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Steven Chu (born February 28, 1948) is the 12th United States Secretary of Energy. Prior to becoming Energy Secretary in the Barack Obama administration, he was known for his research in cooling and trapping of atoms with laser light, which won him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1997.[2] At the time of his selection as Energy Secretary-designate by then-President-elect Barack Obama, his research was concerned primarily with the study of biological systems at the single molecule level. He was formerly a Professor of Physics and Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of California, Berkeley and the director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

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Seuss said:

Well, he fired the head of NASA, an aeronautical engineer with vast experience in the field of space exploration, and replaced him with an inexperienced airforce general that advised him during his campaign.

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What's your point, and what exactly is the former air-force general inexperienced with? The understanding that I had picked up from following news regarding the transition is that the former head of NASA, despite all of his scientific knowledge and vast experience, was completely obstinate to participating with the changing of the guards, so to speak. Scientific understanding and experience does not equate into executive and administrative skill, which would obviously play a huge role in such a position. Isn't one of the most fundamental roles of government to govern?

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  He completely ignored the 1st and 4th most popular question asked on his "change" website about drug legalization, giving into bigotry of putting people in prison for doing what he did himself.

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No surprise there. He's a politician, an executive, which involves balancing of power and interests. No incoming President at this time would come out in the midst of an attempt at a seamless transition and say "we're going to legalize and regulate illicit drugs". Are you holding it against Obama that he isn't a retard?

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  The markets are tanking today on fears of his spending plans (see CNN for details).

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Full text

Best segment:

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For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.


To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

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What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them — that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works — whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account — to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day — because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.

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Seuss said:

> I have no faith in this new administration

It can't be any worse than the last one, but for the dimwits that think something is going to change... they are in for a rude awakening.  The next four years are going to be politics as usual, with the taxpayer getting screwed and the US Constitution flushed down the toilet.

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Seuss said:

Change... yes we can.  New name, same shit.

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Isn't this known as the "hell in a hand-basket" syndrome? I think the idea that a new administration in an office that oversees such a vast and broad agenda and domain would ever be able to change the face of reality itself overnight should pretty much qualify as a logical fallacy. Of course, in anticipation of the argument that, at the very least, he should have never campaigned on "hope" and "change", I really don't see too much he's set in terms of goals and visions for the future that he won't be able to make steady progress towards.
It is only the short-sighted who expect heaven on earth that disappoint themselves.

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1) closing guantanimo

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2) reaffirming a federal mandate against torture

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3) Returning federal funding to family planning groups and not withholding it just because they also provide abortion counseling and services, like planned parenthood.

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Phred said:
Finally an actual action - albeit one designed to spit in the face of at least half the American people: using their tax dollars to fund an activity they oppose.

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As for torture... don't even TRY to minimize that action. Its a stain on this nation and I'm VERY glad he will be taking a stand against waterboarding.

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