piner@pur-phy.UUCP (Richard Piner) (12/07/85)
Posted: Fri Dec 6, 1985 4:04 PM EST Msg: SGIF-2131-2938 From: RPARK To: WHATSNEW CC: RPark Subj: What's New WHAT'S NEW, Friday, December 6, 1985 Washington, D.C. 1. THE RESIGNATION OF GEORGE KEYWORTH II as science advisor to the President probably marks a turning point in the fortunes of American science. Keyworth has accepted much of the credit for increased science budgets in recent years and has no desire to stick around for the inevitable decreases that will result from Gramm-Rudman or whatever deficit reduction plan is ultimately adopted (See What's New, November 22). In fact, he is no more responsible for the impending cuts than he was for the increases. Erich Bloch, Director of the National Science Foundation, was apparently approached about replacing Keyworth but flatly refused, and there was some concern that the post might be left unfilled. The Administration, however, is going over a list of well-known Republican scientists whose most obvious shared quality is public support for Star Wars. 2. THE INDICTMENT OF NASA ADMINISTRATOR JAMES M. BEGGS has heightened fears over the militarization of NASA. As we reported in What's New, October 11, 1985, the recent appointment of William Graham, who is closely linked to the Pentagon, as Deputy Administrator was regarded by many as a threat to the civilian status of the agency. Now Graham is the acting chief, pending the outcome of the Beggs case. 3. THE NEW NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY ADVISOR TO THE PRESIDENT, Vice-Admiral John M. Poindexter, is a PhD physicist from CalTech where he was a student of Rudy Mossbauer. He replaces Robert McFarlane, who is joining Kissinger Associates, a firm that has much in common with the sort of industrial intelligence organization that Keyworth is forming. Like Keyworth, McFarlane did not get along with White House Chief of Staff Donald Regan. 4. THE SUPERCOMPUTER ACCESS CONTROVERSY prompted the Council of Scientific Society Presidents to adopt a strongly worded statement opposing any attempt by the government to dictate who may have access to unclassified academic research facilities. APS president Robert R. Wilson is one of the thirty scientific society presidents that comprise the CSSP. The Council of the American Physical Society adopted a similar statement in November. George Keyworth, who was on hand to receive the Annual CSSP Award for Service to Science, made it clear in his acceptance remarks that in his opinion the efforts of the Administration to restrict access to supercomputers are "nonsense." Robert L. Park (202) 429-1946 American Physical Society THAT'S ALL 12/6/85