I think the scorn for the NSF is misplaced.  The NSF promotes a wide variety of programs aimed at bringing science to average Americans, especially our kids.  Could the agency do more?  Sure.  If it had the money, which under this administration, it does not.  (Do you know that in many divisions of the NSF, only about 20 percent of basic research grant requests are funded?  Many proposals judged highly qualified by peer reviewers still don't make the cut, simply due to scarce funding.) Speaking as the wife of an NSF employee, I know that the scientists who work for the NSF are dedicated to the pursuit of scientific knowledge and are excited for any and all opportunities to bring it to greater light.  There is no disdain -- except maybe for anti-science Republicans and their creationist/ID compatriots.  Please don't paint with a broad brush.