When Is A Joke Too Much?

       When it comes to the Ebola scare, the Republicans had a really good point. They demanded that all flights to or from any west African country be banned. It was a smart and efficient way to protect America from the dangers of this dreaded disease. Or at least it was a brilliant idea until it was pointed out to the world that no such flights existed. Anyone who wanted to travel between America and West Africa had to first travel to a European country and then transfer to a flight heading to America.
       But it was a good idea, at least it was until they found out that they didn't do their homework. the Republicans didn't first find out if there were flights too and from West Africa. It's a lot like Chicken Little running around in fear of the sky falling. Now they're doing the same thing with the National Science Foundation. We've now got Congressmen and their staff members, none of whom are scientists reading old grant proposals to make sure the NSF isn't wasting money on "frivolous Research. You know, like research on climate change and stuff like that.
       To be sure, the NSF, as a matter of policy, has every proposal read by acknowledged scientists in the specific field to make sure the grants go only to the most deserving, about 20% of all proposals. As you might imagine the proposals are very technical and did I mention the Congressmen, or actually their staff members, have no training in the fields they are reading? Hrmpf, there's a blue ribbon panel for ya.        
       It may be that you don't believe in climate change. That's your privilege, but wouldn't it be nice to know for sure? What if you're right and these scientific research projects can actually prove you're right? Wouldn't that be better than looking like a nutcase? Well, that won't happen if these Republicans on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, chaired by Lamar Smith (R-Texas) get their way. And the thing is, the total amount of these questionable (?) research projects comes to 0.37% of the NSF budget. Were talking about 47 proposals out of 49,000.
       Rep Lamar Smith is spearheading this investigation. Of course he's getting help from the Director of the NSF who is trying to teach him Science 101. Really! Now I understand this committee has a responsibility to oversee the NSF, but if they feel the need to look into such things as these grant proposals, shouldn't they ask someone who at least is a scientist?