Quote of the Day

"Anything that doesn't fit into the political appointees' ideological, theological or political agenda is often ignored, marginalized or simply buried. The problem with this approach is that in public health, as in a democracy, there is nothing worse than ignoring science or marginalizing the voice of science for reasons driven by changing political winds."

- Dr. Richard H. Carmona, US Surgeon General (2002-2006), testifying before the Senate yesterday that the Bush administration would not allow him to speak or issue reports about stem cells, emergency contraception, sex education, or mental and global health issues. Dr. Carmona said that he spoke with 6 prior Surgeon Generals, none of whom recalled such intense pressure. He was even discouraged from attending the Special Olympics, because of the Kennedy family's close ties with the charity.