It's About Time Someone Reigned in Those Geologists!

[Lemur]

I expect you're about as sick and tired as I am of wild-eyed geologists shooting their mouths off, saying whatever they like whenever they like. Yadda yadda geology, yadda yadda Earth's crust, yadda yadda data says this. Whatever. I'm glad somebody has the guts to put these wild-eyed rock hippies in their place.

The Bush administration is clamping down on scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey, who study everything from caribou mating to global warming, subjecting them to controls on research that might go against official policy.

New rules require screening of all facts and interpretations by agency scientists. The rules apply to all scientific papers and other public documents, even minor reports or prepared talks, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

[...]

“I feel as though we've got someone looking over our shoulder at every damn thing we do. And to me that's a very scary thing. I worry that it borders on censorship,'' said Jim Estes, an internationally recognized marine biologist who works for the geological unit. “The explanation was that this was intended to ensure the highest possible quality research,'' said Estes, a researcher at the agency for more than 30 years. “But to me it feels like they're doing this to keep us under their thumbs. It seems like they're afraid of science. Our findings could be embarrassing to the administration.''

[Yeah, whatever, ya long-haired fact-loving geology liberal! Cry me an aquifer with your little fact-based tears!]

The agency's director, Mark Myers, and its communications office also must be told — prior to any submission for publication — “of findings or data that may be especially newsworthy, have an impact on government policy, or contradict previous public understanding to ensure that proper officials are notified and that communication strategies are developed.''

[That's more like it!]

From now on, USGS supervisors will demand to see the comments of outside peer reviewers' as well any exchanges between the scientists who are seeking to publish their findings and the reviewers.

The Bush administration, as well as the Clinton administration before it, has been criticized over scientific integrity issues. In 2002, the USGS was forced to reverse course after warning that oil and gas drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge would harm the Porcupine caribou herd. One week later a new report followed, this time saying the caribou would not be affected.

So some geode-huggers won't be able to play favorites with the Carbouistas in Alaska? About damn time, if you ask me!

I was wondering when someone would have the guts to take action against the blatant partisans of rock-based science. I applaud the administration for standing up to the fascists of geology! Bravo! Bravo, I say! The reality-based community is on the run.