76 Nobel Laureates Endorse Obama
As of last Friday, the number of Nobel Laureates endorsing Barack Obama for president has risen to 76, saying Obama will end Bush-era trashing of scientific research, integrity, and competitiveness.
In an open letter (pdf), the Laureates cite the politicization of science under the Bush administration, particularly in the fields of heath and climate, saying that “vital parts of our country’s scientific enterprise have been damaged by stagnant or declining federal support,” adding that through an advisory process “distorted by political considerations” America’s “once dominant position in the scientific world has been shaken and our prosperity has been placed at risk.”
Despite John McCain’s claim that he is the true agent of change for all that has gone wrong under George Bush, both he and his remarkably incurious and misinformed (at best) running mate show how they plan to continue Bush’s appalling lack of regard for science; combining an inexcusable ignorance of the importance of basic scientific research, with the morally bereft penchant for using science as yet another divisive wedge to promulgate their politics of intolerance, fear, and derision – aiming straight at the lowest common denominator in the body politic.
The vital role of science to address the most pressing issues of our time, from economic competitiveness to climate change, energy, and sustainability, will return under an Obama administration, say the Nobel scientists:
“We especially applaud his emphasis during the campaign on the power of science and technology to enhance our nation’s competitiveness. In particular, we support the measures he plans to take – through new initiatives in education and training, expanded research funding, an unbiased process for obtaining scientific advice, and an appropriate balance of basic and applied research – to meet the nation’s and the world’s most urgent needs.”
The letter stresses that the country is in urgent need of a “visionary leader” saying, “We are convinced that Senator Barack Obama is such a leader, and we urge you to join us in supporting him”.
McCain and Palin would surely continue us on the resolute path back to the Dark Ages upon which George Bush set out eight years ago.
And there is no more time to waste on such foolishness.
It was the Bush administration that launched the American Competitive Initiative, which seeks to enhance both research and science education through, in part, a doubling of the aggregate budgets of the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Science Office of the Department of Energy. The initiative is in response to the obvious challenges posed by our international competitors, both current and near-future, especially China and India. The budget stalemate between the democrats in congress and the president has stalled the ACI’s implementation, leading to layoffs of scientists and technical personnel at national labs around the country. I can tell you that director’s of federally supported research and development centers say, “If we had the president’s budget we would be in good shape.” This misleading article really doesn’t contribute to the advancement of science in the US.
[...] We know that 76 Nobel Laureates endorsed Obama. [...]