The president of the nation's largest general science organization yesterday sharply criticized recent cases of Bush administration political appointees gaining permanent federal jobs with responsibility for making or administering scientific policies, saying the result would be "to leave wreckage behind." "It's ludicrous to have people who do not have a scientific background, who are not trained and skilled in the ways of science, make decisions that involve resources, that involve facilities in the scientific infrastructure," said James McCarthy, a Harvard University oceanographer who is president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. "You'd just like to think people have more respect for the institution of government than to leave wreckage behind with these appointments."
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One example of this is Todd Harding, hired to work at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. His qualifications? He chaired the Kentucky Federation of College Republicans.
The there's Jeffrey T. Salmon, hired by the Energy dept's Office of Science. His science background? He was a speechwriter for Dick Cheney.
The piece goes on:
"I believe it's unethical to do this. Clearly the people voted for change," [Sen. Barabara] Boxer said. She said she had discussed the issue with members of President-elect Barack Obama's transition team, adding: "They are on top of it."
Here's hoping they can do something about it.
