A shout-out to science

From the President's Inaugural Address:

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act -- not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.

As my colleague Steve Newton points out, Bush might claim he put science in its place also, but that would mean something very different.

Congratulations on a new day in America.

Also, check out the White House Blog.

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1) It's crazy that American politics have gotten to the point that mentioning the obvious importance of science is remarkable.

2) That doesn't change the fact that he gave the shout out, and it IS remarkable for a politician to do that, especially in contrast to the Bush debacle...