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Presidential candidate Barack Obama has responded to fourteen questions submitted by Sciencedebate.com. You can bet that the replies were done by committee full of padding, short sightedness, and politically refined. Nevertheless you may read his responses. Presidential candidate John McCain has yet to respond.Obama's response
Science debates for the 2008 presidential candidates
3 comments:
His answers all sound wonderful. I am glad he responded...I take this as a sign that he does care (not just blowing it off), and has shown that he wants to get that out to the people...ALL GOOD!
Julie:
I am not as optimistic about Barack Obama's responses as you are. As I said I doubt that a lot of the responses are original thoughts and more likely generated by party platform politics and the result of his writers and given his signature of approval for publication. It is interesting that the questions and answers will probably never reach mainstream media for reprint and analysis save a few fringe individuals or groups that are deeply interested in science and the current disposition of the United States.
I won't go through every question and response but just a few.
1.) "My administration will work to guarantee to students access to strong science curriculum at all grade levels so they graduate knowing how science works – using hands-on, IT-enhanced education. As president, I will launch a Service Scholarship program that pays undergraduate or graduate teaching education costs for those who commit to teaching in a high-need school, and I will prioritize math and science teachers. Additionally, my proposal to create Teacher Residency Academies will also add 30,000 new teachers to high-need schools – training thousands of science and math teachers. I will also expand access to higher education, work to draw more of these students into science and engineering, and increase National Science Foundation (NSF) graduate fellowships. My proposals for providing broadband Internet connections for all Americans across the country will help ensure that more students are able to bolster their STEM achievement."
Specifically..."As president, I will launch a Service Scholarship program that pays undergraduate or graduate teaching education costs for those who commit to teaching in a high-need school, and I will prioritize math and science teachers."
This is not a novel idea at all. In my state of Missouri, the legislature established a college [Warrensburg State Teachers College and still in existence] whereby the state paid for higher education. In exchange, the graduate was to perform a few years teaching at various high schools throughout the state. Not an indentured situation at all but a fair trade agreement between the state and the student. It should be revived.
2.) "There can no longer be any doubt that human activities are influencing the global climate and we must react quickly and effectively."
I am not convinced. The history of the Earth cannot be deduced in merely nearly 200 years of industrial activity. An environmental change is a different issue.
The bottom line just appears to be more government involvement and government [taxpayers] spending. Fundamental issues of why the middle class is disappearing and less disparity between an earned wage and inflation are paramount.
I think that "Education" is always the same old horse with a new jockey and as far as the rest of it, I agree it has been through a lot of advisers but isn't most of it a committee......sorry if I sound jaded but I am
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