Dr. Carmona, the outgoing Surgeon General, testified about a week ago before a Senate committee and indicated what I don't think any sane person finds surprising. He testified about the strong political interference by the Bush administration in what he was allowed to talk about during his tenure. Consultation with C. Everett Koop and other former Surgeon Generals confirmed that the level of interference was more than in any other administration for the last 30 years.
This is infuriating to me because, as a biblical scholar, I am well acquainted with non-specialists setting boundaries for truth on matters about which they are not competent to speak. Religion and politics both have a tendency to avoid the question of truth while shouting for truth louder than anyone else. Truth really doesn't care about such politics. An administration can issue a statement insisting that pigs can fly, but the truth doesn't care. Go ahead, throw them off the White House and we'll see.
I recognize the "truth" that post-modernism contributes to our culture--the need for science to be humbler than it has been in the past. But what we are witnessing is an immense surge in pre-modern ignorance, hosted by this administration's political maneuverings. I know I may find myself making the same comments about some far left administration voted in in over-reaction to this one. But I'll at least enjoy the justice of reversal for the first week--then Hades will begin, pay back for an administration that has listened to no one but itself.
Also begun last week I believe was the confirmation hearings of Jim Holsinger, a good man who is on the Board of Trustees at Asbury. I feel sorry for him. He is a really nice person whom I'm afraid Washington will eat alive. He will try to do what he thinks is right. In fact, his submission to God may actually lead him into conflict with conservative politics. He will live by the two great commandments over fundamentalist Christian "values." If politics and his God ever come into conflict, he will serve God rather than Cheney.
His theology I suspect is straight down the line conservative evangelical, which is why he is being appointed. I love the man. I would say he has most of the qualities needed for the job--a doctor who loves people and wants to help the nation. What he may lack is the pure pursuit of scientific objectivity.
