wither in the light

Wired is running an article about how the Bush administration is messing with the sciences:

The statement and the report both accuse the Bush administration of distorting and suppressing findings that contradict administration policies, stacking panels with like-minded and underqualified scientists with ties to industry, and eliminating some advisory committees altogether...

For example, the panel that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on lead poisoning was recently planning to strengthen the lead poisoning regulations, in response to science showing that smaller amounts than previously understood could cause brain damage in children, Knobloch said.

Before the panel could act, Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson rejected the recommendation and replaced two members of the panel with individuals tied to the lead industry.

Anyone surprised? This administration seems to have a 'leave no stone unturned' approach to selling the country out from under us. I am surprised, however, at how much it still upsets me. Four years forward, forty years back... I'm getting tired of being ashamed of this country.