Comments on: Obama’s Science Team: Reshaping Our Long-Term Future http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/23/obama%e2%80%99s-science-team-reshaping-our-long-term-future/ Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:00:12 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Obama’s Science Team: Reshaping Our Long-Term Future « The Outskirts http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/23/obama%e2%80%99s-science-team-reshaping-our-long-term-future/comment-page-2/#comment-502954 Obama’s Science Team: Reshaping Our Long-Term Future « The Outskirts Thu, 25 Dec 2008 13:50:09 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=20401#comment-502954 [...] AndersonCooper360: n coming months, public attention will heavily focus on the performance of Barack Obama’s economic and national security teams, but over the long haul, his new team in science and technology could do even more to shape the country’s future. They will arrive not a moment too soon. [...] [...] AndersonCooper360: n coming months, public attention will heavily focus on the performance of Barack Obama’s economic and national security teams, but over the long haul, his new team in science and technology could do even more to shape the country’s future. They will arrive not a moment too soon. [...]

]]> By: Joe http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/23/obama%e2%80%99s-science-team-reshaping-our-long-term-future/comment-page-2/#comment-500996 Joe Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:46:04 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=20401#comment-500996 Finally. The Dark Ages are once again coming to an end. Finally. The Dark Ages are once again coming to an end.

]]> By: John http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/23/obama%e2%80%99s-science-team-reshaping-our-long-term-future/comment-page-2/#comment-500995 John Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:45:34 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=20401#comment-500995 Conservatives have their use, they ride the brakes while progressive people respond to the simple truth that things change, and one has to change with them or become extinct. Oh yes, things change, whether one likes it or not. The planet ages, new discoveries are made, the population expands in proportion to and because of human successes. I have been horrified the last 8 years. It will be nice to see anything resembling sanity guiding our political power. Conservatives have their use, they ride the brakes while progressive people respond to the simple truth that things change, and one has to change with them or become extinct. Oh yes, things change, whether one likes it or not. The planet ages, new discoveries are made, the population expands in proportion to and because of human successes.

I have been horrified the last 8 years. It will be nice to see anything resembling sanity guiding our political power.

]]> By: Lisa http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/23/obama%e2%80%99s-science-team-reshaping-our-long-term-future/comment-page-2/#comment-500994 Lisa Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:45:26 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=20401#comment-500994 Perhaps this unparalleled team of scientists can illuminate for all the nay-sayers that have had Bush and his "head-in-the-sand" gang supporting their ignorance and denial that global warming can indeed cause the extremes of weather we have been witnessing around the world for the last decade. Global warming does not necessarily mean that the temperature in your little corner of the world will increase noticeably. It means the average of the globe's temperature will increase - which is already creating stronger hurricanes, desertification and changes in the jet stream and ocean currents. I would like to suggest that Obama's team of scientists convene a once-weekly television program that will tackle a different aspect of science each week. Since Americans insist on believing what they see on TV, perhaps this vehicle can be used to set the record straight and to enlist the support of the populace to heal the wounds we have inflicted upon our Earth. Perhaps this unparalleled team of scientists can illuminate for all the nay-sayers that have had Bush and his "head-in-the-sand" gang supporting their ignorance and denial that global warming can indeed cause the extremes of weather we have been witnessing around the world for the last decade. Global warming does not necessarily mean that the temperature in your little corner of the world will increase noticeably. It means the average of the globe's temperature will increase – which is already creating stronger hurricanes, desertification and changes in the jet stream and ocean currents. I would like to suggest that Obama's team of scientists convene a once-weekly television program that will tackle a different aspect of science each week. Since Americans insist on believing what they see on TV, perhaps this vehicle can be used to set the record straight and to enlist the support of the populace to heal the wounds we have inflicted upon our Earth.

]]> By: Shaun G http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/23/obama%e2%80%99s-science-team-reshaping-our-long-term-future/comment-page-2/#comment-500992 Shaun G Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:44:43 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=20401#comment-500992 At least one of the points Mr. Gergen mentions is not a squabble over science but over bioethics. The Bush administration's opposition to embryonic stem cell research is a matter of ethics. You can agree or disagree that it is unethical to kill embryos for the sake of research, but you can't say that it's fundamentally a scientific disagreement. At least one of the points Mr. Gergen mentions is not a squabble over science but over bioethics.

The Bush administration's opposition to embryonic stem cell research is a matter of ethics. You can agree or disagree that it is unethical to kill embryos for the sake of research, but you can't say that it's fundamentally a scientific disagreement.

]]> By: DQF http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/23/obama%e2%80%99s-science-team-reshaping-our-long-term-future/comment-page-2/#comment-500993 DQF Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:44:43 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=20401#comment-500993 The human race reserves perhaps its biggest scorn and disgust for animals who fowl their nests. Look in the mirror humans! It is going to be expensive to clean up the mess that we are putting ourselves in but it will be more expensive the longer we wait. Indeed, if we wait too long we may hit a tipping point where no amount of effort or money can fix it. Hopefully this new team will inspire the nation to do the right things fand clean up our only nest. The human race reserves perhaps its biggest scorn and disgust for animals who fowl their nests. Look in the mirror humans! It is going to be expensive to clean up the mess that we are putting ourselves in but it will be more expensive the longer we wait. Indeed, if we wait too long we may hit a tipping point where no amount of effort or money can fix it. Hopefully this new team will inspire the nation to do the right things fand clean up our only nest.

]]> By: Vishal http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/23/obama%e2%80%99s-science-team-reshaping-our-long-term-future/comment-page-2/#comment-500991 Vishal Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:43:52 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=20401#comment-500991 Science and technological innovation made america the great country it is. However we have now been dominated by emerging countries who value science and math much more than we do now, which is a contributing factor to america's decline. schools need to stress math and science much more than they do now and it starts with an executive administration that values science and its search for the truth. Science and technological innovation made america the great country it is. However we have now been dominated by emerging countries who value science and math much more than we do now, which is a contributing factor to america's decline.

schools need to stress math and science much more than they do now and it starts with an executive administration that values science and its search for the truth.

]]> By: Ben Stein http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/23/obama%e2%80%99s-science-team-reshaping-our-long-term-future/comment-page-2/#comment-500990 Ben Stein Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:43:46 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=20401#comment-500990 Uh, science caused the holocaust. Scientists made the gas chambers. Science is bad. I ain't come from no monkey! God made me and everything there is, not only that, but I know HOW he did it cuz the Bible says so in real plain English, and if English was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for me! Science is the devil and Obama is the anti-christ, long live Bush! Uh, science caused the holocaust. Scientists made the gas chambers. Science is bad. I ain't come from no monkey! God made me and everything there is, not only that, but I know HOW he did it cuz the Bible says so in real plain English, and if English was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for me! Science is the devil and Obama is the anti-christ, long live Bush!

]]> By: Marty http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/23/obama%e2%80%99s-science-team-reshaping-our-long-term-future/comment-page-2/#comment-500989 Marty Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:43:30 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=20401#comment-500989 So, now we can bow to the god of science. How exciting... I can hardly wait, NOT!! Micro evolution may be a fact of life, as in different varieties of dogs, but macro evolution, dogs becoming horses, that is just too ridiculous to believe. And where are the facts for that one? Any, repeat, ANY fossil evidence of half dog half horse out there? No? Just what I thought. And any living evidence of one specie becoming another completely different specie? No? Just what I thought. Enjoy your god of science and let me enjoy the one, true God of the universe, the Creator God. So, now we can bow to the god of science. How exciting... I can hardly wait, NOT!! Micro evolution may be a fact of life, as in different varieties of dogs, but macro evolution, dogs becoming horses, that is just too ridiculous to believe. And where are the facts for that one? Any, repeat, ANY fossil evidence of half dog half horse out there? No? Just what I thought. And any living evidence of one specie becoming another completely different specie? No? Just what I thought. Enjoy your god of science and let me enjoy the one, true God of the universe, the Creator God.

]]> By: Marc M http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/23/obama%e2%80%99s-science-team-reshaping-our-long-term-future/comment-page-2/#comment-500988 Marc M Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:43:14 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=20401#comment-500988 Man-Made global warming is a myth and a hoax that solely exists for groups to get their hands on grant money and to bolster their own agendas. The earth has been icefree before, when man didn't exist. When man wasn't an industrial society. How can you blame man for what has happened before when they weren't here? The earth has cooled every single year since 1999. Man is only responsible for under half of a percent of all the greenhouse gas emissions on the planet. Oceans are CO2 scrubbers that remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Whether the earth warms or not, it is not because of man's activities. Any sensible, logical look at the facts dictates that simple fact. Sadly so many are brainwashed that this hysteria is going to snowball and cause economic depressions where there doesn't have to be. Man-Made global warming is a myth and a hoax that solely exists for groups to get their hands on grant money and to bolster their own agendas.

The earth has been icefree before, when man didn't exist. When man wasn't an industrial society. How can you blame man for what has happened before when they weren't here?

The earth has cooled every single year since 1999.

Man is only responsible for under half of a percent of all the greenhouse gas emissions on the planet.

Oceans are CO2 scrubbers that remove CO2 from the atmosphere.

Whether the earth warms or not, it is not because of man's activities. Any sensible, logical look at the facts dictates that simple fact.

Sadly so many are brainwashed that this hysteria is going to snowball and cause economic depressions where there doesn't have to be.

]]> By: Jeff - Massachusetts http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/23/obama%e2%80%99s-science-team-reshaping-our-long-term-future/comment-page-2/#comment-500987 Jeff - Massachusetts Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:42:44 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=20401#comment-500987 January 20, 2009 can't come soon enough. Thank you, David Gergen, for putting this in perspective. January 20, 2009 can't come soon enough. Thank you, David Gergen, for putting this in perspective.

]]> By: Robert -Philadelphia http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/23/obama%e2%80%99s-science-team-reshaping-our-long-term-future/comment-page-2/#comment-500986 Robert -Philadelphia Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:42:43 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=20401#comment-500986 Thank you David Gergen! For years this administration, has been quietly destroying inroads of our scientific community going with political appointees who just did not do anything. Science is why our counrty went to the moon, invented unlimited tools for mankind, saved lives in operating rooms and discovered drugs to help mankind. Under Bush and his zealots, we have gone intentionally backwards. Why are these people not being prosecuted for negligent performance of their work? Why are they in positions without any qualifications? We can only hope PE Obama weeds these useless entities out of their position and puts the right people back in so we can once again lead the world in science and technology! Thank you David Gergen! For years this administration, has been quietly destroying inroads of our scientific community going with political appointees who just did not do anything. Science is why our counrty went to the moon, invented unlimited tools for mankind, saved lives in operating rooms and discovered drugs to help mankind. Under Bush and his zealots, we have gone intentionally backwards. Why are these people not being prosecuted for negligent performance of their work? Why are they in positions without any qualifications? We can only hope PE Obama weeds these useless entities out of their position and puts the right people back in so we can once again lead the world in science and technology!

]]> By: Tyler http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/23/obama%e2%80%99s-science-team-reshaping-our-long-term-future/comment-page-2/#comment-500985 Tyler Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:41:51 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=20401#comment-500985 Creationism vs. Evolution is not a scientific debate. Macroevolution and religion are faith. See Darwin's writings on the subject. Not that I do not respect the human pursuit of truth, but come on, we are no closer to knowing what's going on than 150 years ago. Answers only reveal more mysteries. Also, while I'm glad we will be stepping out of the dark ages of the Bush administration, all of these "mankind is the problem" global warming appointments are disconcerting. Hopefully that fear will be unrealized and we won't be swimming in carbon taxes. Creationism vs. Evolution is not a scientific debate. Macroevolution and religion are faith. See Darwin's writings on the subject. Not that I do not respect the human pursuit of truth, but come on, we are no closer to knowing what's going on than 150 years ago. Answers only reveal more mysteries.

Also, while I'm glad we will be stepping out of the dark ages of the Bush administration, all of these "mankind is the problem" global warming appointments are disconcerting. Hopefully that fear will be unrealized and we won't be swimming in carbon taxes.

]]> By: Vincent Petrosino http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/23/obama%e2%80%99s-science-team-reshaping-our-long-term-future/comment-page-2/#comment-500983 Vincent Petrosino Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:41:15 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=20401#comment-500983 David Gergen is always clear, concise and factual. His commentaries on CNN are like beacons of light on any topic. Finally, science and technology will assume its rightful place in American government and try to undo the damage created by Bush, the GOP, and most of all right-wing religious conservatives. Favorite David Gergen moment: During the last election, David Gergen was asked how McCain could make up the deficit he had suffered during the campaign especially after his faux-pas of trying to cancel the first debate. Gergen answered blithely "Hell if I know!" You go, David! David Gergen is always clear, concise and factual. His commentaries on CNN are like beacons of light on any topic. Finally, science and technology will assume its rightful place in American government and try to undo the damage created by Bush, the GOP, and most of all right-wing religious conservatives. Favorite David Gergen moment:
During the last election, David Gergen was asked how McCain could make up the deficit he had suffered during the campaign especially after his faux-pas of trying to cancel the first debate. Gergen answered blithely "Hell if I know!" You go, David!

]]> By: Donna Ramirez http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/23/obama%e2%80%99s-science-team-reshaping-our-long-term-future/comment-page-2/#comment-500982 Donna Ramirez Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:41:03 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=20401#comment-500982 THANK GOD!! THANK GOD!!

]]> By: Ed Tallahassee FL http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/23/obama%e2%80%99s-science-team-reshaping-our-long-term-future/comment-page-2/#comment-500980 Ed Tallahassee FL Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:40:25 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=20401#comment-500980 Science! Change we can believe in! Science! Change we can believe in!

]]> By: Jim B. http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/23/obama%e2%80%99s-science-team-reshaping-our-long-term-future/comment-page-2/#comment-500979 Jim B. Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:40:16 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=20401#comment-500979 Can we have it both ways? Can we have a massive economic rescue plan, and have plenty of money for the advancement of science (not only in the laboratory, but in the classroom!) ? Can we do it? Can we provide medical care for every American, ensure a quality education for our children, recreate the millions of jobs (and then some!) lost these past few years, while ensuring the safety of America from those who want to destroy us? In truth, I don't think "Can we do it?" is even a question. Instead, we must in one loud voice boldly proclaim, "We must do it, and we must not fail!!!" Can we have it both ways? Can we have a massive economic rescue plan, and have plenty of money for the advancement of science (not only in the laboratory, but in the classroom!) ?

Can we do it? Can we provide medical care for every American, ensure a quality education for our children, recreate the millions of jobs (and then some!) lost these past few years, while ensuring the safety of America from those who want to destroy us?

In truth, I don't think "Can we do it?" is even a question. Instead, we must in one loud voice boldly proclaim, "We must do it, and we must not fail!!!"

]]> By: Luis, Seattle http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/23/obama%e2%80%99s-science-team-reshaping-our-long-term-future/comment-page-2/#comment-500978 Luis, Seattle Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:40:12 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=20401#comment-500978 Hopefully the next step is to remove the myth of "intelligent design" that was dispursed in the educational system of the past 8 years. Hopefully the next step is to remove the myth of "intelligent design" that was dispursed in the educational system of the past 8 years.

]]> By: Jason http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/23/obama%e2%80%99s-science-team-reshaping-our-long-term-future/comment-page-2/#comment-500976 Jason Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:38:19 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=20401#comment-500976 "I would love to see Obama declare the truth once and for all: Evolution is a fact of all life." Yes. Because Obama declaring this would bring an end to all discussion. PLEASE. "I would love to see Obama declare the truth once and for all: Evolution is a fact of all life."

Yes. Because Obama declaring this would bring an end to all discussion. PLEASE.

]]> By: Michael in San Diego http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/23/obama%e2%80%99s-science-team-reshaping-our-long-term-future/comment-page-2/#comment-500975 Michael in San Diego Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:37:00 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=20401#comment-500975 This kinds of articles frighten me. I'm glad the Obama administration will make strides to improve the science-environment in this country but he won't be in office forever and I don't think that one or even two terms will be able to reverse the damage done by the current administration. I just hope Obama is the "start" of something new for this country or we're in for a very tough future. I give him the benefit of the doubt but I hope people understand that Obama can lay down the foundation for a brighter future but there are always the "Sarah Palin's" of the world lurking around the corner who don't believe in global warming and are looking to exploit any mistakes Obama might make to take us back into the scientific dark ages where making quick bucks trumps science. This kinds of articles frighten me. I'm glad the Obama administration will make strides to improve the science-environment in this country but he won't be in office forever and I don't think that one or even two terms will be able to reverse the damage done by the current administration. I just hope Obama is the "start" of something new for this country or we're in for a very tough future. I give him the benefit of the doubt but I hope people understand that Obama can lay down the foundation for a brighter future but there are always the "Sarah Palin's" of the world lurking around the corner who don't believe in global warming and are looking to exploit any mistakes Obama might make to take us back into the scientific dark ages where making quick bucks trumps science.

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