October 14, 2008
An Open Letter to the American People,

This year's presidential election is among the most significant in our nation's history. The country urgently needs a visionary leader who can ensure the future of our traditional strengths in science and technology and who can harness those strengths to address many of our greatest problems: energy, disease, climate change, security, and economic competitiveness.

We are convinced that Senator Barack Obama is such a leader, and we urge you to join us in supporting hi m.

During the administration of George W. Bush, vital parts of our country's scientific enterprise have been damaged by stagnant or declining federal support. The government's scientific advisory process has been distorted by political considerations. As a result, our once dominant
position in the scientific world has been shaken and our prosperity has been placed at risk. We have lost time critical for the development of new ways to provide energy, treat disease, reverse climate change, strengthen our security, and improve our economy.

We have watched Senator Obama's approach to these issues with admiration. We espe cially applaud his emphasis during the campaign on the power of science and technology to enhance our nation's competitiveness. In particular, we support the measures he plans to take - through new initiatives in education and training, expanded research funding, an unbiased process for obtaining scientific advice, and an appropriate balance of basic and applied research - to meet the nation's and the world's most urgent needs.

Senator Obama understands that Presidential leadership and federal investments in science and technology are crucial elements in successful governance of the world's leading country. We hope you will join us as we work together to ensure his election in November.

Signed,

Alexei Arikosov Physics 2003
Roger Guillemin Medicine 1977
Peter Agre Chemistry 2003
John L. Hall Physics 2005
Sidney Altman Chemistry 1989
Leland H. Hartwell Medicine 2001
Philip W. Anderson Physics 1977
Dudley Herschbach Chemistry 1986
Richard Axel Medicine 2004
Roald Hoffmann Chemistry 1981
David Baltimore Medicine 1975
H. Robert Horvitz Medicine 2002
Baruj Benacerraf Medicine 19 80
Louis Ignarro Medicine 1998
Paul Berg Chemistry 1980
Eric R. Kandel Medicine 2000
J. Michael Bishop Medicine 1989
Walter Kohn Chemistry 1998
N. Bloembergen Physics 1981
Roger Kornberg Chemistry 2006
Michael S. Brown Medicine 1985
Leon M. Lederman Physics 1988
Linda B. Buck Medicine 2 004
Craig C. Mello Medicine 2006
Mario R. Capecchi Medicine 2007
Yoichiro Nambu Physics 2008
Martin Chalfie Chemistry 2008
Marshall Nirenberg Medicine 1968
Stanley Cohen Medicine 1986
Douglas D. Osheroff Physics 1996
Leon Cooper Physics 1972
Stanley  ;B. Prusiner Medicine 1997
James W. Cronin Physics 1980
Norman F. Ramsey Physics 1989
Robert F. Curl Chemistry 1996
Robert Richardson Physics 1996
Johann Diesenhofer Chemistry 1988
Burton Richter Physics 1976
John B. Fenn Chemistry 2002
Sherwood Rowland Chemistry 1995
Edmond H. Fischer Medicine 1992
Oliver Smithies Medicine 2007
Val Fitch Physics 1980
Richard R Schrock Chemistry 2005
Jerome I. Friedman Physics 1990
Joseph H. Taylor Jr. Physics 1993
Murray Gell-M an Physics 1969
E. Donnall Thomas Medicine 1990
Riccardo Giacconi Physics 2002
Charles H. Townes Physics 1964
Walter Gilbert Chemistry 1980
Roger Tsien Chemistry 2008
Alfred G. Gilman Medicine 1994
Daniel C.Tsui Physics 1998
Donald A. Glaser Physics 1960
Harold Varmus Medicine 1989
Shel don L. Glashow Physics 1979
James D. Watson Medicine 1962
Joseph Goldstein Medicine 1985
Eric Wieschaus Medicine 1995
Paul Greengard Medicine 2000
Frank Wilczek Physics 2004
David Gross Physics 2004
Robert W. Wilson Physics 1978
Robert H. Grubbs Chemistry 2005

The views expressed in this letter represent those of the signers acting as individual citizens.
They do not necessarily represent the views of the institutions with which they are affiliated. The
Medicine award is for "Physiology or Medicine."

Protect a woman's right to chose in America!


On that creepy/CRAZY "Focus on Family" website I saw this, and it made my blood curdle.

"COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. �" Pro-life initiative Measure 11 offers South Dakota voters an opportunity to stand in defense of preborn human life during the November election, and carries the endorsement of Focus on the Family Action in conjunction with the South Dakota Family Policy Council.

Both groups are urging South Dakota voters to vote “yes” on Measure 11, which would prohibit abortion except in cases of rape or incest, or when the life or health of the mother is endangered by the continued pregnancy.

“South Dakota continues to be a driving force in efforts to protect women and the preborn from abortion. Focus on the Family Action is pleased to lend its support to this important ballot effort that will result in saving the lives of preborn children,” said Tom Minnery, senior vice president of Government and Public Policy for the organization.

“South Dakotans know the value of human life and the deep threats against it,” South Dakota Family Policy Council President Chris Hupke said. “Our organization pledges to come alongside this historic effort and the state’s voters to help ensure a November victory for Measure 11.”

South Dakota, please say NO, to Pro-life initiative Measure 11!

Focus on the Family is one hellfire and brimstone of an organization, how can anyone worry about Obama, with nuts like that supporting McCain?

I say that will put him slightly ahead in the electoral situation,with Minnesotas 10 electoral votes.Unless of course Obama wins Indiana and Ohio,two southern states,and two western states not counting the west coast ,where he will probably win anyway,unless he loses in Oregon,then we'll have to win New Hampshire and three southern states,and so on and so forth...The reason I bring this up is that if anyone thinks Mccain will pick that ruthless,moneygrubbing fraud Romney as his running mate they are nuts,or Bobby Jindal for that matter!If Obama picks someone that can lock down a few more conservative northern and western states I think we can win this thing...

I have completed building the website for the Dracut Democratic Town Committee,and would like everyone in the world to click on it so that it will start coming up in google searches.I am new at sitebuilding but it came out O.k. and the committee seems to like it.Please find the time to check it out,the address is www.dracutdems.com.Thank You Much,Bye...

The lawmakers who thought No Child Left Behind, (NCLB) was a good idea were elitists who never cared about the underprivileged children who needed more funding for education. Guess who? The Bush administration has done it's level best to promote private education, and ruin public education. Believe me, they have already come dangerously close to their initial goal. They have now left millions of children, nation wide, far, far behind.

Due to the teach to the test model of NCLB, teachers have to assign books that are on the required tests. It is a limitation not without it's educational sacrifice.
Funding is awarded to schools that excel, and schools in need are deprived.

The reward and punishment system adopted as the accepted method of class/school control, destroys character and robs the student of their intrinsic motivation. It is very sad to see our public school systems systematically destroyed because of ruse and manipulative ploy to promote private education for the affluent and remove public education for the needy.


We need to get rid of NCLB, all together. We do not need Bush's destructive legacy lingering on after the White House is Blue. Naturally, I like Obama's plan to pay teachers more, but we care about the kids who are not getting their needs met due to the destructive nature of NCLB.

Schools that test high, get money stay open, schools that need the most money and help, close, where do those students go?

They overcrowd existing schools. The system is a cancer, it cannot be changed or helped. NCLB must be eradicated, like the cancer it is, so that learning can once again be the priority, not testing for money.

McCain says he will keep NCLB but make changes. Obama needs to differ from McCain on this issue to a more progressive degree and take a real stance against this destructive manipulation of America's Public School system.

If Obama promised to remove NCLB and replace it with a more comprehensive and compassionate system of true learning assessment, the American Federation of Teachers would be totally supportive. Obama would also gain more solidarity from other core groups as well, more of the women's vote, more of the working class whose children attend public schools, more of the elderly vote who prioritize education and youth even more their own well being.

Speaking out against NCLB will liberate and bring real change from the bondage Bush has imposed on our public school system with his "No Child Left Behind" ruse. Please write to Obama and ask him to reconsider his thinking on NCLB, and ask him to take a different stance, a much different stance than McCain!

A Japanese venture company, Genepax, has unveiled a car on that runs on water. All it requires is a litre of water. In fact, any kind of water to be exact, whether its river, rain, sea water, or even Japanese tea. Its an electric powered car that runs solely on hydrogen dioxide.
"The main characteristic of this car is that no external input is needed. The car will continue to run as long as you have a bottle of water inside for you to add from time to time," said Kiyoshi Hirasawa, Chief Executive Officer of Genepax, after he proudly announced the company's invention.
Once water is poured into the water tank at the back of the car, the newly invented energy generator takes out the hydrogen from the water, releases electrons and finally generates electrical power.
"We highly recommend our system since it does not require you to build up an infrastructure to recharge your batteries, which is usually the case for most electric cars," said Hirasawa, who is hoping to advertise the car in time for the upcoming G8 Summit in Hokkaido, Japan.

I often wonder that about some people like FOS, for example. People who are so judgmental of others to the degree that they feel comfortable calling people names, insulting them, and generally just spewing hate. I mean it can't feel good. Here are my comments to the latest attempt by FOS to slander me on a post, and be insulting. Not the first, probably not the last, but it addresses me on the post, so I am posting the post again, because maybe it will help her see how being judgmental is self destructive.

Like I said, yelling, insulting, calling people bad names, that can't feel good, in fact it is quite unhealthy. I hope she gets the help she needs, becomes accountable and compassionate, instead of continuing to be judgmental and insulting. Best of luck to you FOS.

Democrats are willing to knock heads and work together to find a common denominator for the greater good....................................................... Democrats are willing to help the needy and share their time, energy and assets with those who are less fortunate. ...................................................................... Democrats conserve the earth, the environment, and wildlife............................. Democrats value education for all, knowing that a separatist society of haves and have nots, will only bring us down as a culture............................................. Democrats celebrate the arts and science and are thoughtful and considerate to what an innovative future holds.......................................................................... Democrats are for strengthening the nation as a whole, and not just an elite few..................................................................................................................... Democrats are for compassion, creativity and expression, all things that seem to scare republicans. So if you continue to choose to fight against Obama, you are fighting against these ideals and you are fighting the democrats. You are also fighting against Hillary Clintons wishes. Do not expect anyone to do anything, but ignore you, from here on end. We are too busy to engage in senselessness, you are either with the democrats or against us.____________________________________________THE WHITE HOUSE WILL BE BLUE!

Let's do everything we can to help people who don't better, understand that, it a nice, polite, but convincing way.When you speak to those who are uncertain, or have doubts about our democratic candidate.....remember... 1. Oil drilling is messed up. It pollutes, kills wildlife, and ruins environment. In addition is not viable, cannot be made available, and is not cost efficient in the long haul. McCain wants to drill like crazy but IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON FROM OIL! 2. SOLAR, BATTERY, AND AERONAUTIC POWER IS THE WAY TO GO. My son who is graduating today,(yea!), will be a physics major and is skipping freshman year, going right into sophomore year at U. of I. from high-school. Do I sound proud? lol. He wants to be an Astrophysicist, he dug this paper up for some research he did on AERONAUTICs at school. We have known about this for a long time, it is the greedy oil tycoons of yesteryear that have been holding us back. We could have been light years ahead by now, had it not been for the republicans. http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19930080915_1993080915.pdf BTW, last week his assignment was to launch a rocket with an egg up 500 ft, and have it land with the egg unbroken, he was the only senior in the project out of 40 to do that....with a little egg parachute...cute. 3. Bring up the abortion thing to people who are pro-choice and unsure about Obama, but please do not bring it up with pro-lifers...they are nuts, and you will not change their minds on Obama with that. 4. Many repos are very disappointed with Bush too, remind them that McCain voted in sinc with Bush %95 percent of the time. How do they expect to feel differently about someone, who in all essence, is the same?

Hillary Clinton is announcing her support for the democratic Nominee. If you want to see strength and loyalty in action, tune in to watch her endorsement speech. Thank you Hillary, for all you have done and continue to do, to turn the White House Blue!!!

........ It was never a question for me, to wonder if she should be VP. The answer was no. First, it would be a waste of her I thought, a complete waste. Secondly, it did not appear she or he wanted that to happen.............................. .................... ............Now I reconsider on all accounts. If it helps him win, of course he'll want it. As far as change, good lord, she would change things as much if not more, because she knows how to change, not only that it is needed. So, does it undermine his message of change? No, I do not believe it does, instead it just might provide exactly the right navigation to see their plans through........ .......................................................................................................................... I didn't think she wanted it anyway, and I am still not sure she does, though I think she was being diplomatic in saying she would be open to it. It is the polite thing to do, if he wants her, he knows she will accept. Just like he now knows Edwards will not, knowing that she will, keeps things clear........ ......................................................................................................................... It had also never occurred to me the the VP was anything to write home about, remember Spiro Agnew? Things have changed and if you have someone weak, the office is weak, if you have the iron woman, the office is powerful............................................................................................................. .......... What I do not think would be smart, is to choose another woman, like a substitute. That will not bode well with the women's vote. A female replacement will not be looked upon as anything other than a transparent move of a placating, condescending and pacifying nature............... .......................................................................................................................... Ultimately, his decision will have to appease and attractive the majority of democratic voters, whether it be someone who supported her, or Clinton herself, the decision has different implications than it used to. Whatever he decides, it will take time and consideration, and Hillary will do what ever it takes to help him win, he knows that. What is interesting about this is that the role of VP is apparently what you make it.

Just realized what I did. Der. Here is a repost. First, I want to thank everyone for helping... This one is from Defenders.... We are trying to tackle this issue from as many angles as we can... Thanks for signing and passing it along.There is one petition, too, I need to dig it up first though.

If you have ever been hiking in the red rocks, you know how great it is. My younger son and I went hiking in Nevada last year, into Red rock Canyon. When it's dusk, the temp drops 30 degrees, and then the color hits the most beautiful red against the deep blue sky. Very cool. Please sign. This one is for the wildlife of Utah.   Read More »

Hillary, as a candidate, is the first, who I really was enthused by. For last 5 or 6 election I have been happy to go along with who ever the democratic nominee was, I was with them, no matter who. This is the first time I have felt a candidate was so far superior in every way to the other democratic candidates. IN EVERY WAY. The Obama personality/idol show has been non stop, millions flowing...yet, it is she who won the big states, the swing states and it is she who won the popular vote. More democrats voted for her. We voted for her not him. Running a campaign and running a country are not the same. He is the post turtle of 08. If he does something, anything worthwhile other than be the puppet for the Chicago Machine, then we'll see the toughest dirtiest Chicago Political Machine up against the republicans, maybe they ought to be scared, because in Chicago, they take no prisoners. Obama may just have that chance, thanks to the Machine. Until August thru November, however, he will have to wait and see, just like the rest of us.

Hilary's integrity, intelligence, diplomacy, expertise, and policy making skills will not go to waste. The democrats will see to it that her strengths are used to help our country and the world, just as they should, because no one else could.

No democratic candidate has ever received as many votes Hillary Clinton, including Obama, in our entire history. Wow. The DNC, it seems, has not ingratiated itself to the nation of democratic voters by ignoring that fact. What could have been sensible strength, is now an indecisive party. Half are indifferent to the DNC now, distrusting, and disappointed that their voices have not been heard, and for some their votes slashed in half. The DNC may be at a loss, for clarity, vision, and strength but the supporters of Hillary Clinton are not.

Glad you are among the coalition of the nearly 18 million democrats who can see a real future for democrats in the White House with Hillary Clinton. If we thought she was the weaker candidate, we wouldn't have voted for her. It is OK to respectfully wait for her.

A president he's not. He'll never have what Hillary's got. Happy to say am content to wait. Happy to know it's not too late. She can still save Americas fate. It is fine with me to wait and see, am patient with the fates that be. In any case, it's OK with me, it's Obama who's on bended knee. For all his song and dance, his conundrum is not by chance, there is a reason for that. She is the tin roof, and he is the cat.

If she still has the popular vote after MO and SD, if her delegate count continues to dominate nearly half of all of them... Why should she drop out? If people want her as president, why drop out? I wouldn't either. Especially since, all of the delegates can go back and forth, after the first vote at the convention, his delegates can switch, who knows they just might. Stay in the Race Hillary! You are the strongest candidate on all the issues, Education, Iraq, Vets, Environment, Energy and Economy. You are the best choice, the smart choice, the most inclusive choice and obviously the sane choice. You always will be.

Let's talk about why we want her to be president. ........................................................................................................................... One reason I will stand by her till the end. "Of the three Senators she is the most environmentally friendly... She is the only on that does not want to increase nuclear energy. She has vetoed the bill 7 times in the Senate. Did you know it take 25,000 years for the waste products to decompose to be safe. Asking you what kind of container is needed for that? The whole state of Nevada?" ........................................................by Democrat in Valley Village, CA I couldn't agree more with Hillary strength and integrity on the issues, especially environment and education............................................................... Why do you want Hillary for President? As for the Hillary Haters..am sure you'll have a lot to say too.