(Apologies if this has already been posted; I get the digest version of TIPs.)
Yesterday, "Good Morning America" ran a piece slamming basic behavioral science research. Below you'll find APS's initial response to the piece, as well as link to web version of the story itself. Your students may ask you about this; I would encourage you, and your students, to use the 'Contact ABC' button on ABC's web site to let them know how you feel about this kind of coverage. Michael Renner -----Original Message----- > From: Alan Kraut > To: Ad Hoc All (E-mail); CNSF List (E-mail) > Sent: 4/3/2002 5:04 PM > Subject: Adhoc: Good Morning America > > Dear All, There has been discussion on several lists today of the > one-sided segment Good Morning America (GMA) ran this morning, in which > various research projects funded by NIH and NSF were cited as examples > of wasteful spending. Below is a quick email I sent through their > website in response. We'll be sending a more formal response soon. I > know many of you representing other science and health groups also were > planning to join in defending federal research funding by sending in an > email response with your own particular take. The GMA story and website > for response (click on 'Contact ABC' at the bottom of the GMA site) can > be found at > http://abcnews.go.com/sections/GMA/GoodMorningAmerica/GMA020403Squirrel_ > sex_taxdollars.html > <http://abcnews.go.com/sections/GMA/GoodMorningAmerica/GMA020403Squirrel > _sex_taxdollars.html> > > Thanks, Alan > > 'Good Morning America ought to be ashamed for the cheap shot it fired > this morning in presenting its tired, old, pandering, simplistic, and > just-plain-wrong view of federal research funding -- implying that > University researchers are wasting taxpayer money based on a glib look > at titles or a quick glance at a complicated long-term program of > research (GMA 4/3/02). And this from the network that just months ago > (Sam Donaldson, Primetime Live), dealt with exactly the same issue in > depth. Donaldson took the time to investigate all sides of federal > funding of health research -- using some of the exact federal funding > patterns GMA did -- and came to the conclusion that, if anything, the > U.S. should be spending much more on things like birdsongs and emotion > research. Donaldson came to realize that it is basic animal and human > research of the kind you so easily mocked that is going to pave the way > to understanding debilitating disorders such as schizophrenia and > depression. Your story was bad for journalism, public policy, and, > saddest of all, for the health of our nation's citizens.' > > Alan G. Kraut, Executive Director > American Psychological Society > Representing scientific psychology and promoting the "giving away" of > psychology in the public interest. > > 1010 Vermont Avenue, NW > Suite 1100 > Washington, DC 20005-4907 > 202.783.2077, Ext. 3011 > 202.783.2083 (Fax) > <http://www.psychologicalscience.org/> > http://www.psychologicalscience.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Michael J. Renner Department of Psychology West Chester University West Chester, PA 19383 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Telephone: 610-436-2925 Fax: 610-436-2846 Office Hours, Sp 2002: Tue/Thur 8-9:30 am, Weds 2-4 pm "The path of least resistance is always downhill." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
