The "reform" measure makes room for industry-funded experts on the EPA's advisory board
Congressional climate wars were dominated Tuesday by the U.S. Senate, which spent the day debating, and ultimately failing to pass, a bill approving the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. While all that was happening, and largely unnoticed, the House was busy doing what it does best: attacking science.
H.R. 1422, which passed 229-191, would shake up the EPA’s Scientific Advisory Board, placing restrictions on those pesky scientists and creating room for experts with overt financial ties to the industries affected by EPA regulations.
The bill is being framed as a play for transparency: Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, argued that the board’s current structure is problematic because it “excludes industry experts, but not officials for environmental advocacy groups.” The inclusion of industry experts, he said, would right this injustice.
But the White House, which threatened to veto the bill, said it would “negatively affect the appointment of experts and would weaken the scientific independence and integrity of the SAB.”
In what might be the most ridiculous aspect of the whole thing, the bill forbids scientific experts from participating in “advisory activities” that either directly or indirectly involve their own work. In case that wasn’t clear: experts would be forbidden from sharing their expertise in their own research — the bizarre assumption, apparently, being that having conducted peer-reviewed studies on a topic would constitute a conflict of interest. “In other words,” wrote Union of Concerned Scientists director Andrew A. Rosenberg in an editorial for RollCall, “academic scientists who know the most about a subject can’t weigh in, but experts paid by corporations who want to block regulations can.”
Speaking on the House floor Tuesday, Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., summed up what was going on: “I get it, you don’t like science,” he told bill sponsor Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah. “And you don’t like science that interferes with the interests of your corporate clients. But we need science to protect public health and the environment.”
The House, alas, is staying the course, voting this week on two other bills aimed at impeding the EPA, including one that prevents the agency from relying on what it calls “secret science” in crafting its regulations — but which in reality, opponents argue, would effectively block the EPA from adopting any new rules to protect public health. The trio, wrote Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, in an editorial for the Hill, represents “the culmination of one of the most anti-science and anti-health campaigns I’ve witnessed in my 22 years as a member of Congress.”
Very sad to hear. I will never understand why some people are skeptical of scientific research....so strange. Stephen Colbert tweeted out "There is no global warming because it's freezing out today. And world hunger has been solved because I just had a huge meal."
Haven't we just about worn out the "GOP War on ________" parlance by now?
Haven't we just about worn out the "GOP War on ________" parlance by now?
Only if you deny reality.
Here's a start. Someone else can expand the list if they choose.
Women
Immigration
Evolution vs Creationism being taught in schools
Climate change
Science is fact based. Immigration is not; it is opinion based. You can prove to me that man evolved from Apes; you can't prove to me that there is only one answer to immigration
Haven't we just about worn out the "GOP War on ________" parlance by now?
Only if you deny reality.
Here's a start. Someone else can expand the list if they choose.
Women
Immigration
Evolution vs Creationism being taught in schools
Climate change
Funny you should mention that. You into reality? None of what you mention above has people getting their limbs blown off or coming home in boxes.
Interesting perspective.
Reality.
Science is fact based. Immigration is not; it is opinion based. You can prove to me that man evolved from Apes; you can't prove to me that there is only one answer to immigration
My post was strictly in response to alloak's wording of "GOP War on ________"
The "GOP War on" includes various avenues - some science based and others non-science based. I stand by all of the avenues I posted. If you look at the beliefs, actions, and votes of the GOP, there is ample fact to support the wording "GOP War on".
Using your specific reference to immigration. You are correct, I can't prove to you that there is only one answer, but that doesn't preclude it from fitting into the wording using alloak's terminology.
Science is fact based. Immigration is not; it is opinion based. You can prove to me that man evolved from Apes; you can't prove to me that there is only one answer to immigration
My post was strictly in response to alloak's wording of "GOP War on ________"
The "GOP War on" includes various avenues - some science based and others non-science based. I stand by all of the avenues I posted. If you look at the beliefs, actions, and votes of the GOP, there is ample fact to support the wording "GOP War on".
Using your specific reference to immigration. You are correct, I can't prove to you that there is only one answer, but that doesn't preclude it from fitting into the wording using alloak's terminology.
Just saying that idiocy re: refuting scientific facts is vastly different from "inferred idiocy" based on perceived differences in political ideology.
War is an overused word today. Football players say it is a war out there. Politicians fight a War On ________, and so on. None of these things are even close to a war.
Tomorrow we will discuss the overused word "hero". 
Science is fact based. Immigration is not; it is opinion based. You can prove to me that man evolved from Apes; you can't prove to me that there is only one answer to immigration
My post was strictly in response to alloak's wording of "GOP War on ________"
The "GOP War on" includes various avenues - some science based and others non-science based. I stand by all of the avenues I posted. If you look at the beliefs, actions, and votes of the GOP, there is ample fact to support the wording "GOP War on".
Using your specific reference to immigration. You are correct, I can't prove to you that there is only one answer, but that doesn't preclude it from fitting into the wording using alloak's terminology.
Just saying that idiocy re: refuting scientific facts is vastly different from "inferred idiocy" based on perceived differences in political ideology.
Your opinion is noted. So maybe you can acept the fact that votes or the lack of which are numeric & mathematical would better satisfy you?
No; just saying that not wanting to legalize illegals is a political statement that is based in opinion even if one finds it distasteful - refuting global warming or evolution is an erroneous scientific one.
Haven't we just about worn out the "GOP War on ________" parlance by now?
Only if you deny reality.
Here's a start. Someone else can expand the list if they choose.
Women
Immigration
Evolution vs Creationism being taught in schools
Climate change
this is the second time you've mentioned "denying reality", like some of us live in posh suites eating bon bon's all day. Frankly, it offends me but hey...rap on...
I'll have another bon bon please.
And sent over that Posh Spice for a bit.
Haven't we just about worn out the "GOP War on ________" parlance by now?
Only if you deny reality.
Here's a start. Someone else can expand the list if they choose.
Women
Immigration
Evolution vs Creationism being taught in schools
Climate change
this is the second time you've mentioned "denying reality", like some of us live in posh suites eating bon bon's all day. Frankly, it offends me but hey...rap on...
So sorry to offend. I don't come on here to offend anyone, and I also don't waste a breath worrying about or being offended by what others post. We're all different. Don't recall the first time that I mentioned "reality" but interesting that someone keeps a counter going.
If you disagree with the previous post, please point out and provide detail or substance where any of the items on the list are not consistent with attitude of GOP.
I'll have another bon bon please.
And sent over that Posh Spice for a bit.
Got you covered - in the mail & on the way. 
Ohhhhhh... that kind of posh spice... I see. 😉
Haven't we just about worn out the "GOP War on ________" parlance by now?
Only if you deny reality.
Here's a start. Someone else can expand the list if they choose.
Women
Immigration
Evolution vs Creationism being taught in schools
Climate change
this is the second time you've mentioned "denying reality", like some of us live in posh suites eating bon bon's all day. Frankly, it offends me but hey...rap on...
So sorry to offend. I don't come on here to offend anyone, and I also don't waste a breath worrying about or being offended by what others post. We're all different. Don't recall the first time that I mentioned "reality" but interesting that someone keeps a counter going.
If you disagree with the previous post, please point out and provide detail or substance where any of the items on the list are not consistent with attitude of GOP.
sorry..."offend" was too strong a word. I'm fairly conservative but I don't discuss issues all that much. I'm too busy trying to actually DO SOMETHING about them. Women...where I volunteer, I try to help them, provide a safe and comfortable environment for them (the issue of GOP v. Dem on women's right's and equal pay is something beyond my control). Immigration...I have an opinion but again, the Latinos I help are fair to say mostly illegal...but they're hungry, so let Washington discuss it, I'm too busy. Creationism...I'm a Christian Climate change...it's cold here in RI, people need blankets and gloves and coats. I'm doing what I can do, let others talk about it. So the "attitude of the GOP" means squat to me. You're an ok dude, I didn't mean to be a dbag... 
and I'll take one Posh Spice to go... 😛
Good on ya piacere!
Haven't we just about worn out the "GOP War on ________" parlance by now?
Only if you deny reality.
Here's a start. Someone else can expand the list if they choose.
Women
Immigration
Evolution vs Creationism being taught in schools
Climate change
this is the second time you've mentioned "denying reality", like some of us live in posh suites eating bon bon's all day. Frankly, it offends me but hey...rap on...
So sorry to offend. I don't come on here to offend anyone, and I also don't waste a breath worrying about or being offended by what others post. We're all different. Don't recall the first time that I mentioned "reality" but interesting that someone keeps a counter going.
If you disagree with the previous post, please point out and provide detail or substance where any of the items on the list are not consistent with attitude of GOP.
sorry..."offend" was too strong a word. I'm fairly conservative but I don't discuss issues all that much. I'm too busy trying to actually DO SOMETHING about them. Women...where I volunteer, I try to help them, provide a safe and comfortable environment for them (the issue of GOP v. Dem on women's right's and equal pay is something beyond my control). Immigration...I have an opinion but again, the Latinos I help are fair to say mostly illegal...but they're hungry, so let Washington discuss it, I'm too busy. Creationism...I'm a Christian
and I'll take one Posh Spice to go...
The world needs more "doers" and less "talkers". Well done.
Haven't we just about worn out the "GOP War on ________" parlance by now?
Only if you deny reality.
Here's a start. Someone else can expand the list if they choose.
Women
Immigration
Evolution vs Creationism being taught in schools
Climate change
this is the second time you've mentioned "denying reality", like some of us live in posh suites eating bon bon's all day. Frankly, it offends me but hey...rap on...
So sorry to offend. I don't come on here to offend anyone, and I also don't waste a breath worrying about or being offended by what others post. We're all different. Don't recall the first time that I mentioned "reality" but interesting that someone keeps a counter going.
If you disagree with the previous post, please point out and provide detail or substance where any of the items on the list are not consistent with attitude of GOP.
sorry..."offend" was too strong a word. I'm fairly conservative but I don't discuss issues all that much. I'm too busy trying to actually DO SOMETHING about them. Women...where I volunteer, I try to help them, provide a safe and comfortable environment for them (the issue of GOP v. Dem on women's right's and equal pay is something beyond my control). Immigration...I have an opinion but again, the Latinos I help are fair to say mostly illegal...but they're hungry, so let Washington discuss it, I'm too busy. Creationism...I'm a Christian
and I'll take one Posh Spice to go...
Great post. I admire the things you are doing!!!! This is what makes a real difference in society.
Needless to say, I'm exceptionally liberal, but from your post, I think we have a good bit of common ground. For now, I'll pass on some of my efforts in the social arenas.
