Yeah, Penny - I'll second Cathryn's request for a link. There is nothing new in this administration's toxic suppression of science, and in particular the replacement of numerous top-level administrators, policy makers, and technical experts with political operatives who are highly pro-business, or religiously motivated. Ideologues. And the USGS has been one of the most-targeted agencies for the last 6 years. I've never figured out exactly why, except for geology being so at odds with religious interpretations of our world, and, possibly geology's role in the global warming debate. But if there's a new outrage, I'd certainly like to hear about it.

Way back in Bush 43's early years, Feb. 2001, he started attacking science agencies, including USGS. Here's a brief quote from one article from back then (link below):
" IN A NUTSHELL: The Wall Street Journal reports that the new administration is planning a 22-percent cut for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in its Fiscal Year 2002 budget request. The National Science Foundation (NSF) would receive a 1-percent increase. Both figures are in stark contrast to the bipartisan support shown for building these agencies in recent years. Not since the abolition threat of 1995 has the USGS faced such a large cut. There is still time to change the request, particularly if there is an outcry on behalf of the survey. Geoscientists are encouraged to contact the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Department of the Interior to express their concerns.

The Feb. 16 Wall Street Journal (page A12) carried the story "Bush, Seeking to Make Room for Tax Cuts, Tightens Budgets for Science Agencies." According to staff reporter David Rogers, "In trying to make room for his tax cut, President Bush is having to chop another Republican priority: increased government spending for science. Funds for the National Science Foundation will rise just 1% in fiscal 2002, which begins in October, one of its tightest budgets in years. The U.S. Geological Survey, which performs water and biological studies for federal policy makers, is fighting to stave off a threatened 22% cut from its $885 million appropriations for this fiscal year."

Independent sources have confirmed that OMB is calling for a sizeable cut to the USGS, affecting all four divisions: Geologic, Water Resources, National Mapping, and Biological Resources. Such a substantial cut would erase the progress that the agency has made in the past several years to rebuild after 1995 when the survey survived the threat of elimination but suffered significant reductions. The 1-percent increase for NSF would be below the rate of inflation and represent a decrease in the agency’s ability to fund research. It would almost certainly mean that new initiatives such as Earthscope would not be requested. "

This has all seemed like just a terribly bad dream. I wanta wake up soon!

Michael F. Williams
Arroyo Grande, CA USA