Interesting opinion article by Murray in today's paper:
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Opinion/My-View-Obama-can-redeem-faltering-U-S--science-standing
(or http://tinyurl.com/5wwv9x in case the above is too long)
I attach the text .. the SFNM is a pretty poky site!
-- Owen
Obama can redeem faltering U.S. science standing
Murray Gell-Mann | 10/25/2008 - 10/26/08
This year's presidential election is among the most significant in our
nation's history. The country urgently needs a visionary leader who
can ensure the future of our traditional strengths in science and
technology and who can harness those strengths to address many of our
greatest problems: energy, health, environmental quality including
climate protection, security and economic competitiveness.
I and 61 of my fellow Nobel laureates in the sciences are convinced
that Sen. Barack Obama is such a leader, and we urge voters to join us
in supporting him.
During the administration of President George W. Bush, vital parts of
our country's scientific enterprise, including our universities and
national laboratories, have been damaged by stagnant or declining
federal support. The government's scientific advisory process has been
distorted by political interference, with Bush's appointees censoring
scientific findings on global climate change, endangered species, and
other important issues. Our once dominant position in the scientific
world has been shaken and our prosperity has been placed at risk.
We have lost time critical for the development of better ways to
provide energy, treat disease, slow climate change, strengthen our
security, and improve our economy. I have watched Obama's approach to
these issues with admiration. I especially appreciate his emphasis
during the campaign on the power of science and technology to enhance
our nation's competitiveness, and his commitment to a fair, objective
approach to the challenges facing our nation.
In particular, I support the measures he plans to take — through new
initiatives in education and training, expanded research funding, of
future and applied science and an unbiased process for obtaining
scientific advice — to meet the nation's and the world's most urgent
needs. Obama understands that presidential leadership and federal
investments in science and technology are crucial to creating a
brighter future for the United States and for the world. I am proud to
support him this November.
Murray Gell-Mann, 1969 Nobel Laureate in physics, lives in Santa Fe.
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