[Miss Marple]

From the web site of the National Medal of Science:

The National Medal of Science was established by the 86th Congress in 1959 as a Presidential Award to be given to individuals "deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to knowledge in the physical, biological, mathematical, or engineering sciences." In 1980 Congress expanded this recognition to include the social and behavioral sciences. The Committee of 12 scientists and engineers is appointed by the President to evaluate the nominees for this Award.

This award is given by a committee. We do not know who is on the committee, nor do we know how many are leftovers from the previous administration.

Besides all that, are you folks telling me that if anyone believes in evolution, they cannot be a conservative? I believe I might disagree with that stand.

[mountaineer]

For many people here, jumping to conclusions is the only exercise they'll get (facts notwithstanding).

[stanz]

I believe I might disagree, too.

[Bonaparte]

"This award is given by a committee. We do not know who is on the committee, nor do we know how many are leftovers from the previous administration."

Here they are.

There are currently only 8 on the committee, plus an ex officio and a manager. The four vacancies are not explained. Cho (Lucent/Bell), Jaffe (Harvard/NAS), Neufeld (UCLA) and Lester (UCB) were all appointed by Clinton and confirmed by the Senate in late 2000. Faber, Preston, Zoback and the mysterious Patel are almost certainly Clinton picks as well, since each serves for 6 years.