half later, there was a massive volcano eruption in alaska, but the persistent attacks have a real and destructive effect. this is what's happening to basic research funding. it's getting cut. the national science foundation national institutes of health are all suffering cuts from the sequester. republicans, led by senator tom coburn, even managed to smuggle an outrageous piece of language that instructs the director of the national science foundation that political sign research can only be funded if it is certified to promote national security or the economic interests of the united states. in other words, a rank bit of micromanaging by a few committed demagogues in the united states senate of the research agenda of academics. one of the things i admire and have truly learned from the conservative intellectual tradition is a kind of emphasis