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Polymerase chain reaction is a cornerstone of molecular biology research. Using short pieces of single-stranded DNA called primers the previously invisible becomes tangible.

Friday, March 25, 2005

Pres. Bush loves Michael Moore

I watched Roger and Me, Michael Moore’s documentary about the late 1980’s closing of a GM factory and the effects on Flint, Michigan. On the day of the plant's closing, Moore attempted to interview workers in the factory through a ground-level window. A plant spokesperson came to the window, ordered Moore to stop and told him to move away from the building. Moore responded that he would move to the sidewalk if the spokesperson would come out for an interview. The spokesperson refused Moore’s request stating that she believed Moore represented no constituency.

Last April, Ken Auletta of the New Yorker was interviewed on NPR. Auletta quoted Pres. Bush's answer to a reporter at a 2003 barbecue at the President’s Texas estate,

“You're making a powerful assumption, young man. You're assuming that you represent the public. I don't accept that.”

Since then government sponsored propaganda, like Armstrong Williams and Maggie Gallagher, government produced fake news stories, and taxpayer funded forums with ideologically screened audiences (here and here), appear to be Pres. Bush’s favored means of communicating. However, this does not square with the President’s words reported on Feb. 25, 2005,

“democracies have certain things in common -- a rule of law and protection of minorities and a free press and a viable political opposition''

So, my title is a bit misleading. Pres. Bush probably does not love Michael Moore. He is, however, avoiding transparency of process much like Moore’s GM spokesperson.

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