Really, C&E News?

As you can see from the name of my blog, I'm a member and pretty big fan of the American Chemical Society. So I was pretty disappointed when I read what is apparently a locked article, entitled "When Scientists Betray Employers" in the October 10th issue. Because I think it doesn't happen? No, not at all. I know intellectual property theft happens. And whatever I may think of specific patents(and my objection to some things being patentable is the biggest reason I am pretty immune to all the calls of "We need patent examiners" but that's generally not chemical discoveries) I do think that chemists and companies need ways to protect their ideas. So I read the article, I was interested. And the article was dripping racism. They only talked about cases involving people of Asian descent or citizenship. They talked little about motivations beyond money. As far as I can tell, their only other argument was that everyone from China(US citizen or not) is operating as a Communist? Talking about laws in China vs. the U.S., sadly relegated to about 1 final paragraph, would have been interesting. Talking about solutions would have been interesting. But blanket Asian distrust? Put me off the entire argument.

Cool chemistry books

I once again didn't post much this month, and didn't really comment on the "faster than light neutrino incident-though for the record I share the sentiment at xkcd.com. Anyone want to bet me $200?
but I am starting an awesome new book, having gotten done with the book I promised that I would before it-ironically Getting Things Done.
First up-The Alchemy of Air, by Thomas Hager. Specifically about the Haber-Bosch process, I'm looking forward to it. There will be a report later.

Just angry

Okay, I usually try to keep my politics out of my blog, and I will still general. This is going to be strictly scientific politics.
Why is this even an option? You want to talk about things that will seriously mess with science in this country? Being able to be investigated for fraud for politics. Can I set up a case against everyone that studies prayer for others? No. I don't. Because I believe that science means investigating everything.
Just . . . really.
And we wonder why the scientific literacy rate in this country is terrible