House GOP stops major science, technology bill-again

[babylonsister]

House GOP stops major science, technology bill
Funding denied for math and science education, tech-centric business loans
By JIM ABRAMS, Associated Press


It was strike two for a major science funding bill Wednesday as House Republicans again united to derail legislation they said was too expensive.

Going down to defeat was the COMPETES Act, which would have committed more than $40 billion over three years to boost funding for the National Science Foundation and other federal agencies involved in basic and applied science, provided loan guarantees to small businesses developing new technologies and promoted science and math education.

Congress enacted a first version of the legislation in 2007 with a large majority in the House and a unanimous vote in the Senate. But in this election year, with Republicans out to show their anti-spending credentials and intent on disrupting the Democratic agenda, things are different.

more...

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/republican_party/index.html?story=/news/feature/2010/05/19/us_congress_technology

[BrklynLiberal]

1. They will never stop trying to drag us back into the Dark Ages...

Socially, technologically, economically, as well as in the religion arena.

[Chulanowa]

2. Sad fact about our system...

The entire setup of how our government works favors conservativism. It's designed to make change hard, to maintain the status quo. This makes no difference between "smart" conservativism, or... well, modern conservativism. The system is the same - change is slaw and stuttering and easily overturned.

[BunkerHill24]

3. Well, what's good for education, anyway?

Meathead!

[Speck Tater]

4. New verb: to gop.

as in "I had to call a plumber because my kitchen sink was all gopped up." or "The old man had a heart attack after cholesterol gopped his arteries."

I just hope nobody comes forward to gop my attempt to establish this new and important English verb.

[Kdillard]

5. Link is not working.

[babylonsister]

8. I just tried from the OP and it worked; try again? nt

[11 Bravo]

6. They're afraid Miss Moosemunch will call them "pointy-headed intellectuals". You betcha.

[Parker CA]

7. Fuggin Neanderthals. nt