Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Climate and Ocean Scientists Put Under New Speech Restraints

Climate and Ocean Scientists Put Under New Speech Restraints

Any Scientific Statements "of Official Interest" Must be Pre-Approved By: Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER)Published: Apr 3, 2007 at 08:10

Federal climate, weather and marine scientists will be subject to new restrictions as to what they can say to the media or in public, according to agency documents released today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). Under rules posted last week, these federal scientists must obtain agency pre-approval to speak or write, whether on or off-duty, concerning any scientific topic deemed "of official interest."

On March 29, 2007, the Commerce Department posted a new administrative order governing "Public Communications." This new order covers the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which includes the National Weather Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service. Commerce's new order will become effective in 45 days and would repeal a more liberal "open science" policy adopted by NOAA on February 14, 2006.

Although couched in rhetoric about the need for "broad and open dissemination of research results [and] open exchange of scientific ideas," the new order forbids agency scientists from communicating any relevant information, even if prepared and delivered on their own time as private citizens, which has not been approved by the official chain-of-command:
(read further)

Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide!

There is a growing concern, especially among those living along the Left Coast, that there is an urgent need to ban Dihydrogen Monoxide. I mean, it's in our reservoirs, in BABY FOOD, for crying out loud.

This would be amusing, if it weren't. Drink more water.


This clip from Penn and Teller is for all of you carbon-babbling environmentalists out there. Remember: read before you sign - also asking questions would help too.



Rule Number One:
Don't be stupid.

Rule Number Two:
If you are stupid, don't try to save the world.

lol.