Saturday at a town meeting I was struck dumb with amazement when I heard my Congressman (FL-06), Cliff Stearns, Republi-con, utter those words. I sat with mouth open then grabbed an old grocery receipt and wrote down those words so I could later believe it happened.
Cliff Stearns, March 24, 2007: "NIH. Is that different from NSF?"
My diary on the meeting and giving him heck: Virtually shouting at my Rep!
I don't know about you but I thought people elected to national office, members of Congress, were smarter than this. I expect a few to be disreputable, senile and ideologically abhorrent, but not too bright, or ignorant?
At the Saturday Town Meeting:
A retired University of Florida doctor spoke up in favor of more funding for NSF. Stearns used this as an opportunity to brag about his strong support of the university, blah, blah. Clearly, Stearns misunderstood the question, thinking it was about support of grants for UF.
The professor clarified it: "I was asking about more support, more money for NSF, not for the university."
Stearns looked a bit puzzled. "Hmm. NIH. Is that different from NSF?"
Cliff. Cliff. Cliff.
We have the National Institutes of Health, the NIH.
And we have the National Science Foundation, the NSF.
Two entities. Count them. Two. Separate. Entities.
They could not be more distinct in mission. Wouldn't you figure that most educated or informed Americans would know the difference? Anyone can get confused or make a mistake. But the question had been very clear, simple and low key and was asked twice. He mentioned NSF twice. And to be clear, no one had spoken about NIH.
So, I'm not into giving my Rep a break for being confused.
How many times has he voted on issues involving the NSF, or NIH? Both should be well in his sights since he represents Gainesville, home to UF, a major university--big in science, and with a major teaching hospital.
NOT after ALL THOSE YEARS IN CONGRESS!
Do you think he mixes up the CIA and the NSA and the FBI?
Cliff has been in Congress since 1989!
Votes on NSF and NIH are critical issues for the country--and for humanity for Pete's sake. So, sorry Cliff, but you've really dropped. the. ball. You need to be replaced. Yesterday. Personable doesn't cut it anymore.
Some notes--For Your INFORMATION, CLIFF:
NSF not NIH
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..." With an annual budget of about $5.91 billion, we are the funding source for approximately 20 percent of all federally supported basic research conducted by America's colleges and universities. In many fields such as mathematics, computer science and the social sciences, NSF is the major source of federal backing.
NIH not HSF
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
The predecessor of the NIH began in 1887 as the Laboratory of Hygiene. It grew and was reorganized in 1930 by the Ransdell Act into the National Institute of Health (singular at the time). Today it is one of the world's foremost medical research centers, and the Federal focal point for medical research in the U.S. The NIH, comprising 27 separate institutes, centers and the Office of the Director, is part of the US Department of Health and Human Services.
NSF certainly needs increased funding. Look at what the incoming head of the computer and information segment of NSF says about current funding which is quite embarrassingly low.
Users are putting Band-Aids on software...
Jeannette Wing will soon take charge of NSF's computing research spending
Jeannette Wing....new head of the computer and information science and engineering directorate at the National Science Foundation.
But Wing, who heads the computer science department at Carnegie Mellon University, sees big trouble for the U.S., private industry and users unless fundamental changes are made in the way research is done.
Wing...says people like Gates need to talk it up and urge Congress to increase research funding. "We cannot say it enough; we can't say it loud enough," she said.
The National Science Foundation funds 87% of all federally funded research in computer science out of a budget that is now about $530 million. "There is a lot of science that's just not being done," said Wing. Meanwhile, India and China are investing in basic research. China, in particular, has the money, power and hunger "to do whatever they want," she said.
MEANWHILE, DEMOCRATIC SENATORS ARE WORKING TO RAISE THE FUNDING FOR NSF
Senate leaders seek funding boost for U.S. math, science education
A high-profile group of U.S. senators, including Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) have proposed a bill designed to bolster American "competitiveness" by upping federal investments in math, science and technology education and research.
The American Competes Act... borrows many ideas from bills that died out last year.
The new effort, which numbers 209 pages, calls for everything from a summit "to examine the health and direction of the United States' science and technology enterprises," to adoption of principles ensuring government-sponsored research data is shared with the public, to semi-annual school events aimed at stimulating interest in science, technology, math and engineering.
It also proposes hiking research spending at NASA, doubling funding for the National Science Foundation by 2011, doubling funding at the Department of Energy's Office of Science over the next decade, and encouraging so-called "high-risk, high-reward" research at federal agencies and laboratories.
Listen up, Cliff!
Hopkins dean sounds 'warning bells' over NIH funding.
...it could stifle medical and scientific research if (Congress) fails to increase funding for the National Institutes of Health. "Dr. Edward D. Miller said in a statement Monday. "The world's premier biomedical research engine is at risk."
....snip/ ...stagnant funding could halt advances made by the National Institutes of Health, the federal government's primary department for medical research, and other research groups. NIH often gives grants to medical institutions, including Hopkins, for research and development.
Stagnant funding has left eight out of 10 research grant applications without money, and NIH departments like the National Cancer Institute say they can only fund 11 percent of grant applications...
***So, Cliff, take the leap. Retire while you're ahead.***