The Modern Inquisition

There is a poison running thru federal laboratories in this country, a poison dispensed with deliberate intent, a poison meant to stifle science in deference to the dominant creed.

Scientific results are subjected to dogma tests, filters applied by political appointees sitting in distant halls judging the work based not on the data or the analytical methods but rather on how it conforms to the themes preached from the top.

If the censors object, you shut up if you know what's good for you.

• EPA: Christie Whitman (2003), EPA Administrator
• FDA: Susan Wood (2005), Director of the FDA Office of Women's Health
• NASA: James Hansen (2006), Director of NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies

It's a return to the days before Socrates when data and evidence had no place in scientific reasoning. It's a return to contemplations of angels dancing on heads of pins. It's a return to the Galileo's inquisition.

Heaven help those who cross the judges.

• John DiIulio agrees that his criticisms were groundless and baseless due to poorly chosen words and examples. He sincerely apologizes and is deeply remorseful. - John DiIulio (2001), Head of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives

And heaven send more of those who fearlessly say no.

• It is not the job of public-affairs officers to alter, filter or adjust engineering or scientific material... - Michael Griffin (2006), NASA Administrator

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