Pen-Elayne on the Web

Why Does Bush Hate Science?

Via Mark Evanier (link at sidebar), an article by Nicholas Thompson in the Washington Monthly entitled Science Friction which bolsters the claims of Anne Zook (link at sidebar) and others regarding the current administration's contempt for both academia and truth. I was particularly surprised to read the following: "Bush, for instance, has half as many Ph.D.s in his cabinet as Clinton had two years into his term. Among the White House inner circle, Condoleezza Rice's doctorate distinguishes her as much as her race and more than her sex. Consider also the length of time the administration left top scientific positions vacant. It took 20 months to choose an FDA director, 14 months to choose an NIH director, and seven months to choose a White House science adviser for the Office of Science and Technology Policy." This kind of thing certainly pushes me further towards Anne's theories! Update: Bush seems to hate schools too, particularly ones that are performing well. Jo Fish (link at sidebar) is on the story and observes, "Imagine that, President C-minus aiming for mediocrity."