Get political, scientists

A former Congressman, speaking at a meeting of researchers, policy makers, and advocates last Friday (May 9), urged scientists to become intimately involved in the political process. And he encouraged the nation's scientists to do much more than just cast their votes for the candidates of their choice in upcoming elections. "Get inside their campaigns and then press to get science in their messages to voters," said linkurl:John Porter,;http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=P000444 who represented Illinois' 10th District for 21 years, at the linkurl:AAAS Forum on Science and Technology Policy;http://www.aaas.org/spp/rd/forum.htm held in Washington, D.C. last week. Porter told scientists that the way to get science policy and funding issues onto the political radar in this heated election year is to "get outside your comfort zone and get in the game." He instructed scientists to call their favorite candidate - whether they are running for local, state, or national office - and offer their services....