shake that cat

When zombies hyperventilate, do they pass out?

It's going to be a long few years if, any time the Obama administration makes a change from Bush administration policies, Karl Rove's moldering corpse is exhumed to provide "balance." Take, for example, "Obama Puts His Own Spin on Mix of Science With Politics." After hearing from parts of the scientific and political communities applauding the March 9 directive, you might expect to hear from scientists and politicians with questions or concerns about the new policy. You'd be half right. No such scientists or other third parties in sight; instead, we get the zombies, lurching to the podium trailing shreds of evolution-free textbook:

“Those who suggest that the Bush administration did not rigorously apply science are themselves ignoring the facts,” said Karl Rove, the former president’s political strategist.

Mr. Rove called Mr. Obama’s declaration on restoring scientific integrity “simply hyperbole and hyperventilation,” and he disputed Mr. Waxman’s accusation on climate change, saying the Bush White House “put more money into global climate research than any administration in history, by a significant factor.”

In the end, said Ed Gillespie, the former counselor to Mr. Bush, all administrations use science in service of a political agenda.

“Administrations come into office with a point of view,” Mr. Gillespie said. “The people in office tend to highlight those facts that support their point of view — not because they’re quashing dissent or not being scientific, but because this is what helps inform their thinking. A lot of scientific data can’t be refuted, but a lot of science is subjective. And even irrefutable science can be value-laden.”

Yep, that's our Karl and Ed. Always the ones to go to for the facts.

If you're writing such a story and you can't get Karl on the line before deadline, use this handy template - just fill in the blanks with the topic at hand:

“Those who suggest that the Bush administration did not ___________ are themselves ignoring the facts,” said Karl Rove, the former president’s political strategist.

Mr. Rove called Mr. Obama’s declaration on ___________ “simply hyperbole and hyperventilation,” and he disputed ___________ ’s accusation on ___________, saying the Bush White House “put more money into ___________ than any administration in history, by a significant factor.”