Netroots Nation 2009

Have you registered to attend Netroots Nation yet? It's going to be pretty awesome. There will be dozens of panels, touching on political process and political practice, science, civil liberties, climate change, healthcare, and future of just about any topic you care about. And it won't be out of touch pundits taking on these topics. Valerie Jarrett, President Obama's right hand, will be there. You'll see the first public faceoff between Arlen Specter (R D-PA) and Joe Sestak (D-PA).

And you'll see my panel, Friday August 14 from 2:00-3:15. We'll be talking about science policy and science denial, and you'll get to quiz a panel of top policymakers/scientists. These are folks whose scientific work compelled them to tackle the world of politics. I'll talk about NCSE's work, about events in Kansas and Texas and in small schools from Maine to Mississippi, and about ways nonscientists can build a constituency for honest science education. Michael Stebbins, Assistant Director for Biotechnology to the President's science advisor, will talk about life in the White House, and how the administration plans to open up the policy process for public review and honest scientific input. He'll also draw on his experience as a founder of Scientists and Engineers for America. Susan Wood, a professor at George Washington University, will talk about her work in the FDA, why she resigned in protest during the debate over Plan B, and what citizens can do to ensure that medical policy is made on the basis of the best science, not petty political agendas. Bryan Rehm, a science teacher from Dover, PA, will talk about the events that led him to sue his children's school, and which caused him to join the slate of candidates who replaced a creationist board of education with people seeking honest science. Moderator Devilstower will ask what they all learned as they entered the political realm, and what they think the general public can do to ensure evidence-based policies.

And then we'll turn the panel over to you, the audience. We're there for you, to help you be more effective as you stand up to defend science, and to promote its use in the policy process.

So register now. Prices rise soon, and it promises to be an incredible event.