Hello fellow Ecolog subscribers, I'm sure many of you are already aware of the new administration's plans to screen the results of scientific findings to make sure that they align with their interests:
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/01/25/ 511572169/epa-scientists-work-may-face-case-by-case-review- by-trump-team-official-says I am writing to urge you to call your representatives in Congress and the Senate to tell them how you feel about this, and to urge your family members, friends, and acquaintances to do the same. If you call *202-225-3121 <(202)%20225-3121>* you will reach the capital, where an operator will direct your call. If you aren't sure who your representatives are, the operator will help you. I was on hold for less than 3 minutes before being connected. Please consider reaching out to people you know to inform them of this issue. I wrote a short letter and posted it to facebook, feel free to copy any of it that will be helpful: *Hello friends, family, and acquaintances. This morning I saw a news headline saying that our country's government is going to be vetting the results of scientific research to make sure they align with the views of the new administration.* This is in complete opposition to the way science is supposed to work. The scientific method gives our society a tool to understand how we relate to the real, physical world we live in. If we can choose which results we believe, the method does not work. Eventually we will have to answer to the laws of the natural world. There is no way around this. Political and economic decision-makers have a history of ignoring the impact our society has on the physical world. However, our government is taking it a step further, and is undermining our ability to observe and understand our impact. Without understanding, there can be no meaningful action. This is not a partisan issue. This is about our lives, and those of our children and grandchildren. If you are at all concerned about this, please call your representatives in Congress and the Senate. You can reach them at 202-225-3121 <(202)%20225-3121>. If you don't know who your representatives are, the operator will help you and forward your call to their office. I was on hold for less than 3 minutes and then was able to talk to my representative's aide. If you want to take further action, there is going to be a march on Washington in support of science. The date has not yet been selected, but I am planning on attending. The website is: http://www.scientistsmarchonwashington.com/ You can also join the "March for Science" facebook group and stay updated. Thanks for your time, Brendan Carson Research Associate Loyola University Chicago
