Io9 - The GOP Intensifies Its Attacks On The National Science Foundation
Bad News the GOP is even more determined now to destroy education in America, particularly when it comes to science. Rep. Lamar Smith in particular is not willing to let the facts stand in the way of his extreme free market ideology. Mark Strauss has more,
Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), the Chairman of the House Science Committee on Science, Space and Technology has repeatedly denounced the National Science Foundation for squandering taxpayer money on frivolous research. Now he’s gone a step further, demanding personal political scrutiny of peer-reviewed research grants.
Smith has used several hearings this year as an opportunity to publicly lambast the National Science Foundation (NSF)—including a combative March 26 hearing where he lectured White House Science Advisor John Holdren on the “lack of transparency and accountability at the agency” by singling out grants such as a study of the ecological consequences of early human-set fires in New Zealand. (That research promises to yield insights into anthropogenic climate change—not a popular topic for Smith and fellow GOP representatives on the committee.)