Scientific Americans

One of the many troubling aspects of a second term for Bush would be the continued dismissing of sound science in order to further a short-sighted, theocratic, and wholly political style of governing that puts innovation and advancement at risk across the board. Just ask Nancy Reagan how she feels about scientific research. Or for that matter, ask the scientific community how it feels about Bush's stand on almost anything. So, this isn't very surprising. It's still nice to see, though.

DENVER (Reuters) - Democrat John Kerry picked up the endorsement on Monday of 48 Nobel Prize-winning scientists who attacked President Bush for "compromising our future" by shortchanging scientific research.

"The Bush administration has ignored unbiased scientific advice in the policy-making that is so important to our collective welfare," the 48 scientists, who have won Nobels in chemistry, physics and medicine dating back to 1967, said in an open letter released by the Democratic presidential candidate's campaign.

The scientists, who included 2003 chemistry winners Peter Agre and Roderick MacKinnon, accused the Bush administration of undermining America's future by reducing funding for science and turning away scientific talent with restrictive immigration policies.

"John Kerry will change all this," they said. "John Kerry will restore science to its appropriate place in government."

Kerry, on his first public campaign visit to Colorado, told supporters at a rainy rally in a downtown Denver park that the United States was losing its scientific lead over other nations. He promised to put the country once again "at the forefront of scientific discovery."

The Massachusetts senator argued that greater technological innovation could transform the economy, creating jobs, cleaner energy and medical advances.

"We need a president who will again embrace the tradition of looking toward the future and new discoveries with hope based on scientific facts, not fear," Kerry said, citing his plans to lift barriers to stem cell research, a move Bush has opposed.

Bush came under renewed pressure on the stem cell issue after the death of former President Ronald Reagan, who suffered from a disease, Alzheimer's, that might be cured or treated with stem-cell therapy.

As an added bonus, check this quote out (from the same article):

Kerry was greeted at the Aspen airport by legendary wild man author Hunter S. Thompson, inventor of "gonzo" journalism -- the reporting of facts from a personal perspective.

The two, who have met before, rode together in Kerry's motorcade to the mountainside home of airline leasing executive and major Democratic donor Michael Goldberg.

"How does this sound? Vice President Hunter Thompson," joked Kerry, who is pondering his choice of a vice presidential running mate. "Do you feel better?"

Kerry brought along three copies of "Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail," Thompson's book about the 1972 presidential campaign, for the author to autograph.