You must be aware that this is not a fair chart right? It displays one large expense against other small, but arbitrary expenses. It's as if you're suggesting that if there were no war in Iraq, that all of that money would go for solar energy research.

A more fair chart would be one that includes all spending like this one: http://www.warresisters.org/piechart.htm which shows that Iraq spending is about 7% of taxes, which is very different from the it is presented in the graph you chose.

Granted, you can still object to that amount, but let's at least try to not to skew things, because it makes your case lose its foundation, and you look like an idiot.

Nick: Sure, that chart is not a terribly fair or unbiased presentation of the data, but it does provide an interesting perspective that's relevant to my point about Bush's nitpicking over a couple of billion of dollars of scientific research.

There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.

-- Benjamin Disraeli

Being able to look at a graph or chart and make intelligent determinations based on the presentation and source of the data is a very valuable skill. Thanks for the skeptical view.

I don't want my taxes to pay for science and education. Thanks.

Yeah, I'm just pointing out a slightly different perspective. I take back the last thing I said about sounding like an idiot, it didn't come out the way I planned.

-nick

Damn you tgerla for caring more about helping people than killing people (education vs. war)

As many are commenting, we should be all about killing them with our tax dollars. We should also be about NOW and forget about the future...we don't need to build a base on which future generations can prosper...let them fend for themselves!

Down with learning! Hooray for killing!

I posted something on this earlier today;
http://science.videosift.com/talk/Bush-veto-of-National-Institude-of-Health-funding

... didn't remember that the open access legislation was tucked in there; thanks for the reminder.

I am in support of this bill, and I know my representatives are too...... The National Association of College Admission Counselors, and The Independent Educational Consultants Association is in support of this bill, and we are trying to assist in getting this to pass.

I work personally with students who fall in this category, and in my book called the Applica-phobia of College Admissions (Xlibris), I include a chapter dedicated to the dream act - HR3043... what it is, and display about 25 pages of resources where students can find funding until this bill can get passed.

Here is my take on this issue....

These young people deserve a fresh start, both in fairness to them and in our national interest. The DREAM Act would address this issue in two ways:

1) Deleting a federal provision that interferes with a state's right to determine which students qualify as "residents" for purposes of in-state tuition or other state education benefits; and

2) Providing a mechanism for certain long-term resident immigrant students with good moral character to apply for legal residency so that they can work and otherwise fully participate in their communities.

The DREAM Act would dramatically reduce dropout rates, with resulting substantial savings in criminal justice costs and use of public benefits, and it would sharply increase the amount of taxes paid by those who qualify. These fiscal contributions will pay back the educational investment within 3-4 years, and thereafter taxpayers will continue to profit from the DREAM Act for decades to come.

The most compelling reason to pass the DREAM Act is the young people themselves. They are survivors, almost all of who have overcome the odds of growing up in tough neighborhoods and impoverished immigrant families to remain in school and to succeed. Nothing could be more American. These young people deserve to be rewarded for doing the right thing, not punished.

I see the results of my work, and I know that within time, this bill will pass, but it is clear to me that while the president chants, no child shall be left behind:, he goes back on his word.