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Author Topic: USDA whistle blower punished for research on neonics  (Read 4619 times)

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Offline riverbee

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USDA whistle blower punished for research on neonics
« on: October 28, 2015, 08:54:32 pm »
all over the news...........

"A top federal bee scientist from South Dakota says he's being punished for publicizing work on pesticides and pollinators."

good on him for filing a whistle blower suit and what the USDA has done and are doing to him to silence him.........

one article here:
Bee expert: USDA punished me for research on pesticides

otherwise google it to find additional:

USDA WHISTLEBLOWER

i am interested in the whistleblower complaint he filed, (details) and when i find it i will post here as well........
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Offline riverbee

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Re: USDA whistle blower punished for research on neonics
« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2015, 09:46:29 pm »
a little more info,
the civil suit will take me a little to obtain, but will post when i get it........

news release:

USDA SCIENTIST PUNISHED FOR POLLINATOR RESEARCH

"For Immediate Release: Oct 28, 2015
Contact: Kirsten Stade (202) 265-7337
USDA SCIENTIST PUNISHED FOR POLLINATOR RESEARCH

Whistleblower Complaint Highlights Official Obstruction of Pesticide Studies

Posted on Oct 28, 2015 | Tags: USDA

Washington, DC — One of the top entomologists within the U.S. Department of Agriculture is fighting a suspension for publishing research about adverse effects on monarch butterflies from widely-used neonicotinoid insecticides (or “neonics”). He is also being punished for a travel paperwork irregularity for when he made an appearance before a panel of the National Academy of Sciences. His legal challenge is in the form of a whistleblower complaint filed on his behalf today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER).

Dr. Jonathan Lundgren is a Senior Research Entomologist and Lab Supervisor for the USDA Agriculture Research Service based in South Dakota. His cutting-edge research has drawn national attention and international recognition. He has worked for USDA for eleven years with great success—until recently.

On August 3, 2015, the USDA imposed a 14-day (reduced from 30 days) suspension on him in connection with two events:

    Publication of a manuscript by Dr. Lundgren on the non-target effects of clothianidin on monarch butterflies in the scientific peer-reviewed journal The Science of Nature; and
    An error in Dr. Lundgren’s travel authorization for his invited presentation to a panel of the National Academy of Sciences, as well as to a USDA stakeholder group.

“Having research published in prestigious journals and being invited to present before the National Academy of Sciences should be sources of official pride, not punishment,” stated PEER Staff Counsel Laura Dumais, who today filed Dr. Lundgren’s whistleblower retaliation complaint with the Merit Systems Protection Board, the federal civil service tribunal. “Politics inside USDA have made entomology a high risk specialty.”

Lundgren’s suspension followed his lodging a formal complaint last fall of violations of the agency’s Scientific Integrity policies. His complaint detailed attempts by USDA managers to block publication of new research, bar discussion of results with the media, and disrupt his lab’s operations. The agency initially rejected his complaint as not meriting an investigation. His appeal of that decision is still pending.

“It is USDA policy that political suppression and manipulation of science are not to be tolerated, but it is empty rhetoric,” Dumais added, noting that USDA is refusing to even consider a PEER petition that it strengthen its Scientific Integrity policy by adopting provisions from the similar policies of sister agencies. “Dr. Lundgren is suffering the proverbial professional death by a thousand cuts precisely because of the implications his scientific work for agribusiness.”

Dr. Lundgren’s whistleblower complaint triggers sworn depositions and other discovery leading up to an evidentiary hearing. The resulting ruling can be appealed to the three-member Merits Systems Protection Board and from there to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit."

additional:

Whistleblower Retaliation Narrative

Dr. Lundgren’s scientific integrity complaint

Lundgren's supspension decision

USDA pattern of science manipulation

all uploaded in pdf in the event of broken links....
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Offline Perry

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Re: USDA whistle blower punished for research on neonics
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2015, 09:48:09 pm »
It is a common practice among governments to stifle science based information as it is something they cannot control. Our departing government here in Canada became so proficient at it to the point of being laughable. Scientists of all stripes were muzzled to the point they joined and held rally's.
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Offline riverbee

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Re: USDA whistle blower punished for research on neonics
« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2015, 10:12:05 pm »
it is common practice perry, sad isn't it? also doesn't confine itself to big government or big companies trying to silence someone. all i can say is it takes someone with enough ovaries/jewels to stand up and say so in the face of the retaliation and all other that goes with it......loss of job, possibly loss of credibility in your field and future job prospects; loss of income, media coverage, and family stress.  many other things but i give this guy credit for speaking out.
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Offline Chip Euliss

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Re: USDA whistle blower punished for research on neonics
« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2015, 11:46:50 pm »
It is indeed a problem of great magnitude especially when the work reflects poorly on big chemical, oil, etc. companies that have such a powerful grip on federal agencies.  Science needs to be disconnected from politics for it to be effective. To do otherwise, is a waste of tax payer dollars plus it's just plain bad science.  I don 't miss getting "policy reviews" for the papers I published over the years!
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Offline Slowmodem

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Re: USDA whistle blower punished for research on neonics
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2015, 01:16:39 pm »
As I have said many times before, we have the best government money can buy.  Besides, corporations are people, too.  Right?
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Offline neillsayers

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Re: USDA whistle blower punished for research on neonics
« Reply #6 on: October 29, 2015, 01:19:52 pm »
I do truly love my country, but actions like this are why I don't love my government.
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Offline Ray

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Re: USDA whistle blower punished for research on neonics
« Reply #7 on: October 29, 2015, 03:47:35 pm »
It might be as simple as Politics of the workplace.
The supervisor thinks the underling isn't being subordinate enough or is going to subordinate the supervisor. 
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Offline Chip Euliss

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Re: USDA whistle blower punished for research on neonics
« Reply #8 on: October 29, 2015, 05:34:51 pm »
Quote from: Ray on October 29, 2015, 03:47:35 pm
It might be as simple as Politics of the workplace.
The supervisor thinks the underling isn't being subordinate enough or is going to subordinate the supervisor.

That's certainly possible but I'd guess it has more to do with Lobbyists and their influence on politicians that influence federal research budgets.  If it's workplace politics, I hope they shut his supervisor down.
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Offline LazyBkpr

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Re: USDA whistle blower punished for research on neonics
« Reply #9 on: October 29, 2015, 09:04:41 pm »
It is my belief, that it ALL has to do with money alone..  Hurt the folks with all the money and they will spend some of it to hurt you back.
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Offline lazy shooter

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Re: USDA whistle blower punished for research on neonics
« Reply #10 on: October 29, 2015, 10:03:30 pm »
Yet another instance of junk science.  It makes me wonder if there is any true science left?  If so, when and where.
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