Unlocking Science March 18, 2009
Posted by davegoblog in Politics, Science, Technology.add a comment
A Vote for Science November 2, 2008
Posted by davegoblog in Personal, Politics, Science, Technology.1 comment so far
Scientists and Engineers for America Action Fund and ScienceBlogs (SEED Magazine) have teamed up to bring you the AVoteForScience YouTube challenge. Are you a scientist? Tell the world who you are voting for this year. McCain? Obama? None of the above? Upload your YouTube video explaining who you are, who you are voting for and why you are voting for them.
Here’s my submission:
The change we seed! October 25, 2008
Posted by davegoblog in Holidays, Politics.3 comments
Okay, I didn’t come up with the title, but I do love pun-kins! Check out the Yes We Carve site for downloadable stencils we can believe in 😉
Follow Yes We Carve on Twitter as well.
Is the science settled? June 12, 2008
Posted by davegoblog in Climate Change, Environment, Politics, Pollution, Science.1 comment so far
The latest National Journal Insiders Poll asks Democrats and Republicans if “it’s been proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the Earth is warming because of man-made pollution.”
- 95% of Democrats answered yes, compared with 26% of Republicans.
If there’s one thing poll after poll indicates, it’s that the science is not settled on this issue.” – one Republican respondent.
Aaahhh…science by polling.
Insiders of both parties agreed, however, that the most urgent priority facing the next president and Congress will be the economy.
- 59% of Republicans said the economy is at the top of the nation’s priority list, while 44% of Democrats said the same. But global warming was the second-most pressing matter, according to Democrats, while energy took the second spot for Republicans.
Adapted from The Hotline.
Climate Security Act May 29, 2008
Posted by davegoblog in Climate Change, Environment, Future, Politics, Science, Technology.add a comment
Members of Congress are scheduled to begin debate next week on Senate bill 2191 “America’s Climate Security Act of 2007,” which was introduced by Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and John Warner (R-VA). The two purposes of this Act are:
(1) to establish the core of a Federal program that will reduce United States greenhouse gas emissions substantially enough between 2007 and 2050 to avert the catastrophic impacts of global climate change; and
(2) to accomplish that purpose while preserving robust growth in the United States economy and avoiding the imposition of hardship on United States citizens.
I’m sure we’ll hear the same old arguments from “global warming” deniers such as the economy will suffer, temperatures are actually cooling, and carbon dioxide is good for plants.
As a scientist, it’s frustrating to see when the waters are being muddied to produce doubt in the minds of people. If the data for global warming and subsequent climate change were shown to be incorrect, then I would gladly acknowledge that our science is wrong. But science seeks to explain how things happen in the universe, and science is self-correcting. The evidence is overwhelming, and as the IPCC has previously said, “Warming of the climate system is unequivocal.”
Read Chris Mooney’s new article The Price of Planetary Gambling for a more in depth analysis of the upcoming debate.
Who’s looking in your genes? April 25, 2008
Posted by davegoblog in Future, Politics, Science, Technology.3 comments
Have no fear! Only you and your doctor will be able to know what’s hiding in your genes. The U.S. Senate has finally passed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), approving by unanimous vote an amended version of H.R. 493, which passed the House a year ago today by a vote of 420-3. As I previously blogged, the Senate debate had been on “hold” by Tom Coburn, Republican U.S. Senator from Oklahoma.
The act, once signed into law, will protect Americans against discrimination based on their genetic information when it comes to health insurance and employment. The long-awaited measure, which has been debated in Congress for 13 years (my emphasis), will pave the way for people to take full advantage of the promise of personalized medicine without fear of discrimination.
Start studying for that genetic test now!
“Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act” April 1, 2008
Posted by davegoblog in Environment, Future, Politics, Pollution, Science, Technology.7 comments
Even though it’s April Fools’ Day, this is no joke. Minnesota Representative Michelle Bachmann introduced H.R. 5616, the “Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act,”
To provide for the repeal of the phase out of incandescent light bulbs unless the Comptroller General makes certain specific findings.”
Those findings are that:
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Consumers will save money on the combination of electric bills and expenses for new fixures.
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Overall carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced by 20% in the US by 2025.
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The phase-out will not pose any health risks, including those associated with mercury containment in certain light bulbs.
This coming about two weeks before the Bush Administration appealed a federal court’s decision throwing out an EPA regulation to control mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants. They argued that the ruling requires EPA to set “inappropriate and unnecessary emission standards for power plants.”
So, mercury may not be okay in certain light bulbs, but it’s okay in coal-fired power plants? And, what about mercury in dental fillings? Hell, we’re Americans, and we can damn well choose what type of light bulbs we want, what sort of fillings we get, and what type of big ass cars we drive!
Note: I don’t like it when science gets distorted by politics on either side of the spectrum. /off soap box
Yes, it’s Superdelegate! February 20, 2008
Posted by davegoblog in Politics, Pop Culture, Television.2 comments
Louder than a screaming pundit!
More powerful than a local voter!
Able to speak talking points in a single sound bite!
Look up in the city a mile high!
It’s Robert Byrd!
It’s Howard Dean!
It’s Superdelegate!
Yes, it’s Superdelegate, strange Democrat from another district who came to Denver with voting powers and abilities far beyond those of pledged delegates. Superdelegate, who can change the course of mighty elections, fashion candidates in his bare hands, and who, disguised as an unpledged party leader or elected official for a major political party, brokers a never ending convention for Clinton, Obama, and the Democratic way.
Special thanks to @ehoffman on Twitter for helping to spark the idea for this post.
ScienceDebate2008 December 14, 2007
Posted by davegoblog in Climate Change, Environment, Future, Politics, Pollution, Science, Technology.1 comment so far
Right now we have a confluence of issues facing candidates: embryonic stem cell research, global warming, science and technology education, biotechnology and energy policy — it’s just becoming an avalanche,” says Lawrence Krauss, a physics professor at Case Western University, and author of the bestselling The Physics of Star Trek. “I think at some level, you have to get some insight into what the candidates know, or what they’re willing to learn.”
Since its launch earlier on Monday, there has been has been a fair amount of attention surrounding ScienceDebate2008 (at least in the science layer of the blogosphere and MSM) and it’s continuing to grow.
What is it? According to GrrlScientist at Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted), it “is focused on clarifying how each presidential candidate plans to deal with scientific and technological research, and how they plan to integrate their personal philosophies into a workable public policy, and how they plan to direct and support (or interfere with) scientific and technological progress in this country.”
Given the way science has been suppressed during the current administration, we need to move forward on both sides of the aisle and bring science and its objectivity back into the decision and policy making processes in our government.
In addition to the ScienceDebate2008 site, you can join their Facebook group or become their Myspace friend.
“W” stands for Wax November 30, 2007
Posted by davegoblog in Family, NaBloPoMo, Politics, Pop Culture.2 comments
My sister and her fiancé recently visited Las Vegas, and one of their sightseeing stops was Madame Tussauds. Here’s a picture they took with her and a Commander Guy. Thanks for all the NaBloPoMo fun this month!
Note: Click “Refresh” if you can only see part of the picture.
Living in the now 
