Posted by Doug Bandow on 07/03/09 10:07 AM   [Newer: Deciding What Iran Can Have and Not Have] [Older: Defending Whom from What?]

The Obama administration has portrayed itself as a defender of science.  But it turns out that the administration only likes science with which it agrees.  Question whether the world is hurtling towards disaster as a result of global warming, and you apparently don't have a place in the new regime.

Explains Kimberley A. Strassel in the Wall Street Journal:

Wherever Jim Hansen is right now -- whatever speech the "censored" NASA scientist is giving -- perhaps he'll find time to mention the plight of Alan Carlin. Though don't count on it.

Mr. Hansen, as everyone in this solar system knows, is the director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies. Starting in 2004, he launched a campaign against the Bush administration, claiming it was censoring his global-warming thoughts and fiddling with the science. It was all a bit of a hoot, given Mr. Hansen was already a world-famous devotee of the theory of man-made global warming, a reputation earned with some 1,400 speeches he'd given, many while working for Mr. Bush. But it gave Democrats a fun talking point, one the Obama team later picked up.

Ken Fallin

Alan Carlin, 35-year Environmental Protection Agency veteran

So much so that one of President Barack Obama's first acts was a memo to agencies demanding new transparency in government, and science. The nominee to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Lisa Jackson, joined in, exclaiming, "As administrator, I will ensure EPA's efforts to address the environmental crises of today are rooted in three fundamental values: science-based policies and program, adherence to the rule of law, and overwhelming transparency." In case anyone missed the point, Mr. Obama took another shot at his predecessors in April, vowing that "the days of science taking a backseat to ideology are over."

Except, that is, when it comes to Mr. Carlin, a senior analyst in the EPA's National Center for Environmental Economics and a 35-year veteran of the agency. In March, the Obama EPA prepared to engage the global-warming debate in an astounding new way, by issuing an "endangerment" finding on carbon. It establishes that carbon is a pollutant, and thereby gives the EPA the authority to regulate it -- even if Congress doesn't act.

Not a good beginning for an admistration that promised "change" and "openness."  The president should remember the rhetoric which characterized his run for office. 

Doug Bandow, American Conservative Defense Alliance

Posted 07/03/09 10:21 AM Franklin Wall, NJ

This is exactly what the left said about the right when they were stopping studies that would support there cause. Did you also read the article about California about there looming energy short fall because of too much government intervention on behalf of "Green" energy? Government is taking way to big of role in the economy in every area, providing all the funding for science, owning stakes in many banks, keeping the largest car company on life support, hand outs to colleges, next looming energy and health care. Tis a shame they cant even provide decent Health Care to our veterans.

Posted 07/03/09 11:19 AM jbo5112 Kansas City, MO

"It establishes that carbon is a pollutant, and thereby gives the EPA the authority to regulate it -- even if Congress doesn't act." Better get rid of those pesky carbon based rain forests and all that carbon based seaweed. Once we get rid of these, maybe our oceans and air will become clean again, or maybe we will just destroy everything trying to fix imaginary problems like our planet being "polluted" by an atom that makes up 18% of the human body. I wonder if these people who can't keep carbon dioxide and carbon straight are some of the same ones complaining about our science education.

Posted 07/03/09 1:40 PM Michael Mallon Houston, TX

Since almost all the carbon dioxide comes from plants and animals, jbo5112, I say we haven't done enough to burn the Earth clean. This is a war against Nature! This is AMERICA. We can win this.

Posted 07/03/09 2:34 PM Paul Revered New Richmond, OH

It requires intelligence turning carbon into diamonds, yet turning the silk purse into the pigs ear is required learning. The pig’s ears are listing intently to the lessons of socialist.

Posted 07/03/09 9:53 PM Mike in Virginia Fredericksburg, VA

Isn't Hansen the originator of the "hockey stick" global warming graph that has been totally discredited by actual events? If so, why should anyone care what he thinks or says?