The recent budget requires that NSF not fund grants on Political Science Research unless the director of NSF certifies that they "promoting national security or the economic interests of the United States." Of course, I think anyone doing political science research could argue this, but anyway lets get to the kicker. It is already passed by the Senate and will go to the House next.
I realize some of you might look at this and simply say "Good, more money for me i!" But, that is a short-sighted outlook. What discipline are they going to cut next? Today its political science, the one area that conducts research on how politicians do things. This has huge repercussions to every area of society. It is also the one area of research that directly attacks or investigates the doings of our government. Doesn't that worry you? Also, what is encompasses by political science? How about the effectiveness of an environmental policy at saving endangered species? Would that not be political science? How about teaching evolution or creationism in schools? Since this topic is directly an outcome of a policy/law, then couldn't investigating outcomes from that practice evolving form that policy or law be covered? A step further, what happens in the next budget? We cut one discipline, maybe another? Maybe we should cut all research that studies wildlife? Or non-essential wildlife? Do these things have an economic impact on the US economic health? If you do not think these extensions are possible?! ITs all baby steps. >From the Chronicle (http://chronicle.com/article/Senate-Moves-to-Limit-NSF/138027/): "The amendment was proposed by Sen. Tom Coburn, a Republican of Oklahoma who has sharply criticized the foundation's spending priorities. Mr. Coburn sent a letter last week to the NSF's director, Subra Suresh, listing a series of agency-financed projects he considered a waste of taxpayer money. His list included several involving political science, including studies of voter attitudes toward the Senate filibuster and of the cooperation between the president and Congress. Projects likely to be affected, he said, include the American National Election Studies, a landmark series of studies and polls dating to 1948. Its current principal investigators are at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and Stanford University. Other major NSF-sponsored political-science work includes a study of school districts and government that informed many of the efforts by mayors in recent years to improve school-system governance, Mr. Brintnall said." So, you don't think your next? You don't think that these sorts of politicians could extend the meaning of the bill? It only passed 73-26! -- Malcolm L. McCallum Managing Editor, Herpetological Conservation and Biology "If the government is covering up the existence of aliens, then they are doing a better job of it than they do at anything else," Stephen Hawking 1880's: "There's lots of good fish in the sea" W.S. Gilbert 1990's: Many fish stocks depleted due to overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution. 2000: Marine reserves, ecosystem restoration, and pollution reduction MAY help restore populations. 2022: Soylent Green is People! Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. -- Malcolm L. McCallum Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry School of Biological Sciences University of Missouri at Kansas City Managing Editor, Herpetological Conservation and Biology "Peer pressure is designed to contain anyone with a sense of drive" - Allan Nation 1880's: "There's lots of good fish in the sea" W.S. Gilbert 1990's: Many fish stocks depleted due to overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution. 2000: Marine reserves, ecosystem restoration, and pollution reduction MAY help restore populations. 2022: Soylent Green is People! The Seven Blunders of the World (Mohandas Gandhi) Wealth w/o work Pleasure w/o conscience Knowledge w/o character Commerce w/o morality Science w/o humanity Worship w/o sacrifice Politics w/o principle Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.
