The first Surgeon General, Richard Carmona, chosen by Bush was quite candid yesterday about what he saw as the administration's attempt to have him promote the administration's political views rather than his scientific views.
He was not allowed to speak or issue reports on stem cells, emergency contraception, sex education, or prison, mental health and global health issues. Nor could he attend the Special Olympics, a favorite of the Kennedys. He was discouraged from testifying at the government's trial of racketeering in the tobacco industry, yet the lead government lawyer says "he was one of the most powerful witnesses". The weirdest thing he said was that he was ordered to mention Bush's name three times on every page of every speech he gave.
But, political interference re the Surgeon General is not new. Clinton did it, Reagan did it. The problem is that Bush has done it a hell of a lot more.
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