U.S. Scientists Say They Are Told to Alter Findings

"More than 200 scientists employed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service say they have been directed to alter official findings to lessen protections for plants and animals, a survey released Wednesday says."

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-scientists10feb10,0,4954654.story?coll=la-home-nation

Not surprised  

Howard Dean said this about Bush (I'm paraphrasing)

If he has a theory and a fact, and the two don't correspond, he'll discard the fact.

The scientific community doesn't think much of our current administration...for good reason

 

Paul, welcome to the site.  It's been awhile since we last hooked up on Alan Tani's boat.  I hope you'll fish with us someday.  Salmon season is just around the corner, so stay tuned.  We'll probably hit Moss Landing sometime during the first week of the season opener.

Who'da thought that scientists for government agencies would be unbiased in the first place.  There may also be cases where the rules are unreasonable and 'by the book' enforcement might cause an uproar.  There's alot of dumb laws on the books that are completely ignored, I'm sure the EPA, ect, aren't exceptional in the lack of such regulations.

Howard Dean said this about Bush (I'm paraphrasing)

If he has a theory and a fact, and the two don't correspond, he'll discard the fact.

The scientific community doesn't think much of our current administration...for good reason

 

Yeah Paul... It's all Bush's fault.

I'm sure nothing like this ever happened before Bush got into the White House.

I mean heck... if Howard Dean said it...  it must be true.  

(Tongue inserted far into cheek).

I'm not saying it's right... altering scientific data and introducing this kind of bias is, by definition, not science at all... it's dispicable.  

On the other hand it is not surprising to hear of interest groups with deep pockets using their political and financial power to put pressure on agencies that create and enforce rules that make it more difficult run their businesses.

It works both ways... look at who is funding the Marine Life Protection Act... deep pocketed environmentalists including the Packard Foundation acting under the guise of the Resources Legacy Fund Foundation.  Do you think they care about conservation minded fishermen?  Nope... we're just a bunch of aquatic meadow stompers to them.