"Science:" a fighting word in 2009

Science has suddenly come out of the political closet where it weas confined during much of the Bush Admninistration and battles over its role and worth are becoming at least visible. There's been a push in the U.S. Senate to stop more money going to the American National Science Foundation. When the final "stimulus" bill gets passed--if it does--twill be worthwhile to note if the NSF got axed or further endowed. Those with a vested interest in science research say the field is losing its appeal to graduates in the U.S. In France the government there is providing more money on one hand and tongue-lashing on the other. French scientists and researchers have essentially been accused of being louts and unproductive compared to the loved/hated Brits just across the channel. Reform in France is always a tochy political course. Especially since they stopped using Madame Guillotine.