Search Articles:

 

Breaking News......... Osprey beat Chukars 9-6......... BREAKING NEWS: Railroad ties start wildfire west of Missoula this afternoon......... LEMONADE! Missoula children sell lemonade at stands throughout town as fundraiser for children's shelter......... Wife, infant daughter of Butte Marine killed in car crash while he's at basic training......... Local News......... Downtown Missoula building will be tall and eco-friendly........Officials swamped with applications for concealed weapon permits........Schweitzer accused of political cronyism by appointing Democrats to state positions........GOP, Dems spar over Noonan appointment........Crash course: No surprise - Reserve Street has most wrecks in county........Schweitzer: ‘Damn right I'm mad' at GM........

In today’s technological world, our nation faces challenges that can be addressed only through focused, well-funded scientific research and its application to the development of new technologies.

Critical challenges include: satisfying our country’s energy demands while achieving independence from foreign oil, effective medical research to cure diseases, controlling global warming and effective national security. As the presidential election approaches, I urge everyone to examine and compare the candidates’ science policies, and to ask which policies best address our country’s needs.

The energy issue is of special importance to Montanans. In our large state, the costs of driving, moving goods and operating heavy machinery are becoming prohibitive. As the world’s oil supplies dwindle, gasoline will become unaffordable, and finally, unavailable. Senator Obama proposes to double federal funding on energy research over the next decade to develop clean, efficient and renewable energy technology that we and future generations can depend on. More details on Obama’s science and technology policies can be found at barackobama.com/pdf/issues/FactSheetScience.pdf.

By contrast, Senator McCain proposes to maintain funding of research for alternative energy at its current inadequate level, and to increase domestic drilling and expand our use of domestic natural gas reserves. The energy question is one of the most serious and urgent challenges that we face, but McCain is proposing largely temporary, environmentally destructive solutions that do not adequately address the simple fact that the world is running out of oil.

The strength and focus of Obama’s science and technology policies have gained overwhelming support from the scientific community. In a strong statement that cannot be ignored, 61 Nobel Laureates recently endorsed Obama’s strong commitment to science, technology and innovation to meet the nation’s challenges and to drive economic growth.

Bennett Link, Bozeman

---

---

Add your comment now! Write your comment in the form below.
(Email address is for verification only. If you'd like to email a story, look for the link above)

---