Over at Chris Mooney’s blog there’s an interesting post about Bush embracing Science in the latest state of the union speech. Since part of our research is on nanotechnology, and we’re insatiable users of supercomputing facilities, I certainly noticed this part of the speech:
First, I propose to double the federal commitment to the most critical basic research programs in the physical sciences over the next 10 years. This funding will support the work of America’s most creative minds as they explore promising areas such as nanotechnology and supercomputing and alternative energy sources.
But I’m extremely skeptical of Bush’s State of the union pronouncements after the trial balloon about intelligent design was floated a few months ago, after the doctoring of scientific reports, the silencing of NASA scientists, the stuffing of scientific advisory panels, and all the other anti-science actions the administration has taken.
So I’m great with the president wanting to leave a legacy as the “Science” president, but he needs to do two things: 1) show us the budget, and 2) come to bat for Science in the public sphere.
