Basic Research

 It is incredibly worrying that the Trump administration is planning to screen basic research proposals for consistency with the administration's priorities (Science Agency Diverts Money Meant to Fund Basic Research. New York Times, October 4, 2026: A19).

Thanks to economists like Edwin Mansfield, we have known for over 40 years that unfettered, unguided, unconstrained basic research has contributed measurably to our economic prosperity.

The administration's approach is misguided. We need to build a strong, high wall between political ideologies and basic scientific research. Having political commissars deciding scientific research priorities will be very dangerous. Political commissars, like Secretary Kennedy, America's Lysenko, will kill the seed corn, basic rresearch, that keeps America great.

The Kennedy Center, Washington DC

 Mr. Trump is not known for respecting legal niceties. I think The Times is very optimistic if it believes that Mr. Trump will give 30-days notice before moving on the Kennedy Center (Can Trump Legally Raze the Kennedy Center? New York Times, Oct. 2nd:C4).

The only thing that will save the Center is collective citizen action. We must demonstrate our disapproval physically. We need a 24/7 ring of individuals surrounding the Kennedy Center. The ring-makers must prevent Trump and his minions (police, ICE agents, demolition workers) from getting within wrecking ball distance of the Kennedy Center.

We must stand up against Trump's voracious appetite for destruction.