Voices from the Flats – Truth and Consequences on the Last Frontier
Professor Rick Steiner who, since before the Exxon Valdez disaster has been known as a critic of the oil industry and a defender of marine conservation, has resigned from the University of Alaska. The university had stripped him of a NOAA grant because of his outspoken opposition to offshore oil development in the Bristol Bay region. Steiner filed a grievance and, in October, lost. He then resigned. Here’s why.
******************************************
Bristol Bay Drilling: Truth and Consequences on the Last Frontier
by Rick Steiner
One of the first things I learned as a kid was to tell the truth, and one of the next things I learned was that some people just don’t want to hear it.
As a marine conservation professor at the University of Alaska for 30 years, my job was to seek and teach the truth, and put science to work in ocean conservation. But, in a state that has become so dependent on oil money, telling the truth about the risks of oil is itself, risky business.
University administrators had warned me for years not to “advocate” conservation, and not to “criticize state government as that is where we get our money.” As a tenured professor, I ignored such warnings, thinking that I was protected from retaliation. But for telling my truth about the risks of offshore oil, retaliate they did, and I recently was forced to resign.
Since the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, I’ve worked around the world on risks and impacts of oil in coastal environments. So, when asked by conservation colleagues to offer my perspective on the proposed offshore oil and gas lease sale in Bristol Bay, I did so without reservation. I signed a letter and joined a press conference challenging a 2008 symposium sponsored by Shell Oil and Alaska Sea Grat, designed to show “how oil and fish can co-exist” in Bristol Bay (North Aleutian Basin). We felt the symposium asked the wrong questions, had the wrong participants, and advocated a pro-drilling decision.
And here is truth I then spoke concerning “how oil and fish can coo-exist” in Bristol Bay: They can’t.
The area proposed for offshore drilling is one of the most productive marine ecosystems in the world, supporting some of the most abundant populations of marine mammals, seabirds, crab, bottom fish, and salmon anywhere. The combined impacts and risks of noise, habitat damage, operational discharges, pipelines, terminals, and tanker traffic are enough reason to halt the project.
Add to this the substantial risk of a catastrophic spill, as in the recent platform blowout off northwest Australia, and the no-lease decision is a “no-brainer.” Some ocean areas are too precious to expose to such risk. Bristol Bay is such a place, and we said so.
After I raised these concerns, university administrators met with senior officials at NOAA headquarters and agreed to punish me by terminating the Sea Grant funding I’d had for 30 years. They said they “had a problem” with me and my environmental “advocacy,” and that I could “cause problems nationally.”
A university administrator criticized me for the concerns I raised about the Shell/Sea Grant conference and informed me that because I “regularly take strong public positions on issues of public debate,” my NOAA grant would be terminated. “Their offer of state funding for one year was a clumsy, irrelevant distraction. The problem is not the money, but rather the adverse action itself.)
As far as we know, this is the first time ever that a university faculty member lost federal funding because of public comments. As for “advocacy,” all faculty advocate, but the unspoken rule here is that it is OK to advocate industrial development but not conservation. The Shell/Sea Grant oil conference was a perfect example. The University of Alaska receives, directly and indirectly, about $300 million per year in oil money, and obviously that kind of money buys considerable favor and influence.
Ironically, when NOAA released its new position on offshore leasing last fall, it had come full-circle and agreed with the concerns we raised a year earlier, concluding that the Bristol Bay lease sale should be canceled because the region was too precious to place at risk from offshore oil development.
Nevertheless, a deliberate decision had already been made in the university to force me out. (As an added incentive they terminated my office lease.) It was clear I could no longer do my conservation work freely within this repressive university environment. Thus, the only option to continue my work was to resign.
Free speech is unequivocal – either you have it, or you don’t. What we’ve learned from my case is that at the University of Alaska, when it comes to criticisms of certain powerful industiral interests, we don’t. That the university is pandering to its political and financial benefactors by punishing me for speaking a truth, which these benefactors consider threatening, is a stinging indictment of the integrity of this institution.
And while university administrators may be getting high-fives down at the Petroleum Club and the well-oiled Alaska Legislature for what they did here, they fail to appreciate the dark cloud their cowardly act leaves over the university and state.
NOAA, university administrators, and their industry puppet-masters know what they did her is wrong. Instead of celebrating, they would be well advised to heed a time-tested lesson of history – as the powerful seek to silence truth and dissent, truth and dissent only become more powerful. And that may be the ultimate reward for their shameful betrayal of public trust in my case.
[This article is cross-posted from West Pacific Fishing Magazine, January 2010]
Please continue to throw the weight of your words behind efforts to protect Bristol Bay. From the Pebble mine , to off-shore drilling, the Bay is under attack from all sides. Those of us who know what real wealth is support your statements and hope you will not be silent. Bristol Bay is worthy of the highest protections we can grant it; we will be failing shamefully if we don’t realize that in time.
It should be “cross-posted” in the Chronicle of Higher Education too!!
This speaks poorly of the university’s position on intellectual freedom.
First – Thank you Dr Steiner for speaking up.
Although I might not agree with you all the time and one hundred percent, you MUST be heard.
Second – Can you put the examples forward if they drill for Natural gas? My understanding is that most of what is being looked at is Natural Gas in Bristol Bay. I am hearing this changes the issue a lot.
Third – Then can we discuss what needs to improve in the industry and our monitoring systems to make drilling safe, whether that technology is there now or not? The world will continue to desire natural resouces as long as humans are involved. We need to learn what it is needed and then push industries towards cleaner extraction.
I am a strong believer we need to show the rest of the world how to do this. The ‘no never’ or NIMBY approach is irresponsbile and not good when we continue to shove it off to other parts of the world for them to suffer. They use little to no regulations and thus as a WORLD we are continuing to pollute
Please help us learn still MORE.
About the NIMBY comment. I might love you, you might be my dearest friends, but some of your actions are not allowable regardless of our relationship. Like the Navy using sub hunter sonar in the Gulf of Alaska or Big Oil ruining Bristol Bay, these places are our ‘living rooms’ and you must not foul them up. We have plenty of examples of how you promise one thing and deliver another. NIMBY has a valid place in the rationale of decisions, even if you try to belittle it and us in our refusals to give you permission. I’d go so far to say Not In MY Back Yard, or in anybody else’s for that matter.
thank you Dr Steiner. i’d like to see this printed everywhere.
“Squabbles erupt over Tea Party”
http://www.thetennesean.com
Thanks for an interesting perspective on “intellectual freedom” at U of Alaska.
I can’t say I am optimistic about the future of either Bristol Bay or of scientific research in general even with the new administration in D.C. It can take a few decades to undo the damage of a single administration’s efforts to privatize everything willy nilly, and “create their own reality”. But there you have it.
http://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/mining/largemine/pebble/index.htm
Above is the link to the DNR site on the permitting of Pebble mine. This is another state/federal ‘oversight’ process that needs to be carefully scrutinized by stakeholders in the total resource and not just those of special interest to multinational corporations and politicians.
In particular the portions of the draft study plans and the inspection and field reports that fall out side my expertise (geology) should be carefully digested and examined as to their adequacy and credibility. The greatest issue I see on a superficial pass is that the whole concept of tailings containment is deeply flawed, almost as bad as the SCOTUS’ ludicrous decision on the Kensington Mine impoundment.
Referring back to your opening sentence perhaps you should add that we have all now learned that some people have no interest at all in truth, just self-enrichment. I am pressed for time, hopefully I will be able to come back later and post a more coherent comment.
Very sad news, indeed. I hope, Dr. Steiner, that you will continue to speak out about what is being done in Bristol Bay and about the cowardly acts of the university. Students who are looking for a university should be aware of the the kind of education they will (or won’t) receive. I value my time at the University of Kansas in the early 70s precisely because it was an open place of learning and dialogue between students, professors and the community.
Dr. Steiner, I thank you for all you do and consider you a hero.
I commend Mr. Stein for his views. I live in San Francisco Bay Area. We have had some toxic spills, run-off pollution into SF Bay waters for years. The effects have become quite apparent in the bay waters. San Pablo waters are heavily contaminated from Chevron Oil refineries in that area, plus other pollutants from Hamilton Military Base in Novato, etc. How would you like to buy a home in the old Hamilton Base home development project, and have to sign contract you will not eat anything grown in your backyard??? I would never buy a home under these conditions!!! But people are!! Yes, there was a cleanup at Hamilton Military Base. And was not sufficient it seems. Toxins were buried, and suddenly methane gas acted as unanticipated vehicle(where were the experts?) for carrying these unhealthy depp buried toxins to surface. What will happen in the future? Only years will determine the fate of these Hamilton Base Homeowners. Many fish in San Francisco Bay Waters contain harmful high toxic elements. Health reports verify this fact. Health advisary warnings exist regarding limits on how many fish should be eaten per week from San Francisco Bay Waters. A full front page writeup in SF Chronicle depicted PGE, located in south San Francisco accused once again for their years of allowing/permitting toxic runoff occur into SF Bay waters. Slowness to clean-up site as ordered. Article seems to indicate – undeniable proof provided in article. Mysteriously all/any further write-ups/investigations suddenly not done. This reminds me of the PGE – Hinckley. California cover-up – or as most of us remember the popular movie with Erin Brockenvich and the health illness devastation caused by PGE pollution, and proven in court PGE coverup in Hinckley. I apologize for any spelling errors of Erin’s name. California has had more than it’s fair share of oil/toxic spills into our waters. How can government explain away the “no fishing rules imposed on certain species of fish.” State/US government did not act in protecting our environment over the years. California is now on big push to try to protect and correct. Lots of damage has already been done. But slowly safe environmental issues are being practiced in many California communities.
Alaskans continue your fight to preserve the wonderful natural environment where you live. Care can be taken to balance corporate interests with environment concerns. This is/should not be a Democrat or Republican fight. This should be a bipartisan fight to make sure government officials honor their elected responsibility to protect their citizens and their environment. Government should not/can not be allowed to be bought off, with any questionable money paid to the state. Corporation money should never be received by state as a pay-off ultimately allowing corporations to contaminate the environment. Any hired researchers need to be independent unbiased contractors, not hired biased researchers that will purposely provide bias favored results, and thus providing research results favoring corporate interests. Yes, this has indeed happened for many years involving multiple different venues.
Good luck!!!
Two antlers up to Dr. Rick Steiner!!!
Universities are way too beholden to corporations.
Very sad, a university should stand for truth, science and freedom of speech.
An institution of higher learning- really?
Thank You for your excellant GOOD deeds Prof. Steiner!!… I SALUTE YOU SIR!! If there IS a CREATOR, may he BLESS YOU MIGHTILY!!… Please post a comment with http://tholepin.blogspot.com/ as WE have the same MISSION and need to HELP SPREAD the WORD about Who is DESTROYING OUR OCEANS!! It’s a shame that exxon OWNS U.A.A. Thanks again,… -CrabLewi-
Thank YOU Muckracker!! I SALUTE YOU!!, as well. Almost forgot, but I appreciate your GOOD WORKS also too!!
Thank you Dr. Steiner. Please keep up the good work, we appreciate you. The truth is always the right path to follow. I’m sorry you got screwed over.
Mudpups, cross post this everywhere you can. More people need to know this crap goes on. This happened under Scarah’s watch so that should tell you something.
Roar your truth Dr. Steiner. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help.
‘Shameful betrayal of the public trust’. No kidding. Those who have been charged with the caretaking of our planet and her resources should be more careful in how they administer their stewardship.
The university administrators who perpetuated this travesty of injustice should read Dr. Suess’s The Lorax. And heed the one word warning…Unless.
Thank you Dr. Steiner for speaking out about your relationship with the UofA and the shoddy treatment they dole out to tenured professors. So much for freedom of speech.
Your story must get out. What can I do to help you let others know what is going on? Our beautiful and fragile waters need more advocates like you.
Those who seek “safe” ways to mix oil and water are naive or stupid. There are no guarantees. Leave these most fertile and fragil waters to nature.
The economics of natural gas production escape me. If there’s an oversupply in places conveniently loser to end users, why Bristol Bay? All that gas that’s been flamed off at Prudhoe all these decades, because it’s uneconomical to pipe it?
A university financed by industrial funds should be researching smart new technical approaches so the industry remains viable. Not rubber stamping the status quo, or refusing to listen to bad news because it doesn’t fit someone’s preconceived notions. This isn’t the tobacco industry, it’s a critical energy supply.
Think of all the rusting carcasses of the industrial revolution, industries who refused to innovate and would up abandoned. Alaska: Arkansas North.
Sigh. Proofreading fail once again…
I could “cause problems nationally.”—officials at NOAA
When polluting, environmentally unconscious corporations wag the dog….then it’s time the University of Alaska be demoted to the category of a high school. No significant knowledge being learned there anymore.
Or rather, exactly just what kind of knowledge is it, that gives a degree in science any credit over short sightedness and ONE natural resource businesses funding.
A university administrator criticized me for the concerns I raised about the Shell/Sea Grant conference and informed me that because I “regularly take strong public positions on issues of public debate,”—Prof. Rick Steiner
These administrator[s] are such geniuses that they know more than someone who specializes in the field? That has studied it for 30 years? Hmmm? Could there be a dire reason for such strong positions when it comes to environmental safety?
May we have a list of names of these brainless ‘administrators’? There are some bank accounts that need to be examined, because they couldn’t be so altruistic towards their employer, the University, for such largess from BIG OIL and NOAA.
I’d fire the lot of them, if I could…it’s another black mark[et] on Alaska. SOLD to the highest bidder for your ‘education.’
As for your kids’ future…we don’t care, we won’t be around.
This is truly egregious.
Thanks for your efforts, Professor Steiner. Now write to every publication, if you would please, uh, now that you have some time on your hands.
Thanks AKM for the cross posting this article…
Quetzalcoatl, thank you, well said. I can’t say it so well myself, but I know ‘it’ when it’s well said.
Yes Mo, and isn’t status quo supposed to be a bad thing these days? for both parties? Onward Dr. Stein!
Mo said: “Not rubber stamping the status quo, or refusing to listen to bad news because it doesn’t fit someone’s preconceived notions.”
AFT, I have not read Dr. Suess’s The Lorax…..I will have to look that up.
The Oil Industry funding college conservation research is like the pharmaceutical companies funding drug studies. They want the conclusion they paid for. They don’t seem to have trouble finding someone willing to sign off for a nice check.
And, as if in confirmation of the deeper problem of ‘ignoring’ the facts of what could (and does!) happen, the below article is quite timely. As Dr. Steiner puts it so well, we mess with Mother Nature at our own peril — too bad those who need to hear those words born of fact, are deaf. beth.
***********************
Gravel beaches trapping oil from 1989 Exxon spill
By MARY PEMBERTON, Associated Press Writer
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – An engineering professor has figured out why oil remains trapped along miles of gravel beaches more than 20 years after the Exxon Valdez tanker disaster in Prince William Sound.
An estimated 20,000 gallons of crude remain in Prince William Sound, even though oil remaining after the nearly 11-million-gallon spill had been expected to biodegrade and wash away within a few years.
The problem: The gravelly beaches of Prince William Sound are trapping the oil between two layers of rock, with larger rocks on top and finer gravel underneath, according to Michel C. Boufadel, chairman of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Temple University. His study appeared Sunday in Nature Geoscience’s online publication and will be published in the journal later.
Boufadel found that water, which could have broken up and dissipated the oil, moved through the lower level of gravel up to 1,000 times slower than the top level.
Once the oil entered the lower level, conditions were right to keep it there, he said. Tidal forces worked to compact the finer-grained gravel even more, creating a nearly oxygen-free environment with low nutrient levels that slowed the ability of the oil to biodegrade.
“The oil could be maybe one foot below the beach surface and in contact with sea water with a lot of oxygen, but the oxygen doesn’t get to it,” Boufadel said.
He found that the upper layer of beach is so permeable that the water table falls within it as fast as the tide. However, the permeability of the lower level is so low that the water table does not drop much within it, he said.
Boufadel said the study points out the susceptibility of beaches worldwide to long-term oil contamination, especially at higher latitudes where beaches tend to be gravel or a mixture of sand and gravel.
“As global warming is melting the ice cover and exposing the Arctic to oil exploitation and shipping through sea routes such as the Northwest Passage, the risk of oil spills on gravel beaches in high-latitude regions will be increased,” the study says.
—full article here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100118/ap_on_sc/us_exxon_valdez
**************
2 asides:
1) can anyone tell me the code needed to create a ‘named’ link? [ie - instead of pasting the entire link from my address bar at the tail end of the article, the code I'd use to embed it into, say, the title of the news article (or within the body of a comment) for easy access to said article.]
2) Dr. Steiner – would you, by any chance, be kin to the branch of the Steiner clan who spent years overseas (Peace Corps, missions, Iran, Afghanistan, etc.) — Robert, Sherry, [parents] Chip, Bill, John, [3 of their 4 kids.] Every time I see your photo, I’m struck by the similarities in appearance. b.
Interesting commentary as usual but I’m going to nitpick with one particular statement:
Free speech is unequivocal – either you have it, or you don’t.
There are limits to our “free speech” in the same way that there are limits to our “absolute” right to own firearms. A person cannot yell fire in a crowded theater and a felon may not be in possession of a firearm.
However, when it comes to academic freedom, the Michael Behens of this world should have the same rights as does Larry Tribe.
btw – I wish the good dr. would identify these “administrators” who hounded him to remain silent.
I too was struck by the coincidental timing of the oil-spill article referenced above. I hope Dr. Steiner’s integrity will be rewarded rather than punished, and that our universities can learn to withstand pressure from donors and funders. The Sea Grant and NOAA are funded by federal taxes; it is not too much to ask that they be insulated from corporate blackmail! If this scientific work has to move out from the university setting in order to maintain independence, is there a mechanism for this to occur in Alaska?
I can’t help but notice the timing of the transpired events. The last administration (the ones in office in 2008) had a habit of making ‘facts’ fit their policies – it didn’t matter the governmental agency (Attorney Generals Office, US Agency for International Development/USAID, Health and Human Services, etc.) the Bush administration would ignore, delete, and/or ‘rework’ findings that were contrary to the agenda they wished to present. NOAA, apparently, was also under “The GWB spell/gun” when it came to scientific truths contrary to the then-administration’s policies.
Torture is forbidden by international treaties we have signed?: pfft, out the window – we say it is now legal and therefore we can do what we want; use of condoms has been proven to help prevent the spread of AIDS?: pfft, out the window – teach strict marital fidelity (even if one’s partner is already infected) and/or abstinence only; women have specific mental health and reproductive health needs?: pfft, out the window – appoint a rabid pro-lifer as head of the program. Such was the darkness GWB spread throughout his administration…and perpetuated on the American people. Fear is a great motivator…and not in a good way.
In 2008, our homegrown talibangelicals were running the show – it’s no wonder the truth Dr. Steiner voiced was viewed as anti-development, anti-business, uninformed, tree-hugging radical, and dangerously unAmerican (probably, too, also anti-’our troops’…not to mention, too, anti-’progressing America’, also.)
It surprises me not in the least that: “when NOAA released its new position on offshore leasing last fall, it had come full-circle and agreed with the concerns we raised a year earlier, concluding that the Bristol Bay lease sale should be canceled because the region was too precious to place at risk from offshore oil development.” [bold emphasis added. b.]
I don’t know if Dr. Steiner would even want his old position at the Univ of AK back or not, but in light of the “new” findings, I sure think he’d have a damn strong case against his politically-motivated/ignorance-based firing. The facts of what he was saying didn’t change; the so-called ‘leaders’ of our country did. What a difference an administration that believes in, and pays attention to!, demonstrable facts, makes. Yes, 4 January 2009 ushered in a stop to the insanity of cherry-picking ‘facts’ to suit –for that, I’m so incredibly grateful. And proud. beth.
Let Truths Be Told
We might wish that Dr. Steiner’s experience were unique – that universities around the country and around the world would rise up in outrage about infringements on his academic freedom. But, truth be told, it happens all the time, everywhere. He is but one of the better known victims of our home-grown censorship. Alaska has numerous scientists, scholars, and journalists whose attempts to reveal unpopular truths – especially about environmental impacts of industry or predator control — have gotten them blackballed.
Virtually all universities depend on politically-controlled state and federal funds, and/or on private donations from wealthy/powerful individuals or institutions, usually linked to industries. So, although university administers may tout academic freedom in principle, they deplore it in practice whenever it creates political and economic backlash.
Put yourself in the shoes of a university administrator. Imagine facing a Governor, Legislature, federal agency director, or industry CEO who has been outraged by a faculty whistleblower. Imagine being told something like: “You come to us with your hand out, begging funds for your university. But you’re not competent enough to control your own employees?”
Implication: that university administrators have the power and obligation to control what their faculty members “publish” – not merely to assure that faculty “publications” are professionally rigorous, but that they don’t provoke political and economic backlash.
No matter how much we may hate the fact that our own university succumbed to political/economic pressures, we should recognize that this isn’t just an Alaskan problem. It is a national and international problem. Blaming administrators victimized by the system won’t do anything more than put out minor brushfires. Solving the problem requires taking a stance nationally that responsible academic freedom cannot be infringed without violating our constitutionally-guaranteed freedoms of communication (speech, press, etc). Only when NO university administrator can legally get away with censorship will all university administrators be largely freed from pressures to practice censorship.
The same applies to maintaining academic freedom in government agencies whose ultimate responsibility is to serve the American public, not just special interests or politicians.
During one of my own whistleblowing “indiscretions” years ago, I was called to task by an infuriated legislator who demanded something like “Who the hell are you to speak out without permission? Who the hell elected you to determine which facts are made public? In fact, the person elected to make these decisions is me. And I sure as hell didn’t make that decision or authorize you to do it.”
Implication: that politicians are elected to censor or spin information for the benefits of the “public”, not just for the people who fill their campaign coffers and everyone they can finagle into voting for them.
Was I revealing national security secrets or confidential industry information? No, just pointing out big holes in an environmental impact assessment – not arguing for or against the project, but arguing that the conclusions drawn were not logically justified by the evidence presented, much of which had been fabricated.
As that angry legislator said, we scientists aren’t elected to make policy decisions. But we do have a responsibility, but virtue of our profession, whether or not anyone assigns us this task, to discover critical facts and make them public so that the public — not just politicians or bureaucrats operating in secret — can take them into account in making decisions. Once facts are out, politicians can spin them any way they want. They can use the facts or ignore them in making policy decisions. But what they should not be able to do is apply spin before “facts” are revealed, much less censor them entirely.
Scholars and scientists like Dr. Steiner and myself see our role as similar to a physician’s. Keeping our patient – the environment — healthy requires careful investigation, accurate diagnosis of any ills, and sound advice or action to avoid or cure any ills. Lying to a patient about a diagnosis may comfort the patient, but it doesn’t stop diseases or heal wounds. Only truth, used wisely and responsibly, has that power.
So too, only if you are provided with the truth about your environment — including fish and wildlife resources — and about impacts to it, can YOU make fully informed decisions about which trade-offs are to your benefit or detriment, irrespective of what you are told by special interests.
Truth may not set you free. But it may strip blindfolds from your eyes.
Stephen F. Stringham, PhD
WildWatch
“Making good conservation good business.”
interesting article on CBC News today
Gravel beaches trap oil from 1989 Exxon spill :
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/01/18/tech-oil-alaska-valdez.html?ref=rss
I live in a University town, and recently 2 professors told me they were retiring early because they believe corporate concerns now have far too much influence on University curriculum and research activities. I have to say I have more of a problem with runaway capitalism than with government regulation. Look at the banks, the pharmaceutical companies, the insurance companies, the agricultural giants, just to name a few.
Dr. Steiner, thank you for continuing to inform and educate us. For those who were in the dark about the “recent” spill in Australia, here’s a link. It was massive and heartbreaking:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/oct/23/australia-oil-spill
When I visited Oz (1987) I met a few cool guys in Sydney who said they were on leave. Their hairstyles & tats told me they weren’t military, so I asked “from where?” They were working on an offshore drilling rig. I was horrified. I know full well that wherever there’s offshore drilling, there are spills, and Australia is known for having the most pristine ocean water. I visited the Great Barrier Reef, saw the supernova with my own eyes (still follow it via Hubble), and started painting again, having been inspired by the light on the reef, which is unlike any other place I’m aware of on earth.
Only a few months after my return, I read about the disaster — a spill on the southeast that wiped out the fairy penguin (little blue is their other name) population on NZ’s north island. As the song asks, when will we ever learn? When will we ever learn? Health and peace to all. I’m going to try posting Dr. Steiner’s article at Oceana.
just heartbreaking
Corporate assaults on academic freedom are underway in CA also. Cal Poly is a state university and one of the top ag schools in the US.
Currently Harris Ranch is blackmailing them to stop teaching sustainable farming techniques.
Here is an editorial from our local paper: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/opinion/story/992193.html
Many of us are starting a boycott of Harris Ranch beef. I’ve heard it advertised on Shannyn’s show so please help us by asking your local supermarkets to stop carrying Harris Ranch products as long as they continue to attack the academic integrity of our universities.
To educate can also mean, ” To tame for man’s use.”
This is an outrage. The University of Alaska is no longer an institution of higher learning. It is funded to produce corporate slaves.
After this ” Steinergagged ” matter, it is clear that the Corrupt Bastards have enrolled and are the Head Guy On Campus.
Don’t give up, Dr. Steiner. We won’t.
No where in the article does it say that NOAA terminated the grant. It says that the University took this action. The first sentence of the last paragraph should be corrected.
Thank you Say No to Palin in Politics.
beth,
Here’s the HTML coding to have your title link > Bonus, in a new window.
TITLE
The pasted URL, complete, starting with http://www.etc
Yes, there is a space after the ‘a’, before the ‘href’ — then no spaces afterwords, title may be spaced.
HTML Tag Chart for more info.
I read that article, it’s common for all oil spills, even fresh water ones, even miles away from the initial spill many many years down the road.
Dr. Stringham, Thank you for your input. Yes, it is rather naive of me. Seems rather counterproductive and detrimental to our benefit. It goes to show you how important it is to be informed of the facts.
What are Universities supposed to do to keep big corp out of the business of schooling, while accepting their donations without strings. Hold weekly State loto’s? Gambling and Casino weekends in the cafeteria? It’s ridiculous, isn’t it. However, how does one change that kind of thinking you and Professor Steiner encountered. Do they think this is supposed to be a hobby??
Sorry beth,
it should look like this:
title
no space after the > and before the < of your title.
oh, boy.
I’m leaving out the title
no space between the quotation marks either…
sorry,
beth
go to the HTML tag chart. partway down the page….
no preview so I…anyways, my apologies. Mods, get rid of this noise!
—-A quick <a test, and <a another, and <a another. Gee, this coding is fun! Not. b.—-
Seeming as no one’s around, I’ll see if a different typeface works.
place title herenope. off to my link for HTML Tag Chart, beth.
thanks, Quetzalcoatl … I sure could use it. b.
Academic freedom as an important issue is not limited to just secular and/or state institutes of higher learning: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/01/20/wheaton
What’s even more shocking about what’s going on at Wheaton is the dismissal of a professor due to his conversion to Catholicism. So much for religious freedom at religious institutes. Intolerance runs deep in certain protestant circles.