Foolish and counterproductive are two words that come to mind regarding the Administration's plan to break up the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado.
NCAR is the crown jewel of atmospheric research in the nation, with an unparalleled global reputation.
Its research covers an immense scientific range, including the development of new weather and climate models, essential research into atmospheric processes, technological innovations to deal with weather threats (such as aircraft turbulence and severe weather), and the use of supercomputers for environmental research and prediction, to name only a few.
NCAR is a primary site for disciplinary meetings and has played an important role in training generation after generation of future atmospheric students.
My career began at NCAR.
Thus, it is more than disturbing when the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russel Vought, put out a message stating the NCAR would be broken up due to its "climate alarmism".
While "climate alarmism" is the stated reason, I doubt that is the true reason. What seems more likely is that this administration is using funding for NCAR as the means to punish the state of Colorado and their Democratic governor for not pardoning a convicted felon who participated in Trump's failed ploy to steal the 2020 election.
ReplyDeleteIt's both reasons.
DeletePutting an end to the Climate Change Grift is the reason, and it’s about time!
DeleteWhat would be a better way for our Administration to avert climate alarmism. If NCAR isn't a source, what is? Liberal media is a source. K-12 and liberal colleges are sources. But my question is, are there other organizations that are hiding behind tax dollars for science, but with Marxist agenda?
ReplyDeleteLavender, I'm curious: can you even define "Marxism?"
DeleteI was curious about that as well.
DeleteYou get what you vote for, everyone was warned well in advance. Russel Vought is an architect of Project 2025, killing useful and productive government institutions like the National Center for Atmospheric Research was clearly outlined in Project 2025.
ReplyDeleteI don't comment usually, but as a casual student of atmospheric sciences and having attended several NW weather workshops, etc. I don't want to see any refunding. Had to learn it. Climbing in the mountains, the only weather was in the sky or the paper.
ReplyDeleteThe Age of Outrage amplifies a classic recipe for Crony Corruption:
ReplyDelete1) Identify things that many people are grumpy about - in this case, over hyped climate change and bad journalism, but it can be pretty much anything.
2) Turn it into moral outrage: X is not only annoying, did you know the people in charge are evil morons with a secret agenda? We must stop them!
3) Use as a smokescreen for actual incompetence/fraud/abuse (at the highest levels): "If you want to make an omelet, you don't even need to break a few eggs. Just let Russ Vought and his wolves break all the lazy chickens! Once they eat their fill, you will have so many of the best omelets, you won't even want omelets anymore!"
It's important to remember this recipe will work with any issue on the political spectrum. People are right to be angry at corruption in both parties.
Unfortunately, the recipe can become a self sustaining cycle - and that's how you end up with cycles of dictators vying for power, regardless of the party. With good intentions to break the corruption cycle, calling on the wolves is such a tempting fix. They are strong, and they DO get rid of the lazy chickens! But the wolves never lay ANY eggs, they just eat, and leave you the scraps.
Everything can be divided and given to the wolves, because you can always find one chicken to blame.
Cliff wrote, "Yes, there are a few NCAR scientists who have been vocal regarding climate change, but that is certainly their right as American citizens."
ReplyDeleteNot quite. Your employer can absolutely restrict your speech, even if it's funded by the government, via non-disparagement clauses that would include this type of idiocy and also through the Code of Conduct. In most of these cases, if the rogue employees mention their employer or it becomes common knowlege, they lose that "freedom" as a condition of employment. Even if the job is government funded.
I have a hard-science degree from a top-ranked school (8 above UW), and do not want to pay taxes to support people spouting off with the implication of credibility and authority while violating science and reality, just as I wouldn't want union dues countering my own politics.
Thank you, Cliff, this fits with your call-outs of Seattle Times Climate Lab misinformation…
ReplyDeleteNo matter which side of the spectrum it is coming from, we all lose when Ideology subverts Science and the incredible amount of hard work and thought that has gone into objective learning and research.
Never thought i would live to see a new Dark Age upon us.
This. When ideology subverts science, reason and even basic humanity.
DeleteWith a mean temperature of 49.3F, KOLM had its warmest autumn (09/21/25-12/20/15) in nearly 80 years of records breaking the previous record of 49.1F set in 2014. Quite remarkable given that autumn 2014 occurred during El Nino while autumn 2025 occurred during La Nina.
ReplyDeleteHopefully 'the work' will continue. I Wiki'ed NCAR, and it looks like there's been controversy over the years (decades) regarding some elements. Good science (straight science) shouldn't suffer. How could people support it's "good work"? Let us know.
ReplyDeleteI think the bottom line in this administration is making Government smaller. U.S. is $37 trillion dollars indebt.
ReplyDeleteI think the bottom line for people who voted for this administration is making Government smaller. U.S. is $37 trillion indebt. Climate change is a Money making Farce perpetrated by greedy politicians.
ReplyDeleteNote that the amount of money spent on NCAR and all US science grants and SNAP and medicare/caid and foreign aid for soft power and influence without sending troops out...
ReplyDeleteIs far far far vastly far less expensive that the military budget, which has never been meaningfully reigned in.
But sure, another round of tax cuts will raise revenue, this time for sure!
Classic false equivalence fallacy.
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