A Young Bush Appointee Resigns His Post at NASA

New York Times ^ | February 8, 2006 | Andrew C. Revkin

[MurryMom]

George C. Deutsch, the young presidential appointee at NASA who told public affairs workers to limit reporters' access to a top climate scientist and told a Web designer to add the word "theory" at every mention of the Big Bang, resigned yesterday, agency officials said.

Mr. Deutsch's resignation came on the same day that officials at Texas A&M University confirmed that he did not graduate from there, as his résumé on file at the agency asserted.

[antiRepublicrat]

Is it possible that President Bush had an influence on his selection, yes it is. Does that mean he appointed him? NO.

Back to Hopper's first rule of Leadership.

[steve-b]

Would you similarly feel that, say, a USAF PAO need not have the slightest clue about how airplanes work?

This guy is equivalent to a USAF PAO who believes that we are building aircraft using technology reverse-engineered from a flying saucer in Area 51... and insists that press documents conform to that notion.

[mnehring]

The thing is, there were many PR type jobs (and lower) on that list, and he isn't on there, so that even destroys the thought that this is only a 'high level' list.. This list seems pretty complete for all appointments.

[clawrence3]

LOL - this is from the ALA Web Site Style Guide (Summer 2004) which notes: "You must write news releases following Associated Press (AP) format. Most American newspapers and other media, along with many universities and Web sites, use AP style" and includes among the "Spelling List": big bang theory http://www.ala.org/ala/webadvisorycommittee/webstyledraft.doc

[Bernard Marx]

Get back to us when you have as much hard evidence, along multiple independently cross-confirming lines, supporting a literal reading of Genesis

Thanks for taking the time but you misread me: I'm not a Genesis-believer either. I've studied every 'new' cosmology theory for the past 50 years and I'll certainly examine the information you've so carefully documented.

Your opinion and mine about Creation are unprovable and probably meaningless. Time spent arguing such stuff is better spent getting taxes ready for the IRS, which is what I'm going to do after posting this. I understand the scientific method pretty well but make no claim to being trained as a scientist. My only reason for saying faith is necessary for belief in the Big Bang is that homo sapiens is hubris-based. It seems with every new insight we decide we've arrived at the plateau of 'total understanding of everything.' Piffle.

It's only been 77 years since the Constant was a gleam in Hubble's eye (kinda' literally). I suspect the next 77 years will see as much theoretical change as the past 77 and that what we accept as 'scientific truth' today will seem quaint and dated. My great-grandchildren may wonder how people ever believed such silly stuff.

If you accept the scientific method 'literally' you know all scientific problems are open-ended. Data at any point may be modified or tossed out entirely by future discoveries. Maybe present-day ideas about the Big Bang will be validated; maybe there will be new revelations that will put it on the same shelf as phlogistons and the aether.

[mnehring]

There's presidential appointees, and then there's presidential appointees. For example, there's the almost 8,000-strong SES, all appointed under presidential authority without confirmation, although filling those positions is usually delegated to the department heads.
Flaw in your logic, the 8000 SES are 'administration' appointees, not presidential appointees.. There is a difference.. if you throw the broad stroke out there that you are attempting, then every floor sweeper is a presidential appointee.

Do you think there is a chance he got the job because he 1. Was a Journalism Major/Graduate & 2. His Grandfather was a NASA legend? That seems more logical than his being a Presidential appointee (with zero evidence to the point.)

[DJ MacWoW]

I think it's obvious that the left is hoping that enough smears will accomplish what they want. Sad that they can't just compete in the arena of ideas.

I have faith that a Freeper will get the whole story about Deutsch and not just the slant.

[Dominic Harr]

How about this Deutsch press release - any WORDS he used that you disapprove of?

Hi:

I don't really have time to read that in-depth, sorry -- I'm at work, and just taking some 5 minute breaks to post every so often.

But -- what exactly is your point? We were talking about the forced use of 'theory'. If he didn't include it in that, as I assume is the reason you posted it in defense of him -- what is the point?

[clawrence3]

There's always Gitmo ; )

[clawrence3]

Just wanted to see if there's anything else you were going to trash him for - if you don't have time for a discussion, that's fine too.

[Paige]

Another? Give us "ALL" A break! What a hypocrite!

[Dominic Harr]

I merely didn't see anything objectionable about calling the Big Bang the "Big Bang Theory".

Ah -- then perhaps we didn't communicate clearly to you that the issue we're discussing is not "calling it the Big Bang Theory" but instead "insisting it always be referred to exclusively as 'The Big Bang Theory'".

So maybe we don't disagree at all, and somehow didn't clearly explain what our objections to his behavior were.

[mnehring]

I question the entire charge that he forced the use of 'theory' per his own press releases he didn't follow that 'rule':
ftp://ftp.hq.nasa.gov/pub/pao/pressrel/2005/05-286.txtc

[antiRepublicrat]

The thing is, there were many PR type jobs (and lower) on that list, and he isn't on there, so that even destroys the thought that this is only a 'high level' list.

None of the public affairs appointees were below the level of assistant secretary or assistant administrator at the department level. This guy is below this list, his boss is below this list at deputy assistant administrator for public affairs.

[Freedom is eternally right]

I agree that the list is a complete list of appointees. However, some will continue to believe that " There's presidential appointees, and then there's presidential appointees". They won't let facts get in the way.

[Dominic Harr]

To be accurate, it would be "Creation Myth." "Theory" is wholly inapplicable to religious dogma.

:-D

But for purposes of this discussion, the folks on the other side of the debate do feel it's a valid "theory". And I'm avoiding that topic, which is not really on this point. Instead, I'm trying to stay focused on the issue of 'requiring a specific wording every time a concept is referenced, regardless of context'.

[Palladin]

Is that the best you've got, MurryMom?

You'd better do a helluvalot of research before the fall campaigns begin.

[reagandemo]

Yep and if it was the Clinton administration and he was an ex-bar bouncer he could have ran the NRC without a question. By the way it's good to hear from you now and then. Are they keeping up with your medications ok?

[DJ MacWoW]

Then let me ask you, is there a difference between a "Pesidential appointee" and an "Administration appointee"?

[orionblamblam]

Interesting mis-statement of "theory."