Friday, May 23, 2014

House Science Committee a huge embarrassment

It's been true ever since the Republicans took control of the U. S. House of Representatives, but it comes up fresh as we see that at least one of the most embarrassing of its members of the House Science and Technology Committee will not be returning next term.

Rep. Paul Broun (RGA) gave up his seat to run for the senate seat vacated by Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) -- and Broun came in a distant fifth in a big primary field.   Broun became famous for his claim that "All that stuff I was taught about evolution and embryology and the Big Bang Theory, all that is lies straight from the pits of hell."

So, of course, John Boehner thought he would be a good nominee to put on the House Science and Technology Committee, along with Todd (women-don't-get-pregnant-from-rape) Akin.

An article by Ashutosh  Jogalekar in the March Scientific American described the debacle of some of the hearings held by this committee, where members reveal their ignorance and contempt for the scientific method. 

Jogalekar writes that, in one hearing to discuss the 2015 budget with the president's science adviser, "the proceedings turned into a mixture of hostile heckling and insulting sarcasm."    He continues:
"From the described exchange it seems that the members have zero interest in knowing the truth or understanding how science works. Sadly this rancor, ignorance and lack of respect for science and scientists is business as usual for Republican members of the House committee. After all, the subcommittee responsible for climate change is, quite appropriately enough, led by a climate change denier . . .  17 out of 22 members of the larger committee either deny that climate change is happening or question that human activities are responsible for it; . . . [and] let’s not forget committee member Paul Broun who thinks evolution is a 'lie from the pit of hell.'"
Well, now we can forget about Paul Broun.   Let's hope John Boehner does not feel the need to appease the Tea Party when he appoints Broun's replacement.   But don't expect too much change.    Boehner apparently feels this is a throw-away committee to use for that purpose.

Ralph

No comments:

Post a Comment