. in Natural Resources.

All material offered here is the property of Rady Ananda, copyright 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009. Permission is granted to repost, with proper attribution including the original link.

"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." Tell the truth anyway.

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