In a talk Monday (Nov 5) that received a standing ovation by several hundred neuroscientists, Newt Gingrich urged scientists to pester lawmakers for greater linkurl:research funding;http://www.the-scientist.com/2007/7/1/28/1/. As the former Speaker of the House put it, "This is a multi-trillion dollar budget. They can always find the money if they want to." Gingrich tasked audience members to spend at least 15 minutes every six months appealing to lawmakers for funding. "If those who know are too busy to talk to those who don't know, they should stop griping about the ignorant decisions" made by lawmakers, Gingrich said. He added that lawmakers can prioritize the budget in such a way as to make money available, though he did not offer which sections of the budget could stand to drop in priority. The audience applauded several times during Gingrich's speech, given at the Society for Neuroscience's annual meeting in San Diego, particularly when...
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