Twas the Night before Science
Twas the night before science, when all through the land
Scientists lauded new leadership close at hand.
The agencies waiting for Congress to say,
A green light for science and all votes of aye.
The people were blind to writings on the wall,
They just stood by as the stock market did fall.
While science is in danger, free inquiry too,
It’s a national problem that needs all of you.
When out from the dark, there arose such a new fear,
That’s been brewing and stewing eight more than one year.
We’re losing our edge in science and in math,
To the world we say its time for a new path.
Failed policy of Bush caused science to rent
Doctored climate reports left the facts not unbent
NIH hit lists menaced studies most sought,
Belief over method every time won top spot.
With executive orders vows began breaching,
Clear skies clouding when the grounds started leaching.
Drilling at home and cutting down stands of old trees,
Enviro damage stacked in exponents of threes.
“Now Bush! Now, Cheney! Now Griffin and Norton, Gail!
On Exxon! On, Mobil! All resources for sale!
To the dustbin of hist’ry! To the annals fast!
Now go away! Go away! We are aghast!
As the change that after the two terms does arrive,
Science must be unshackled, unfettered—to thrive.
And, that’s how we reclaim our place on this Earth,
As a leader in thought that’s how we show our worth.
Teach students math, science and engineering,
To boost the economy and start them pi’neering.
New science tests to battle world’s ills is a must,
Not the standardized kind, but in ones we can trust.
The X Prize for space, a green prize for all the rest,
We face fights over climate, which stem cells are best.
How to build life from scratch, one gene at a time,
And figuring how we glean power just from slime.
These are the problems the new White House inherits.
No cookies or milk but sure, there will be carrots!
Dangled to Congress, the people and science,
Budgets for research, pledges of new reliance.
Starting 2009, the groundwork is laid,
For science to drive hope and money to be made.
Restoring faith in high office is the first step
Let science pave the new way and do it with pep!
President-elect Obama is fresh and smart,
And his top science advisers make a good start.
With John Holdren guiding as the science lead,
Testable info in reports will succeed.
Physicists, biologists and brainy picks,
Will soon take over from ide’ logical hicks.
Then the work of the country can get on course,
Where science-smart students can join the workforce.
And build alt energy giants with green power,
That’ll help the planet’s dark hour seem less dour.
Science holds the answers to the problems we bear,
And by shifting our focus the spoils we’ll share.
