piner@pur-phy.UUCP (Richard Piner) (11/15/85)
Posted: Fri Oct 25, 1985 4:28 PM EDT Msg: LGIF-2099-6713
From: RPARK
To: WHATSNEW
CC: RPark
Subj: What's New
WHAT'S NEW, Friday, October 25, 1985 Washington, D.C.
1. NSF POLICY ON SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION FACILITIES
is described in a notice to presidents of universities and heads
of other NSF grantee organizations. According to the notice
signed by Erich Bloch, "In fields in which research is
especially dependent on specialized facilities and a compelling
argument is made that facilities are required to achieve
specific research and education objectives, facilities support
will be provided." Since no new funds have been appropriated
for this purpose, the change in policy comes at the expense of
project grant support. In hearings on the University Research
Facilities Revitalization Act of 1985 (H.R. 2823) several
university administrators who testified in favor of the bill
were nonetheless concerned with its effect on project grant
support, since in its present form the bill simply dictates a
set-aside for facilities from research budgets. When asked how
much of DoD support went toward facilities, Col. Donald Carter,
Acting Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Research and
Advanced Technology replied, "Currently our funding for bricks
and mortar is low--as a matter of fact it is zero."
2. 'STAR WARS' ENTHUSIASTS ARE STRIKING BACK. They are angered
by the actions of many physicists opposed to the Strategic
Defense Initiative (see What's New, October 18) and concerned
that such acts may weaken Reagan's position in Geneva. To gain
backing for SDI at home, some 100 groups, including the National
Conservative Political Action Committee and the Heritage
Foundation, have formed a Coalition for the Strategic Defense
Initiative. The coalition produced a TV commercial to counter a
30-second spot aired by the Union of Concerned Scientists at the
end of May (see Physics Today, July 1985, p.58). The new TV ad
shows a child's crayon drawing of a family in front of its house
and a little girl's voice explaining that "Star Wars" is to
protect us against nuclear weapons--"that's why the President
wants to build a peace sheild." As she speaks a dome appears
over the scene and missles hurling into it are destroyed, as the
dome dissolves into a rainbow. The coalition plans to raise
$1.7 million to buy air time in 30 prime markets.
Meantime, on October 24 another newly formed organization,
the Committee on the Present Danger, headed by C. Douglas Dillon
and Henry Fowler, two former Treasury secretaries and including
such former Democrats turned Reaganites as Max Kampelman, Paul
Nitze and Eugene Tostow, announced the results of a nationwide
public opinion poll indicating limited understanding of defense
matters but wide support of SDI. Some 37% were unaware of the
Star Wars program but of the rest, 41% favored it and 14%
opposed the program. Once the polling people explained SDI as
the Reagan administration would like it understood, the
percentage liking the idea rose to 78%.
Robert L. Park (202) 429-1946
American Physical Society THAT'S ALL 10/26/85