Rick Raw: Obama Champion of Science

By Rick Grant Commentary rickgrant01@comcast.net www.rickatnight.com

Those of us who are directly and indirectly involved with science are ecstatic over the outcome of the election. Obama recognizes the importance of scientific discovery and protecting the openness of the Internet. He personally takes an interest in continuing research for new discoveries in medicine, nano-technology, biology, stem cells, energy, and space exploration.

More importantly, Obama plans to have noted scientists as advisors and he intends to keep up with the latest developments in science. In the past eight years, serious researchers believed that the Republican Party was not their friend. So, there is great joy among the eggheads across the land.

Obama has a definitive plan to provide financial incentives for cutting carbon emissions called the "cap-and-trade" system. This is a long range plan to affect an 80 percent reduction in emissions from 1990 levels by 2050. Of more immediate concern, Obama would spend $150 billion over the next 10 years to develop alternative energy sources.

Indeed, Obama supports the Pickens Plan, of which I’m a member, to convert cars to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as clean and efficient fuel as soon as possible and continue developing fuel cell and electric powered vehicles. Pickens also advocates wind mill fields and nuclear power.

Recently, billionaire T. Boone Pickens met with Obama and will advise him on his progress. Pickens is not just yapping. He has put his money where his mouth is by spending millions of his own money on the project. In the next five years we could have a high percentage of American cars running on CNG, which would greatly reduce carbon emissions. Pickens is also encouraging development of electric cars with new lithium battery technology that would power a car for over 200 miles without recharging–great for driving around town and plugging into the house AC at night.

Obama plans to invest in the sciences by doubling the Federal funding for basic research over the next ten years. Chris Mooney, author of The Republican War on Science said that the war has ended and science has won. It seems extreme but I believe that Republicans are the enemy of technological progress. They include the liars and hypocrites of America–preachers, televangelist, conservative talk show hosts, stock traders, insurance salesmen, faith healers, phony psychics, and every person who believes Ronald Reagan was a great president.

Of course, the current economic emergency will demand Obama’s immediate attention. There are so many critical issues to be addressed, it may take Obama a couple of years to give his attention to science. But the fact that he has pledged his support means that scientists can pursue their projects with confidence.

NASA engineers and future space projects’ planners are jubilant that Obama was elected. He is excited about future space projects currently in development.. NASA will have a liasion to Obama’s administration keeping him abreast of NASA’s projects and funding needs. This is reminiscent of JFK’s unyielding support for space initiatives during the space race with the Russians. The truth is: Progress is an unstoppable runaway train. Space exploration will continue, but will need financial support.

In regard to Republicans, Obama is willing to encourage bipartisan support for his initiatives. Sometimes one has to make deals with unsavory characters to get things done. Obama has made it clear he will have Republican advisors and cabinet members in his adminsitration. He has reached out to William Gates, currently Secretary of Defense, to stay on in that position.

It’s a brave new world with Obama as President of the United States. But we must be patient. W and his cronies made a terrible mess of everything. Obama’s prime directive is to ease the economic crisis first, then wade into the myriad of other problems.