ACS and 150 Science Organizations Call On the White House to Rescind Exceutive Order...

[NNadir]

•Letter to U.S. President Donald Trump

President Donald J. Trump
The White House
United States of America

Dear President Trump:

The January 27, 2017, White House Executive Order on visas and immigration has profound implications for diplomatic, humanitarian, and national security interests, in part because of the negative impact on U.S. science and engineering capacity.

The 151 undersigned organizations – representing a broad spectrum of professional scientific, engineering and education societies, national associations, and universities – are deeply concerned that this Executive Order will have a negative impact on the ability of scientists and engineers in industry and academia to enter, or leave from and return to, the United States. This will reduce U.S. science and engineering output to the detriment of America and Americans.

Scientific progress depends on openness, transparency, and the free flow of ideas and people, and these principles have helped the United States attract and richly benefit from international scientific talent. From the Apollo Program and exploring the far reaches of the universe, to advancing biomedical research for curing diseases and harnessing science to build a thriving high-tech sector, the United States is considered a leader in science, education and innovation. In order to remain the world leader in advancing scientific knowledge and innovations, the U.S. science and technology enterprise must continue to capitalize on the international and multi-cultural environment within which it operates...

What's going on his tiny little brain as he runs his tiny little fingers through his confusing hair?

"Scientists, we don't need no stinking scientists..."

I'm personally definitely seeing this as my son enters college, with all the universities clearly wondering, "what's going to happen to us..."

What indeed?

[TxDemChem]

1. Most, if not all, of the chemists I work with

Are ACS members. But they are mostly republican (except me and maybe 2 other chemists). I have been wondering what their take on the EO is, especially considering most of them were not born in the US and at least 5 came here as refugees. Yet they still wanted Trump.

I hate Texas

[NNadir]

2. Well, the ACS position statement is clear enough.

I can't say I know a single chemist who voted for Trump, although there are many who I've not discussed politics.

Oh wait. I do know one. His boss told him to shut up at a meeting. He's an old fart about to retire, ironically enough, also an immigrant.

He reads Ayn Rand books, and considers himself an intellectual.

I've always felt like anyone who reads Ayn Rand books after his acne clears isn't worth all that much, but that's just my opinion.

The ACS position is clear enough, and I support it of course. There's an interesting debate going on in the first several papers, "letters to the editor" about whether or not it is scientists responsibility (or even right) to be activists.

I personally have seen some awful thinking that my scientific training behooves me to reject; regrettably not all of it is on the right or far right; some is on the left and far left.

I feel bad for you, living in Texas and all. One hopes that some of the chemists with whom you work are lying about their true feelings, wanting to fit in.

If not, I'm absolutely sure they represent a minority among scientists.

[TxDemChem]

3. lol that guy sounds like a hoot

And like the conservatives I work with. They are a different breed here. I started working at my current job in 2008 and I learned quickly that my coworkers openly talked about politics all the time. I don't know why, but even HR was in on it. After Obama won, I had to hear snide remarks about death panels (my boss) and him being born in Kenya (an engineer). But my hubby thinks, like you, that maybe some of them are just putting up a front. The crazy thing is my group is old. I'm the youngest (30s), but my boss is 75 or 76. Then there are two other ladies in their 60s (both not born here - one was a refugee), but they have voted against their interests for years. They all think they're special and they're immune to any ill effects. *Sigh* However, most of the republicans lately are so embarrassed by trump that I enjoy hearing their laments. They were so excited the day after election, now they complain about his lying and tweets.

[NNadir]

4. Well, even though it's my demographic, the old folks should do the world...

...a favor and die off.

That our demographic, baby boomers, voted for that asshole Trump shows that we're as senile as he is.

[TxDemChem]

5. Thankfully your demographic also has some great people

One of my older neighbors, Linda, is an absolute jewel. We love her to bits! And I know my parents and grandparents didn't vote for him. I think it's a Texas thing. Once the older employees at my job retire, I think the culture will shift.

You're one of the good ones. 😉