The Trump administration has terminated more than 100 advisory committees to #science agencies and reduced the transparency and independence of those that remain.

[sheril@mastodon.social]

The Trump administration has terminated more than 100 advisory committees to #science agencies and reduced the transparency and independence of those that remain. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-01301-5

[jochenfromm@berlin.social]

@Sheril

The USA used to be known for
+ being the oldest democracy
+ having the best universities
+ being the land of the free
+ having freedom of speech

Now universities and their scientists are attacked, ICE concentration camps are turning it into the home of the detained, and democracy is being destroyed in slow motion.

A little bit ironic is that the guy who pretends to make the country great again is actually destroying what makes it great.

[kanamauna@sauropods.win]

@Sheril It’s crap like this that makes it obvious he didn’t know a damn thing about building.

[meltedcheese@c.im]

@JochenFromm @Sheril I am personally embarrassed and ashamed for the behavior of the US government, the elected leaders, and the people who put them in charge. I grieve the loss of your esteem and that of the people of other democracies. I am shell-shocked by the damage and loss to our most important and valuable institutions. I’m especially angry at the behavior of large corporations and the ultra-wealthy who have orchestrated what we can only think of as a fascist coup d’état. I am angry at everyone who enables them.

We may have been the longest democracy in modern times, but we also did this to ourselves. We didn’t do a good enough job protecting what we achieved. I hope we can reverse the damage, but that is not certain. We are going to need help.

[tinjar@mastodon.social]

@Sheril

Considering how much heavy-lifting the #US has been doing - this is a ginormous hit at a global level. And there are no easy substitutes that will show up any time soon. While China is ramping up, Europe (though rich) is busy trying to defend itself and cutting back on everything else.

[jackmexa4@mastodon.social]

@Sheril

Each vote for Trump was a vote for the end of the US.

[luna@mastodon.world]

@Sheril Worst administration in US history.

[seotute@mastodon.world]

@Sheril That’s a significant shift - advisory committees play a key role in providing independent expertise, so changes like this inevitably raise questions about transparency and how decisions are being informed.