[Serenity]

It's good to see at least some of these watchdogs actually have some bite to them and will speak out regardless of their findings.

WASHINGTON (AP) — NASA's press office "marginalized or mischaracterized" studies on global warming between 2004 and 2006, the agency's own internal watchdog concluded.


In a report released Monday, NASA's inspector general office called it "inappropriate political interference" by political appointees in the press office. It said that the agency's top management wasn't part of the censorship, nor were career officials.


NASA downplayed the report as old news on a problem that has since been fixed. NASA spokesman Michael Cabbage said the space agency's new policies have now been hailed for openness by the U.S. Government Accountability Office.


The report found credence in allegations that National Public Radio was denied access to top global warming scientist James Hansen. It also found evidence that NASA headquarters press officials canceled a press conference on a mission monitoring ozone pollution and global warming because it was too close to the 2004 presidential election.

Read Full Article here

[tater03]

This really doesn't surprise me in the least. I am glad to see that someone will admit to their mistakes though. You don't see much of that anywhere anymore.

[GreenerPeople]

Politics have played into downplaying climate change for a long time so this doesn't really surprise me. I'm sure "political interference" reaches far beyond NASA to other government and educational institutions.

[mollyL]

As the neo-con grip on the administration enters its last days, it is easy to see what a stranglehold was placed on both watchdogs and news agencies. Hopefully we will see the re-emergence of a "free" press (although alot of the news agencies and news people actively collaborated with the administration) that will feel less constrained about disseminating the facts.

[GreenerPeople]

I agree, I hope the next administration is all around more honest with us.

[bluehill02]

when the government pays scientist all kinds of money to tell the world its' fine its really good to see someone telling the truth. sad, scary but maybe something will get done now.

[justontime]

It is scary, if they will lie about something as important as global warming what else will they lie to us about?

[chris1203]

This doesn't surprise me either. It's scary how much important information government officials can keep from us. I'm glad some of these NASA officials have opened up about this.